Kaspersky vs Malwarebytes
Kaspersky rates 4.3/5 and starts at $3/mo. Malwarebytes rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. Malwarebytes is the cheaper entry point. Malwarebytes is the higher rated. Only Malwarebytes has a free tier.
Malwarebytes rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Kaspersky suits Protection-focused users, while Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup.
Kaspersky vs Malwarebytes at a glance
| Measure | Kaspersky | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 6,400 | 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 | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Starting price | $3/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Protection-focused users | Users wanting simple cleanup |
| Top malware detection | ||
| Safe Money browser | ||
| VPN (limited) | ||
| Password manager | ||
| Parental controls | ||
| Free malware scanner | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Ransomware shield | ||
| Web protection | ||
| Browser Guard | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Kaspersky
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $3/mo | $36 |
| Plus | $4/mo | $48 |
| Premium | $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 Kaspersky if…
- Excellent lab scores matters to you.
- Polished interface 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.
- Government restrictions in some regions would be a problem.
Kaspersky
Pros
- Excellent lab scores
- Polished interface
- Good value
Cons
- Government restrictions in some regions
- Full VPN costs extra
Malwarebytes
Pros
- Excellent cleanup
- Free scanner
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Fewer suite extras
- VPN sold separately
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaspersky better than Malwarebytes?+
Malwarebytes rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Kaspersky suits Protection-focused users, while Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup.
Which is cheaper, Kaspersky or Malwarebytes?+
Malwarebytes — it starts at Free, versus $3/mo for Kaspersky.
Do Kaspersky or Malwarebytes have a free plan?+
Malwarebytes has a free tier; Kaspersky does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, Kaspersky or Malwarebytes?+
Malwarebytes, at 4.5/5 across 7,100 reviews, versus 4.3/5 for Kaspersky.
What is Kaspersky best for, and what is Malwarebytes best for?+
Kaspersky is aimed at Protection-focused users (strong detection, safe online banking). Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup (removing infections, second-opinion scanner).