⚡ Verdict rapide :
- Tarification : McAfee includes its VPN from $39.99/yr. Malwarebytes needs the $79.98/yr Plus bundle for VPN access.
- Idéal pour : McAfee suits families who want antivirus and identity tools. Malwarebytes suits people who want real privacy.
- Différence principale : McAfee Safe Connect logs your IP address and the sites you visit. Malwarebytes keeps an audited no-logs policy.
- Notre choix : Malwarebytes for most users. A VPN that logs your browsing defeats its own purpose.
The cheaper VPN in this matchup is not the safer one.
McAfee VPN comes free inside antivirus plans that start at $39.99 a year.
Malwarebytes VPN costs more to unlock.
But one of them logs your browsing history, and one does not.
That single difference shapes this whole comparison.
Aperçu
This McAfee VPN vs Malwarebytes VPN comparison covers privacy, speed, security features, and price.
We also show who each virtual private network suits best.
Notre écrivain spent time with Malwarebytes Privacy VPN directly.
Observations on McAfee Safe Connect VPN come from documentation and published reviews.
By the end, you’ll know which VPN service fits your online security needs.
Qu'est-ce que McAfee VPN ?
McAfee VPN is the virtual private network built into McAfee’s security plans.
Many people still call it McAfee Safe Connect, its older app name.
It wraps your VPN connection and online activity in AES-256 encryption.
It also turns on by itself when you join unsecured public Wi-Fi.
That shields banking details from man-in-the-middle attacks at cafés and airports.
The VPN sits next to antivirus software and identity protection in one app.
VPN McAfee
Antivirus, identity tools, and a basic VPN in one plan. It works best for occasional use on public Wi-Fi.
Tarifs de McAfee VPN
McAfee bundles the VPN into every plan below. You don’t pay extra for it.
| Plan | Prix | Idéal pour |
|---|---|---|
| Essentiel | 39,99 $/an | Solo users who want antivirus plus a VPN |
| Individu avancé | 89,99 $/an | One person who wants identity monitoring |
| Famille avancée | 119,99 $/an | Households protecting several people |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Essai gratuit : Trial offers change often. Check McAfee’s checkout page for current terms.
Garantie de remboursement : McAfee gives you 30 days to cancel and get a refund.
📌 Note: Unlimited VPN bandwidth is usually tied to automatic renewal. Turn auto-renew off, and données limits may kick in. The pricing layout itself is simple and easy to follow.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list a $7.99 monthly VPN plan. Others show $19.99 for the first year ($1.66/month), then $47.99 on renewal. Confirm current prices at checkout.
Principaux avantages du VPN McAfee
Here’s what McAfee VPN does well:
- Auto-Protect on Public Wi-Fi: The VPN switches on when you join an open hotspot. Your mobile carrier data is safer, so this targets the risky networks.
- Sécurité tout-en-un : Antivirus, a password manager, and identity tools share one app. One bill covers them all.
- Chiffrement AES-256 : Your traffic gets a strong, widely used cipher. Snoopers on shared Wi-Fi see only scrambled data.
- Protocole Catapult Hydra : McAfee uses Catapult Hydra, a protocol built for performance. Hotspot Shield uses the same protocol family.
- Five Appareils: One plan covers five simultaneous connections. That’s enough for a phone, tablet, and laptop.
- Harder to Throttle: Encrypted traffic hides bandwidth-heavy activity from your ISP. That makes throttling harder.
- Protection contre les fuites DNS : Your DNS lookups stay inside the tunnel. Sites can’t see your real provider’s requests.
Ce que notre équipe a remarqué
Note: We haven’t had extensive hands-on time with McAfee VPN yet. The details above come from McAfee’s documentation and published reviews. Our full McAfee VPN review goes deeper.
Avantages et inconvénients de McAfee VPN
✅ Avantages
- Auto-connects on unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Intègre un antivirus et une protection d'identité.
- Lowest entry price here at $39.99/yr
- User friendly app that suits beginners
❌ Inconvénients
- Logs your IP address and the websites you visit
- Kill switch on Windows only, not iOS or Android
- No macOS or Linux VPN app
- Weak for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
Qu'est-ce que Malwarebytes VPN ?
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN comes from the company behind a well-known anti malware solution.
So how does Malwarebytes Privacy VPN work?
It runs on the WireGuard protocol for fast, modern connections.
Your data travels through 470+ worldwide servers in 45+ countries.
