Compare AdBlock Max and Screencastify: Which Extension is the Best?

AdBlock Max is a great ad blocker designed to enhance your browsing experience by eliminating intrusive ads. With a user-friendly interface and powerful features, it stands out among competitors.
Screencastify is a popular Chrome extension for screen recording. It offers a range of features but has shifted many basic functionalities behind a paywall, affecting its overall value.
Key Features
  • Comprehensive Ad Blocking: Blocks pop-ups, banners, and video ads.
  • Customizable Filters: Allows users to tailor their ad-blocking preferences.
  • Enhanced Browsing Speed: Reduces page load times by eliminating ads.
  • Privacy Protection: Prevents tracking and protects user data.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and configure.
  • Record Desktop, Browser Tab, and Webcam: Capture any part of your screen.
  • Edit Video: Trim, merge, and add text directly from your browser.
  • Share Easily: Export as MP4, GIF, or MP3, and share via Google Drive or Classroom.
  • Interactive Questions: Add questions to videos to engage viewers.
  • Annotations: Draw on your screen in real-time to highlight key points.
  • Captions: Add captions in multiple languages to make videos accessible.
Our Rating
8.6
7.8
Total users
200,000
6,000,000
Total ratings
8,247
11,733
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.0 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.86
8.2K+ ratings
200.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Edge
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-
Firefox
-
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Safari
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Features
9.0

AdBlock Max offers comprehensive functions for blocking advertising, including pop-ups, banners, and video ads.

Ad blocker
A slider can be used to set how thoroughly websites should be searched for advertisements, etc., to block them. Depending on the filter method, the extension must be granted more permissions.

Filter


In addition to these basic functions, there are other functions such as blocking cookie notifications or increasing Internet security through tracking protection.

These additional functions are hidden at the bottom of the settings and can be activated. There is also a website whitelist on which no advertising should be blocked.

additional settings

Privacy Security
Privacy protection functions automatically prevent tracking and protect user data.

8.8

Screencastify offers a robust set of features, including screen and webcam recording, video editing and interactive questions.

Leaving aside the fact that many features are only available for a fee, it's fair to say that it offers a lot of features.

While recording, you can easily add spotlights and draw on the screen. The drawing tools offer a nice range of options, so you should have everything you need:

Drawing Tools

The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.

Here is what the basic editor looks like:

Simple editor of Screencastify

It recently also added an AI feature that automatically adds captions, transcripts, titles, and descriptions.

Furthermore, Screencastify offers another video editor when clicking "Edit Video" in the top right corner.

This will open up another editor where you can do some more video editing. Here is how it looks like:

Second editor of Screencastiy

In our opinion, this editor isn’t necessary if you already have your own video editing software, but it could be useful for some people.

We’re not entirely sure if this is just an older version of the original editor. However, we did discover that you can export videos to MP4 for free, thanks to an "Export" button that lets you do so without any limitations.

We’re not certain if this is intentional, but at least it works for us.

Performance
8.3

Basically, the extension runs smoothly without any performance problems. Page load times are shortened by blocking advertising.
Only during installation in Chrome did the browser crash once after the end of installation.

7.5

The speed has deteriorated considerably with the latest updates. This is probably because more and more functions, such as the AI function, are being added.

The tool has become slower, and creating links or accessing older videos takes longer than before. Many users have also complained about the performance in the reviews.

Design
8.8

The user interface is clear and intuitive. In particular, the filter customization options are very clearly displayed in the extension pop-up.

9.0

The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.

Value for Money
9.0

If you take a closer look at the extension in addition to the basic functions, you will see how many additional functions are available. As a free web extension, the price/performance ratio is very good.

5.0

As already mentioned, we are somewhat shocked by the limitations of the free version.

Especially if you have used the app in the past and can export videos for free. In addition, even with the starter package for $7, you are limited to 10 exports.

We find that many other providers offer much more for the money.

Ease of Use
8.0

The tool is uncomplicated and easy to install. Due to the well-designed method of a slider for the strength of the filter mode, preferences are easy to configure for everyone.
The other functions are easy to activate, but some users may find it difficult to understand which function does what. For each function, there is a description with the corresponding filter code on GitHub.

8.5

Screencastify is easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. However, we find that recent updates have introduced some complexities that are not absolutely necessary for a screen recorder.

Security & Privacy
8.5

AdBlock Max offers privacy protection through the additional function to prevent tracking. The extensions' data is protected by industry-standard measures.

8.0

Unfortunately, an account is required, which in our opinion is not necessary for Screen recorder.

However, Screencastify's privacy policy is very comprehensive and complies with standard data protection practices, including compliance with the GDPR and PCI-DSS certification for payment data. Screencastify takes reasonable security measures but, like all online services, cannot guarantee absolute protection.

Conclusion

AdBlock Max is a good tool for anyone who wants to block advertising quickly and easily. It also has additional features for those with a little more technical knowledge. Unfortunately, these are somewhat hidden for beginners and are described via external GitHub links.


However, the extension scores well for beginners with the well-designed slider for adjusting the filter method. This is also useful for people who only want to extend a few permissions for tracking, as this authorization must first be assigned if better blocking is desired.

Screencastify was a fantastic tool in the past, and we used to use it daily. Unfortunately, recent updates have made it less user-friendly by hiding key features behind a paywall.

For people who need a wide range of features, the tool is still an option. For others who just want to make a recording every now and then to export a video, Screencastify is unfortunately no longer an option.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between AdBlock Max and Screencastify, AdBlock Max came out on top, scoring 8.6.

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but AdBlock Max outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Screencastify reflect our findings, while we rate AdBlock Max lower than users do.

Notably, AdBlock Max has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.83, which is even higher than our rating of 8.6.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? AdBlock Max stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? AdBlock Max stands out with a rating of 8.3. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Screencastify stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, AdBlock Max lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Want to get the most for your money? AdBlock Max stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Screencastify stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, AdBlock Max lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, AdBlock Max stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

If you want a quick recommendation, AdBlock Max is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.