Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
Software
High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service
- From
- $6.67/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; 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
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and ExpressVPN actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $6.67/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
Only in ExpressVPN
- Lightway protocol
- TrustedServer technology
- Network Lock kill switch
- Split tunneling
- No activity logs
- Private DNS
- Speed test
- MediaStreamer
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
ExpressVPN
- Vpnnot Malwarebytes
- Privacynot Malwarebytes
- Streamingnot Malwarebytes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
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
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose ExpressVPN if
- You need lightway protocol.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want trustedserver technology.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or ExpressVPN better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and ExpressVPN at $6.67/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or ExpressVPN?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $6.67/month for ExpressVPN.
- Does Malwarebytes or ExpressVPN run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- 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 Malwarebytes best used for?
- Malwarebytes is most often used for budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version, organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription, users combining antivirus with privacy via premium plus privacy vpn bundle. Of those, budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version and organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription are not what ExpressVPN is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that ExpressVPN cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling. Both handle Cloud deployment.