For years, my browser looked like an extension graveyard: uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, ClearURLs, Cookie AutoDelete, and a pop-up blocker—just to have a halfway decent internet experience. Then Surfshark released CleanWeb 2.0, a standalone browser extension that promised to do everything those five tools did—for free—with a single toggle. I decided to put it through a brutal 30-day test: delete all my ad-blocking extensions and live only with CleanWeb 2.0 (VPN on or off). Here’s exactly what happened.
What Makes CleanWeb 2.0 Different from the Original CleanWeb?
The original CleanWeb only worked when the Surfshark VPN was connected. CleanWeb 2.0 is a separate browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) that runs 24/7—even on your home Wi-Fi when you don’t need the VPN. That single change turns it from a “nice VPN bonus” into a legitimate daily-driver ad blocker.
The 30-Day Test Setup
– Deleted uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and all other blockers
– Installed CleanWeb 2.0 extension only
– Used my normal routine: YouTube, Twitch, news sites, Reddit, sketchy download blogs, online banking, shopping
– Tracked ads seen, page load speed, malware/phishing warnings, and cookie banner interruptions
Results After 30 Days
Okay, let me just say this out loud: I didn’t see a single banner ad, sidebar ad, or pop-up for an entire month. Not one. News sites, sketchy blogs, random forums, Amazon—everything just looked… clean. It felt weirdly luxurious, like the internet suddenly remembered how to behave.
YouTube was life-changing. I went full days—sometimes 4–5 hours of background videos—without a single pre-roll or mid-roll. Every once in a while, a creator’s baked-in sponsor segment would play (obviously, nothing can block that), but actual YouTube ads? Maybe two or three slipped through all month. That’s it. I used to fight with uBlock filter updates every week just to keep 90% blocking. CleanWeb 2.0 just worked, quietly, without me touching a thing.
The cookie banners? Gone. Poof. I honestly forgot they existed until I opened my partner’s laptop (no CleanWeb) and got slapped with fifteen “Accept All Cookies” pop-ups in ten minutes. I almost felt bad for her.
The safety stuff surprised me the most. Four times, the extension refused to load a page and threw up a red warning. One was a fake Windows update pop-up on a torrent site that Windows Defender completely ignored. Another time, I was about to log into an old forum account, and CleanWeb flagged it: “This site had a data breach in 2024—1.2 million emails leaked.” Changed that password immediately. Little things like that make you realize how exposed normal browsing actually is.
Speed-wise, my browser felt snappier. No joke—getting rid of five overlapping extensions actually lowered RAM usage and pages loaded a hair faster. I kept waiting for the catch… and it never really came (except that it’s still desktop-only and power users will miss custom rules, but I’m apparently not a power user anymore).
Bottom line: after 30 days, I deleted uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, and the rest without a second thought. CleanWeb 2.0 isn’t perfect, but for the first time in years, the internet feels pleasant again—and I didn’t have to become a filter-list nerd to make it happen.
The Features That Surprised Me Most
1. Cookie Banner Annihilation
I used to click “Reject All” 30–40 times a day. CleanWeb 2.0 handles it silently—the banners simply never appear on most sites.
2. Real-Time Data Breach Alerts
Got a red warning on a login page I hadn’t visited in years—turns out that site was breached in 2024. Changed the password immediately. No other ad blocker does this.
3. Malware Protection That Actually Works
On a shady torrent blog, CleanWeb blocked the page before it loaded and showed: “This site is known for drive-by downloads.” My previous antivirus stayed silent.
4. YouTube Performance
Still not 100% perfect (YouTube’s anti-adblock war continues), but I went entire days with zero pre-rolls or mid-rolls—better than my old uBlock setup after YouTube’s latest crackdown.
The Downsides (Being Honest)
– No custom filter lists or element blocking (power users will miss this)
– Doesn’t work on mobile browsers yet (only desktop)
– Very occasional YouTube ad slips through during aggressive rollouts
– Surfshark is based in the Netherlands (9-Eyes alliance)—something extreme privacy enthusiasts still mention
Who This Is Perfect For
CleanWeb 2.0 crushed it for three types of people:
– Normal humans who just want the internet to stop screaming at them
– Existing Surfshark subscribers (it’s completely free with your plan)
– Anyone tired of managing five extensions and constant filter updates
If you live in uBlock Origin’s advanced settings and build your own rules—stick with it. For everyone else, this is the simplest, most effective all-in-one solution I’ve used in 2025.
Pricing & How to Get It
CleanWeb 2.0 is 100% free with any Surfshark subscription—no extra charge.
Current best deal (Black Friday Sale! tested November 2025):
→ Surfshark Starter – $1.69/month (86% off + 3 months free) – includes VPN + CleanWeb 2.0
→ Surfshark One – $1.89/month – adds antivirus & private search
→ Surfshark One+ – $4.19/month – adds Incogni data removal
All plans come with unlimited devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Grab the deal here: SurfShark (affiliate link—I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you)
Final Verdict
After 30 days living only with CleanWeb 2.0, I deleted my old ad blockers permanently. My browsing is faster, cleaner, and actually safer—without any extra effort.
If you’re thinking about getting a VPN or just want the cleanest internet experience possible in 2025, Surfshark + CleanWeb 2.0 is legitimately one of the smartest $2–3 you’ll spend all year. Try it risk-free for 30 days and see the difference yourself.
