Short answer: Popup Blocker (strict) holds back pop-up requests and asks you to allow or deny them. AdTabBlock decides for you: it stops ad tabs a page opens behind your click and lets the links you meant to open go through, with no prompts. Pick strict if you want to approve every new window yourself. Pick AdTabBlock if you want it to just work.
Popup Blocker (strict) is a well-known free, open-source extension with around 300,000 users. It is a good tool, and this page is not here to knock it. People look for an alternative for one main reason: they don't want to answer a prompt every time a site tries to open something.
How they compare
| Feature | AdTabBlock | Popup Blocker (strict) |
|---|---|---|
| How it handles a new tab or pop-up | Decides automatically | Holds the request and asks you to allow or deny |
| Script-opened ad tabs (window.open) | Yes | Yes |
| Invisible "click anywhere" overlay links | Yes, disabled automatically | Links with target="_blank" are held for your decision |
| Tab-under (your tab swapped for an ad) | Yes | Not stated |
| Links you click on purpose | Open normally | Remembered per site after you decide |
| Sign-in and payment windows | Always allowed (Google, Apple, Microsoft, PayPal, Stripe, banks) | Allowed once you approve them |
| Per-site on/off | Yes | Yes, via exception list |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free |
Based on each extension's public Chrome Web Store listing on 12 November 2026. You can check both yourself on our test page.
When Popup Blocker (strict) is the better pick
- You want to approve or deny every single pop-up request yourself.
- Open source is a must for you.
- You also use Firefox or Opera and want the same tool everywhere.
When AdTabBlock is the better pick
- You want ad tabs gone without any prompts or decisions.
- You keep hitting sites where clicking Play opens an ad, or where your current tab turns into an ad (a tab-under).
- You want sign-in and payment pop-ups to keep working without setup.
Try AdTabBlock: free, automatic, and nothing you browse leaves your computer.
Add to ChromeCan I use both?
You can, but you don't need to. Running two tools that both watch new tabs can make it hard to tell which one stopped what. Try AdTabBlock on its own first, and use the test page to see the result.
Questions
Is AdTabBlock a good Popup Blocker (strict) alternative?
Yes, if you want ad tabs stopped automatically. AdTabBlock blocks script-opened ad tabs, invisible click-anywhere links and tab-unders without asking you to allow or deny each request, while links you click on purpose still open.
Is Popup Blocker (strict) safe?
It is a free, open-source extension with a long track record and around 300,000 users on the Chrome Web Store. Choosing between it and AdTabBlock is about how you want blocking to work, not safety.