Malwarebytes vs McAfee
Malwarebytes rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. McAfee rates 4.1/5 and starts at $3/mo. Malwarebytes is the cheaper entry point. Malwarebytes is the higher rated. Only Malwarebytes has a free tier.
Malwarebytes rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.1/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Malwarebytes suits Users wanting simple cleanup, while McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices.
Malwarebytes vs McAfee at a glance
| Measure | Malwarebytes | McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Reviews | 7,100 | 8,600 |
| Starting price | Free | $3/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Public API | No | No |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 4 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Starting price | Free | $3/mo |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Users wanting simple cleanup | Families with many devices |
| Free malware scanner | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Ransomware shield | ||
| Web protection | ||
| Browser Guard | ||
| Antivirus & firewall | ||
| Unlimited devices (top tier) | ||
| Identity monitoring | ||
| VPN | ||
| Password manager | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Malwarebytes
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Premium | $4/mo | $48 |
| Premium + VPN | $6/mo | $72 |
McAfee
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $3/mo | $36 |
| Plus | $5/mo | $60 |
| Advanced | $8/mo | $96 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Malwarebytes if…
- Excellent cleanup matters to you.
- Free scanner matters to you.
- Very lightweight matters to you.
- Heavier system impact would be a problem.
Choose McAfee if…
- Unlimited devices option matters to you.
- Strong identity tools matters to you.
- Easy to use matters to you.
- Fewer suite extras would be a problem.
Malwarebytes
Pros
- Excellent cleanup
- Free scanner
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Fewer suite extras
- VPN sold separately
McAfee
Pros
- Unlimited devices option
- Strong identity tools
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavier system impact
- Aggressive upsells
Frequently asked questions
Is Malwarebytes better than McAfee?+
Malwarebytes rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.1/5). Malwarebytes is cheaper to start (Free vs $3/mo). Malwarebytes suits Users wanting simple cleanup, while McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices.
Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or McAfee?+
Malwarebytes — it starts at Free, versus $3/mo for McAfee.
Do Malwarebytes or McAfee have a free plan?+
Malwarebytes has a free tier; McAfee does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, Malwarebytes or McAfee?+
Malwarebytes, at 4.5/5 across 7,100 reviews, versus 4.1/5 for McAfee.
What is Malwarebytes best for, and what is McAfee best for?+
Malwarebytes is aimed at Users wanting simple cleanup (removing infections, second-opinion scanner). McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices (many household devices, identity protection).