Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Proton AG vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Where Proton AG and Malwarebytes Browser Guard differ
| Compare |  Proton AG |  Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | No data or speed limits, no ads, no time limit, 1 device, servers in 10 countries randomly selected, medium speed. | Cleanup-only scanner for existing infections, no real-time protection; free download includes a 14-day Premium trial |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Logging policy | No activity logs | No sale of personal data for monetary consideration; collects GeoIP, machine identifiers and usage/threat statistics, no browsing histories retained |
| Jurisdiction | CH | US |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes), Privacy tool type (Ad blocker).
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 9.3.
- Platforms: only Proton AG offers MacOS, Linux, Chromebook.
- Platforms: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Mac, Edge, Safari.
- Founded is lower at Malwarebytes Browser Guard: 2004 vs 2014.
Our verdict on each
Proton AG
Proton AG suits readers who want a published no-logs audit, a free tier and a bundled privacy suite rather than a bare tunnel, with the company based in Switzerland. Paid plans reach servers in from 140 countries and cover 10 devices, alongside free storage of 5 GB.
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 | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Higher | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.4Term choice runs to 24 months with a 30-day refund window, and a free plan anchors entry pricing. | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 8.9 | 9.9Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 24 of 280 | 17 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 12 of 63 | 9 of 63 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Switzerland | United States |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Inc. |
| Headquarters | Switzerland | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community |
Password managers
| Fact | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | Pass Family: up to 6 users, 6 Pass Plus accounts, admin panel | Not confirmed |
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Security audit | Independently audited by third-party experts; audit reports public | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption, 256-bit AES-GCM vaults, OpenPGP with ECC Curve25519 for vault keys | Not confirmed |
| Features | Kill switch, Split tunnelling | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | Yes | Not confirmed |
Secure email
| Fact | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encryption | The VPN connection from the user's device to Proton's servers; Proton also markets Proton for Business with end-to-end encryption. | Not confirmed |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001 | Not confirmed |
Antivirus
| Fact | Proton AG | Malwarebytes Browser Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 1 to 20Higher |
| Free version | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Extras | Not confirmed | VPN |
| Money-back period | 30 days | Not confirmed |
Pros and cons
Proton AG
Pros
- No-logs claims are audited rather than asserted: Securitum's audit (Securitum, 2026) sits behind a No activity logs policy.
- Free limits come with no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit.
- 10 simultaneous devices, above the ranked VPN median of 8.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and there is no phone line among them.
- The free plan limits put you on a single device at medium speed with randomly selected countries, so constant use points at a paid plan.
- End-to-end encryption is marketed for Proton for Business, while the consumer plan encrypts only the connection from your device to Proton's servers.
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
Proton AG
Who it suits
- Readers who want a VPN, a passkey vault and encrypted storage under a single account instead of separate subscriptions.
- Families sharing storage, since Pass Family covers several users and Pass Plus seats through a single admin panel.
- Teams buying under a business audience (business) who need GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001 certifications on file.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing more devices on a single account: Proton covers 10, while ESET Brasil plans run 3 to 25 devices.
- Readers choosing purely on server spread: AVG lists from 100 countries, a base close to Proton's from 140.
- Readers who want a different audit trail to compare: Session Technology Foundation lists Quarkslab 2021 against Proton's Securitum, 2026.
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
Proton AG
What does Proton VPN cost, and how long are the commitments?+
The longest plan runs 24 months, the service is listed on a free model, and paid plans carry a 30-day money-back window. Across the ranked VPN field, monthly pricing has a median of €7.02 and long-term pricing a median of €3.97, which frames any quote you see.
Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?+
Yes. The free plan has no caps on data or speed, no ads and no time limit. It runs on a single device, reaches servers in a randomly selected group of countries and delivers medium speed, so the paid tier, which covers 10 devices, is the practical step for constant use.
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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