⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: OysterVPN starts at $5.99/month. Malwarebytes starts at $44.99/yr.
- Best for: OysterVPN suits budget users who want lifetime access. Malwarebytes suits people who want a VPN bundled with antivirus software.
- Key difference: OysterVPN is a standalone VPN with an ad blocker. Malwarebytes pairs WireGuard and MultiHop with malware protection.
- Our pick: OysterVPN for most users. It packs more VPN tools into a lower price.
Malwarebytes VPN and OysterVPN both promise private, encrypted browsing.
But they come from very different places.
Malwarebytes is an antivirus brand first and a VPN company second.
OysterVPN is a small VPN provider based in Ireland.
That one difference shapes the price, the features, and who each tool suits.
Overview
This Malwarebytes VPN vs Oyster VPN comparison covers pricing, privacy, speed, streaming, and device support.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and user reviews for both VPN services.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each one.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end, you’ll know which tool fits your online activities and online privacy goals.
What is Malwarebytes VPN?
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is a virtual private network from a well-known antivirus maker.
It encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address.
It runs on the WireGuard protocol, which is built for speed.
The network covers 470+ servers across 45+ countries.
Those servers come from a partnership with Mullvad VPN.
Most buyers get it bundled with other Malwarebytes products in one app.
Here’s a quick video tour of the app.
Malwarebytes VPN
A simple VPN that lives inside the Malwarebytes app. You get WireGuard speed, MultiHop routing, and malware protection under one login.
Malwarebytes VPN Pricing
Malwarebytes sells its security tools in three bundles. You need Plus or Total to get the VPN.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $44.99/yr | Basic device security without the VPN |
| Plus | $59.99/yr | Antivirus plus Privacy VPN |
| Total | $159.99/yr | Security, VPN, and identity protection |
Pricing verified October 2026.
Free trial: Yes. Malwarebytes offers a 7-day free trial period for the Privacy VPN.
Money-back guarantee: Every plan carries a 60-day money back guarantee.
📌 Note: Plus and Total share all the same features on the VPN side. Malwarebytes runs no discounts on VPN plans. It takes PayPal and cards, but not cryptocurrency.
⚠️ Warning: Some countries add VAT at checkout. That can raise your final price by up to 20%.
💡 Price check: Malwarebytes also sells the Privacy VPN alone, priced by device count. Some pages show $39.99/yr for one device, $49.99/yr for three, and $59.99/yr for five. Confirm the current price at checkout.
Key Benefits of Malwarebytes VPN
Is Malwarebytes Privacy VPN safe and worth it? Here’s what it does well:
- WireGuard by Default: Every VPN connection uses WireGuard. It’s lighter and quicker than older protocols.
- MultiHop Routing: Traffic can pass through two servers in different countries. That adds a layer between you and every site.
- Kill Switch: All traffic stops if the VPN fails. Your real IP stays hidden.
- Private DNS: Malwarebytes runs its own DNS server. It doesn’t track your lookups.
- One App for Everything: Plus and Total pair the VPN with an anti malware solution. A single Malwarebytes account covers both.
- Helpful Support: Reviewers rate its customer support well. Replies tend to come quickly.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer used the Malwarebytes desktop app and iOS app for daily browsing. Here’s how Malwarebytes Privacy VPN works in real life. More detail lives in our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN review.
Malwarebytes VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- WireGuard and MultiHop on every VPN plan
- 60-day refund window plus a 7-day free trial
- Antivirus and VPN under one login
- Quick, helpful support replies
❌ Cons
- Based in the US, a 5 Eyes member
- Smaller server network than many rivals
- Often blocked by Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
- No Linux, router, or console apps
What is OysterVPN?
OysterVPN is a VPN service that encrypts your traffic and hides your IP addresses.
It routes your connection through remote servers in other countries.
The company is based in Dublin, Ireland.
Ireland sits outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances.
It sells a rare lifetime access plan with a single payment.
It also blocks ads and malware while you browse.
This video gives a short tour of the OysterVPN apps.
🏆 Winner: OysterVPN
A budget VPN from Ireland with a lifetime plan. Ad blocking, split tunneling, and torrenting on every server come included.
OysterVPN Pricing
OysterVPN has one payment tier. You only pick how long you want to subscribe.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Month +2 Months free | $5.99/month | Trying the service short term |
| Lifetime Access | $59.99/month | Long-term users who hate renewals |
| 1-Year | $29.99/month | Yearly subscribers |
Pricing verified October 2026.
