TemperStack
M
Malwarebytes4.2/5
vs
T
TotalAV4.2/5

Malwarebytes vs TotalAV (March 2026)

MMalwarebytesTTotalAV
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 4.2/54.2 4.2/5
Free Tier✓ Yes✓ Yes
Best ForUsers seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint securityBudget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
Quick Verdict

Both Malwarebytes and TotalAV earn a 4.2/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.

Quick Overview

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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
View Full Profile →
T

TotalAV

Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, and online threats across ...

  • Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: Antivirus Software
  • Founded: 2016
  • Pricing model: subscription
View Full Profile →

Feature Comparison

FeatureMalwarebytesTotalAV
Real-time Protection
Ransomware Protection
Browser Guard
Web Protection
VPN
Exploit Protection
Custom Scans
Identity Theft Protection
Threat Quarantine
Machine Learning Detection
Malware Detection
WebShield Protection
VPN Service
Password Manager
Ad Blocker
System Optimization
Data Breach Monitoring
Multi-Platform Support
Cloud Storage

Pricing Comparison

Prices last verified: March 16, 2026

Malwarebytes

Free
Starting price
freemium · 6 plans
Free
Free
StandardPopular
$44.99/yr
Plus
$79.99/yr
Ultimate
$119.99/yr
For Teams
$39.99/yr
Core Endpoint Protection
$69/yr
View full Malwarebytes pricing →

TotalAV

Free
Starting price
subscription · 3 plans
TotalAV Premium
$99/yr
Internet SecurityPopular
$129/yr
Total Security
$149/yr
View full TotalAV pricing →

Pros & 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

TotalAV

Pros
  • Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
  • Minimal impact on system performance
  • Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking
  • Competitive pricing with valuable bundles
Cons
  • Significant price increase upon renewal
  • Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities
  • Auto-renewal enabled by default
  • Mac protection scores lower than Windows/Android

Which Is Best for You?

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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
  • Budget is a priority ($39.99 vs $99)
T

Choose TotalAV if:

  • Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection
  • Families needing multi-device coverage
  • Users wanting antivirus plus VPN bundle
  • Beginners who prefer simple interfaces
  • You want to start with a free plan

Our Verdict

🏆
MMalwarebytes — WinnerTTotalAV — Runner-up

After thorough analysis, Malwarebytes takes the lead in this comparison, though both tools share an identical 4.2/5 rating.

Malwarebytes is best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.

TotalAV remains a strong alternative, especially for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.

Pricing-wise, Malwarebytes is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.

Try MalwarebytesTry TotalAV

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Related Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Malwarebytes and TotalAV earn a 4.2/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/yr (free tier available), while TotalAV starts at $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. TotalAV 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 TotalAV excels for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Malwarebytes has a 4.2/5 rating from 50,000 reviews, while TotalAV scores 4.2/5 from 150,000 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Malwarebytes may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, TotalAV (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 TotalAV has 3 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 TotalAV 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 TotalAV if you value perfect scores in av-test evaluations and want a free tier.

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Written by

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Alex Morgan
Senior SaaS Analyst

Alex has spent over 8 years analyzing and comparing business software solutions. With a background in enterprise software sales and product management, he brings hands-on experience to every review. Alex specializes in CRM, marketing automation, and sales enablement tools.

CRMMarketing AutomationSales Tools127 articles