Each tunnel uses AES-256 encryption and a private DNS server that doesn’t track you.
Older reviews called it a basic version of VPN Mullvad, whose network it once used.
Today it runs on AzireVPN infrastructure, which Malwarebytes bought in 2024.
La société de VPN est basée à Santa Clara, en Californie.
🏆 Winner: Malwarebytes VPN
An audited no-logs VPN with a kill switch and MultiHop. Pair it with Malwarebytes antivirus for full device cover.
Tarification de Malwarebytes VPN
Malwarebytes sells its VPN inside security bundles. Here’s the 2026 lineup.
| Plan | Prix | Idéal pour |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 59,99 $/an | Antivirus only on 3 devices (no VPN) |
| Plus | 79,98 $/an | Antivirus plus VPN on 3 devices |
| Total | 89,99 $/an | Device security, VPN, and identity protection |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Essai gratuit : Malwarebytes offers a 7-day free trial of Privacy VPN.
Garantie de remboursement : You get a 60-day money back guarantee. That’s double McAfee’s window.
📌 Note: Malwarebytes has a free version of its malware scanner, but no free VPN. You can pay by PayPal or card. Crypto isn’t accepted, and discounts on the VPN are rare.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list standalone VPN plans: $39.99/yr for one device, $49.99 for three, and $59.99 for five. VAT can add up to 20% in some countries. Confirm at checkout.
Principaux avantages du VPN Malwarebytes
Here’s what makes Malwarebytes VPN worth a look:
- Politique de non-conservation des journaux vérifiée : It stores no DNS requests, IP addresses, or bandwidth usage. An April 2026 audit by X41 D-Sec backed this up.
- Vitesse WireGuard : WireGuard is lighter than older protocols. Connections start fast and stay stable.
- Interrupteur d'arrêt d'urgence : If the tunnel drops, all traffic stops. Your real IP address stays hidden.
- Règles de connexion : This is Malwarebytes’ take on split tunneling. You pick certain apps or IP addresses that skip the VPN.
- MultiHop : Your traffic passes through two servers in different countries. It’s a double hop, not the same server twice.
- Connexion automatique : The app can auto launch when your operating system starts. Protection begins before you open a browser.
Ce que notre équipe a remarqué
Our writer signed up for Malwarebytes Privacy VPN and spent several days exploring the apps. Here’s what stood out (our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review has more):
Avantages et inconvénients de Malwarebytes VPN
✅ Avantages
- No-logs policy verified by a 2026 third-party audit
- Kill switch, MultiHop, and Connection Rules included
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Androïdeet iOS
- 7-day free trial plus a 60-day refund window
❌ Inconvénients
- The $59.99/yr Standard plan doesn’t include the VPN
- Struggles with Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
- Speeds can drop 62% on distant servers
- No router, Linux, or gaming console apps
Comparaison des fonctionnalités
Both tools come from antivirus brands. But they treat privacy very differently.
We’ll walk through 10 areas to show where each VPN wins and loses.
| Fonctionnalité | VPN McAfee | VPN Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Plan With VPN | 39,99 $/an | 79,98 $/an |
| Protocole | Catapult Hydra | WireGuard |
| Politique de non-conservation des journaux | ❌ Logs IP and sites | ✅ Audited in 2026 |
| Interrupteur d'arrêt d'urgence | ⚠️ Windows uniquement | ✅ |
| Tunnelage fractionné | ⚠️ Android uniquement | ✅ Connection Rules |
| Multi-sauts | ❌ | ✅ |
| macOS App | ❌ | ✅ |
| Connexions simultanées | 5 | Jusqu'à 5 |
| Garantie de remboursement | 30 jours | 60 jours |
| Idéal pour | Antivirus bundle buyers | Privacy-minded users |
1. Protocole VPN et chiffrement
McAfee VPN : McAfee runs Catapult Hydra, a protocol designed for performance. Traffic gets AES-256 encryption and DNS leak protection. It works well enough for protecting a laptop on hôtel Wi-Fi.
VPN Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes relies on WireGuard alone. It’s fast and modern, but there’s no backup protocol if a network blocks it. Encryption is also AES-256.
💡 Conseil de pro : Like many VPNs, both apps encrypt data with AES-256. The real gap shows up in what each company logs.
2. Privacy & Logging Policy
McAfee VPN : McAfee Safe Connect logs personally identifiable data, including IP addresses and sites you visit. That’s geo location information tied to you. McAfee keeps it indefinitely and holds it 30 days after account deletion.