💡 Price check: OysterVPN’s public pages have also advertised $9.99 monthly with three free months upfront. Others show $2.50/month on the yearly plan and a $49.99 one-off lifetime fee. Confirm the current price at checkout.
Free trial: No. OysterVPN offers no free trial and no free VPN tier.
Money-back guarantee: All plans include a 30-day refund, so you can test the service risk free.
📌 Note: One OysterVPN subscription covers up to five simultaneous connections. You can pay with major credit cards or PayPal. Crypto isn’t accepted.
⚠️ Warning: The lifetime plan lasts as long as the service runs, not your lifetime. Shorter plans auto-renew unless you cancel.
Key Benefits of OysterVPN
These OysterVPN features matter most:
- Lifetime Access: Pay once and skip renewals. Many VPNs don’t sell lifetime plans anymore.
- Ad and Malware Blocker: Ads and shady domains get blocked inside the app. You don’t need extra browser extensions.
- Protocol Choice: The apps list WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. You can switch if one runs slow.
- Leak Protection: It blocks IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. That stops accidental data leaks when you reconnect.
- Torrent-Friendly: P2P traffic is allowed on every server. You never hunt for special nodes.
- Irish Jurisdiction: Ireland is outside the 14 Eyes. That’s a real plus for online security.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer paid for OysterVPN and used it on Windows and Android. Here’s what stood out. Full details are in our OysterVPN review.
OysterVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Lifetime access option with one payment
- Built-in ad and malware blocker
- Torrenting allowed on every server
- Based in Ireland, outside the 14 Eyes
❌ Cons
- No independent audit of its privacy claims
- No live chat, and email replies can be slow
- Split tunneling only on Windows and Android
- Speeds drop sharply on distant servers
Feature Comparison
Here’s how Malwarebytes VPN and OysterVPN compare across ten areas. Each section covers the important features and where each tool falls short.
| Feature | Malwarebytes VPN | OysterVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $44.99/yr | $5.99/month |
| Free Trial | ✅ 7 days | ❌ |
| Refund Window | 60 days | 30 days |
| AES-256 Encryption | ✅ | ✅ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Connection Rules | ✅ Windows & Android |
| MultiHop | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ad & Malware Blocker | ✅ With antivirus | ✅ Built in |
| Lifetime Plan | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best For | Antivirus + VPN buyers | Budget VPN users |
1. Encryption & VPN Protocols
Malwarebytes VPN: It uses AES-256 encryption over the WireGuard protocol. You can’t pick other VPN protocols. That keeps things simple, but power users get fewer options.
OysterVPN: It also encrypts traffic with AES-256. The apps list WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 as secure VPN protocols. Switching protocols helps when one is blocked on your network.
Here’s how the protocol menu looks inside the OysterVPN app.
⚠️ Warning: Sources disagree on OysterVPN’s WireGuard support. Some reviews say it’s missing. Check the protocol list in the app before you commit.
2. No-Logs Policy & Privacy
Malwarebytes VPN: It promises a no logs policy. It says it doesn’t store DNS requests, IP addresses, or bandwidth usage. It may keep anonymized data, like a public key for the VPN tunnel.
Malwarebytes also helps shrink the digital trail you leave behind.
OysterVPN: It follows a strict no logs policy, which it also calls a zero logging policy. It says it collects and stores no user data. Its Irish base adds some comfort.
⚠️ Warning: Neither company has an audited no logs policy. No third party audits have checked either logs policy. Malwarebytes’ privacy policy is also vague, and its US base sits inside the 5 Eyes.
3. Kill Switch & Leak Protection
Malwarebytes VPN: Its kill switch blocks all network traffic if the VPN connection drops. The private DNS server also keeps your lookups away from your ISP.
OysterVPN: Its internet kill switch cuts traffic when the link fails. It adds IP leak protection and DNS leak protection, plus WebRTC blocking. That’s a crucial feature on public Wi-Fi.
The leak protection settings sit in the same menu.
💡 Pro Tip: Run a quick DNS leak test after you connect. It confirms either tool is working on your network.
4. Split Tunneling
Malwarebytes VPN: It calls this feature Connection Rules. You can send certain apps or IP addresses outside the VPN. That’s useful for banking apps that block VPN traffic.
OysterVPN: Its split tunneling feature lets you pick which apps use the VPN. It’s only on the Windows app and Android app, though. Mac and iPhone users miss out.
5. Server Network & Speed
Malwarebytes VPN: It runs 470+ worldwide servers in 45+ countries. Malwarebytes servers come from Mullvad’s network. Some reviewers call it a simpler Mullvad. Published speed tests show drops near 34% on nearby servers and 62% on distant ones.
