Compare Screencastify and AdBlocker Ultimate: Which Extension is the Best?

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.
AdBlocker Ultimate is a powerful tool designed to block ads across various platforms. With millions of users and a high rating, it offers a seamless, ad-free browsing experience.
Key Features
  • 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.
  • Comprehensive Ad Blocking: Blocks ads on websites, YouTube, and social media platforms.
  • Additional Blocking: blocking all irritating in-page popups, cookie notices, and third-party widgets
  • Privacy Protection: Prevents tracking and enhances online privacy.
  • Customizable Filters: Allows users to customize their ad-blocking preferences.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and set up.
  • Regular Updates: Keeps up with new ad technologies to ensure effective blocking.
Our Rating
7.8
8.9
Total users
6,000,000
3,105,395
Total ratings
11,733
90,243
Average rating
4.0 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.40
60.3K+ ratings
1.0M+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.7
4.51
3.2K+ ratings
719.6K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.8
4.85
26.7K+ ratings
1.4M+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
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.

9.3

AdBlocker Ultimate offers a wide range of features that effectively block ads on websites, YouTube and social media platforms.

Ad Blocking:
Ads are prevented on various platforms, both on the website and as pop-ups. There are other additional functions here, such as blocking all irritating in-page popups, cookie notices and third-party widgets, which substantially decrease page loading times.

Settings

The settings can also be used to remove only country-specific advertising and a whitelist can be added.

Privacy Filter
Blocks an extensive list of various online trackers, counters and web analytics tools. Based on the EasyList Privacy list and upgraded by our team. Additionally you can use the Fanboy's Social Blocking List which Removes social media integration.

privacy

Security:
The Security Filter automatically blocks all malicious domains.

The listed filters can all be switched on and off separately and individually.

Performance
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.

9.0

During our test, AdBlocker Ultimate did not experience any performance issues. Ad blocking worked flawlessly on all platforms tested, so there were no disruptions to websites caused by advertising.

Design
9.0

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

8.5

The user interface is clearly laid out and should be easy to use for every user. The settings page is also very clearly laid out. Only the constant reference in the extension pop-up to the paid Windows desktop version detracts somewhat from the design.

Value for Money
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.

9.5

The Web Extension is free of charge. Compared to other free providers, it offers a very high number of functions and options for customizable functions. We would therefore rate the price-performance ratio as very good.

Ease of Use
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.

9.0

AdBlocker Ultimate is easy to install and can be used immediately afterwards. Even beginners should find the extra functions easy to use, as they are described in detail. Great importance has been attached to the individual settings for each user.

Security & Privacy
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.

8.2

The tool offers the function of extra privacy protection by preventing tracking and thus increasing online security.
However, it is not entirely transparent in the policies whether the data collected by the extension is passed on to third parties.

Conclusion

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.

AdBlocker Ultimate is a great extension for blocking ads. Ads on various platforms are removed without the user noticing. Particularly noteworthy are the various options for customizing the settings. The user can control whether the extensions should only be responsible for blocking ads or whether they should also offer support in the areas of data protection and security. Compared to other ad blockers, the additional function of blocking cookie banners stood out, which we no longer want to do without.

Overall, we consider AdBlocker Ultimate with its wide range of additional functions to be a reliable option for anyone who wants to remove advertising from their online experience.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Screencastify and AdBlocker Ultimate, AdBlocker Ultimate came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but AdBlocker Ultimate outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings.

Notably, AdBlocker Ultimate has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.76, which supports its strong performance in our review.

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? AdBlocker Ultimate stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? AdBlocker Ultimate stands out with a rating of 9. 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, AdBlocker Ultimate lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? AdBlocker Ultimate stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, AdBlocker Ultimate stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, AdBlocker Ultimate stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

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