The privacy policy is shared with all McAfee products and barely mentions the VPN. It doesn’t say clearly whether VPN data reaches partners or third party advertisers. McAfee also states it will hand data to legal or government authorities on request.
VPN Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes stores no DNS requests, IP addresses, or bandwidth usage. It may keep anonymized data, like a public key used to set up connections. Older reviews slammed the lack of third party audits, but that changed in April 2026.
German firm X41 D-Sec reviewed its apps and servers. Auditors found no evidence of user activity logging. So is Malwarebytes Privacy VPN safe? For everyday privacy, yes.
⚠️ Avertissement: Both VPN companies are based in the U.S., a Five Eyes member. Most VPN companies promise no logs. McAfee claims to protect your privacy, yet its own policy shows it keeps a trail worth requesting.
3. Kill Switch, Split Tunneling & Multi Hop
McAfee VPN : The kill switch only works on Windows devices. Split tunneling is Android-only, so Android users get it and iOS users don’t. There’s no multi hop option either.
VPN Malwarebytes : A kill switch blocks all traffic if the tunnel drops. Connection Rules let certain apps bypass the VPN. MultiHop sends traffic through two countries for extra cover.
⚠️ Avertissement: If the VPN fails on a phone with no kill switch, your real IP leaks. That’s a big deal on public Wi-Fi.
4. Servers & Speed
McAfee VPN : Server counts vary by source. Most list about 2,000 servers. Server locations span anywhere from 23 to 47 countries. One speed test hit 97Mbps on a nearby server. International downloads never fell below 75Mbps.
The catch is latency. Published tests show a 600 percent latency jump on Windows. That makes gaming and video calls painful.
VPN Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes servers number 470+ in 45+ countries. That’s smaller than other VPNs in its price range. Speed tests show drops of 34% on nearby servers and 62% on distant ones.
Ping also climbs during jeux. Neither company clearly says which locations run on virtual servers, so check the server list before you connect.
💡 Conseil de pro : Neither is the fastest VPN for gamers. For browsing, email, and banking, both are quick enough.
5. Streaming, Torrenting & Gaming
McAfee VPN : McAfee isn’t effective with Netflix or Hulu. It blocks P2P traffic, so you can’t download torrents with it. High latency also rules it out for gaming.
VPN Malwarebytes : There are no dedicated streaming servers. Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer often fail to load. It also isn’t reliable for getting around censorship in places like China.
⚠️ Avertissement: Both miss important features for streaming services, like smart DNS. If you watch on a TV, look at a dedicated premium VPN instead.
6. Device Support & Simultaneous Connections
McAfee VPN : McAfee’s VPN runs on Windows, iOS, and Android. Its macOS app doesn’t include the VPN, and Linux isn’t supported. Each plan covers five simultaneous connections.
VPN Malwarebytes : The desktop app covers Windows and macOS, and there’s an iOS app plus Android. Routers, Linux, Fire TV Stick, and gaming consoles aren’t supported. Bundles cover three devices, and standalone plans go up to five.
7. Antivirus & Extra Security Tools
McAfee VPN : McAfee pairs the VPN with advanced antivirus, a password manager, and a Scam Détecteur. A Protection Score shows how secure your setup is. Everything lives in one Windows app or phone app.
VPN Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes is an antivirus company first. Premium Security adds real-time malware scanning, and Browser Guard blocks trackers and scams. Does Malwarebytes protect against malware and snooping at once? The Plus bundle does both.
8. Identity Protection
McAfee VPN : Advanced plans add identity monitoring, credit monitoring, and a security freeze. Identity theft coverage and restoration help if the worst happens. Personal Data Cleanup asks data brokers to delete your info.
VPN Malwarebytes : The Total plan adds identity theft protection and dark web monitoring. A Personal Data Remover scans data broker sites. It’s lighter than McAfee’s lineup across Malwarebytes products, but it covers the basics.
9. Assistance clientèle
McAfee VPN : You can contact McAfee by phone or through live chat support. The help center covers setup for each device. Answers about the VPN itself can be thin, since it’s a small part of a big suite.
VPN Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes offers live chat and a support ticket system. Reviews describe replies as quick and solid. If you hit issues downloading the app, a ticket is the fastest fix.
