Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Malwarebytes Browser Guard vs Opera
Malwarebytes Browser Guard vs Opera: the differences
| Compare |  Malwarebytes Browser Guard |  Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Cleanup-only scanner for existing infections, no real-time protection; free download includes a 14-day Premium trial | Free of charge, ad-supported; free built-in VPN and AI chat included |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS |
| Logging policy | No sale of personal data for monetary consideration; collects GeoIP, machine identifiers and usage/threat statistics, no browsing histories retained | Built-in free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log; Opera collects usage and ad-related data but states it does not log or store full browsing history |
| Jurisdiction | US | NO |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Browser, Ad blockerCovers more |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $8 |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | Lightway |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Platforms: only Malwarebytes Browser Guard offers Mac, Chrome, Firefox.
- Platforms: only Opera offers MacOS, Linux, Chromebook.
- Founded is lower at Opera: 1995 vs 2004.
- Privacy tool type: only Opera offers Browser.
Our verdict on each
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.
Opera
Opera packs a browser, an ad blocker and a free built-in VPN into a single download, which suits everyday browsing on a budget. VPN Pro costs $8 a month and falls to $4 a month on its 12 month term, and the free plan keeps the VPN included.
Score breakdown
| Area | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 9.0Entry price of $8 sits high among the 131 brands compared on price from, with an ad supported free plan underneath it. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 9.9 | 9.9 |
Which one suits you
Pick Malwarebytes Browser Guard if offer matter most.
Pick Opera if privacy tool type matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 17 of 280 | 27 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 9 of 63 | 14 of 63 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Norway |
Sources behind this comparison
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
- malwarebytes.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Opera
- opera.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Malwarebytes Inc. | Opera Norway AS |
| Headquarters | United States | Norway |
| Founded | 2004 | 1995Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, Community |
Antivirus
| Fact | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 1 to 20Higher | 6 |
| Free version | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Extras | VPN | Not confirmed |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
VPN
| Fact | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | $8 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $4 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 48 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Deloitte 2024 |
| Features | Not confirmed | No logs, Travel |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Opera Norway AS |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 12 months |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Opera | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $8at the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
Opera
Pros
- The free plan costs nothing, is ad supported, and still carries the built-in VPN and AI chat.
- Both the free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log, and the free browser VPN no-log claim was audited by Deloitte 2024.
- VPN Pro reaches 48 server countries over Lightway, with 6 devices covered.
Cons
- The free plan is ad supported, and Opera collects usage and ad related data, so ads sit in the mix alongside the free VPN.
- VPN Pro covers 6 devices, near the lower end of a site range of 1 to 50.
- The $8 entry price leaves Opera at 73 of 131 brands on price from.
Who each suits
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.
Opera
Who it suits
- People who want a browser with the VPN already inside it and left on at no cost.
- Readers who weigh an audited no-log claim highly, with Deloitte 2024 on record for the free browser VPN.
- Households that want the same tools across Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers after an email hiding tool on its own: Apple Hide My Email starts at $0.99.
- Readers who want a data removal subscription instead, where EasyOptOuts starts at $19.99.
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
Opera
Current offer
Free trial
VPN Pro free trial: 7 days
Offered at Opera's discretion; unless cancelled before the trial ends the payment method is charged for the selected subscription period
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
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.
Opera
How much does VPN Pro cost?+
VPN Pro opens at $8, and the monthly rate is $8. The longest term runs 12 months. On price from, Opera sits 73 of 131 brands, so entry price is its weakest cost point.
What does the free plan include?+
The free plan costs nothing and shows ads, and it keeps the built-in VPN along with AI chat. The features listed for the free tier are no logs and travel, and the pricing model is free.
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