1y ago

Can uBlock Origin do everything that NoScript does?

I have installed both uBlock Origin and NoScript in Firefox. Does it make sense to use both at the same time? I was wondering whether or not uBlock Origin is able to do everything that NoScript does. If not, what does NoScript have that uBlock Origin does not?

23 comments

uBlock has specific things that it blocks and configurable rules. NoScript just blocks all JS regardless of its purpose.

My understanding is yes it can. You need to adjust the blocking mode.
- Is there a simple way to block individual scripts with uBlock? I’ve only found a simple way to block 3rd or 1st party scripts and frames altogether.
  
  You can use the element zapper or picker to remove individual elements on a page.
  
  I recommend uMatrix for targeted blocking.

I use both as well. Ublock would let a lot of things through that NoScript does not. Ublock also gets stuff that NoScript does not. Facebook and google stuff? Zapped by noscript. Youtube ads? NoScript lets them through because you have to okay the youtube player, while Ublock blocks them.
Only complaint I have with NoScript is that it doesn't seem like I can allow scripts without it automatically reloading the page anymore. It was nice to be able to click the 'expand image' here, see that NS blocked the script, allow the script, and just click the 'expand image' twice more to close/open it. Now I have to click 'expand image,' unblock the script, the page reloads, I have to go find the post again, and then see it. If you figure that out, let me know.

NoScript to block specific JS elements on a page. If you have visited any Chinese online shop like Aliexpress or Linsoul I'm sure you'll appreciate NoScript to be able to only unblock the essential JS to be able to interact with the site and block every other tracker
- uBO can also do exactly the same. And more ☝🏻
  
  I am only able to block either every JS script or none. How do I select which scripts to block? This was the reason I installed NoScript

So far I understand it's no necessary to use both. You can do everything that Noscript does with uBO.
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/Blocking-mode
- Right. Second sentence on this site says this:
  But it can also be used in a manner similar to NoScript (to block scripts) and/or RequestPolicy (to block all 3rd-party servers by default), using a point-and-click user interface.

I found I was spending too much time managing NoScript that I dropped it and now rely mostly on uBO.

No. NoScript has more granular control over the different kinds of things that you can block per domain and is more similar to the now discontinued uMatrix in that regard.

If you want something like NoScript, the creator of uBlock as another most excellent extension called uMatrix, which offers a dizzying level of granularity!
- It may be available but there is no more development and GitHub repo has been archived in 2021. I believe it was because you could do what uMatrix does with ublock but I can't find Gorhill statement from back then.
  
  I didn't know, unfortunate!
- I used to use uMatrix, but stopped using it because it was discontinued. It might still work, but it stopped getting updated because the dev wanted to focus on uBlock.
  
  Damn I never noticed, as it's been working just fine.. Gotta switch fully to uBlock then

I would also like to know

23 comments