iOS 9 brings a wide array of new features, but one of the least-talked about is the ability to block content in Safari. Apps that block ads, trackers, etc. have topped the App Store charts, with four different versions in the top 12 for paid apps. This is the first time Apple has allowed third-party apps to modify content inside Safari, opening the door for developers to create tools to improve the browsing experience for Apple users.

What is a Content Blocker?

Content blockers do several incredible things:

• Block intrusive ads that ruin the web browsing experience
• Block ad-trackers that invade your privacy
• Block unnecessary elements like social widgets, lengthy comment sections, etc.
• Increase speed and performance
• Improve battery life

Have you ever visited a website or blog, only to be bombarded with ads and pop-ups that are difficult to get rid of? Ads frequently interrupt and degrade the user experience when browsing the web. Similarly, many websites nowadays use trackers to monitor your browsing behaviors and serve up ads that you are more likely to click on. This seems reasonable, but it’s beginning to spiral out of control. As one developer puts it:

“Web advertising and behavioral tracking are out of control. They’re unacceptably creepy, bloated, annoying, and insecure, and they’re getting worse at an alarming pace. Ad and tracker abuse is much worse on mobile: ads are much larger and harder to dismiss, trackers are harder to detect, their JavaScript slows down page-loads and burns battery power, and their bloat wastes tons of cellular data. And ads are increasingly used as vectors for malware, exploits, and fraud.”

He has a point. While ads can help generate revenue for content creators and give us access to many things without paying for them,it comes at a cost. To see the flipside of this argument on why you might not want to use a content blocker, check out our post here.

Which Content Blocker Should I Get?

There are several powerful content blockers in the Top Paid Apps section of the App Store. They all primarily do the same thing, but they vary in price, capability and the type of database they use to block ads. Check out each app and choose the one that works for you.

Peace: Block Ads and Trackers, Powered by Ghostery

$2.99

Peace blocks ads and trackers, some external web fonts, comments & forms, and/or social widgets. It’s powered by Ghostery, a company who makes award-winning content blocking software for computers. It’s developed by a former Tumblr engineer and is currently #1 on the App Store.

UPDATE: The developer of the Peace app removed it from the App Store on Sept. 18th, stating that he didn't want to take away revenue streams from publishers who rely on advertising dollars to keep their business running. Read the full story here.

Purify Blocker: Fast, Clutter-free Web Browsing in Safari

$3.99

Purify Blocker also blocks ads, trackers, web fonts and certain blacklisted images and scripts. It makes whitelisting easy with a share extension, so if you want ads or notice good content is missing, you can turn it off for a particular website.

Crystal - Block Ads, Browse Faster

$0.99

Crystal is a cheaper option, but lacks the extra whitelisting and additional blocking features that other apps include.

Blockr - Privacy, Media and Ad Blocker for Safari

$0.99

Blockr has great value. It’s just $0.99, but contains a few additional options and toggles that Crystal lacks.

How Do I Install My New Content Blocker?

Installation is easy. After downloading your preferred content blocker, navigate to Settings > Safari > Content Blockers. You should see the app you downloaded. Tap the switch to enable it.

Will you be downloading a content blocker on iOS 9? Let us know in the comments below!