Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Ghostery vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Ghostery
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Higher score in this comparison
Ghostery vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard: the differences
| Compare | GhosteryReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Malwarebytes Browser GuardReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | All features free with no limitations; optional contributions support development | Cleanup-only scanner for existing infections, no real-time protection; free download includes a 14-day Premium trial |
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, iOS, IPadOS, Android, Meta Quest | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Logging policy | No personal data collected; daily non-personal extension telemetry (opt-in extra telemetry); website access data kept four weeks | No sale of personal data for monetary consideration; collects GeoIP, machine identifiers and usage/threat statistics, no browsing histories retained |
| Jurisdiction | DE | US |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, SearchCovers more | Ad blocker |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (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. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Platforms: only Ghostery offers Opera, Brave, IPadOS.
- Platforms: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Windows, Mac.
- Support channels: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Chat, Community.
- Founded is lower at Malwarebytes Browser Guard: 2004 vs 2009.
- Privacy tool type: only Ghostery offers Search.
Our verdict on each
Ghostery
Ghostery is the pick if you want ad blocking and private search with nothing to pay: free covers every feature, while tools in the same group often sit near €7.89 a month. The extension is open source, runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and the company behind it answers under DE.
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 | Ghostery | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.9Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Ghostery | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 69 of 281 | 47 of 281 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 23 of 63 | 16 of 63 |
Which one suits you
Pick Ghostery if privacy tool type matter most.
Pick Malwarebytes Browser Guard if offer and privacy matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | Ghostery | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
Where these facts come from
Ghostery
- ghostery.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
- malwarebytes.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Ghostery | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Ghostery GmbH | Malwarebytes Inc. |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 2009 | 2004Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Antivirus
| Fact | Ghostery | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Not confirmed | 1 to 20 |
| Free version | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Extras | Not confirmed | VPN |
Pros and cons
Ghostery
Pros
- free pricing with every feature free and no limits on the free plan, contributions optional
- Open source, so the extension can be read and rebuilt by anyone
- Runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so there is no live chat and no phone line
- free is the whole pricing model, so there is no paid tier with added features or priority support
- Logging is light but partial: daily non-personal extension telemetry runs, extra telemetry is opt-in, and website access data is kept for a set period
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
Ghostery
Who it suits
- People who want ad blocking and private search without paying
- Readers who care that the extension is open source and inspectable
- Multi-device households, since Chrome, Firefox and Safari covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and headsets
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, if your goal is data-broker opt-out requests rather than blocking ads, since it has no free plan
- Apple Hide My Email, if you want email aliases: they are free with an Apple Account, though changing the forward-to address needs iCloud+
- Apple Inc. for the same reason, as its free aliases come with an Apple Account and forward-to changes need iCloud+
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
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
Ghostery
How much does Ghostery cost?+
Ghostery runs on free pricing, so the extension costs nothing and the free plan has no limitations. Contributions are optional and go toward development, so there is no subscription to renew or cancel. Tools in the privacy group commonly sit at €7.89 a month, which is the cost Ghostery does not charge.
Which devices can I run Ghostery on?+
Chrome, Firefox and Safari are all supported, so the same free plan covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and Meta Quest. The extension blocks ads and trackers and handles private search on each of those platforms, with no difference between the mobile and desktop builds.
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Ghostery
Malwarebytes Browser Guard