AdBlock vs Mapper for Safari
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AdBlock
Block unwanted ads, pop-ups, and video advertisements on your iOS device. Enhance privacy, reduce data usage, and improve device performance. Enjoy a cleaner, faster browsing experience without subscriptions.
- Blocks 99% of ads
- Local DNS proxy service
- Customizable DNS rules
- Safari Content Blocker
- Privacy protection from trackers
- iCloud rule synchronization
- Works on Wi-Fi and cellular
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The original AdBlock - the first and last ad-blocker you'll ever need. A one time purchase - no subscriptions needed. We've been blocking ads on iPhones and iPads since 2012 - we know our game! :) AdBlock allows you to block ads on your iOS device. Get rid of 99% of annoying popups, banners and video ads. Protect your privacy, limit bandwidth use, speed up your device, save battery and drastically improve your day-to-day iOS experience. The most important advantages of AdBlock are: • AdBlock comes with a local DNS proxy service built-in. Use it to see which domains you're device is contacting. Create your own rules and assign any IP to any domain, right on your device. You can (and should!) bootstrap this feature with rules found online. • AdBlock has enhanced DNS proxy rules export and import function. Share DNS proxy rules with other users, easily import rules found on the Internet. • AdBlock comes with a Safari Content Blocker to block ads on websites in Safari. • AdBlock allows you to create your own list of domains and synchronize your rules between all your devices using iCloud. • AdBlock allows you to protect your privacy by blocking mobile trackers. Prevent Internet trackers from recording your online activity and selling your private data. • AdBlock does not send your Internet traffic through any remote server. All of your connections stay direct, fast and secure. Ads are blocked right on your device! • Setting up AdBlock is simple! Just download the app, and follow the tutorial to set everything up. When in doubt - contact our support! • AdBlock automatically updates to the latest version of the filters on every app run. We keep the ad servers database up-to-date for you. • AdBlock works with Wi-Fi and cellular networks. You don't need to set it up separately for every network you use. • AdBlock comes with a handy widget to quickly change the DNS proxy status when needed. Looking for support? Contact our dedicated support line directly from the app - we'll help you out with the proper setup and answer all the questions you might have.
Mapper for Safari
This Safari extension automatically redirects Google Maps links to open directly in Apple Maps. It supports all Google domains and provides smart fallbacks, ensuring a seamless transition without any data collection.
- Redirect Google Maps links to Apple Maps
- Supports all Google domains
- Smart fallback to Google Maps web app
- Zero data collection
- Works on iOS and macOS
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Mapper opens Google Maps links, directions, addresses, and map thumbnails from Safari directly in Apple Maps, so you can stop copying and pasting addresses. Key features: - Redirect Google Maps links, addresses, direction buttons, and map thumbnails directly to Apple Maps. - Support every Google domain (google.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc.) on iOS and macOS. - Smart fallbacks: if Mapper can’t resolve a link, you’ll land on the Google Maps web app and then automatically redirect to Apple Maps. - Zero data collection: Mapper only scans for map links on Google search pages and never stores personal or location data. How it works: - Install Mapper and enable the extension in Settings → Safari → Extensions. - Browse to Google in Safari. - Tap any map link, directions button, or thumbnail. - Mapper grabs the address or search term and opens Apple Maps with a single tap. Mapper is built and maintained by a solo indie developer, ensuring it stays lightweight, reliable, and up-to-date. If you love Mapper, please consider leaving a rating or review. For questions or feedback, tap the Contact link within the Mapper app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Mapper for Safari at free against AdBlock's paid. Mapper for Safari also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 weeks) and review sentiment (67% vs 44%). AdBlock's advantage is ratings volume (34K vs 608) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
AdBlock costs $1.99 and Mapper for Safari $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for AdBlock against 4.2 for Mapper for Safari. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AdBlock has 34K ratings behind it against 608, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of AdBlock's written reviews are positive against 67% of Mapper for Safari's.
AdBlock ships an update every 4 weeks, Mapper for Safari every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | AdBlock | Mapper for Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (34K ratings) — better | 4.2 (608 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 43.9% of reviews | 67.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 34K — better | 608 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #39 | #14 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 25 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AdBlock Labs | Alex Kitcoff |
Customer experience
AdBlock
Mapper for Safari
User reviews
AdBlock
From 34K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Works great when enabled
- 🔒 Robust ad blocking capabilities
- 👍 Customizable blocking rules
- 🚀 Blocks ads across apps and websites
- 👍 Affordable one-time purchase
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequently disables itself
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 👎 Inconsistent performance
- 🔒 Difficult to configure for some users
- 👎 Fails to block ads in certain apps
Mapper for Safari
From 608 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Works as intended
- 🚀 Seamless redirection to Apple Maps
- 💡 Solves a common frustration
- 🔒 Respects user privacy
- 🤑 Good value for money
Room to improve
- 🐛 Inconsistent or unreliable performance
- 🤔 Unclear instructions or setup process
- 🤷♀️ Limited functionality beyond Google Maps redirection
- 💸 Paid app that doesn't always work
Bugs and requests
AdBlock
Reported bugs
3 issues- Disconnects from VPN randomly
- Syncing issues with iCloud
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Automatic updates to block new ad domains
- Whitelist option to allow ads on certain sites
- Improved battery optimization
- Easier setup and configuration
Mapper for Safari
Reported bugs
3 issues- Redirects to incorrect or undefined locations
- Stops working after OS updates
- Doesn't work with Google Maps app installed
Requested features
3 requests- Support for more mapping services (e.g., Waze)
- Ability to set Apple Maps as default for all links
- Compatibility with more browsers/platforms
In-app purchases
AdBlock
No in-app purchases
Mapper for Safari
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AdBlock free?
Is Mapper for Safari free?
Which has better reviews, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
Do AdBlock or Mapper for Safari have ads?
Which is updated more often, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
Which is more popular, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
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