Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Avira vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 5 | 1 to 20Higher |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, SafariCovers more |
| Extras | VPN, Password managerCovers more | VPN |
| First-year price | €47.95 | Not confirmed |
| Renewal price | €87.95 | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | 60 days | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free version (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Devices is higher at Malwarebytes Browser Guard: 1 to 20 vs 5.
- Platforms: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- Extras: only Avira offers Password manager.
- Support channels: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Email, Chat.
- Founded is lower at Avira: 1986 vs 2004.
Our verdict on each
Avira
Avira suits readers who want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager under one subscription, and who keep paying after the first year. The annual antivirus plan opens at €47.95 and renews at €87.95, so the renewal figure is the one to plan around.
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 | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Monthly billing sits at €5.95, and renewal at €87.95 outweighs the lower entry price. | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.0Extras add vpn and password manager, a 30 day trial and a 60 day money-back window. | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 9.8 | 9.9Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick Avira if extras matter most.
Pick Malwarebytes Browser Guard if offer, devices, and platforms matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus software | 18 of 92 | 13 of 92 |
| Privacy tools | 25 of 280 | 17 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 13 of 63 | 9 of 63 |
| Free antivirus | 14 of 62 | 9 of 62 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Avira Operations GmbH | Malwarebytes Inc. |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 1986Lower | 2004 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | €5.95 | Not confirmed |
| Long-term plan price | €4.00 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | 36 | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, Streaming, Travel | Not confirmed |
| Jurisdiction | DE | US |
| Features | Kill switch | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Streaming services (vendor claim: unblocks access to geo restricted services) | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | 12 months | Not confirmed |
Privacy tools
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan limits | 500 MB/month data (Phantom VPN free) | Cleanup-only scanner for existing infections, no real-time protection; free download includes a 14-day Premium trial |
| Logging policy | Strict no-logs policy; browsing activity not tracked and data not sold to third parties | No sale of personal data for monetary consideration; collects GeoIP, machine identifiers and usage/threat statistics, no browsing histories retained |
| Open source | No | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, BrowserCovers more | Ad blocker |
Password managers
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Security audit | AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives test certifications, antivirus products only (2020) | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | 256-bit encryption, bank-grade | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial length | 30 days | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Avira | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year price | €47.95below the median | Not confirmed | €65.88 |
| Renewal price | €87.95below the median | Not confirmed | €93.48 |
| Devices | 5below the median | 1 to 20highest quarter | 10 |
| Money-back period | 60 dayshighest quarter | Not confirmed | 30 days |
Median across 51 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Avira
Pros
- A free version and a free password manager plan sit alongside the paid tiers
- A single subscription covers 5 devices across Windows, Mac and Android
- The bundle adds vpn and password manager to the antivirus plan
Cons
- Renewal runs at €87.95 against a first year of €47.95
- Support runs on help centre and community only
- Free usage is capped at 500 MB/month data (Phantom VPN free)
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
Avira
Who it suits
- Readers who want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager from a single subscription.
- Small households that fit within 5 devices and want a free version to fall back on.
- People who want coverage on Windows, Mac and Android without managing separate vendors.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who need wider device coverage: Comodo (Xcitium) lists 50 devices.
- Readers shopping in Brazil, where ESET Brasil prices its first year at BRL 64.22.
- Readers already inside the Apple ecosystem, where iOS, iPadOS and macOS are covered.
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
Avira
Current offer
Free trial
Not ready to commit? Get FREE 30-day access to all our Premium products: 30 days free
No credit card required; email address required; homepage legal text states that for trials a payment method is required at sign-up and is charged at the end of the trial unless cancelled first
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
Big savings. Strong online security: 45% off Avira Prime: 45% off the first year of Avira Prime (up to 5 devices)
Applies to the first annual period; subscription automatically renews at the renewal price unless the renewal is cancelled
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
Avira
What does Avira cost in the first year, and what happens at renewal?+
The annual antivirus plan is €47.95 for the first year and renews at €87.95. Monthly VPN billing is €5.95, and the long-term VPN plan runs €4.00. The step up at renewal is the part worth budgeting for if you stay subscribed.
Is there a free Avira version?+
Yes. Avira offers a free version of the antivirus, and the password manager has a free plan as well. The free VPN is capped at 500 MB/month data (Phantom VPN free), so it suits light use rather than everyday browsing. The free tiers give you a way to sample the products before paying.
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.
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