Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
ExpressVPN vs Malwarebytes
ExpressVPN
Security & Cybersecurity
High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service
- From
- $6.67/month
- Rated
- -
Malwarebytes
Security & Cybersecurity
Protects every device, everywhere
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
- They diverge on capability: ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ExpressVPN and Malwarebytes actually diverge.
| Attribute | ExpressVPN | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6.67/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2009 | 2008 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 ExpressVPN
- Lightway protocol
- TrustedServer technology
- Network Lock kill switch
- Split tunneling
- No activity logs
- Private DNS
- Speed test
- MediaStreamer
Only in Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ExpressVPN
- Vpnnot Malwarebytes
- Privacynot Malwarebytes
- Streamingnot Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes
- Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot ExpressVPN
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot ExpressVPN
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot ExpressVPN
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ExpressVPN
- The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
- The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections
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
ExpressVPN
$6.67/month- 1 Month$12.95/month
- 8 devices
- 94 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 12 Months$6.67/month
- All features
- 3 months free
- Best value
- 6 Months$9.99/month
- All features
- 30-day guarantee
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Which should you pick?
Choose ExpressVPN if
- You need lightway protocol.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want trustedserver technology.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is ExpressVPN or Malwarebytes better?
- Neither clearly leads. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Malwarebytes?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6.67/month for ExpressVPN and Free for Malwarebytes.
- Does ExpressVPN or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
- ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api. 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. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.
- What is ExpressVPN best used for?
- ExpressVPN is most often used for vpn, privacy, streaming. Of those, vpn and privacy are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
- What can ExpressVPN do that Malwarebytes cannot?
- ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Both handle Cloud deployment.