Will a VPN Block Ads? All to Know

If you are tired of intrusive ads popping up while you browse, you might wonder whether a VPN will stop those ads. The short answer is no, a VPN by itself will not block all ads.

A VPN’s main job is to protect your privacy and security by encrypting your connection and hiding your IP address. Some VPN services include ad-blocking features that can filter many ads and trackers, but even the best of these will not catch everything.

Below, you will learn how VPNs and ad blockers work, how certain VPNs can reduce ads, and what limitations to expect. You will also get practical steps and a few strong VPN options that include built-in ad filtering.

What Does a VPN Do and What Doesn’t It Do?

A Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. All your traffic travels through that tunnel to the VPN server before it reaches websites or apps. This masks your real IP address and makes it look like your traffic comes from the VPN server’s location. If you are new to the concept, start with this primer on what a VPN is.

The core benefits are simple:

• Privacy: Your ISP, advertisers, or snoops cannot easily see your online activity. Many readers also ask, can a VPN be traced? Encryption and IP masking make tracking much harder, but there are nuances. Get a clear breakdown of what your VPN can track and what it cannot in this guide.
• Security: Even if someone intercepts your traffic, strong encryption prevents reading it. Also note that a VPN provider cannot see your HTTPS traffic because HTTPS is already end-to-end encrypted.
• Freedom: You can bypass geographic restrictions and some network blocks by virtually relocating. Some people even explore whether they can use a VPN to avoid platform bans.

Blocking ads is not a core VPN function. Turning on a VPN will not remove ad slots built into web pages or in-app ads. It may reduce targeted ads by hiding your location and IP, but the ad spaces themselves will still load unless something actively blocks them.

What Does an Ad Blocker Do?

An ad blocker is a tool that filters advertisements from the content you load. It can remove banners, pop-ups, auto-play videos, and many tracking scripts. Some VPNs bundle related protections that focus on harmful content and trackers. For instance, certain services emphasize features that help block spyware and known malicious domains. That is useful, but it is different from removing every visual ad on a page.

Ad blockers usually rely on large filter lists of known ad domains, scripts, and page element patterns. When your browser requests a resource that matches those lists, the blocker prevents it from loading or hides it from view. While some privacy tools try to limit tracking technologies, you would need dedicated controls if your goal is to block cookies across sites.

Can a VPN Block Ads?

By default, most VPNs do not block ads. However, a growing number include optional ad and tracker filtering. These features can cut off requests to ad servers or risky domains before they reach your device. Some suites also aim to protect you from phishing by warning about deceptive sites that often deliver malicious ads.

Even so, no solution blocks everything. DNS-level filters are great at stopping known ad domains, but they cannot surgically remove on-page elements. That is why a stubborn ad may still appear, especially if it is served from the same domain as the content. Also remember that a VPN is not a cure-all for every threat. It is very rare, but people still ask whether a virus can spread through a VPN. The safer mindset is to combine layers of protection rather than rely on any single tool.

How VPN Ad-Blocking Features Work

VPN ad-blocking typically uses one or both of these methods:

• DNS-level blocking: The VPN uses blocklists to refuse lookups for domains known to serve ads or trackers. If the request cannot resolve, the ad never loads.
• Traffic/IP filtering: Some providers drop connections to known ad or malware IP ranges or scan requests for known advertising endpoints.

These approaches are efficient and work across apps, not just your browser. They are also less precise than a full browser extension that can hide specific page elements. If you prefer using a browser add-on, check your settings because a VPN extension in Incognito needs explicit permission to run in private windows.

Do You Still Need an Ad Blocker if Your VPN Has One?

Yes, in most cases you will get the cleanest experience by using both. The VPN’s filter is a strong first line of defense that blocks many ads and trackers at the network level and helps across all apps. A dedicated ad blocker is a fine-grained second line that removes persistent visual elements and lets you customize rules or whitelist sites you want to support.

Best VPNs for Blocking Ads

Not all VPNs include ad blocking. The services below stand out for effective, user-friendly filtering as part of a broader privacy package.

Private Internet Access (PIA) — MACE Ad Blocker

PIA includes MACE, a DNS-based blocker that filters requests to known advertising and tracking domains before they reach your device. This reduces pop-ups, banners, some in-app ads, and many trackers. PIA pairs strong privacy features with unlimited device connections and straightforward controls, so it is easy to toggle protection on and get back to browsing.

Private Internet Access

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NordVPN — Threat Protection

NordVPN’s Threat Protection goes beyond simple DNS blocking. It blocks ads and trackers, warns about malicious sites, and can even scan downloaded files for known threats. A key advantage is that parts of Threat Protection can work even when you are not connected to a VPN server, which extends coverage between sessions.

NordVPN

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Surfshark — CleanWeb

Surfshark’s CleanWeb blocks ad and tracking requests across its apps and supports unlimited devices per subscription. It helps pages load cleaner and faster while the core VPN delivers strong encryption and modern protocols. The simple on-off control makes it accessible for beginners who want fewer distractions with minimal setup.

Surfshark

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ProtonVPN — NetShield

ProtonVPN’s NetShield filters ads, malware, and trackers, and it offers adjustable protection levels so you can choose between blocking only malicious domains or enabling full ad filtering. Built by a privacy-focused team, Proton combines transparent practices with reliable performance for users who value control and clarity.

ProtonVPN

Protect your privacy and cut ads with Proton VPN NetShield

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How to Block Ads Using a VPN

1. Pick a VPN that includes ad blocking. Choose a provider that clearly offers ad and tracker filtering.
2. Enable the feature in settings. Look for a toggle named MACE, Threat Protection, CleanWeb, or NetShield.
3. Connect to the VPN. Filters usually activate when connected and start blocking ad requests immediately.
4. Combine with a browser ad blocker. For the most polished results, add a reputable extension to remove leftover page elements.

Conclusion

A VPN’s primary role is to encrypt your traffic and hide your IP. That alone does not remove ads. Some providers bundle effective ad and tracker filtering that can stop many ad requests at the network level and make browsing smoother.

For the most consistent results, use a VPN with ad-blocking capability alongside a dedicated ad blocker. You will get stronger privacy, fewer distractions, and a cleaner, faster experience across websites and apps.

And if gaming is your concern, see whether a VPN can help with ping to understand how VPNs impact latency alongside ad filtering.