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Privacy tools — or Anti-Tracking Tools — can be noisy — lots of options, lots of claims. I wanted to find what actually drops tracking requests without breaking too many sites. I tried browser extensions, a privacy browser, and a network-level filter to see which combos block the most trackers while keeping sites usable. The right pairing will stop common profiling without forcing you into endless whitelist fiddling.
3 VPNs That Pass All Tests (2025)
- NordVPN: Zero leaks in tests, RAM-only servers, and Threat Protection to block malware.
- Surfshark: Unlimited devices, Camouflage Mode for bypassing VPN blocks, and CleanWeb ad-blocker.
- ExpressVPN: Trusted Server tech (data wiped on reboot) and consistent streaming access.
Quick verdict
A blocker extension (uBlock Origin) plus a small helper (Decentraleyes) delivers the best real-world balance for regular browsing. Add Privacy Badger if you want adaptive blocking that learns over time. For whole-home protection, bring NextDNS or Pi-hole into the mix. GitHub
The picks
uBlock Origin — efficient and configurable
uBlock Origin is my daily blocker. It combines standard filter lists with powerful options for people who want control. Out of the tools I tried, uBlock consistently reduced third-party requests with very little CPU or memory overhead. A small learning curve exists, but it’s worth it for the blocking power and low resource use.
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Privacy Badger — set-and-forget learning
Privacy Badger from EFF is a “learn as you browse” layer. It doesn’t use curated lists; instead it watches which third-party domains track you across sites and blocks them over time. That makes it gentle for newcomers but less aggressive than list-based blockers on day one. I like it as a companion to a list blocker rather than a replacement.
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Decentraleyes — CDN mitigation without breakage
Decentraleyes locally supplies common library files so your browser doesn’t request Google or CDN hosts for small JS libraries. It’s not a full blocker, but it reduces those network calls that signal cross-site behavior, and it rarely breaks pages if paired with a blocker like uBlock.
Brave browser — privacy out of the box
Brave bundles multiple protections by default: tracker blocking, fingerprint randomization and cookie policies. I use it when I need a privacy-first browser with minimal extension setup. Take note: some privacy purists debate Brave’s approach, but the built-in shields are useful for everyday protection.
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ClearURLs + Cookie AutoDelete — URL hygiene + cookie control
ClearURLs strips tracking parameters from URLs and Cookie AutoDelete clears cookies when you close a tab. Together they reduce long-term identifiers and limit persistent tracking from stale cookies. They add a little setup time but keep your browsing cleaner.
NextDNS or Pi-hole — block at the network level
If you want tracker blocking for every device on the network, NextDNS (cloud DNS blocking) or Pi-hole (local DNS sinkhole) are excellent. They require configuration, but once set up they remove many tracker requests before a device even connects. I tested NextDNS with custom lists and found it kept phones and smart TVs quieter without extra apps.
My Point of View
The uBlock + Decentraleyes combo cut most cross-site calls while keeping sites functional; whole-network filters trimmed calls from non-browser devices as well.
FAQ
Q: Will these tools break websites?
A: Some sites use third-party scripts for functionality. If a page breaks, whitelist it or reduce strictness for that site.
Q: Is a VPN enough to stop tracking?
A: A VPN hides your IP and encrypts traffic from your ISP, but it does not stop scripts within the page from tracking you. Combine VPN + blockers for best results.
Final pick
Start with uBlock Origin and Decentraleyes. Add Privacy Badger if you prefer an automatic layer, and bring in NextDNS or Pi-hole if you want device-wide protection.
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