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Head-to-head · Chrome Extensions

Ghostery vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Ghostery #2 in Chrome Extensions 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Ghostery
Malwarebytes Browser Guard #4 in Chrome Extensions 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Malwarebytes

Ghostery leads on 0 checks, Malwarebytes Browser Guard on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGhostery · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Ghostery scores higher on our rubric for chrome extensions: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Ghostery is the better fit for broad ad, tracker, and cookie-pop-up blocking. Malwarebytes Browser Guard is the better fit for free desktop blocking with extra malware protection.

  • Ghostery fits best

    Broad ad, tracker, and cookie-pop-up blocking

  • Malwarebytes Browser Guard fits best

    Free desktop blocking with extra malware protection

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Ghostery 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Malwarebytes Browser Guard 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in Chrome Extensions #4 in Chrome Extensions
Best for Broad ad, tracker, and cookie-pop-up blocking Free desktop blocking with extra malware protection
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Chrome extension
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Ghostery 0/5 · Malwarebytes Browser Guard 0/5
Chrome Web Store Not checked yet Not checked yet
Offline use Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cross-device sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Team controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Permission details Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Browser support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks ads, trackers and tracking cookies across pages.
  • Never-Consent handles non-essential cookie-banner requests.
  • Custom filters and an element picker offer page-level control.
  • Blocks ads, trackers, cookie banners, scams, and phishing attempts
  • Adds credit card skimmer protection and breach or malware notifications
  • Offers site-specific controls, allow lists, and content blocking
Cons
  • Blocking controls may need adjustment for trusted sites or trackers.
  • Browser-level protection may not suit users seeking broader privacy tools.
  • No paid product tiers for buyers who require a subscription plan.
  • Coverage is limited to desktop platforms
  • Support is centered on documentation
  • Some additional protections require a Malwarebytes plan
Our verdict

Ghostery is a free, open-source browser extension for people who want to block ads, trackers and cookie pop-ups while seeing which companies track a page. Its stated audience ranges from individual users to privacy-conscious teams and…

Read the review →

Malwarebytes Browser Guard is a free browser extension for people who want to reduce ads and trackers while adding protection against malicious sites, scams, phishing attempts, and credit card skimmers. It is aimed at solo users and small…

Read the review →
  1. GhosteryChrome Extensions 9.2Free plan
  2. Malwarebytes Browser GuardChrome Extensions 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ghostery — where it wins

    • Blocks ads, trackers and tracking cookies across pages.
    • Never-Consent handles non-essential cookie-banner requests.
    • Custom filters and an element picker offer page-level control.

    Where it doesn't

    • Blocking controls may need adjustment for trusted sites or trackers.
    • Browser-level protection may not suit users seeking broader privacy tools.
    • No paid product tiers for buyers who require a subscription plan.

  • Malwarebytes Browser Guard — where it wins

    • Blocks ads, trackers, cookie banners, scams, and phishing attempts
    • Adds credit card skimmer protection and breach or malware notifications
    • Offers site-specific controls, allow lists, and content blocking

    Where it doesn't

    • Coverage is limited to desktop platforms
    • Support is centered on documentation
    • Some additional protections require a Malwarebytes plan

More comparisons

All chrome extensions comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update