If you’ve paid for ad free Mumsnet, what’s it like?

UncleTed · 2026-04-23T17:40:39+00:00

I’m fed up with the constant crashing and waiting for ads to load. Mumsnet is painful to use on my phone. Subscribers opinions welcome if anyone has any thoughts? Shall I pay or just flounce off? I’ll be back in a few weeks with the same gripes, I imagine.

deeahgwitch · 29/04/2026 08:28

CoverLikelyZebra · 29/04/2026 08:16

I'd consider subscribing but I have a careful setup to have my mumsnet account completely separate from my real-life identity. If mumsnet servers got hacked the hackers wouldn't find out my name or address, they would just find the dedicated burner email address that exists only for the purpose of my mumsnet account. I don't expect it would be possible to subscribe without giving mumsnet my full details of who I am, and they have been hacked before.

I thought similar @CoverLikelyZebra

user6791 · 29/04/2026 08:20

I pay for it because it's the one women's space online so want to keep it going. Yes it's better without ads. Maybe try it out?

CoverLikelyZebra · 29/04/2026 08:16

I'd consider subscribing but I have a careful setup to have my mumsnet account completely separate from my real-life identity. If mumsnet servers got hacked the hackers wouldn't find out my name or address, they would just find the dedicated burner email address that exists only for the purpose of my mumsnet account. I don't expect it would be possible to subscribe without giving mumsnet my full details of who I am, and they have been hacked before.

GloiredeDijon · 29/04/2026 08:12

It was either pay or stop using mumsnet because the ads made it impossible and would then freeze my ipad afterwards making it unusable.
I sort of resent being forced to subscribe but it is what it is and ultimately mumsnet is a business.

CruCru · 29/04/2026 08:07

I pay for premium and I like it. I use MN often enough for it to be worthwhile.

Original poster

UncleTed · 27/04/2026 17:24

MudPieGarden · 23/04/2026 21:43

Same here. Love duckduckgo

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I’ve been trying this for the past few days and unfortunately there isn’t a great deal of improvement for me. Very strange. The first time I used it, it helped. But now there are ads and blank spaces that take ages to load the ads, it’s unresponsive when I try and click, just like it is with my usual method. Maybe I’m not using it correctly, but it was odd that it worked the first time but not now.

OP posts:

DalmationalAnthem · 25/04/2026 09:08

mumofoneAloneandwell · 24/04/2026 23:48

But theres an ad at the top though

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It's a MN one though, not the colourful spammy ones cluttering the pages, I don't mind, I pay because I like the other features of Premium, no spam adverts and it's pennies a month for the website I look at most.

Fooledaroundandfellinlove · 25/04/2026 00:12

Good for me but I only use it on mobile app really. Been on MN for about 21 years now.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/04/2026 00:05

I didn’t even notice there was was an advert at the top of my screen until I saw this post

mumofoneAloneandwell · 24/04/2026 23:48

DalmationalAnthem · 23/04/2026 18:42

I've had it for over a year, and can't remember what it used to be like! I don't see adverts, I've pasted a screenshot

But theres an ad at the top though

JaneJeffer · 24/04/2026 23:46

User33538216 · 24/04/2026 19:46

Same.

I’ll love it OP. And decided to pay for the same reasons you are considering it. No ads, no crashing, no issues at all since I started paying a year ago.

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Which goes to show all the problems that the ads cause

User33538216 · 24/04/2026 19:46

PygmyOwl · 23/04/2026 19:43

Personally I'm happy to pay for the ad free experience. MN is the website I use most often so it's worth it to me.

Same.

I’ll love it OP. And decided to pay for the same reasons you are considering it. No ads, no crashing, no issues at all since I started paying a year ago.

thenightsky · 24/04/2026 18:43

If I block ads, then the site doesn't work for me. I just get a massive banner across the screen telling me to remove the blocker.

LittleMissClutter · 24/04/2026 17:41

tnorfotkcab · 24/04/2026 17:21

Why would you pay, when you can block ads for free?

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Because it doesn't sit right with me.

It's only a couple of quid which I can afford and MN has kept me entertained for over 15 years.

I also pop money in the donation boxes of museums I can use for free 🤷‍♂️

tryandbepositive · 24/04/2026 17:23

I’ve thought about subscribing and might just do it now

tnorfotkcab · 24/04/2026 17:21

MousseMousse · 24/04/2026 17:20

Yes, it's a browser

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Oh my god don't tell them our secret....

tnorfotkcab · 24/04/2026 17:21

LittleMissClutter · 23/04/2026 19:49

It's great - just like how MN used to be.

I use Mumsnet a lot so 3 quid a month for ad-free was a no brainer for me.

Why would you pay, when you can block ads for free?

MousseMousse · 24/04/2026 17:20

UncleTed · 24/04/2026 15:51

@SwedishEdith @MudPieGardenthanks! is duckduckgo free?

Yes, it's a browser

Original poster

UncleTed · 24/04/2026 15:51

@SwedishEdith @MudPieGardenthanks! is duckduckgo free?

OP posts:

MudPieGarden · 23/04/2026 21:43

SwedishEdith · 23/04/2026 18:45

I don't see ads but I use DuckDuckGo.

Same here. Love duckduckgo

JaneJeffer · 23/04/2026 20:05

www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/3874618-Mumsnet-Premium-membership-please-support-us-if-you-can?flipped=1&page=1

TheSmallAssassin · 23/04/2026 20:04

JaneJeffer · 23/04/2026 19:51

But who would even look at MN if people didn’t post in the forums?

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It's obvious that it's a service people want, to be able to post content and to be able to read other people's content. What we would be the point of us all posting individually on our own blog page or something? Virtually no-one would read it.

LittleMissClutter · 23/04/2026 20:01

JaneJeffer · 23/04/2026 19:56

That’s not true

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So tell Justine Roberts you think she's a liar then 🤷‍♂️

Either way, the OP asked for subscribers opinions, so I'm not sure why you're derailing their thread?

JaneJeffer · 23/04/2026 19:56

LittleMissClutter · 23/04/2026 19:55

And if you were around at the time MN Premium was introduced, you'll know it was because that wasn't sustainable.

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That’s not true

Twiglets1 · 23/04/2026 19:55

It's good with a subscription @UncleTed

No ads - worth paying for if you use MN quite a bit.