Safety
Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

8.88
Very Good
Our verdict:
Lightweight and effective malware cleaner. Lacks extras like VPN or firewall but great as a second line of defense.

Overview

Malwarebytes has built its reputation over more than a decade as a trusted anti-malware solution. Initially popular as a complimentary cleaner (people used to run Malwarebytes Free alongside other AVs to catch what they missed), it has since evolved into a full antivirus replacement for many. Its philosophy is to provide “multiple layers of malware-crushing tech” with a focus on the latest threats. The company is proud that it can tackle not just known viruses via signatures, but also new malware via behavior analysis and machine learning.

One hallmark of Malwarebytes is its simplicity and speed. It is often lauded for having an extremely quick installation and setup process. For instance, Digital Trends’ 2025 review noted “Malwarebytes is quick and easy to set up, and is known to catch security problems that Microsoft Defender misses.”. The user interface is straightforward, showing your protection status and toggles for various shields. Because of its straightforward design, Malwarebytes is suitable even for non-expert users – it basically runs in the background without much need for tweaking.

In terms of offerings, Malwarebytes Premium Security (the main product) covers one or multiple devices depending on your license. The pricing is competitive: around $45/year for one device Premium (often on sale for less). Notably, they don’t impose huge renewal hikes – pricing has been relatively stable and no big jump after year one. The company also has expanded offerings: Malwarebytes Privacy (a VPN service using Mullvad’s server network) and Malwarebytes Ultimate (which bundles Premium + VPN + identity monitoring and a $2M insurance via a partner). This shows Malwarebytes branching into the “suite” territory, but its core identity remains being an excellent anti-malware program first and foremost.

Overall, as general information: Malwarebytes is a top choice for malware protection. It’s frequently recommended for those who want something more robust than the default antivirus, but still value a lightweight footprint and ease of use. It has also scored well in independent lab tests in recent years, improving its detection rates to be on par with big names. Malwarebytes doesn’t include some extras like a firewall or extensive parental controls, so it appeals to users who prioritize security essentials over a kitchen-sink suite.

Features & Capabilities

Malwarebytes Premium offers a focused yet solid set of features concentrated on security and performance:

  • Multi-Layered Malware Protection: Malwarebytes employs several layers of protection against different types of threats. It has a signature-based engine for known viruses, but also advanced heuristics and behavior monitoring for unknown malware. It specifically includes dedicated anti-ransomware technology that watches for ransomware-like behavior (unauthorized file encryption) and can stop an attack before your files are locked. Additionally, it has exploit mitigation to guard against malware that tries to abuse software vulnerabilities. These layers work together in real-time, which is why Malwarebytes can catch brand-new malware variants that might slip past traditional AV.

  • Real-Time and On-Demand Scanning: With Premium, Malwarebytes provides continuous real-time protection – meaning it automatically blocks or quarantines threats as they emerge, without user intervention. For instance, if you download an infected file or if a program starts exhibiting malicious activity, Malwarebytes will intervene immediately. On-demand scanning is also available (and is the core of the free version): you can run quick scans or full scans at will. The scanning speed is one of Malwarebytes’ strong suits – in tests, a full system scan can take just a few minutes while checking hundreds of thousands of files. This encourages users to scan frequently since it doesn’t bog down the system for long.

  • Malicious Website and Phishing Protection: Malwarebytes includes a Web Protection module that filters malicious URLs and prevents connections to dangerous domains. This protects you from accidentally visiting malware-hosting sites or phishing sites. In practice, if you try to access a known bad site, Malwarebytes will block it and display a warning. The TechRadar review highlighted that “you get URL filtering… keeps you safe from any dodgy links when browsing”, which they found to be solid tech. Additionally, Malwarebytes offers a free Browser Guard extension (for Chrome, Edge, Firefox) that can augment this by blocking ads, trackers, and scam sites – users have noted it makes browsers notably faster by cutting out unwanted content. The Windows Firewall Control in Premium which can complement the built-in firewall, and a Central Dashboard (My.Malwarebytes account) where you can manage your devices and subscriptions.

