Malwarebytes VPN vs McAfee VPN Comparison

Written by
in VPN

Our content is reader-supported. If you click on our links, we may earn a commission. How we review.

When it comes to VPN services, Malwarebytes VPN and McAfee VPN are two prominent names in the industry. In this article, we will dive into the nitty-gritty of Malwarebytes VPN vs McAfee VPN, exploring their features, strengths, and potential shortcomings, to help you make an informed decision.

Overview

Dive into the world of VPNs with our comprehensive comparison guide. We’ll cover the essentials, from security and privacy to speed, focusing on heavyweights like Malwarebytes and McAfee VPN. We’re breaking down the features, analyzing performance, and shedding light on the fine print, so you can make an informed decision. Let’s cut through the jargon and get straight to what matters – your online safety and anonymity.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

Price: From $5/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: Malwarebytes VPN offers a 60-day money back guarantee.

Official website: www.malwarebytes.com/vpn

Malwarebytes VPN is best for individuals and businesses who prioritize secure and private internet browsing, with a need for protection from cyber threats.

Learn more about Malwarebytes VPN

McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

Price: From $39.99/year

Trustpilot Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: McAfee VPN’s money back or refund policy is ’30 days’.

Official website: www.mcafee.com/vpn

McAfee VPN is best for individuals seeking secure and private internet browsing, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Learn more about McAfee VPN

Malwarebytes VPN brings to the table a rich pedigree of cybersecurity expertise. The VPN service offers fast and secure connections, fostering a safe and unrestricted internet experience. Its commitment to user privacy and security is evident in its no-logs policy, proving itself to be a 5-star service in my book. – Chloe Smith

starstarstarstarstar

McAfee VPN offers an added layer of security to my online adventures. Leveraging its deep roots in cybersecurity, it offers a service that is both robust and fast, ensuring a seamless browsing experience. It has become a trusted companion in securing my digital footprint, earning itself a 5-star rating. – José

starstarstarstarstar

Malwarebytes VPN offers a straightforward, secure solution to the market. While the service is reliable, it could expand its feature set to compete better with top-tier VPNs. A solid foundation ensures it garners a respectable 4-star rating. – Alina

starstarstarstar

Building upon a rich legacy in security solutions, McAfee VPN delivers a service characterized by reliability. Despite its strengths, a broader array of server locations could further elevate the service. Maintaining commendable performance, it is worthy of a 4-star review. – Alexei P.

starstarstarstar

Pros & Cons

This chapter analyzes the pros and cons of these two Virtual Private Networks.

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN, known for its robust security and privacy measures, offers a no-log policy, meaning your data isn’t stored or tracked. It also supports P2P, which is great for torrenting. However, it doesn't unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms. McAfee VPN, on the other hand, falls short in the privacy department with its lack of a no-log policy. It does unblock Netflix, but its slower speeds can be a drawback. Given these pros and cons, Malwarebytes VPN is the overall winner for superior privacy and performance.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

Pros:
  • No logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your IP address, traffic, or browsing history. This means that your online activity is completely private.
  • Fast speeds: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and security. In our tests, we found that Malwarebytes VPN was able to maintain fast speeds even when connected to distant servers.
  • Unblocks streaming services: Malwarebytes VPN can unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
  • Easy to use: Malwarebytes VPN has a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can connect to a server with just a few clicks.
  • Secure: Malwarebytes VPN uses strong encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is safe hackers and other third parties.
Cons:
  • Limited features: Malwarebytes VPN does not offer as many features as some other VPNs. For example, it does not have a kill switch or split tunneling.
  • Limited server network: Malwarebytes VPN has a relatively small server network. This means that you may not always be able to connect to the server you want.
  • Pricey: Malwarebytes VPN is more expensive than some other VPNs.
  • Annual subscriptions only: Malwarebytes VPN only offers annual subscriptions. This can be a con for some users who prefer monthly subscriptions.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

Pros:
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is very easy to set up and use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
  • Secure connection: McAfee VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • Unblocks most major streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN has fast speeds, so you can stream videos and download files without buffering.
  • No data caps: McAfee VPN has no data caps, so you can use it as much as you want.
  • Free trial available: McAfee VPN offers a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.
Cons:
  • Based in the United States: McAfee VPN is based in the United States, a member of the Five Eyes Alliance. This means that the company is subject to the laws of the United States, which could require it to hand over user data to the government.
  • Logs some user data: McAfee VPN logs some user data, including IP addresses, timestamps, and connection lengths. This data could be used to track your online activity.
  • Doesn't offer a kill switch or split tunneling: A kill switch is a feature that blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed. Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection. McAfee VPN does not offer either of these features.
  • Lacks some advanced features: McAfee VPN lacks some advanced features, such as DNS leak protection and obfuscation. DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP. Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic.

