NordVPN vs Malwarebytes VPN in 2024

NordVPN is a well-known product in the consumer VPN (Virtual Private Network) industry. Over the years, it has expanded to other cybersecurity spheres and released a password manager, a cloud storage service, and an enterprise VPN.

Malwarebytes started from the other end as an antivirus solution and dipped its toes into the VPN space in 2020. One would think the product will be great because of the company’s experience in the digital security field. But is that really the case?

To find out, we’ll compare Malwarebytes VPN vs NordVPN in a number of different categories and declare a winner. Read on to find out which virtual private network service is worth checking out.

NordVPN vs Malwarebytes VPN comparison highlights

Speed

The first fundamental category we’ll cover is connection speed. Arguably, it’s the most important factor of a VPN as it influences every other aspect of the user experience.

Tunneling protocols and the server network have the greatest impact on performance. They’re the best indicator of overall speed, while one-time speed tests are just that – relevant only at the time of testing. Therefore, we’ll judge NordVPN vs Malwarebytes VPN by their technical specifications.

NordVPN is clearly in the lead with its proprietary NordLynx protocol, an improved version of WireGuard. Plus, it has a larger selection of servers, meaning users won’t be cramped in a handful of locations.

On the other hand, Malwarebytes VPN isn’t that far behind since it provides WireGuard. However, it’s lagging because the server fleet is significantly smaller than what NordVPN boasts.

If connectivity is a priority, consider choosing one of the fastest VPN services.

Servers

Potential customers should judge the hardware of a VPN separately because it influences not only speed but versatility, security, and even privacy. Let me elaborate:

• A service with a more diverse region selection grants users access to a wider range of foreign content
• More servers allow users to spread out evenly to avoid traffic congestion
• A third-party-owned datacenter is a potential attack vector for malicious actors
• The underlying technology influences VPN user data integrity, and whether someone could get a sneak peek by seizing the servers

By these criteria, NordVPN is ahead of its competitor. First, the service has 7000+ servers across 118+ countries, a staggering number among the best VPN providers. Furthermore, the entire fleet is physical (all servers are located in their respective countries). Plus, NordVPN owns the entire 100% RAM-only fleet.

Meanwhile, Malwarebytes Privacy VPN has 450+ servers in 30+ countries. It’s a solid number but significantly less than what NordVPN brings to the table. Additionally, there’s no further information about the underlying server technology or ownership. In such cases, it’s fair to assume that everything is standard – third parties own the hardware, the technology involves data storage on hard drives, and some servers are virtual.

Pricing

Each provider has a different approach in terms of pricing. With NordVPN, customers can pick short-term or long-term subscriptions or grab a free trial to get familiar with the service. On the other hand, Malwarebytes users can select from three different annual plans, which determine the number of simultaneous connections you can have.

Overall, NordVPN is the more affordable option with its two-year plan. Plus, the free trial and greater selection of payment methods make it even more appealing. The only upside Malwarebytes VPN has in this category is the lengthier money-back guarantee.

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN users have an unprecedented number of choices when choosing a subscription plan. That’s because you can pick not only by the subscription length but also by additional features. Below is a table with all possible options.

The standard plan is the virtual private network service everyone already knows and loves. Meanwhile, the Plus plan includes the NordPass password manager. And finally, the Complete package adds NordLocker to the mix.

As you can see, the $2.99/month two-year Standard plan is the cheapest option and includes a 60% discount. You may find better deals if you utilize a NordVPN coupon code when signing up. Moreover, you can get a risk-free testing period by combining the Google Play Store 7-day NordVPN trial with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Payment options include conventional methods like credit cards, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and ACH Transfer. Alternatively, buyers can enjoy top-tier confidentiality by utilizing cryptocurrencies or paying with cash at a retail store.

Subscribe to NordVPN

Malwarebytes VPN pricing

Malwarebytes VPN keeps it simple and offers three subscription options. However, they’re all annual and allow you to secure a different number of devices with one account.

