Malwarebytes Privacy VPN for Mac review

To preface this review, we're primarily focusing on the VPN side of Malwarebytes' offering. So while we'll cover the whole package, including the malware protection side, we've already taken a closer look at it in our Malwarebytes review. Prime.

That being said, does Malwarebytes VPN check the boxes for Mac users looking to keep traffic private? Yes, but there are a few caveats: it has fewer server locations than its competitors, and bypassing geoblocks for different versions of streaming services can be a bit inconsistent.

Find out how Malwarebytes VPN compares to other Mac VPNs in our recommendations for the best Mac VPNs. We also review the best antivirus for Mac.

Still, in terms of privacy and performance, it's hard to argue with what's on offer. The app is easy to use and speeds are better than many of its competitors for both downloads and uploads. It also has a split tunnel via its “connection rules” and a Kill Switch to cut off all traffic if the VPN goes down.

There is no multi-hop server hopping, but the company has a verified no-logging policy in place, meaning no information is kept about a user's activity.

Of course, the biggest advantage Malwarebytes offers is that it has an entire antivirus suite built in, allowing you to not only scan your device for malware, but also run a blocker to prevent them from getting there in the first place. . There is also an identity protection scanner, but once you get the results, you will be charged an additional fee to take action.

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Features and applications

Malwarebytes VPN is available just about anywhere you need it, which means it works on Windows, Mac, iPad and more. It offers Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android and many other applications.

While some competitors have higher device limits, Malwarebytes includes five devices. It's a shame, but you can use them simultaneously. If your family has more than five devices under one roof, you may want to look into one of the other options on our VPN list (see Best VPN for iPad).

We're focusing on the Mac version today, and it's a really nifty app. The dashboard allows users to access the scan tool to run malware scans, as well as an excellent protection score from what Malwarebytes calls “Trusted Advisor.”

The score is made up of analytics data, automatic updates and real-time protection, which can also be found on the dashboard. This should help prevent malware from getting onto your device in the first place.

Still, we're here for the VPN today, and it's easy to select a location and press the “On” button to connect. There are over 500 to choose from across 40 locations, which admittedly pales in comparison to industry leaders like the thousands offered by NordVPN.

There is also no way, like with some competitors, to see which servers are best for streaming. This makes bypassing geoblocks to see what's in another country's Netflix library a bit hit or miss.

Fortunately, there is a Kill Switch and Split Tunneling is available through the “Connection Rules” menu. However, you can't switch between VPN protocols, so you're stuck with WireGuard. This is one of the simplest, lag-free options, but it would have been nice to be able to adjust it for compatibility purposes.

AES 256-bit encryption is also standard.

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Performance

Given that this is a not-so-minor task of ensuring your active internet connection is defended, I expected a big drop in download speeds through Malwarebytes VPN – but I was wrong.

While I've seen between 27 and 33 percent drop on a wireless connection, that's a cut above many competitors, and the company doesn't charge extra for some servers, so they're all included in the same package. price.

It's easy to choose your server from the list and get started, with the option to select by country, but I wish I had a little more information before logging in – a server in Helsinki is great, but others applications allow me to see the estimate. connection latency before pressing the button.

As mentioned earlier, switching between servers to find the optimal one for streaming was also an exercise in trial and error. It's not that it's not possible, it's just that I've gotten used to seeing servers marked as “streaming friendly” on competitors.

This is the kind of thing Malwarebytes might add over time.

Privacy and security

Although Malwarebytes is headquartered in the United States (which means it falls under the jurisdiction of certain intelligence agencies, while some VPN providers do not), it still has a no-policy. logging in place.

This means that the company will not collect data on a user's activity while using the VPN, and the company states that it will “never track, store or share any of your data.” network “.

It should be noted that, to our knowledge, there is no third-party audit to verify the policy.

Rates and packages

You can get Malwarebytes Privacy VPN for $39.99/£29.99 per year (for one device). Or, for $59.99/£49.99 (for one device) for a year with the addition of antivirus and malware detection, which could be a saving compared to what you'd pay for a competing option and additional software.

It's something to consider, but even if you're just looking for a nifty VPN, it won't break the bank.

Should you buy Malwarebytes Privacy VPN?

Malwarebytes' strength lies in its malware scanning toolkit, but the VPN is a solid option among a sea of ​​alternatives. If you need both of these, there's no better option, but if you just need a more feature-rich VPN (with additional servers), then there are better options for you.