Malwarebytes Review
Verdict: Malwarebytes earns 4.5/5 from 7,100 reviews, ranking #2 of 5 antivirus tools we track. It suits Users wanting simple cleanup best. Excellent cleanup is its standout strength, while fewer suite extras is the main trade-off to weigh.
Our take on Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is renowned for cleaning up infections other tools miss, with a lightweight real-time protection layer. Great as a primary or second-opinion scanner.
Key features
- Free malware scanner
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware shield
- Web protection
- Browser Guard
Pros & cons
Pros
- Excellent cleanup
- Free scanner
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Fewer suite extras
- VPN sold separately
Who Malwarebytes is for
A good fit if…
- • You are users wanting simple cleanup.
- • Your use case is removing infections.
- • Your use case is second-opinion scanner.
- • Your use case is simple protection.
- • Excellent cleanup matters to you.
Look elsewhere if…
- • Fewer suite extras would be a dealbreaker.
- • VPN sold separately would be a dealbreaker.
Malwarebytes pricing
Full pricing breakdown →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| PremiumPopular | $4/mo | $48 |
| Premium + VPN | $6/mo | $72 |
How Malwarebytes compares
| Measure | Malwarebytes | Category average |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting price | Free | $3/mo |
| Rank by rating | #2 of 5 | — |
| Public API | No | 0 of 4 offer one |
Integrations
Alternatives to consider
All Malwarebytes alternatives →Bottom line on Malwarebytes
4.5/5 · Freemium · best for Users wanting simple cleanup
Frequently asked questions
Is Malwarebytes worth it?+
Malwarebytes is rated 4.5/5 across 7,100 reviews and is best suited to Users wanting simple cleanup. Excellent cleanup is the standout strength; the main trade-off is fewer suite extras.
What do users like most about Malwarebytes?+
Excellent cleanup, Free scanner, Very lightweight.
What are the downsides of Malwarebytes?+
Fewer suite extras, VPN sold separately. Whether these matter depends on your use case — see who it is and isn't for above.
How much does Malwarebytes cost?+
Malwarebytes offers a free plan, with paid plans from $4/mo.
How does Malwarebytes compare with other antivirus tools?+
Among the 5 antivirus tools we track, Malwarebytes ranks #2 by rating (4.5/5 vs a 4.3/5 category average).
What is Malwarebytes best used for?+
Removing infections, Second-opinion scanner, Simple protection.