CNET Editors' review
ClickToFlash is a free plug-in for Safari that can--in the words of the developers--"block evil Adobe Flash...the scourge of the Web." Indeed, ClickToFlash does an excellent job of blocking unwanted Flash video while still letting you watch Flash when you want to, which can result in better browser performance, fewer crashes, cooler running temperatures (and hence lass fan noise), and in the case of laptops, longer battery usage (in both the short term and over the life of a battery).
ClickToFlash is easy to install and use. Once installed, ClickToFlash blocks all Flash video, instead showing a gray box with the word "Flash" and small settings icon in the upper left corner wherever Flash would otherwise appear. You can then load the Flash video by just clicking the word "Flash," or you can access the settings and instruct ClickToFlash to load all Flash on the page or to add the video's source URL to a "whitelist" (so, for example, if you don't want ClickToFlash to ever block video from a site like YouTube or ESPN, you can just add that site to your whitelist and those videos will always load normally).
This functionality alone makes ClickToFlash worth installing, but this app adds a couple extras, too: you can set ClickToFlash to always load higher-quality H.264 videos from YouTube (the format used for YouTube on the iPhone), or you can even set it to automatically load HD video when available.
If you're ever annoyed by Flash videos while surfing the Web (especially processor-intensive ads), ClickToFlash will be a welcome addition to your browsing experience. If you're on a MacBook, ClickToFlash can also add to your effective battery life, making it definitely worth checking out.
Publisher's Description
From ClickToFlash Developers:
Ever wanted to get rid of the scourge of the web that is Adobe Flash, but still retain the ability to view Flash whenever you want? With ClickToFlash, you can! Using ClickToFlash, all of those icky Flash bits that have infected most webpages on the internets are replaced with a nice, smooth gradient and the word "Flash" set in a nice, pleasing font. When you want to view the Flash, just click on it!
The advantages of ClickToFlash are numerous. Since Flash isn't loaded until you specifically ask for it, your CPU usage will stay at normal levels when browsing the web. This has tons of benefits: web browsing stays speedy, your Mac laptop won't get as hot, and your Mac's fan won't come on as often. In fact, we guarantee* that ClickToFlash will quintuple your battery life and that it will protect those precious parts of your body on which you rest your laptop! (*note: not actually guaranteed)
Best of all, ClickToFlash even supports viewing all those ADORABLE meowing cat videos, annoying dog videos, and hilarious rickrolls from YouTube without using Flash at all! That's because YouTube also offers H.264 videos, which are used when viewing YouTube on the iPhone. With ClickToFlash, you get access to those same, higher quality videos.
Come join us! The web is so much better without Flash.
- Block evil Adobe Flash Flash only when you want it.
- One-click Flash loading View blocked Flash with just one click.
- Higher quality YouTube Play H.264 videos in QuickTime.
- HD YouTube support No more crappy, blocky video.
- Website Whitelist Allow Flash on certain websites.
- Application Whitelist (beta only) Allow Flash in certain applications.
- sIFR Typography Support Load quality typesetting automatically.
- Automatic Updating Download updates when they're ready.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 19 votes
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Current version:
5.0 starsout of 6 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-6 of 6
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"Great program"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
Flash is held at bay unless I choose to turn it on. Teriffic!
Cons
There are no cons.
Summary
This may your best add-on for Safari!
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"PERFECT program for controlling Flash!!!"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
Allows you to control what flash content you want to see or load!
Easy to use
Perfect in every way so farCons
there is no cons i have found so far!
Summary
Flash sucks, but this makes it much easier to deal with!
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"this little add-on is absolutely brilliant. top marks"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
I am running osx 10.6.5 and safari 5.03 and it does exactly what it says on the tin. No flash adds or videos have got past it and viewing them is painless if i want to. One click on a youtube or vimeo video and it plays spot on.
Cons
No cons really, it took two safari restarts to kick in for some reason but other than that perfect so far.
Summary
Easy to load and configure, very good in operation and allows you to view anything you want in one click. Ideal.
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"Best WebKit plugin ever!"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
Blocks Flash! :D
Cons
None, really.
Summary
ClickToFlash makes surfing in any WebKit based browser (Safari, Chrome, Vienna, Shiira, RealPlayer, etc.) a far more pleasant experience. Flash only loads when I bid it to, speeding up my surfing and blocking those annoying auto-playing video ads. Since I have installed it I have had fewer browser crashes (usually only when I have had to enable a flash movie) and my system performance is much better.
I just can't recommend this enough! -
"Safari now super fast!"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
Safari's performance improved dramatically after installing ClickToFlash. Web pages now load like lightning strikes! Simple, elegant and very effective.
Cons
None. This really is a perfectly rendered piece of software.
Summary
Simple, elegant and very effective. With Steve Jobs' very public opinion on Flash (he makes a compelling argument), perhaps Click2Flash should be incorporated into a future version of Safari.
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"A Flash free experience"
Version: ClickToFlash 1.6b9
Pros
ClickToFlash 1.6b9 enhances my web experience by blocking Flash apps which happen to mostly annoying ads. If I want to access a Flash function I just click the icon and activate it. Sweet!
Cons
No negatives yet.
Summary
For a better web experience get this App!
Results 1-6 of 6
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