Independent lab results27 of 45
Protection features21 of 25
Price8 of 20
Refunds and security5 of 10
antivirus product · Malwarebytes Inc.
Malwarebytes
Anti-malware suite for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with a free cleanup scanner and paid real-time protection.
In short
- Standard covers 3 devices for $35.99 in the first year, then $59.99 a year1.
- The free version scans and cleans after an attack; real-time protection needs a paid plan3,4.
- Paid plans add Firewall Control, exploit protection and brute force protection on Windows2.
- New subscriptions bought directly carry a 60-day money-back guarantee; renewals do not5.
- Plus adds a WireGuard VPN for $47.99 in the first year, then $79.99 a year1.
Malwarebytes suits people who want one paid plan across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS2. Standard costs $35.99 for three devices in the first year, and new buyers get 60 days to ask for a refund1,5. The catch is that the free version has no real-time protection, and Standard renews at $59.99 a year1,3.
Best for: People who want a free cleanup scanner and a simple paid upgrade.
Where the points come from
Independent lab results 27 of 45 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST score | 18 of 18AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Malwarebytes Premium 5.5 & 5.6).6 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives award | STANDARDAV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: STANDARD (Malwarebytes). AV-Comparatives lowered the award because of false alarms.7 | 5 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives protection rate | 98.8%AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 98.8% (Malwarebytes).7 | 7 / 15 |
Protection features 21 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOSPremium Security protects Windows, Mac, Android and iOS2. | 8 / 8 |
| Firewall | YesThe Windows app includes Firewall Control, which filters network traffic2. | 5 / 5 |
| Ransomware protection | YesRansomware protection on Windows, Mac and Android stops malware from locking you out2. | 5 / 5 |
| Rescue or offline scan | Not published | 0 / 4 |
| Browser protection | YesWeb Protection blocks phishing sites and malicious URLs before they load, on Windows2. | 3 / 3 |
Price 8 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free edition with real-time protection | NoThe free version cleans up after an attack; real-time protection comes with Premium3,4. | 0 / 8 |
| First-year price | $35.99/yrStandard, 3 devices: $35.99 for the first year in a sale1. | 4 / 6 |
| Price from the second year | $59.99/yrThe sale is for the first year only; Standard lists at $59.99 a year1. | 4 / 6 |
Refunds and security 5 of 10 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day refund | Yes60-day refund on new subscriptions bought directly from Malwarebytes, not on renewals5. | 5 / 5 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0 / 5 |
The rule behind each line: how we score antivirus products.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeWindows, Mac, Android, iOS | Free3,4 | $0 | Scans and cleans; no real-time protection |
| Standard3 devices | $35.99 first year1 | $3 | List price $59.99 a year |
| Plus3 devices | $47.99 first year1 | $4 | Adds Privacy VPN. List price $79.99 a year |
| Ultimate1 adult, 3 devices | $139.99 first year1 | $11.67 | Adds identity protection with $2 million insurance. List price $279.99 a year |
| Standard Family10 devices | $71.99 first year1 | $6 | List price $119.99 a year |
| Plus Family10 devices | $89.99 first year1 | $7.50 | Adds Privacy VPN. List price $149.99 a year |
| Ultimate Family2 adults, 10 kids, 10 devices | $199.99 first year1 | $16.67 | List price $399.99 a year |
First-year prices are a sale that applies to the first year only; each plan lists a higher yearly price1. Malwarebytes also sells Standard for a single device1.
Strengths
- The 60-day money-back guarantee gives new buyers two months to ask for a refund5.
- Standard covers three devices on any mix of Windows, Mac, Android and iOS1.
- The Windows app adds Firewall Control, exploit protection and brute force protection2.
- Browser Guard, an ad and scam blocker extension, comes with all plans2.
Limits
- The free version has no real-time protection; it cleans up infections that already happened3,4.
- The first-year sale price applies to the first year only, and Standard lists at $59.99 a year1.
- Exploit protection, brute force protection and Firewall Control are Windows-only2.
- The money-back guarantee does not apply to renewals5.
What Malwarebytes Inc. says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Malwarebytes says it has stopped more than 150,000 ransomware attacks and blocked more than 90 million web threats2.
Other antivirus products
- 1
BitdefenderPeople who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year94/100$24.99/yrfirst-year price - 2
Microsoft Defender AntivirusWindows users who want protection without buying anything88/100$0first-year price - 3KasperskyBuyers outside the United States who want a firewall in the cheapest plan84/100$49.99/yrfirst-year price
- 4
AvastPeople who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection83/100$49.08/yrfirst-year price
Sources
- Pricing and Plans: 2026 | Malwarebytes, Malwarebytes. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Malwarebytes Premium: All in One Real-Time Protection, Malwarebytes. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Malwarebytes Free: Free Antivirus 2026, Malwarebytes. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Free Antivirus Software for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, Malwarebytes. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- End User License Agreement (EULA), Malwarebytes. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026, AV-TEST. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026, AV-Comparatives. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.malwarebytes.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Malwarebytes Inc..