Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes
Bitdefender rates 4.6/5 and starts at $3/mo. Malwarebytes rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. Malwarebytes is the cheaper entry point. Bitdefender is the higher rated. Only Malwarebytes has a free tier.
Bitdefender rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.5/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Bitdefender suits Performance-conscious users, while Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup.
Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes at a glance
| Measure | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 9,800 | 7,100 |
| Starting price | $3/mo | Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Public API | No | No |
| Integrations listed here | 4 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Starting price | $3/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Performance-conscious users | Users wanting simple cleanup |
| Top malware detection | ||
| Low system impact | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| VPN (limited) | ||
| Anti-phishing | ||
| Free malware scanner | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Ransomware shield | ||
| Web protection | ||
| Browser Guard | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Bitdefender
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Plus | $3/mo | $36 |
| Total Security | $4/mo | $48 |
| Ultimate | $6/mo | $72 |
Malwarebytes
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Premium | $4/mo | $48 |
| Premium + VPN | $6/mo | $72 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Bitdefender if…
- Best-in-class detection matters to you.
- Light on resources matters to you.
- Good value matters to you.
- Fewer suite extras would be a problem.
Choose Malwarebytes if…
- Excellent cleanup matters to you.
- Free scanner matters to you.
- Very lightweight matters to you.
- Full VPN costs extra would be a problem.
Bitdefender
Pros
- Best-in-class detection
- Light on resources
- Good value
Cons
- Full VPN costs extra
- Renewal pricing higher
Malwarebytes
Pros
- Excellent cleanup
- Free scanner
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Fewer suite extras
- VPN sold separately
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitdefender better than Malwarebytes?+
Bitdefender rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.5/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Bitdefender suits Performance-conscious users, while Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup.
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender or Malwarebytes?+
Malwarebytes — it starts at Free, versus $3/mo for Bitdefender.
Do Bitdefender or Malwarebytes have a free plan?+
Malwarebytes has a free tier; Bitdefender does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, Bitdefender or Malwarebytes?+
Bitdefender, at 4.6/5 across 9,800 reviews, versus 4.5/5 for Malwarebytes.
What is Bitdefender best for, and what is Malwarebytes best for?+
Bitdefender is aimed at Performance-conscious users (best protection, older/slower PCs). Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup (removing infections, second-opinion scanner).