About uBlock Origin Lite
uBlock Origin Lite, or uBOL, is the best answer for anyone who lost uBlock Origin. It comes from the same author, Raymond Hill, and uses the same default lists, but it is a separate extension built for Manifest V3, not an update. It relies on the declarativeNetRequest API, so the browser applies the blocking rules itself and no background process stays running while you browse.
The default ruleset matches uBlock Origin's: the built-in uBlock lists, EasyList, EasyPrivacy and Peter Lowe's ad and tracking server list. You can switch on more rulesets from the options page. The rules are compiled into the extension package, so, according to its FAQ, uBOL never makes network requests to remote servers. It is also the one extension here that covers Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
The trade-off is stated plainly in its FAQ. Many filters cannot be converted to Manifest V3 rules, so it is less effective on sites that actively resist ad blockers. Dynamic filtering and some per-site switches are not possible, and generic cosmetic filtering stays off until you raise the blocking mode to Complete. If you are on Chrome, Edge or Safari and want a free, open source blocker, install this.
Pros and cons
- Same author and default lists as uBlock Origin
- Free, GPL-3.0 licensed, and per its FAQ makes no remote requests
- Declarative design, with no permanent background process
- Runs on Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari (iPhone, iPad and Mac)
- Less effective than uBlock Origin on sites that fight ad blockers
- No dynamic filtering or per-site remote-font switch
- Built-in rulesets update only when the extension updates
Permissions
Its rules run inside the browser, so it makes no network requests of its own. Some filtering features need broad read and modify access to the pages you visit, which its FAQ explains.
