M
Malwarebytes4.2/5vsN
Norton 3604.3/5Malwarebytes vs Norton 360 (March 2026)
| MMalwarebytes | NNorton 360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $19.99/yr |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Best For | Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security | Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite |
Quick Verdict
Norton 360 takes the lead with a 4.3/5 rating compared to Malwarebytes's 4.2/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
Quick Overview
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
N
Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and cloud backup in one platform. O...
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Starting price: $19.99/yr
- Category: Antivirus Software
- Founded: 1991
- Pricing model: subscription
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Malwarebytes | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ransomware Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Browser Guard | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| VPN | ✓ | ✗ |
| Exploit Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Scans | ✓ | ✗ |
| Identity Theft Protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Threat Quarantine | ✓ | ✗ |
| Machine Learning Detection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Antivirus Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Secure VPN | ✗ | ✓ |
| Password Manager | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dark Web Monitoring | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Scam Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Parental Controls | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cloud Backup | ✗ | ✓ |
| 100% Virus Protection Promise | ✗ | ✓ |
| Deepfake Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Malwarebytes
Free
Starting price
freemium · 6 plans
Free
FreeStandardPopular
$44.99/yrPlus
$79.99/yrUltimate
$119.99/yrFor Teams
$39.99/yrCore Endpoint Protection
$69/yrNorton 360
$19.99/yr
Starting price
subscription · 4 plans
Norton AntiVirus Plus
$19.99/yrNorton 360 StandardPopular
$39.99/yrNorton 360 Deluxe
$49.99/yrNorton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus
$59.99/yrPros & Cons
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
Norton 360
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
- 100% virus protection promise
- Multi-device support across all platforms
Cons
- No free tier available
- Significant price increases after promotional period
- Some advanced features locked to higher-tier plans
- Requires payment details for free trial
Which Is Best for You?
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
N
Choose Norton 360 if:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Individuals concerned about identity theft
- Those seeking AI-powered scam protection
- Budget is a priority ($19.99 vs $39.99)
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.3 vs 4.2)
Our Verdict
🏆
NNorton 360 — WinnerMMalwarebytes — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Norton 360 takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.3/5 versus Malwarebytes's 4.2/5.
Norton 360 is best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Pricing-wise, Norton 360 is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
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Frequently Asked Questions
Norton 360 takes the lead with a 4.3/5 rating compared to Malwarebytes's 4.2/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/yr, 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.
Malwarebytes integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Malwarebytes is best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security, while Norton 360 excels for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Malwarebytes has a 4.2/5 rating from 50,000 reviews, while Norton 360 scores 4.3/5 from 15,000 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Norton 360 may be more budget-friendly starting at $19.99/yr. However, Malwarebytes (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Malwarebytes has 6 plans while Norton 360 has 4 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 Malwarebytes and Norton 360 offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Malwarebytes if you prioritize minimal impact on system performance and want to start free. Choose Norton 360 if you value comprehensive all-in-one security suite.