• $3.33/month for 1 simultaneous connection
• $4.17/month for 3 simultaneous connections
• $5.00/month for 5 simultaneous connections

The most affordable option is usable on only one measly device. Meanwhile, the priciest plan works with up to five, a rather underwhelming upgrade.

Luckily, Malwarebytes Privacy VPN includes a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. You can purchase the service by using a credit card or PayPal.

Security

When it comes to security, the two services have the basics covered. Both include:

• AES-256 encryption
• A VPN kill switch
• DNS leak protection

Besides that, it all boils down to the bonus features each provider offers. Malwarebytes VPN has a fairly small list of perks, while NordVPN has one of the most extensive arsenals on the market. Therefore, we can confidently say that NordVPN is the superior security-focused VPN.

NordVPN security features

With NordVPN, customers will have no trouble curbing online censorship and staying safe against other digital dangers. Here’s an overview of some of this virtual private network’s most appealing features.

• Threat protection. This feature keeps you secure from ads, online trackers, and malicious files while browsing the web.
• Obfuscated servers. Connecting to these servers greatly improves your chances of circumventing online censorship technologies, such as DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).
• Meshnet. This brand-new feature allows you to conveniently connect to other devices and share a network connection. It’s useful for LAN parties and sharing files with remote devices.
• Dark Web Monitor. Users can keep track of personal data leaks by enabling this feature. You’ll be notified immediately if your email address is discovered on a leaked database.
• Onion over VPN. Combine the benefits of a VPN connection with the Onion Router by connecting to these servers. The app will mask your IP address before going through multiple Tor relays.

You can get a detailed description of the numerous benefits of this VPN by reading our NordVPN review.

Malwarebytes VPN security features

Malwarebytes VPN users don’t get many additional features besides the basics. Here are some settings you can tweak while using the software.

• Auto launch and connect. Like most virtual private networks, you can enable these settings so the VPN would launch and connect to a server once you boot up your device.
• Connection mode. This feature is essentially a Double VPN. It enables connecting through multiple servers for added privacy at the cost of performance.
• Connection rules. Split tunneling with a different name. Users can utilize this feature to select which apps or IP addresses require a VPN connection.

Privacy

Once security is covered, it’s crucial to know the jurisdiction of VPN services and how they handle user information.

Let’s start with NordVPN. This provider is based in privacy-respecting Panama, a country that doesn’t enforce data retention and doesn’t submit to foreign governments. Furthermore, the service passed multiple zero-logs policy audits by PwC. If that wasn’t enough, users have the option to not share any payment information by signing up for the service anonymously via cryptocurrencies or cash.

Now onto Malwarebytes VPN. The service operates from the United States, a founding member of the Fourteen Eyes alliance. And although the service claims to adhere to a no-logs practice, a glance at the privacy policy shows how much data is collected when using the service. Props to Malwarebytes for transparency and for making the policy easy to read and understand.

It’s clear that NordVPN is the superior product in terms of confidentiality and should be the go-to choice among privacy enthusiasts.

Device compatibility

Device compatibility reflects how versatile a virtual private network is and whether it can secure your entire household. It’s unnecessary to have dedicated apps for every possible device if the VPN is router compatible.

Using Malwarebytes VPN to protect your home network is comparable to the struggle of Sisyphus. The provider only supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Plus, the cheapest subscription permits only one simultaneous connection, making it impossible to secure even a bachelor’s home.

Meanwhile, NordVPN is compatible with the same operating systems and Linux. Besides that, you can install it directly on Android TV, Amazon FireOS devices, or even browsers. And if you own some obscure device without support, you can set up your home router with a VPN and secure it that way. The only potential downside is that NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous device connections with one account.

I believe it’s clear that NordVPN wins this round.

Streaming

Customers use streaming VPN services to unblock geo-restricted movies and TV shows exclusive to other regions. Of course, there’s more at play than just changing your virtual location and opening the Netflix app. This is why not all virtual private network providers can successfully grant you bonus content.