10. Tarification et coût
Let’s compare the plans side by side. Both bill on an annual plan.
| Niveau du plan | VPN McAfee | VPN Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Entrée | Essential: $39.99/yr (VPN included) | Standard: $59.99/yr (no VPN) |
| Milieu | Formule individuelle avancée : 89,99 $/an | Plus: $79.98/yr (VPN included) |
| Haut | Formule Famille Avancée : 119,99 $/an | Total: $89.99/yr |
| Essai gratuit | Variable | 7 jours |
| Fenêtre de remboursement | 30 jours | 60 jours |
McAfee VPN : McAfee is the cheaper way in. The Essential plan gets you antivirus plus the VPN. Just expect renewal prices to rise after year one.
VPN Malwarebytes : The Plus bundle is the cheapest plan with the VPN. Plus and Total get all the same features on the VPN side. You’re paying extra for privacy you can actually verify.
Différents scénarios
| Si vous avez besoin | Choisir | Pourquoi |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price with a VPN | McAfee | $39.99/yr includes the VPN |
| Strict online privacy | Malwarebytes | Politique de non-conservation des journaux vérifiée |
| A Mac-friendly VPN | Malwarebytes | McAfee has no macOS VPN |
| Credit and identity alerts | McAfee | Credit monitoring and security freeze |
| Occasional use on café Wi-Fi | McAfee | Connexion automatique sur les réseaux ouverts |
| Longest risk-free window | Malwarebytes | 7-day trial plus 60-day refund |
| Adapté aux débutants | Cravate | Both apps are one-tap simple |
💰 Votre budget
McAfee’s Essential plan is the cheapest way to get a VPN here. Malwarebytes asks you to step up to the Plus bundle for VPN access.
🔌 Vos appareils
Mac owners should pick Malwarebytes, since McAfee’s VPN skips macOS. Neither works on a router, Android TV, or Apple TV.
🔒 Vos besoins en matière de confidentialité
Can you trust McAfee Safe Connect with your online activities? For a quick coffee-shop session, yes, but it logs too much for daily online privacy.
🎓 Votre niveau d'expérience
Both apps are user friendly, and settings are easily accessible. McAfee gives you the bare minimum, while Malwarebytes adds auto connect and a few extra controls.
🆓 Essais et démos gratuits
Malwarebytes gives you a 7-day trial period plus 60 days to ask for a refund. Both still beat many free VPNs, which often limit data or sell it.
🛟 Options d'assistance
Both offer live chat for VPN users. Malwarebytes also takes support tickets, and reviews praise its response speed.
Guide de changement
Vous utilisez déjà l'un de ces services VPN ? Voici à quoi vous attendre si vous en changez.
🔄 Switching from McAfee VPN to Malwarebytes VPN?
✅ Ce que vous y gagnerez :
- An audited no-logs policy instead of IP and site logging
- Kill switch, MultiHop, and Connection Rules
- A working macOS VPN app
❌ Ce que vous perdrez :
- Credit monitoring and a security freeze
- A lower entry price for VPN access
- A larger server count
📋 Comment changer :
- Turn off McAfee auto-renew and note your end date.
- Create a Malwarebytes account and start the free trial.
- Install the desktop and mobile apps, then turn on the kill switch.
🔄 Switching from Malwarebytes VPN to McAfee VPN?
✅ Ce que vous y gagnerez :
- VPN access from the cheaper Essential plan
- Auto-activation on unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Identity theft coverage and restoration help
❌ Ce que vous perdrez :
- A no-logs VPN you can verify
- VPN protection on your Mac
- MultiHop and a kill switch on more platforms
📋 Comment changer :
- Cancel Malwarebytes inside the 60-day window if you’re new.
- Buy a McAfee plan and install the app on each device.
- Open Secure VPN and switch on auto-connect for public networks.
Ce que notre analyse n'a pas couvert
This comparison focused on individual users and families. We didn’t run our own speed tests or check streaming on every server. Entreprise plans and use in censored countries weren’t covered. Neither VPN blocks cookies, and, like most VPNs, neither hides you while you’re logged into personal accounts. Prices and features reflect September 2026 and may change.
Verdict final
| Catégorie | Gagnant |
|---|---|
| 💰 Tarification | VPN McAfee |
| 🔒 Confidentialité et journalisation | VPN Malwarebytes |
| 🛡️ Fonctionnalités de sécurité | VPN Malwarebytes |
| 🌐 Réseau de serveurs | VPN McAfee |
| ⚡ Vitesse | Cravate |
| 📺 Diffusion en continu | Cravate |
| 📱 Assistance technique | VPN Malwarebytes |
| 🪪 Identity Tools | VPN McAfee |
| 🆓 Trial & Refund | VPN Malwarebytes |
| 🏆 Vainqueur toutes catégories | VPN Malwarebytes |
🏆 WINNER: MALWAREBYTES VPN
Malwarebytes wins 4 of 9 categories. McAfee takes 3, and 2 end in a tie.
