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Dashlane vs Malwarebytes

Dashlane logo

Dashlane

Software

Password management made easy for businesses

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dashlane highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • They diverge on capability: Dashlane covers Password manager, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dashlane and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where Dashlane and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeDashlaneMalwarebytes
Starting price$4.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser ExtensionsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded20092008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Dashlane

  • Password manager
  • Digital wallet
  • Dark web monitoring
  • VPN for WiFi protection
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Password generator
  • Secure sharing
  • Security dashboard

Only in Malwarebytes

  • Malware detection & removal
  • Ransomware protection
  • Real-time protection
  • Anti-exploit
  • Anti-phishing
  • Browser Guard
  • VPN
  • Brute Force Protection

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Dashlane

  • Password managementnot Malwarebytes
  • Identity protectionnot Malwarebytes
  • Secure credential sharingnot Malwarebytes
  • Compliance requirementsnot Malwarebytes
  • VPN protectionnot Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

  • Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Dashlane
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Dashlane
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Dashlane

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Dashlane

  • Highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option
  • Restricted free tier with only 25 passwords on single device compared to Bitwarden's unlimited free tier
  • No traditional desktop application, users must rely on browser extension or mobile apps
  • Closed-source code prevents independent security verification unlike open-source competitors
  • Limited 2FA options supporting only authenticator apps, not biometric or SMS authentication

Malwarebytes

  • Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
  • Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium

Pricing, plan by plan

Dashlane

$4.99/month
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • Secure vault
    • Password generation

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Dashlane if

  • You need password manager.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions.
  • You also want digital wallet.
Dashlane review

Choose Malwarebytes if

  • You need malware detection & removal.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ransomware protection.
Malwarebytes review

Questions people ask

Is Dashlane or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. Dashlane starts at $4.99/month and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dashlane or Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4.99/month for Dashlane and Free for Malwarebytes.
Does Dashlane or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
Dashlane runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dashlane starts at $4.99/month.
What is Dashlane best used for?
Dashlane is most often used for password management, identity protection, secure credential sharing, compliance requirements. Of those, password management and identity protection are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can Dashlane do that Malwarebytes cannot?
Dashlane covers Password manager, Digital wallet, Dark web monitoring, VPN for WiFi protection. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dashlane: What happened to Dashlane's free plan?

Dashlane discontinued its free plan in September 2025. The entry-level plan now starts at $4.99/month (billed annually) for Premium, or businesses can use a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service.

Source
Dashlane: What platforms does Dashlane support?

Dashlane is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chromebook. Browser extensions work with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave. However, Dashlane no longer has a traditional desktop application.

Source
Dashlane: Does Dashlane support SSO integration?

Yes, Dashlane integrates with SAML 2.0 Identity Providers for SSO, plus SCIM for user provisioning and deprovisioning. However, the Safari browser extension does not support self-hosted SSO due to Apple limitations.

Source
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