  • Lightweight Performance: Another key capability is that Malwarebytes is designed to be light on resources. Independent lab tests by AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST have shown Malwarebytes scoring well on performance (low impact) metrics. For example, it generally doesn’t slow down app installations or web browsing significantly. Users can even run Malwarebytes alongside Windows Defender without major conflicts, and some choose to do so for layered protection (though Malwarebytes can also run solo). Its “Play Mode” suppresses notifications during gaming or full-screen tasks, ensuring it stays unobtrusive.

  • Multi-Platform Support: Malwarebytes provides apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS. On Windows and Mac, the functionality is similar (though historically, independent testing focused more on Windows; Mac version is effective against Mac-specific malware but isn’t tested as extensively). On Android, Malwarebytes can scan for malware and also audit app permissions (to identify apps that track your location, etc.). On iOS, while malware scanning isn’t applicable, it offers Safari ad blocking and SMS spam filtering to protect against scam texts and annoying ads. This cross-platform approach means you can protect all your devices under one subscription (their family plans can cover multiple devices).

  • VPN and Privacy (Premium + Privacy plan): If you opt for the Malwarebytes Privacy VPN (either standalone or bundled in Plus/Ultimate), you get an easy-to-use VPN with 500+ servers in 30+ countries. It’s a no-log VPN aimed at general privacy and blocking trackers. However, it lacks advanced VPN features like geo-unblocking for streaming (Malwarebytes even notes it’s more for privacy than circumventing content restrictions). Still, it’s a nice extra for those who want integrated VPN protection with one app.

  • Identity Theft Protection (Ultimate plan): In 2025, Malwarebytes introduced an Ultimate tier that adds identity monitoring through a partnership (likely with a service like IDX). This includes things like dark web monitoring for personal info, social media monitoring, credit bureau reports, and up to $2 million identity theft insurance. Essentially, this puts Malwarebytes into competition with suites like Norton 360 that have life-lock style ID protection. While a notable expansion, this is only in the highest plan, so the majority of Malwarebytes users will stick with the core anti-malware functionality.

  • Additional Tools: Malwarebytes offers a few free tools as well, such as AdwCleaner (a free utility to remove adware and browser hijackers), and a Privacy scanner. These tools reflect Malwarebytes’ origin in tackling annoying PUPs and adware. They also have a Windows Firewall Control in Premium which can complement the built-in firewall, and a Central Dashboard (My.Malwarebytes account) where you can manage your devices and subscriptions.

To sum up features: Malwarebytes is laser-focused on keeping your system malware-free and doing so with speed and reliability. It may not come with an array of bonus features by default (unless you go to its top tier), but what it does, it does exceptionally well: preventing and removing malware, ransomware, and online threats with minimal hassle.

Free vs. Paid Versions

One of the most common questions is whether to use Malwarebytes Free or pay for Premium. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Malwarebytes Free: This version is essentially a manual malware removal tool. You can download Malwarebytes for free and run scans to detect and clean infections on demand. It’s very effective for that purpose – in fact, many tech experts keep Malwarebytes Free as a second opinion scanner. The free version, however, offers no real-time protection. That means it will not actively stop threats from getting on your system; it will only find them afterwards when you run a scan. Free also lacks scheduled scanning, malicious website blocking, ransomware protection, etc. It’s “barebones” in terms of features.

    • Use case for Free: If you already have another antivirus and just want Malwarebytes as a cleanup tool, the free version is great. For example, one might rely on Windows Defender for live protection and occasionally run Malwarebytes Free to catch anything Defender might have missed. Also, if you suspect an infection, Malwarebytes Free is one of the best tools to confirm and eliminate it, at no cost.