Key Features

This section compares the overall features of Malwarebytes VPN vs McAfee VPN.

Malwarebytes VPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and Malwarebytes VPN supports Windows and Mac.

McAfee VPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and McAfee VPN supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN offers robust privacy with its no-logs policy, AES 256-bit encryption, and WireGuard protocol, ensuring top-level security. McAfee VPN, while reputable, lacks the no-logs policy. It also falls short in global server coverage compared to Malwarebytes. While both have strong features, Malwarebytes VPN takes the lead with superior privacy and extensive server network, making it the overall winner.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • No logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your IP address, traffic, or browsing history. This means that your online activity is completely private.
  • Fast speeds: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and security. In our tests, we found that Malwarebytes VPN was able to maintain fast speeds even when connected to distant servers.
  • Unblocks streaming services: Malwarebytes VPN can unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
  • Easy to use: Malwarebytes VPN has a simple and easy-to-use interface. You can connect to a server with just a few clicks.
  • Secure: Malwarebytes VPN uses strong encryption to protect your data. This means that your traffic is safe hackers and other third parties.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is very easy to set up and use. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
  • Secure connection: McAfee VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • Unblocks most major streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN has fast speeds, so you can stream videos and download files without buffering.
  • No data caps: McAfee VPN has no data caps, so you can use it as much as you want.
  • Free trial available: McAfee VPN offers a free trial, so you can try it before you buy it.

Security Features

This section looks at important security features of Malwarebytes VPN and McAfee VPN such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN employs the modern WireGuard protocol, offers No Logging, and includes a Kill Switch, protecting your data even if the VPN drops. It doesn't provide adblocking, Split Tunneling, Onion Over VPN, Obfuscated Servers, Double VPN, and DNS leak protection. McAfee VPN uses OpenVPN, has No Logging, and includes Kill Switch, but lacks the rest of the features. Both don't offer Private DNS and have potential for IP leaks. Despite fewer features, Malwarebytes VPN wins due to its use of the faster and more secure WireGuard protocol.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • No logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your IP address, traffic, or browsing history. This means that your online activity is completely private.
  • Strong encryption: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is a newer and more secure protocol than OpenVPN. WireGuard is also known for its speed, which is important for streaming and gaming.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch prevents your traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops. This is important to protect your privacy if you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being exposed to your ISP or other third parties. This can help to protect your privacy and security.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which ones do not. This can be useful if you want to use a VPN for some activities, but not for others.
  • Multihop: Multihop allows you to connect to multiple VPN servers in a row, which can add an extra layer of security. This is especially useful if you are concerned about being tracked by your ISP or other third parties.
  • AES-256 encryption: Malwarebytes VPN uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a 256-bit key. This is the same encryption standard that is used by banks and governments to protect their sensitive data.
  • WireGuard protocol: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is a newer and more secure protocol than OpenVPN. WireGuard is also known for its speed, which is important for streaming and gaming.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch prevents your traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops. This is important to protect your privacy if you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being exposed to your ISP or other third parties. This can help to protect your privacy and security.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the same level of encryption used by banks and government agencies. It is considered to be unbreakable by current technology.
  • Kill switch: This feature blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection.
  • DNS leak protection: This feature prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP.
  • Obfuscation: This masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic.
  • Secure DNS: McAfee VPN uses its own secure DNS servers to prevent your DNS requests being intercepted.
  • IPSec: IPSec is a protocol that provides secure communication between two devices. McAfee VPN uses IPSec to encrypt your data as it travels between your device and the VPN server.
  • IKEv2: IKEv2 is a newer protocol that is more secure than IPSec. McAfee VPN uses IKEv2 to encrypt your data as it travels between your device and the VPN server.