NordVPN is the #1 VPN for getting the most out of platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It works with countless regional libraries and delivers video content in crisp UHD quality. Plus, the SmartPlay feature makes unblocking streaming content a hassle-free process.

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN surprised us and worked fairly well with a few Netflix foreign libraries and other streaming services. Plus, the video quality was quite good, thanks to WireGuard. However, the absence of Smart DNS and the low number of available countries make this service a poor choice for streaming.

Torrenting and P2P

Torrenting is a tricky subject because some VPN services block the activity in server locations where P2P is illegal. Luckily, NordVPN and Malwarebytes VPN see eye to eye and don’t restrict users in this regard. However, NordVPN has a few perks that make it a better VPN for torrenting than its opponent.

Firstly, NordVPN has specialized P2P servers, which provide better connectivity than regular servers. Additionally, customers can enable a SOCKS5 proxy on their torrent clients as an alternative security method. Personally, I’d use split tunneling to exclusively secure my torrenting app with the VPN tunnel.

Malwarebytes VPN doesn’t fall too far behind and permits P2P traffic on all servers and provides the split tunneling feature. Unfortunately, the low number of servers will inevitably result in reduced download speeds if you’re located in a region without nearby servers.

China

Everyone points to China as a prime example of the need for a secure VPN for dealing with online censorship and surveillance. It’s important to note that the situation in the region is constantly in flux, and on rare occasions, even the best VPNs for China will have a hard time. However, you’ll have the highest chance of success if you have multiple tools to tackle this issue.

With NordVPN, you can choose between obfuscated servers and Onion over VPN to circumvent the Great Firewall of China. On the other hand, Malwarebytes VPN brings nothing to the table and is unlikely to work in surveillance-heavy regions.

Customer support

Customer support options are essential for quick and easy problem-solving when facing VPN-related issues. NordVPN customers can choose from 24/7 live chat, email communication, or a deep dive into the numerous guides on the website.

Malwarebytes offers a similar setup but stumbles in the live chat department. The “chat with us” option directs you to a rather-unhelpful chatbot who later tells you to communicate via email with a real representative. Thankfully, the self-help section is filled to the brim with elaborate guides.

Best VPN by category

NordVPN vs Malwarebytes VPN – which is better?

Unsurprisingly, the NordVPN vs Malwarebytes Private VPN matchup ended with the former emerging victorious. It was a landslide victory, with the industry veteran dominating every category.

Malwarebytes is an alright VPN service, but the price is too steep for an underwhelming set of features and abysmal device compatibility. Perhaps it’s worth grabbing combined with antivirus software, but I wouldn’t go for it when NordVPN has an all-in-one cybersecurity package.

Would you pick Malwarebytes VPN over NordVPN? Share your thoughts and leave a comment!

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FAQ

Does Malwarebytes have a VPN?

Yes, Malwarebytes offers a separate VPN product from the antimalware software. It costs $3.33/month and is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. The cheapest plan allows you to protect one device, while the priciest goes up to five simultaneous connections.

Is Malwarebytes VPN any good?

No, Malwarebytes VPN isn’t as good as other VPN providers on the market. It costs above average but provides minimal features and can secure only up to five devices simultaneously. You’re better off signing up for NordVPN. It’s the best VPN on the market and provides security against malware with the Threat Protection feature.

Is NordVPN compatible with Malwarebytes?

Yes, you can use NordVPN with Malwarebytes antivirus software. However, that’s not entirely necessary since NordVPN has the Threat Protection feature for blocking ads, online trackers, and malicious files.

Is NordVPN better than Malwarebytes VPN?

Yes, NordVPN is significantly better than Malwarebytes VPN. It’s cheaper, grants more features & simultaneous connections, and has greater device compatibility. Plus, it’s better for privacy because of its audited no-logs policy, Jurisdiction in Panama, and anonymous payment methods.