  • Malwarebytes Premium: The Premium edition is a full replacement antivirus. It runs in real-time, which means it actively monitors and blocks threats 24/7. The moment a malware tries to execute, Premium will detect and stop it. Premium also includes:

    • Real-Time Malware & PUP Protection: Always-on scanning of files and processes, so you don’t have to manually scan.

    • Ransomware Protection: A specific layer guarding against encrypting malware.

    • Exploit Protection: Shields applications (browsers, Office, etc.) from exploit attacks.

    • Web Protection: Blocking of malicious websites and phishing.

    • Automatic Updates and Scheduling: Premium updates its threat database automatically and can run scheduled scans.

    • Essentially, Premium offers a set-and-forget security solution, which is why it can serve as your only antivirus.

  • Premium Pricing & Devices: A standard Premium license typically covers 1 device for around $39.99–$59.99/year (pricing promotions vary). They also sell multi-device licenses – e.g., 5 devices for a higher price, and a Family plan for 10 devices (the Family plan in 2025 is the “Ultimate Family” with identity protection included). Importantly, Malwarebytes often gives a 14-day trial of Premium even when you install the free version. So you can try the full real-time protection for two weeks; after that, it automatically downgrades to Free if you don’t subscribe.

  • Premium + Privacy (Plus) and Ultimate: These are paid tiers above basic Premium:

    • Premium + Privacy (also called Malwarebytes Plus): This includes one license of Premium and the VPN service. It’s for users who want an integrated VPN for Wi-Fi security and anonymity.

    • Ultimate: This includes Premium, the VPN, and the new Identity Theft Protection features (credit monitoring, $2M insurance, etc.). It’s the priciest plan (approx $120/year for individuals on sale), and they also offer Ultimate Family for multiple users.

  • Renewal and Trial: Malwarebytes is known for not jacking up the price on renewal as much as competitors. Reviews praise that there are “no big price increases on renewal”, meaning if you paid $40 this year, it likely stays near that next year, whereas some antiviruses might jump to $100. Also, if you decide Premium isn’t for you, the software will continue as Free after the trial – you won’t lose the ability to scan.

In a nutshell, Malwarebytes Free is good for disinfection, but Malwarebytes Premium is needed for ongoing protection. We generally advise: use the free version if you need an extra cleanup tool or if you cannot afford a subscription. But if you want Malwarebytes to protect you in real time (and it’s very good at that), Premium is worth it. Many users end up upgrading after seeing how well Malwarebytes cleans their system or how quietly it runs.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Excellent Malware Detection & Removal: Malwarebytes has a proven track record of catching and eliminating malware, including new and advanced threats. It’s scored near-perfect in independent malware protection tests and is known to find threats that built-in antiviruses sometimes miss. Additionally, Malwarebytes’ Premium also offers layers of protection that are observed in our Malwarebytes review.

  • Lightweight and Fast: The program is optimized for speed – quick scans can run in seconds, and even full scans complete in a few minutes in many cases. It also has a small footprint on system performance (little to no noticeable slowdowns in day-to-day use), making it ideal for older PCs or those where performance is a priority. Additionally, it’s not slow on resources, as shown in AV-Comparatives tests.

  • Easy to Use: Malwarebytes features a clean, simple interface that makes it easy for anyone to navigate. It’s basically install-and-go, with minimal configuration needed. The 24/7 support (via chat or forums) is also responsive and helpful. Plus, no annoying upsells or bloated UI – it’s very straightforward.

  • No “Bloat” Features: For users who dislike security suites adding tons of unused tools, Malwarebytes is refreshing. It focuses on core protection (malware, ransomware, web blocking) without things like performance tuners or excessive notifications. This lean approach means fewer false alarms and conflicts as well.

  • Flexible Coexistence: Malwarebytes can run alongside other security software if desired. It’s designed to play well with Windows Defender, for example, which advanced users might appreciate for layered security. And if you prefer it to be your sole AV, it’s capable enough to do that too.

