Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs ProtonVPN
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and ProtonVPN actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 ProtonVPN
- No-logs policy
- Secure Core
- Kill Switch
- DNS leak protection
- Tor over VPN
- Split tunneling
- NetShield ad-blocker
- VPN Accelerator
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
- German language support
- French language support
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 ProtonVPN
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot ProtonVPN
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
- Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Malwarebytes
- Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Malwarebytes
- Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot 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
ProtonVPN
- Free plan limited to one device at a time
- Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
- Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
ProtonVPN
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.
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 ProtonVPN if
- You need no-logs policy.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want secure core.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or ProtonVPN better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or ProtonVPN?
- Malwarebytes starts at Free and ProtonVPN at Free.
- Does Malwarebytes or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that ProtonVPN cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle Cloud deployment, Desktop support, Mobile support, English language support.
Related pages
More on Malwarebytes
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