A
Avast4.2/5vsM
Malwarebytes4.2/5Avast vs Malwarebytes (March 2026)
| AAvast | MMalwarebytes | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices | Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security |
Quick Verdict
Both Avast and Malwarebytes earn a 4.2/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Quick Overview
A
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and online...
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Antivirus Software
- Founded: 1988
- Pricing model: freemium
M
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provides real-time protection against viruses, ...
- Best for: Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Antivirus Software
- Founded: 2008
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Avast | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ransomware Shield | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firewall Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Webcam Shield | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Password Manager | ✓ | ✗ |
| SecureLine VPN | ✓ | ✗ |
| Browser Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data Shredder | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real-time Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ransomware Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Browser Guard | ✗ | ✓ |
| Web Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| VPN | ✗ | ✓ |
| Exploit Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Scans | ✗ | ✓ |
| Identity Theft Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Threat Quarantine | ✗ | ✓ |
| Machine Learning Detection | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Avast
Free
Starting price
freemium · 4 plans
Free Antivirus
FreePremium Security (1 device)Popular
$31.20/yrPremium Security (10 devices)
$39.99/yrOne Gold
$89.99/yrMalwarebytes
Free
Starting price
freemium · 6 plans
Free
FreeStandardPopular
$44.99/yrPlus
$79.99/yrUltimate
$119.99/yrFor Teams
$39.99/yrCore Endpoint Protection
$69/yrPros & Cons
Avast
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
Malwarebytes
Pros
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Strong ransomware protection
- Free version available with basic protection
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Limited malware detection in real-time tests
- Free version lacks real-time protection
- Fewer features compared to comprehensive security suites
- No integrated firewall or password manager
Which Is Best for You?
A
Choose Avast if:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority ($31.20 vs $39.99)
M
Choose Malwarebytes if:
- Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection
- Businesses needing endpoint security
- Removing existing malware infections
- Supplementing primary antivirus software
- You want to start with a free plan
Our Verdict
🏆
AAvast — WinnerMMalwarebytes — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Avast takes the lead in this comparison, though both tools share an identical 4.2/5 rating.
Avast is best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Pricing-wise, Avast is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Avast Alternatives
Malwarebytes Alternatives
Category Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both Avast and Malwarebytes earn a 4.2/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Avast starts at $31.20/yr (free tier available), while Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/yr (free tier available).
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Malwarebytes integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Avast is best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices, while Malwarebytes excels for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Avast has a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews, while Malwarebytes scores 4.2/5 from 50,000 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Avast may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Malwarebytes (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Avast has 4 plans while Malwarebytes has 6 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both Avast and Malwarebytes offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Avast if you prioritize excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and want to start free. Choose Malwarebytes if you value minimal impact on system performance and want a free tier.