--- title: Malwarebytes canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/malwarebytes/ category: Antivirus Software points: 61 rank: 8 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Malwarebytes Anti-malware suite for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with a free cleanup scanner and paid real-time protection. 61 points out of 100. #8 of 10 antivirus products. Vendor: Malwarebytes Inc.. Website: https://www.malwarebytes.com/ - Standard covers 3 devices for $35.99 in the first year, then $59.99 a year [1]. - The free version scans and cleans after an attack; real-time protection needs a paid plan [3][4]. - Paid plans add Firewall Control, exploit protection and brute force protection on Windows [2]. - New subscriptions bought directly carry a 60-day money-back guarantee; renewals do not [5]. - Plus adds a WireGuard VPN for $47.99 in the first year, then $79.99 a year [1]. Verdict: Malwarebytes suits people who want one paid plan across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS [2]. Standard costs $35.99 for three devices in the first year, and new buyers get 60 days to ask for a refund [1][5]. The catch is that the free version has no real-time protection, and Standard renews at $59.99 a year [1][3]. Best for: People who want a free cleanup scanner and a simple paid upgrade. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Independent lab results | AV-TEST score | 18 of 18 | 15/15 | AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Malwarebytes Premium 5.5 & 5.6). [6] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives award | STANDARD | 5/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: STANDARD (Malwarebytes). AV-Comparatives lowered the award because of false alarms. [7] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives protection rate | 98.8% | 7/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 98.8% (Malwarebytes). [7] | | Protection features | Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 8/8 | Premium Security protects Windows, Mac, Android and iOS [2]. | | Protection features | Firewall | Yes | 5/5 | The Windows app includes Firewall Control, which filters network traffic [2]. | | Protection features | Ransomware protection | Yes | 5/5 | Ransomware protection on Windows, Mac and Android stops malware from locking you out [2]. | | Protection features | Rescue or offline scan | Not published | 0/4 | | | Protection features | Browser protection | Yes | 3/3 | Web Protection blocks phishing sites and malicious URLs before they load, on Windows [2]. | | Price | Free edition with real-time protection | No | 0/8 | The free version cleans up after an attack; real-time protection comes with Premium [3][4]. | | Price | First-year price | $35.99/yr | 4/6 | Standard, 3 devices: $35.99 for the first year in a sale [1]. | | Price | Price from the second year | $59.99/yr | 4/6 | The sale is for the first year only; Standard lists at $59.99 a year [1]. | | Refunds and security | 30-day refund | Yes | 5/5 | 60-day refund on new subscriptions bought directly from Malwarebytes, not on renewals [5]. | | Refunds and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/5 | | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [3][4] | $0 | | Standard | $35.99 first year [1] | $3 | | Plus | $47.99 first year [1] | $4 | | Ultimate | $139.99 first year [1] | $11.67 | | Standard Family | $71.99 first year [1] | $6 | | Plus Family | $89.99 first year [1] | $7.50 | | Ultimate Family | $199.99 first year [1] | $16.67 | First-year prices are a sale that applies to the first year only; each plan lists a higher yearly price [1]. Malwarebytes also sells Standard for a single device [1]. ## Strengths - The 60-day money-back guarantee gives new buyers two months to ask for a refund [5]. - Standard covers three devices on any mix of Windows, Mac, Android and iOS [1]. - The Windows app adds Firewall Control, exploit protection and brute force protection [2]. - Browser Guard, an ad and scam blocker extension, comes with all plans [2]. ## Limits - The free version has no real-time protection; it cleans up infections that already happened [3][4]. - The first-year sale price applies to the first year only, and Standard lists at $59.99 a year [1]. - Exploit protection, brute force protection and Firewall Control are Windows-only [2]. - The money-back guarantee does not apply to renewals [5]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Malwarebytes says it has stopped more than 150,000 ransomware attacks and blocked more than 90 million web threats [2]. ## Sources 1. [Pricing and Plans: 2026 | Malwarebytes](https://www.malwarebytes.com/pricing), Malwarebytes, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Malwarebytes Premium: All in One Real-Time Protection](https://www.malwarebytes.com/premium), Malwarebytes, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Malwarebytes Free: Free Antivirus 2026](https://www.malwarebytes.com/free), Malwarebytes, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Free Antivirus Software for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS](https://www.malwarebytes.com/solutions/free-antivirus), Malwarebytes, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [End User License Agreement (EULA)](https://www.malwarebytes.com/eula), Malwarebytes, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026](https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/), AV-TEST, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2026/), AV-Comparatives, accessed 2026-10-08