The Top 10 Adware Removal Tools for Keeping Your Devices Safe in 2024
Adware has become one of the most pervasive and annoying online threats, bombarding you with unwanted ads, hijacking your browser, slowing down your devices, and even spying on your activity. If your computer or phone has been infected with adware, you need a reliable removal tool to eliminate it quickly and prevent further issues. But with so many options out there, which adware removers can you really trust?
After exhaustive research and hands-on testing, we‘ve identified the top 10 adware removal tools for 2024. These powerful programs are your best bet for thoroughly cleaning adware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), browser hijackers, and other junk off your Windows PC, Mac, Android or iOS device. We evaluated dozens of leading anti-malware tools, focusing on their adware detection capabilities, ease of use, scanning options, extra features, and overall value.
Here are our top picks for the best adware removal software to keep your devices safe, secure, and ad-free this year:
- Norton Power Eraser
Best for: Simple on-demand adware scanning and removal
Pros: Trusted Norton brand, easy to use, free
Cons: Lacks real-time protection
Norton Power Eraser is a free, lightweight adware removal tool from one of the biggest names in cybersecurity. It specializes in finding and eliminating hard-to-detect adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, and other stubborn threats. Simply download and run Power Eraser anytime you suspect an adware infection. It will quickly scan your PC and remove any adware it discovers.
Power Eraser is very user-friendly, making it ideal for non-technical users. However, it does not offer any real-time adware protection or automatic scanning. For complete malware security, you‘ll want to use it together with a full Norton 360 antivirus plan.
- Malwarebytes
Best for: Comprehensive on-demand and real-time adware protection
Pros: Advanced detection, removes tough infections, free version
Cons: Full features require paid version
Malwarebytes is one of the most capable and trusted anti-malware tools, excelling at adware detection and removal. Its state-of-the-art app scans for all types of adware, spyware, PUPs, browser hijackers, and more. Malwarebytes is known for eliminating many stubborn adware threats that other tools miss.
The free version of Malwarebytes provides on-demand scanning and clean-up. Upgrading to the paid Premium edition adds real-time protection against adware, ransomware, exploits, and malicious websites. It also includes anti-phishing and anti-spam defenses. With apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, Malwarebytes Premium is a strong all-around choice for complete adware security.
- Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool
Best for: Adware scans on autopilot
Pros: Reputable brand, always up-to-date, configurable scanning
Cons: Better malware cleanup may require Bitdefender Total Security
From antivirus leader Bitdefender, the Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool is a dedicated utility that eliminates all forms of adware on Windows. It offers three pre-configured scan types: quick scan, full system scan, and custom scan of specific folders. The database stays current with the latest adware threats for effective detection.
The Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool provides a simple, automated way to clean up adware, PUPs, and browser hijackers. For more thorough malware removal, consider the full Bitdefender Total Security suite which can deeply remove rootkits, bootkits, and other complex infections.
- Avast Free Antivirus
Best for: Reliable free real-time adware and malware protection
Pros: Trusted free antivirus, active adware filtering, extra tools
Cons: Some useful features reserved for paid version
Avast Free Antivirus consistently ranks as one of the best free antivirus solutions. In addition to its highly-rated malware scanner, it includes real-time adware detection that proactively blocks adware, spyware, browser hijackers, and PUPs. The Web Shield feature prevents adware downloads and infected ads from impacting your system.
Avast‘s free version offers scheduled scanning, behavior-based detection, phishing protection, and a Wi-Fi inspector. Upgrading to a paid Avast plan unlocks ransomware protection, a firewall, secure file shredding, and other premium features. Avast provides solid free adware security, especially for protecting browser activity.
- Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
Best for: Fast adware scans from a leading antivirus provider
Pros: High-quality scanner, great detection rates, simple interface
Cons: Kaspersky brand has raised some privacy concerns
Kaspersky offers this free, easy-to-use Virus Removal Tool to clean infected systems. It leverages Kaspersky‘s excellent anti-malware technology to find and eliminate adware, malicious browser extensions, PUPs, worms, and other threats. The straightforward interface makes it very beginner-friendly.
The Kaspersky Removal Tool offers several scan types to check specific folders or your full system. It can run alongside most existing antivirus software as an extra clean-up utility. While Kaspersky has faced some controversy, independent tests still rank its malware protection highly. The Removal Tool provides a quick way to purge adware using Kaspersky‘s powerful scanner.