Idéal pour : private browsing, Mac users, and anyone who wants a verified no-logs VPN
💡 How we broke the tie: Both tools carry the same 3.5 rating. McAfee is cheaper to start. We still picked Malwarebytes because a VPN’s first job is privacy, and McAfee logs what you do.
McAfee VPN and Malwarebytes VPN both come from antivirus brands. That’s where the similarity ends.
McAfee is a security suite with a VPN attached. It’s great value if you want antivirus, identity monitoring, and Wi-Fi protection in one bill.
Malwarebytes is the better VPN. Its audited no-logs policy, kill switch, and macOS app make it safer for daily use.
Pick McAfee if you mainly want antivirus and only need a VPN now and then. Pick Malwarebytes if privacy is the reason you’re using a VPN at all.
Comparatif des VPN McAfee
Voici comment McAfee VPN se compare à ses concurrents :
McAfee VPN contre NordVPN
McAfee VPN l'emporte sur : built-in antivirus scanning, credit alerts, and auto-activation on open Wi-Fi.
NordVPN l'emporte sur : audited no-logs privacy, a far bigger network, reliable streaming, and a kill switch everywhere.
McAfee VPN contre ExpressVPN
McAfee VPN l'emporte sur : a cheaper full security suite, a bundled password manager, and identity theft coverage.
ExpressVPN l'emporte sur : no activity logs, broad streaming access, and apps for macOS, Linux, and routers.
McAfee VPN contre SurfsharkVPN
McAfee VPN l'emporte sur : full antivirus, a security freeze, and one bill for every tool.
SurfsharkVPN l'emporte sur : unlimited devices, a no-logs policy, multi-country routing, and streaming support.
McAfee VPN contre Private Internet Access
McAfee VPN l'emporte sur : a simpler app, bundled malware protection, and identity monitoring.
Accès Internet privé victoires sur : open-source apps, unlimited connections, and P2P support for torrents.
Comparaison plus poussée de Malwarebytes VPN
Voici comment Malwarebytes VPN se compare à ses concurrents :
Malwarebytes VPN contre NordVPN
Malwarebytes VPN l'emporte sur : a longer refund window, a real malware scanner, and fewer settings to learn.
NordVPN l'emporte sur : more servers, streaming access, a longer audit history, and more devices per plan.
Malwarebytes VPN contre ProtonVPN
Malwarebytes VPN l'emporte sur : an antivirus bundle, Browser Guard, and a plain-English app.
ProtonVPN victoires sur : a free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and more protocol choices.
Malwarebytes VPN contre ExpressVPN
Malwarebytes VPN l'emporte sur : a lower bundle price, built-in antivirus, and a 60-day refund.
ExpressVPN l'emporte sur : streaming reliability, router support, and a fallback protocol when WireGuard is blocked.
Malwarebytes VPN vs CyberGhost
Malwarebytes VPN l'emporte sur : antivirus integration, MultiHop routing, and a freshly audited network.
CyberGhost l'emporte sur : streaming-labeled servers, more countries, and support for smart TVs.
Foire aux questions
Le VPN McAfee est-il sûr ?
It’s safe for encrypting public Wi-Fi traffic with AES-256. But it logs your IP address and the sites you visit, so it isn’t truly private.
Est-ce que Malwarebytes VPN enregistre des données ?
It keeps no activity logs. It skips DNS requests, IP addresses, and bandwidth usage. An April 2026 audit by X41 D-Sec found no evidence of user logging.
Le VPN McAfee est-il payant ?
No. The VPN comes inside every McAfee plan, starting with Essential at $39.99/yr. Unlimited bandwidth usually requires auto-renewal to stay active.
Netflix bloque-t-il McAfee VPN ?
Often, yes. The VPN isn’t effective with Netflix or Hulu, and it has no smart DNS feature. A dedicated streaming VPN works far better.
Le VPN Malwarebytes Privacy est-il performant ?
It’s a solid pick for privacy and simple everyday use. Streaming, gaming, and device support are weak spots, so match it to your needs first.
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