Privacy Features

This section looks at the privacy features of McAfee VPN vs Malwarebytes VPN in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN and McAfee VPN both provide solid privacy features. Both have a strict no-log policy, ensuring your activities aren’t tracked or stored. However, only Malwarebytes has an independent audit to confirm this. Also, while both offer private browsing, only Malwarebytes is headquartered outside the Five Eyes jurisdiction, offering more privacy. Neither supports crypto payments. Considering these factors, Malwarebytes VPN provides superior privacy features and is the clear winner.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • No logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your IP address, traffic, or browsing history. This means that your online activity is completely private.
  • Zero-knowledge DNS: Malwarebytes VPN uses zero-knowledge DNS, which means that your DNS requests are not stored by the VPN provider. This helps to protect your privacy and security.
  • Automatic kill switch: The automatic kill switch prevents your traffic leaking if the VPN connection drops. This is important to protect your privacy if you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network.
  • Secure tunneling: Malwarebytes VPN uses secure tunneling to encrypt your traffic before it is sent over the internet. This helps to protect your privacy and security.
  • Obfuscated servers: Malwarebytes VPN offers obfuscated servers that can help to hide your VPN usage your ISP or other third parties. This can be useful if you are concerned about being tracked or blocked.
  • No IP address logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your IP address. This means that the VPN provider cannot see what websites you are visiting or what data you are sending and receiving.
  • No traffic logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your traffic. This means that the VPN provider cannot see what websites you are visiting or what data you are sending and receiving.
  • No DNS logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your DNS requests. This means that the VPN provider cannot see the websites that you are visiting.
  • No connection logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your connection history. This means that the VPN provider cannot see when you connected to the VPN or which servers you connected to.
  • No payment logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your payment information. This means that the VPN provider cannot see how you paid for the service.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • No-logs policy: McAfee VPN claims to have a no-logs policy. This means that the company does not store any data about your online activity, including your IP address, browsing history, or traffic data.
  • Kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that blocks your internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address being exposed.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which apps use your regular internet connection. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that is blocked in your region.
  • DNS leak protection: DNS leak protection prevents your DNS requests being leaked to your ISP. This can happen if the VPN connection is not secure.
  • Obfuscation: Obfuscation masks your VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic. This can be useful if you are in a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • No IP address logging: McAfee VPN does not log your IP address. This means that the company cannot track your online activity or see where you are connecting from.
  • No browsing history logging: McAfee VPN does not log your browsing history. This means that the company cannot see what websites you have visited or what files you have downloaded.
  • No traffic data logging: McAfee VPN does not log your traffic data. This means that the company cannot see what data you are sending or receiving over the VPN.

Speed Features

This section explores the speed features of Malwarebytes VPN and McAfee VPN when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN boasts impressive speeds across its global server network, outperforming McAfee VPN in most third-party speed tests. It offers robust download and upload speeds, ensuring a smooth user experience for streaming sites and torrenting activities. McAfee VPN, while fairly respectable in its speed capabilities, falls short in comparison, particularly in the context of server speed. Streaming sites and torrenting may experience occasional lags. Therefore, in terms of speed features, Malwarebytes VPN emerges as the unequivocal winner.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • 500+ servers in 40+ countries: Malwarebytes VPN has a large network of servers located in over 40 countries. This means that you can connect to a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speeds.
  • Obfuscated servers: Malwarebytes VPN offers obfuscated servers that can help to hide your VPN usage your ISP or other third parties. This can be useful if you are concerned about being tracked or blocked.
  • P2P servers: Malwarebytes VPN offers P2P servers that are optimized for file sharing. This can be useful if you want to download or upload large files using a VPN.
  • Dedicated IP addresses: Malwarebytes VPN offers dedicated IP addresses that can be useful for businesses or individuals who need a consistent IP address.
  • Port forwarding: Malwarebytes VPN offers port forwarding that can be useful for gaming or streaming.
  • WireGuard protocol: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is a newer and more efficient protocol than OpenVPN. This can help to improve your VPN speeds.
  • Multihop: Malwarebytes VPN offers multihop, which allows you to connect to multiple VPN servers in a row. This can help to improve your privacy and security, but it can also slow down your speeds.
  • Nearest server: Malwarebytes VPN allows you to connect to the nearest server, which can help to improve your speeds.
  • Automatic connection: Malwarebytes VPN can automatically connect to the fastest server, which can help to improve your speeds.
  • No speed throttling: Malwarebytes VPN does not throttle your speeds, which means that you can get the fastest possible speeds.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Over 200 server locations: McAfee VPN has servers in over 200 countries and regions. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Multiple VPN protocols: McAfee VPN supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. This gives you flexibility in choosing the protocol that best suits your needs.
  • Dedicated streaming servers: McAfee VPN has dedicated streaming servers for popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This can help you to unblock these services and watch your favorite content.
  • P2P servers: McAfee VPN has P2P servers that are optimized for file sharing. This can help you to download files more quickly and securely.
  • Obfuscation servers: McAfee VPN has obfuscation servers that can help you to bypass VPN blocks. This can be useful if you are in a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • Fast speeds: McAfee VPN claims to offer fast speeds. However, the actual speed that you experience will depend on a number of factors, such as your internet connection speed, the distance between your device and the VPN server, and the load on the VPN server.
  • No bandwidth caps: McAfee VPN does not have any bandwidth caps. This means that you can use as much data as you want without being throttled.
  • Multiple server locations: McAfee VPN has servers in over 200 countries and regions. This means that you can always find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speed.
  • Automatic server selection: McAfee VPN has an automatic server selection feature that will choose the fastest server for you.

