Comparison

AdBlock vs Mapper for Safari

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

AdBlock4 screens
Mapper for Safari3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AdBlock ships an update every 4 weeks, Mapper for Safari every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
AdBlock versus Mapper for Safari: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAdBlockMapper for Safari
Price$1.99$1.99
Rating4.3 (34K ratings) — better4.2 (608 ratings)
Positive reviews43.9% of reviews67.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34K — better608
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#39#14 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdBlock LabsAlex Kitcoff

Customer experience

AdBlock

All ratings33,969 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative14.2%
Written reviews1,537 reviews
Positive43.9%
Neutral8.7%
Negative47.5%

Mapper for Safari

All ratings563 ratings
Positive78.5%
Neutral2.8%
Negative18.7%
Written reviews339 reviews
Positive67.3%
Neutral4.7%
Negative28.0%

User reviews

AdBlock

From 34K App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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

None

AdBlock

No in-app purchases

None

Mapper for Safari

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AdBlock free?
AdBlock costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mapper for Safari free?
Mapper for Safari costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
AdBlock is rated higher. AdBlock averages 4.3 out of 5 from 34K ratings, while Mapper for Safari averages 4.2 from 608 ratings.
Do AdBlock or Mapper for Safari have ads?
Neither AdBlock nor Mapper for Safari shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
AdBlock ships an update every 4 weeks, and Mapper for Safari every 3 days. Most recently, AdBlock was updated on October 24, 2026 and Mapper for Safari on October 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, AdBlock or Mapper for Safari?
AdBlock currently peaks at #39 in the App Store charts, and Mapper for Safari at #14. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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