OysterVPN: Its site lists 400+ servers in 35+ countries. Older reviews counted only 150+ servers in 17 countries. OysterVPN’s speeds hold up on a nearby server but fall about 55% on distant servers. That’s fine for daily browsing, but HD streaming suffers.
OysterVPN’s servers also include DDoS protection, which helps gamers.
💡 Speed Note: Neither is the fastest VPN you can buy. Connection speeds trail the big names for both. Pick a VPN server near your physical location. That helps download speed and upload speed. Run a speed test, then stay on the same server once you find the fastest server.
Both apps let you choose server locations by country. If one server location feels off, ask support whether it uses virtual servers. Gamers should expect high ping on Malwarebytes, based on user feedback.
6. Streaming & Torrenting
Malwarebytes VPN: It has no dedicated streaming servers. Reviewers say it often fails with Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Large speed drops make HD streaming shaky.
OysterVPN: It reaches geo restricted content on Netflix, Max, ESPN+, and BBC iPlayer. It struggles with Hulu and Disney+ too. P2P is allowed on every server, so you can download torrents anywhere.
⚠️ Warning: Like most VPNs at this price, neither has streaming servers or smart DNS for TVs. Don’t expect premium VPN results with popular streaming services in 4K.
7. Ad & Malware Blocking
Malwarebytes VPN: This is Malwarebytes’ home turf. Browser Guard blocks ads, trackers, and scam pages. Premium Security and AdwCleaner handle the malware side.
The antivirus engine sits in the same app as the VPN.
AdwCleaner is a separate tool for removing adware.
OysterVPN: It has a built-in ad and malware blocker. It filters bad domains while the VPN runs. It’s handy, but it isn’t full antivirus software.
8. Identity & Extra Protection
Malwarebytes VPN: The Total plan adds identity theft protection and dark web monitoring. A personal data remover asks data brokers to delete your info. These extras explain the higher price.
Dark web alerts tell you when your details show up in a leak.
The data remover keeps working in the background.
OysterVPN: It doesn’t sell identity tools. It sticks to VPN basics and advanced security features like DDoS protection. That focus keeps the price low.
9. Devices & Apps
Malwarebytes VPN: It runs on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. There’s no Linux app, router setup, or gaming consoles support. Check the operating system list if you’re still on macOS Catalina.
On Windows devices, the app can auto launch at startup and auto connect. Malwarebytes keeps the VPN toggle easily accessible on the main screen.
OysterVPN: Its desktop apps and mobile apps cover Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It skips Linux, smart TVs, and consoles. These intuitive apps share a clean, user friendly interface.
💡 Pro Tip: Neither offers unlimited connections. Both cap you at five devices, so plan for multiple devices in one home.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the plans side by side.
| Plan | Malwarebytes VPN | OysterVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Standard: $44.99/yr | 1-Month +2 Months free: $5.99/month |
| Middle | Plus: $59.99/yr | 1-Year: $29.99/month |
| Top | Total: $159.99/yr | Lifetime Access: $59.99/month |
| Free Trial | 7 days | ❌ |
| Refund | 60 days | 30 days |
Malwarebytes VPN: The VPN starts on the Plus plan. That makes Plus the cheapest real entry point. Total only pays off if you want identity protection too.
OysterVPN: Lifetime access is the standout deal. One payment beats years of renewals if the service lasts. The shorter plans are fine for testing first.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest long-term cost | OysterVPN | Lifetime access option |
| Antivirus and VPN together | Malwarebytes VPN | Bundled malware protection |
| Torrenting | OysterVPN | P2P on every server |
| Extra routing privacy | Malwarebytes VPN | MultiHop through two countries |
| A trial before paying | Malwarebytes VPN | 7-day free trial |
| Non-US jurisdiction | OysterVPN | Based in Ireland |
💰 Your Budget
OysterVPN costs less, especially with lifetime access. Malwarebytes only makes sense if you’d pay for antivirus anyway.
🔌 Your Devices
Both cover the main desktop and mobile platforms. Neither supports a router or streaming devices like Fire TV Stick.
🛡️ Your Security Needs
Malwarebytes protects your device, not just your traffic. A VPN alone won’t stop malware, so the bundle covers more ground.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Both apps are user friendly for beginners. Malwarebytes hides protocol choices, while OysterVPN gives you a few more settings.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Malwarebytes has a 7-day trial, and its free version only scans for malware. OysterVPN offers no trial, but its 30-day refund covers you.
