Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that run...
Malwarebytes vs ESET NOD32: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Malwarebytes vs ESET NOD32: Overview
Choosing between Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Malwarebytes offers a free tier and starts at $39.99/annually, while ESET NOD32 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.
Malwarebytes is best known for minimal impact on system performance, whereas ESET NOD32 stands out for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Malwarebytes
- Best for: Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2008
ESET NOD32
- Best for: Users who prioritize system performance, Gamers and content creators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1992
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32.
| Feature | M Malwarebytes | E ESET NOD32 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Real-time antivirus protection | AI-powered detection against malware, ransomware, spyware and viruses | |
| Ransomware Shield | Blocks ransomware and protects valuable data | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Protects against fraudulent websites and scams | |
| Gamer Mode | Automatically pauses background tasks and silences pop-ups | |
| Safe Banking | Essential plan and above | |
| Password Manager | Premium plan and above | |
| File Encryption | Premium plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Premium plan and above, device limits vary by plan | |
| Identity Protection | Ultimate plan only, includes $1M insurance | |
| Network Inspector | Monitors home Wi-Fi and connected devices |
Features Deep Dive
Both Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
Malwarebytes unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Ransomware Protection, Browser Guard. This makes it ideal for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
ESET NOD32 unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Ransomware Shield, Anti-phishing protection. This makes it better suited for users who prioritize system performance.
Malwarebytes offers 10 core features with 5 integrations, while ESET NOD32 provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Malwarebytes edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Malwarebytes offers more features for the price. ESET NOD32 remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users who prioritize system performance.
Malwarebytes
Best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Try MalwarebytesESET NOD32
Best for Users who prioritize system performance and Gamers and content creators. Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact.
Try ESET NOD32Pros & Cons
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
ESET NOD32 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
- Clean, intuitive interface without bloatware
- 30-day free trial with full features
- No history of security breaches or vulnerabilities
Cons
- Limited mobile protection, especially on iOS
- Basic parental controls compared to dedicated solutions
- Confusing pricing structure with multiple tiers
- Ultimate plan requires minimum 5 devices
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
ESET NOD32
subscription- Antivirus & anti-malware
- Ransomware Shield
- Anti-phishing
- All NOD32 features
- Safe banking protection
- Firewall
- All Essential features
- Password manager
- File encryption
- All Premium features
- Identity protection with $1M insurance
- Unlimited VPN (up to 25 devices)
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Malwarebytes Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 6 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Ultimate, For Teams, Core Endpoint Protection.
ESET NOD32 Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 4 plans available: NOD32 Antivirus, Essential, Premium, Ultimate.
Verdict: Malwarebytes is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, ESET NOD32 may offer better value at scale with 30-day free trial with full features.
For budget-conscious teams, Malwarebytes is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing users who prioritize system performance, ESET NOD32's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
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
Choose ESET NOD32 if you need:
- Users who prioritize system performance
- Gamers and content creators
- Windows and macOS users seeking basic protection
- Businesses needing lightweight endpoint security
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
Final Verdict
Choose Malwarebytes if: You need users seeking lightweight antivirus protection or businesses needing endpoint security. It excels at minimal impact on system performance and strong ransomware protection.
Choose ESET NOD32 if: You prioritize users who prioritize system performance or gamers and content creators. It's particularly strong for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact and high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Overall: Malwarebytes has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 50,000 reviews. However, Malwarebytes has a larger user base with 50,000 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.
Malwarebytes vs ESET NOD32 FAQ
What are the main differences between Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32?
Malwarebytes focuses on users seeking lightweight antivirus protection with minimal impact on system performance, while ESET NOD32 excels at users who prioritize system performance with extremely lightweight with minimal system impact. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Malwarebytes or ESET NOD32 better for small businesses?
Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes's lower starting price of $39.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32?
Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available, while ESET NOD32 starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Malwarebytes integrate with ESET NOD32?
While direct integration may vary, both Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Malwarebytes integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while ESET NOD32 works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Malwarebytes or ESET NOD32?
Based on user reviews, Malwarebytes 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. Malwarebytes is known for strong ransomware protection.
Does Malwarebytes or ESET NOD32 offer better customer support?
Both Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Malwarebytes offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Malwarebytes compared to ESET NOD32?
Malwarebytes's main advantages include: Minimal impact on system performance, Strong ransomware protection, Free version available with basic protection. Compared to ESET NOD32, it's particularly strong for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
What are the cons of Malwarebytes compared to ESET NOD32?
Malwarebytes's potential drawbacks include: Limited malware detection in real-time tests, Free version lacks real-time protection. ESET NOD32 may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Malwarebytes to ESET NOD32 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, Malwarebytes leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Malwarebytes excels for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, while ESET NOD32 is ideal for users who prioritize system performance.