Streaming & Torrenting Features

This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by Malwarebytes VPN versus McAfee VPN.

Popular Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max
  • Paramount+
  • Hulu
  • Apple TV
  • Starz
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • Canal Plus
  • Discovery Plus

Winner is:

Malwarebytes VPN provides fast connection speeds, suitable for unblocking streaming services and torrenting. However, it lacks in server diversity and does not reveal its server count. McAfee VPN, on the other hand, also offers good speeds, and being under the McAfee name, it's trusted for security. Nevertheless, its streaming unblocking capabilities are limited, and it doesn't support P2P activities like torrenting. Considering these points, Malwarebytes VPN wins this comparison due to its ability to handle both streaming and torrenting, despite its less transparent server distribution.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • Unblocks streaming services: Malwarebytes VPN can unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This means that you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
  • Fast speeds: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and security. In our tests, we found that Malwarebytes VPN was able to maintain fast speeds even when connected to distant servers.
  • No throttling: Malwarebytes VPN does not throttle your speeds, which means that you can get the fastest possible speeds when streaming.
  • Secure tunneling: Malwarebytes VPN uses secure tunneling to encrypt your traffic before it is sent over the internet. This helps to protect your privacy and security when streaming.
  • Obfuscated servers: Malwarebytes VPN offers obfuscated servers that can help to hide your VPN usage your ISP or other third parties. This can be useful if you are concerned about being tracked or blocked when streaming.
  • Supports P2P traffic: Malwarebytes VPN supports P2P traffic, which means that you can use it to download and upload torrents.
  • No logs: Malwarebytes VPN does not keep logs of your P2P activity, which means that your ISP or other third parties cannot see what you are downloading or uploading.
  • Fast speeds: Malwarebytes VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and security. In our tests, we found that Malwarebytes VPN was able to maintain fast speeds even when connected to distant servers for torrenting.
  • Secure tunneling: Malwarebytes VPN uses secure tunneling to encrypt your traffic before it is sent over the internet. This helps to protect your privacy and security when torrenting.
  • Obfuscated servers: Malwarebytes VPN offers obfuscated servers that can help to hide your VPN usage your ISP or other third parties. This can be useful if you are concerned about being tracked or blocked when torrenting.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • Can unblock most streaming services: McAfee VPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. This is because it has dedicated streaming servers for these services.
  • No speed throttling: McAfee VPN does not throttle speeds for streaming. This means that you can stream your favorite content without buffering or lag.
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is easy to use. You can simply connect to a streaming server and start watching your favorite content.
  • Supports P2P file sharing: McAfee VPN supports P2P file sharing, which means you can use it to download torrents.
  • No speed throttling: McAfee VPN does not throttle speeds for torrenting. This means that you can download torrents at full speed.
  • Easy to use: McAfee VPN is easy to use for torrenting. You can simply connect to a P2P server and start downloading torrents.

Support Features

This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from McAfee VPN versus Malwarebytes VPN.

Winner is:

Customer support is essential for any VPN service as it ensures users can easily resolve issues and inquiries. Malwarebytes VPN provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, while McAfee VPN only offers support through their community forum and FAQs, not providing real-time assistance. In terms of accessibility, responsiveness, and convenience, Malwarebytes VPN clearly outshines McAfee VPN in customer support, making it the winner in this comparison.

Malwarebytes VPN

Malwarebytes VPN

  • 24/7 live chat: Malwarebytes VPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of the day or night.
  • Email support: Malwarebytes VPN also offers email support. You can send an email to customer support and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
  • Knowledge base: Malwarebytes VPN has a knowledge base that contains articles on a variety of topics related to the VPN. This can be a helpful resource if you are having trouble with the VPN or if you have a question that you don't know how to answer.
  • Social media: Malwarebytes VPN is also active on social media. You can contact customer support through Twitter or Facebook.
McAfee VPN

McAfee VPN

  • 24/7 live chat: McAfee VPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can always get help a customer support representative, no matter what time of day it is.
  • Email support: McAfee VPN also offers email support. This is a good option if you need to provide more information about your issue.
  • Knowledge base: McAfee VPN also has a knowledge base that contains articles about common problems. This can be a good place to start if you are having a problem with the VPN.

Check out how Malwarebytes VPN and McAfee VPN stack up against other popular VPN services on the market.