🛟 Support Options
Malwarebytes support gets good marks for fast replies. OysterVPN has no live chat support or phone line, and email can be slow.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these tools? Here’s what changes if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Malwarebytes VPN to OysterVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A lifetime access option
- Torrenting allowed on every server
- An Irish base outside the 14 Eyes
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Bundled antivirus and Browser Guard
- MultiHop routing
- The 7-day trial and 60-day refund window
📋 How to switch:
- Turn off auto-renewal in your Malwarebytes account.
- Purchase OysterVPN on its official site.
- Install OysterVPN, log in, and approve the pop up window that adds the VPN profile.
🔄 Switching from OysterVPN to Malwarebytes VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Antivirus and VPN in one app
- MultiHop routing through two countries
- A bigger network of 470+ servers
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Lifetime access
- The ad blocker inside the VPN app
- Irish jurisdiction
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel auto-renewal in your OysterVPN dashboard.
- Download Malwarebytes and pick Plus or Total.
- If you hit issues downloading the installer, open a support ticket with Malwarebytes.
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on everyday users with a few devices. We didn’t run our own speed tests across every server location. We also skipped restrictive countries like China, where reviewers say both tools struggle. Prices and features change, so check both sites before you buy.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | OysterVPN |
| 🔐 Encryption & Protocols | OysterVPN |
| 🕵️ Privacy & Jurisdiction | OysterVPN |
| ⚡ Servers & Speed | Malwarebytes VPN |
| 🎬 Streaming & Torrenting | OysterVPN |
| 🛡️ Malware & Identity Protection | Malwarebytes VPN |
| 🛟 Customer Support | Malwarebytes VPN |
| 👶 Ease of Use | OysterVPN |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | OysterVPN |
🏆 WINNER: OYSTERVPN
OysterVPN wins 5 out of 8 categories.
Best for: Budget buyers, torrent users, and anyone who wants a non-US VPN provider
Malwarebytes VPN and OysterVPN aim at different buyers. Malwarebytes is a security suite with a VPN attached. OysterVPN is a VPN first, with a few extras.
Malwarebytes VPN is a decent VPN if you already want antivirus. WireGuard, MultiHop, and fast support are real strengths. But the US base and missing audits hold it back.
For most people using a VPN for privacy, OysterVPN is the better pick. It costs less, sits outside the 14 Eyes, and lets you torrent on any server.
More of Malwarebytes VPN Compared
Here’s how Malwarebytes VPN stacks up against other VPNs:
Malwarebytes VPN wins on: antivirus in the same app, a 60-day refund window, and fewer settings to learn
NordVPN wins on: thousands more servers, independently audited privacy claims, and steadier streaming access
Malwarebytes VPN vs ExpressVPN
Malwarebytes VPN wins on: a lower yearly entry price, bundled malware scanning, and a longer refund window
ExpressVPN wins on: audited RAM-only servers, a router app, and wider streaming support
Malwarebytes VPN wins on: one login for antivirus and VPN, quick support replies, and a free trial of paid features
ProtonVPN wins on: a free plan, Swiss jurisdiction, and open-source, audited apps
More of OysterVPN Compared
Here’s how OysterVPN measures up against other VPN providers:
OysterVPN vs Surfshark
OysterVPN wins on: a lifetime plan, Irish jurisdiction, and a simpler app layout
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, a much larger server list, and audited privacy claims
OysterVPN vs Private Internet Access
OysterVPN wins on: a non-US base, one-time lifetime pricing, and fewer settings to manage
Private Internet Access wins on: a court-tested logging record, native Linux apps, and unlimited device logins
OysterVPN vs CyberGhost
OysterVPN wins on: P2P on every server, a cheaper lifetime option, and lighter apps
CyberGhost wins on: dedicated streaming servers, a 45-day refund window, and smart TV apps
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malwarebytes VPN any good?
It’s fine for basic privacy on a few devices. WireGuard and MultiHop help, but streaming support and the small server count trail other VPNs.
Is Oyster VPN legit?
Yes. It’s a real VPN provider with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and a 30-day refund. Its privacy claims haven’t been independently audited yet.
Does Malwarebytes VPN log data?
It says it doesn’t store IP addresses, DNS requests, or bandwidth usage. It may keep anonymized data like a public key. No outside audit has confirmed this.
Where is Oyster VPN headquarters?
The company is based in Dublin, Ireland. That puts it outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances, unlike US-based Malwarebytes.
Do I need Malwarebytes if I have a VPN?
A VPN hides your traffic but doesn’t stop malware. For malware protection, pair your VPN with antivirus software like Malwarebytes.
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