- Zemana AntiMalware
Best for: Artificial intelligence adware and malware detection
Pros: Advanced AI technology, removes tough infections, bootkit protection
Cons: Not as well-known as some bigger brands
Zemana AntiMalware takes a unique approach, using artificial intelligence and machine learning for superior malware detection. It can find stealthy adware, PUPs, browser hijackers, and zero-day threats that other antivirus may miss. The Pandora Real-Time Analysis system monitors for suspicious app behavior to block unknown adware.
Another Zemana advantage is its bootkit and rootkit removal capabilities to handle deep infections. The $30/year paid version adds real-time protection, anti-ransomware, and premium support. For an AI-powered tool that detects the sneakiest adware, Zemana AntiMalware is hard to beat.
- AdwCleaner
Best for: Novices looking for a simple adware and PUP removal tool
Pros: User-friendly, removes common adware, completely free
Cons: Basic feature set, no real-time protection
Now owned by Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner is a popular free tool that targets adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, and toolbars. With its simple, intuitive interface, it‘s a good choice for users who want an easy way to purge basic adware without any confusing options. AdwCleaner scans your system, browsers, and registry to clean out junk.
AdwCleaner is a straightforward adware scanner and remover without any extra bells and whistles. It doesn‘t provide real-time protection or more advanced features. But for quickly cleaning out common adware and browser threats, the user-friendly AdwCleaner tool gets the job done for free.
- Emsisoft Emergency Kit
Best for: Portable adware scanning on the go
Pros: Top-rated detections, four scan modes, ransomware protection
Cons: May conflict with some antivirus programs
The Emsisoft Emergency Kit is a portable malware scanner you can run from a USB stick on any Windows PC. It‘s great for cleaning adware and malware from an infected computer or scanning devices on the go. The Emergency Kit bundles Emsisoft‘s highly-rated dual scanner technology for finding all types of adware, spyware, rootkits, PUPs, and other problems.
You can choose from quick, smart, deep, or custom scans to check the system and remove detected adware. The Behavior Blocker feature monitors for ransomware-like activity to stop encryption attempts. While it may not be compatible with all antivirus software, the Emsisoft Emergency Kit is an effective portable adware cleaner to carry in your anti-malware toolkit.
- SUPERAntiSpyware
Best for: Thorough scanning and removal of adware and PUPs
Pros: Powerful multi-level detection, real-time blocking, repairs damage
Cons: Full functionality requires paid version
SUPERAntiSpyware is a well-regarded anti-malware and anti-spyware tool. It uses state-of-the-art techniques to detect adware, PUPs, keyloggers, rootkits, trojans, and more. The scanner checks memory, registry, hard drives, and external storage to find every trace of adware. It also cleans up the damage adware leaves behind.
The free version provides basic adware scans and removal. Upgrading to SUPERAntiSpyware Professional unlocks real-time protection, scheduled scanning, automatic updates, and premium support. Either option offers reliable adware detection based on SUPERAntiSpyware‘s proven technology.
- HitmanPro
Best for: Finding adware your antivirus may miss
Pros: Advanced cloud detection, second opinion scanner, 30-day free trial
Cons: Provides limited real-time protection
HitmanPro by Sophos is a unique cloud-based anti-malware scanner. Instead of relying on a local malware database, it checks files against a large cloud database for the latest threat detection. This allows HitmanPro to uncover brand-new adware that traditional antivirus definitions may miss.
You can run HitmanPro alongside your main antivirus as a second opinion scanner to find any adware that slipped through. The one-click scan mode makes it simple to quickly check your whole system. While the free version only allows 30 days of use, it‘s an innovative adware removal tool for an extra layer of security.
Tips for Preventing Adware Infections
In addition to using a top-notch adware removal tool, you can avoid adware infections in the first place with smart digital hygiene. Follow these best practices:
- Only download software from trusted sites and official app stores
- Carefully read install wizards to avoid bundled adware and PUPs
- Keep your operating system, browsers, and plugins updated
- Use an adblocker extension to filter malicious ads
- Never click on suspicious pop-up ads or links
- Back up your data regularly in case you need to remove an infected system
By combining these safe browsing habits with one of the best adware removal tools of 2024, you can keep annoying and dangerous adware off all your devices. These top adware cleaners will help you eliminate active infections and block new adware attacks. With the right tools and precautions, you can enjoy an ad-free digital life.
