Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
Avast vs Malwarebytes: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Avast and Malwarebytes covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Avast vs Malwarebytes: Overview
Choosing between Avast and Malwarebytes is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Avast offers a free tier and starts at $31.2/annually, while Malwarebytes also has a free option and begins at $39.99/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Avast is best known for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), whereas Malwarebytes stands out for minimal impact on system performance. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
Malwarebytes
- Best for: Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2008
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Avast and Malwarebytes.
| Feature | A Avast | M Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | |
| Firewall Protection | Basic in free, advanced in Premium | |
| Webcam Shield | Premium plan only | |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | Premium plan only | |
| Email Protection | Premium plan only | |
| Password Manager | Available in all plans | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only | |
| Real-time Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Ransomware Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Browser Guard | Free browser extension | |
| Web Protection | Blocks malicious websites | |
| VPN | Plus and Ultimate plans | |
| Exploit Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Custom Scans | Multiple scan modes available | |
| Identity Theft Protection | Ultimate plan only | |
| Threat Quarantine | All versions | |
| Machine Learning Detection | Malware.AI technology |
Features Deep Dive
Both Avast and Malwarebytes offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Malwarebytes unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Ransomware Protection, Browser Guard. This makes it better suited for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
Avast offers 10 core features with 6 integrations, while Malwarebytes provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Avast edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Avast offers more features for the price. Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastMalwarebytes
Best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Try MalwarebytesPros & Cons
Avast Pros & Cons
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)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
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 & Cons
Pros
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Strong ransomware protection
- Free version available with basic protection
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Good detection of zero-day threats
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Avast
freemium- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
Malwarebytes
freemium- Manual malware scans
- Basic malware removal
- Browser Guard extension
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Web protection
- All Standard features
- VPN included
- 3 devices coverage
- All Plus features
- Identity theft protection
- Advanced threat detection
- Business endpoint protection
- 1-20 devices
- Email and phone support
- Advanced business security
- 10+ endpoints
- Cloud management
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Avast Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $31.2/annually. 4 plans available: Free Antivirus, Premium Security (1 device), Premium Security (10 devices), One Gold.
Malwarebytes Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 6 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Ultimate, For Teams, Core Endpoint Protection.
Verdict: Avast is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Malwarebytes may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Avast is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Malwarebytes's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Avast if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
Choose Malwarebytes if you need:
- Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection
- Businesses needing endpoint security
- Removing existing malware infections
- Supplementing primary antivirus software
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Strong ransomware protection
Final Verdict
Choose Avast if: You need home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It excels at excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Choose Malwarebytes if: You prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection or businesses needing endpoint security. It's particularly strong for minimal impact on system performance and strong ransomware protection.
Overall: Avast has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews. However, Avast has a larger user base with 150,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the antivirus space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Avast vs Malwarebytes FAQ
What are the main differences between Avast and Malwarebytes?
Avast focuses on home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), while Malwarebytes excels at users seeking lightweight antivirus protection with minimal impact on system performance. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Avast or Malwarebytes better for small businesses?
Avast offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Avast's lower starting price of $31.2/month.
What is the pricing difference between Avast and Malwarebytes?
Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available, while Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Avast integrate with Malwarebytes?
While direct integration may vary, both Avast and Malwarebytes support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Malwarebytes works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Avast or Malwarebytes?
Based on user reviews, Avast generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.2 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Avast is known for robust free version with essential features.
Does Avast or Malwarebytes offer better customer support?
Both Avast and Malwarebytes provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Avast offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Avast compared to Malwarebytes?
Avast's main advantages include: Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), Robust free version with essential features, User-friendly interface suitable for beginners. Compared to Malwarebytes, it's particularly strong for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of Avast compared to Malwarebytes?
Avast's potential drawbacks include: History of unauthorized data collection issues, Quick scan missed malware in testing. Malwarebytes may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Avast to Malwarebytes or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for antivirus in 2026?
In 2026, Avast leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Avast excels for home users seeking comprehensive protection, while Malwarebytes is ideal for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.