  • Good Value & Trial Option: Premium is reasonably priced (often ~$3-5/month range) and covers multiple devices if needed. There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee and a free 14-day trial of Premium included with the free download. This trial and refund policy make it low-risk to test if it suits your needs.

Cons:

  • VPN/Identity Cost Extra: The standard Premium plan doesn’t include a VPN or identity theft monitoring – those are only in higher-cost tiers or separate purchases. So if you need a full suite with those features, Malwarebytes can get pricier (the Ultimate package cost can rival big suites). The VPN is an add-on that many competitors bundle for free in similar price range suites.

  • Limited Features Beyond Malware: Malwarebytes lacks some features found in other antiviruses: there’s no firewall (it relies on Windows Firewall), no dedicated password manager, no parental controls, no file shredder/backup, etc. Some users might miss these extras if they expect a one-stop suite. Malwarebytes’ philosophy is lean security, so it intentionally omits many extras.

  • Occasional False Positives: In the past, Malwarebytes had some issues with false positives (flagging benign items) – AV-Comparatives tests have shown a few more false alerts than top competitors. While improved recently, it still may err on the side of caution, especially with PUPs. Users might need to review quarantine sometimes to restore a program they trust.

  • Detection Rates Slightly Below Top Suite in Labs: While very strong, some independent lab results show Malwarebytes just a hair below the absolute top-tier antiviruses in detection (e.g., 98-99% vs. 100% in certain tests). It’s mostly caught up, but not always #1 across the board. In one security.org review it scored lower in “virus detection” compared to others. For most users, this difference is negligible, but purists might note it.

  • Free Version is Reactive Only: If one is using the free version, it’s not enough as primary protection. Relying solely on Malwarebytes Free means you have no active shield – you’d have to remember to run scans. So, its usefulness as a free solution is somewhat limited to cleanup rather than prevention (this is only a “con” in context of free vs paid).

  • Competitive Market: Some competitors’ suites at similar prices offer more extensive features (like Norton or Bitdefender including cloud backup, identity theft insurance, etc.). If you require those extras, Malwarebytes might feel comparatively feature-light unless you go for Ultimate.

Conclusion & Recommendations

Malwarebytes is an excellent choice for those who prioritize malware protection and simplicity. We recommend Malwarebytes Premium for users who have been frustrated by heavier antivirus suites or who suspect their current antivirus isn’t catching everything. It provides peace of mind that you have an extra-strong defense against infections like spyware, Trojans, and ransomware, all without bogging down your system.

Who it’s best for:

  • If you’re someone who wants a “set it and forget it” solution that quietly protects you, Malwarebytes is ideal. It’s also great for less tech-savvy family members – you can install it knowing it will automatically handle threats with minimal user interaction needed.

  • It’s particularly recommended if your PC has had issues with adware/PUPs or if you frequently download software from the internet – Malwarebytes’ PUP detection is among the best, and it will keep those nuisance programs out.

  • Multi-device households can benefit too. For example, one Premium license can protect your PC and your Android phone – both common targets – with the same level of vigilance.

Who might want something else:

  • If you require a full internet security suite with features like parental controls, extensive identity theft insurance, cloud backup, etc., you might consider other products or Malwarebytes’ higher-tier bundle. Malwarebytes in its standard form stays focused on malware and might not fulfill those other needs (though pairing it with standalone solutions is an option).

  • If you’re on a tight budget and absolutely can’t pay, Malwarebytes Free is great to have as an on-demand scanner, but you’ll need to couple it with another free antivirus (e.g., Windows Defender) for real-time protection.

In conclusion, Malwarebytes Premium is one of the top-performing anti-malware tools on the market, and it has earned its reputation by consistently protecting users without the drawbacks of bloated suites. It’s often our go-to recommendation for people dealing with stubborn malware or those who just want robust protection that “just works.” Given its generous trial and refund policy, it’s worth trying out to see the difference in speed and simplicity. Many will find that Malwarebytes hits the sweet spot of strong, hassle-free security – which is exactly what most home users need.