Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Review: A Solid Bundle Add-On, Not a Standalone Powerhouse

Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Review: A Solid Bundle Add-On, Not a Standalone Powerhouse | PCMag

Skip to Main Content

show = true)" :class="{ 'visible': show, 'invisible': !show }"> (Credit: Malwarebytes)

3.5 Good this.$refs.template.innerHTML, onCreate: (instance) => this.tippyInstance = instance, onShow: (instance) => { this.escapeHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') instance.hide(); }; window.addEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); }, onHide: (instance) => { if (this.escapeHandler) { window.removeEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); this.escapeHandler = null; } }, onMount: (instance) => { const closeBtn = instance.popper.querySelector('[data-tooltip-close]'); if (closeBtn) closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => instance.hide()); }, }; }, }">   What Our Ratings Mean 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. The Bottom Line Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is a fast, secure, and beginner-friendly privacy solution that delivers solid core performance and good value as part of a broader security suite, though it lacks some advanced features. Starts at $39.99 Starts at $39.99 Per Year for 1 Device See It PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Pros & Cons Excellent performance in testing Full physical server network Recent security audit by X41 D-Sec Transparent privacy policy and open-source infrastructure 14-day no-obligation free trial Device-based price structure Lack of key features like multi-hop Small server network Confusing relationship with AzireVPN Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Specs Name Value tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:hidden" :class="{ '[&>tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:!table-row': open }"> Blocks Ads Simultaneous VPN Connections 1-20 500+ Servers Server Locations 62 Countries Geographically Diverse Servers Free Version Free Version Data Limit No Free Version More Specs

Malwarebytes launched in 2008 and has a long history as an affordable, lightweight antivirus. The company has since expanded into security suite territory with a VPN, identity monitor, and browser protection tools. In 2024, Malwarebytes acquired AzireVPN, replacing its previous white-label implementation of Mullvad VPN for its own Privacy VPN. This means Malwarebytes users can take advantage of Azire's fast, privacy-focused VPN, powered by a physical server network and transparent data handling practices. However, Malwarebytes Privacy VPN has a rigid pricing structure, lacks advanced configuration options, and struggled to unblock Netflix in testing. It's a solid value as part of Malwarebytes' bundled plans, but it falls short of more advanced competitors, such as Editors' Choice winner Proton VPN.Pricing: A Complex, Device-Based Subscription ModelMalwarebytes limits subscriptions to one- and two-year terms. I prefer month-to-month subscriptions, as they let you ditch a service when it doesn’t work for you. Long-term plans come with caveats and may lock you into a service that stops working for your particular use case down the road. Malwarebytes makes up for this a bit with a lengthy 60-day money-back guarantee, which is twice the standard 30-day guarantee we see from competing VPN providers. (Credit: PCMag/Malwarebytes) Subscription prices get convoluted beca