Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AdGuard |  Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android | Cleanup-only scanner for existing infections, no real-time protection; free download includes a 14-day Premium trial |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Logging policy | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit | No sale of personal data for monetary consideration; collects GeoIP, machine identifiers and usage/threat statistics, no browsing histories retained |
| Jurisdiction | CY | US |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Private dnsCovers more | Ad blocker |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers MacOS, Linux, Android TV.
- Platforms: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Mac.
- Support channels: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Malwarebytes Browser Guard: 2004 vs 2009.
- Privacy tool type: only AdGuard offers Private dns.
Our verdict on each
AdGuard
AdGuard fits readers who want ad blocking and DNS protection in the same place, with a free plan for the basics and an open source VPN alongside it. A paid AdGuard plan covers 10 devices, and the longest subscription term is 24 with a money back window of 30 days.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Malwarebytes Browser Guard suits readers who want ad blocking with a VPN added on, and a free way to start. A paid tier covers 1 to 20 devices and adds vpn, which makes it a household purchase rather than a single machine alone.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.9Higher |
Which one suits you
Pick AdGuard if privacy tool type matter most.
Pick Malwarebytes Browser Guard if privacy matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | AdGuard | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 18 of 280 | 17 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 10 of 63 | 9 of 63 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | Malwarebytes Inc. |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | United States |
| Founded | 2009 | 2004Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | AdGuard | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 1 to 20Higher |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | 30 days | Not confirmed |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | Not confirmed |
Antivirus
| Fact | AdGuard | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Extras | Not confirmed | VPN |
Pros and cons
AdGuard
Pros
- Traffic is filtered locally on device, so AdGuard does not know which sites you visit, and the software is open source.
- The free plan is the default and covers DNS blocking, while the free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app.
- Apps and extensions cover Windows, macOS and Linux, keeping one set of rules across phones, desktops and browsers.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so most questions end up in the help centre or the community.
- The free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app, so phone users may end up paying for it.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Pros
- A free plan and a free version exist, and the free download carries a trial of the paid tier.
- The free tools look for infections already present, with stopping new ones sitting in the paid tier.
- A paid tier adds vpn and covers 1 to 20, which suits a shared household.
Cons
- Browser privacy is not among its ad blocker, where ad blocking is the only entry.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with written help rather than a phone line.
- Extras beyond ad blocking are limited to vpn, and a VPN is the single addition.
Who each suits
AdGuard
Who it suits
- Readers who want an ad blocker, private DNS and a VPN from a single company.
- People who want filtering to happen on device on open source software.
- Households with several devices to cover, since the VPN plan covers 10.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, whose aliases are free with an Apple Account, when the email address is the only thing to hide.
- EasyOptOuts, which has no free plan, when a free tier to try first matters.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Who it suits
- Readers who block ads and trackers as pages load rather than cleaning up afterwards.
- Households that want one paid tier covering 1 to 20 across desktop and mobile.
- People who want a free option first and a trial before committing to a paid plan.
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts suits readers who want paid data removal rather than browser blocking.
- Apple Hide My Email covers email aliases through Sign in with Apple, a different job.
- Apple Inc. is for alias forwards and iCloud+ rather than ad and tracker blocking.
Current offers
AdGuard
Current offer
Free trial
AdGuard for Windows 14-day trial period: 14 days
Included with the AdGuard for Windows v8.0 download
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Try Premium free for 7 days in AdGuard for iOS: 7 days
In-app offer before purchasing an iOS subscription; no payment taken during the trial
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
AdGuard DNS Personal plan free for AdGuard VPN customers: Free AdGuard DNS Personal subscription
Requires an active AdGuard VPN subscription; activated from the AdGuard account
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Free AdGuard license for contributors and developers: Free license key
For community contributors (translations, beta testing, filters, knowledge base) and developers requesting a developer license
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Current offer
Free trial
14-day free trial of Malwarebytes Premium with free download: 14 days
Included with the free Malwarebytes download
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Education, Military and Public Sector discount: Discounted subscription pricing
Verify student/faculty, military or government status via Proxi.ID; renews annually at the discount; not all offers available in all countries
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Save 35% today on Boutique business plan: Save 35% today
Boutique business plan, protects 10 devices
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
AdGuard
Is there a free AdGuard plan?+
Yes, and the free plan is the default. It covers DNS blocking, while the free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app. The starter apps already run on Windows, macOS and Linux, so you can try blocking on a phone, a desktop or a browser before paying.
What does the paid VPN plan include?+
The paid AdGuard VPN plan covers 10 devices at a time, and the longest subscription term runs 24. Its feature set includes no logs and streaming and split tunnelling and obfuscation, and a money back window of 30 days sits behind the purchase if the fit is wrong.
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Is there a free plan to try?+
Yes, a free plan and a free version are both offered, and the free download carries a trial of the paid tier. The free tools are for infections already present on a machine, while stopping new ones sits with the paid tier, which adds vpn and covers 1 to 20.
What does the paid tier add over the free tools?+
The paid tier adds vpn to the ad blocking and extends coverage to 1 to 20. Since the free tools are for infections already present, the paid plan is the one that handles protection as a device is used day to day.