Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
Kaspersky
Comprehensive antivirus and internet security software that provides real-time p...
Malwarebytes vs Kaspersky: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Malwarebytes and Kaspersky covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Malwarebytes vs Kaspersky: Overview
Choosing between Malwarebytes and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky also has a free option and begins at $21.99/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 Kaspersky stands out for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). 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
Kaspersky
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing parental controls
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1997
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Malwarebytes and Kaspersky.
| Feature | M Malwarebytes | K Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Standard plan and above | |
| Anti-ransomware protection | All paid plans | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Standard plan and above | |
| Two-way firewall | Standard plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Password manager | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Online payment protection | All paid plans | |
| Parental controls (Safe Kids) | Premium plan | |
| Performance optimization | All paid plans | |
| 24/7 remote IT support | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both Malwarebytes and Kaspersky 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.
Kaspersky unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Anti-ransomware protection, Anti-phishing protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Malwarebytes offers 10 core features with 5 integrations, while Kaspersky provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Kaspersky edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Kaspersky offers better overall user satisfaction. Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
Kaspersky
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing parental controls. Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%).
Try KasperskyMalwarebytes
Best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Try MalwarebytesPros & 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
Kaspersky Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
- Comprehensive free version available
- Strong real-time protection capabilities
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
Cons
- Concerns about Russian government ties
- Premium plans can be expensive
- VPN has device limitations
- Occasional false positives with legitimate websites
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
Kaspersky
freemium- Basic antivirus protection
- Manual virus scanning
- Malware detection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-phishing
- Two-way firewall
- All Standard features
- Unlimited VPN
- Password manager
- All Plus features
- Identity protection wallet
- Data leak checker
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.
Kaspersky Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $21.99/annually. 4 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Premium.
Verdict: Kaspersky 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, Kaspersky 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 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 Kaspersky if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing parental controls
- Budget-conscious users (free version)
- Businesses requiring endpoint security
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
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 Kaspersky if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing parental controls. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%) and lightweight system performance impact.
Overall: Kaspersky has a slight edge with a 4.6/5 rating from 15,000 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 Kaspersky FAQ
What are the main differences between Malwarebytes and Kaspersky?
Malwarebytes focuses on users seeking lightweight antivirus protection with minimal impact on system performance, while Kaspersky excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Malwarebytes or Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky's lower starting price of $21.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Malwarebytes and Kaspersky?
Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available, while Kaspersky starts at $21.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Malwarebytes integrate with Kaspersky?
While direct integration may vary, both Malwarebytes and Kaspersky support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Malwarebytes integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Kaspersky works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Malwarebytes or Kaspersky?
Based on user reviews, Kaspersky generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.6 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Malwarebytes is known for strong ransomware protection.
Does Malwarebytes or Kaspersky offer better customer support?
Both Malwarebytes and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky?
Malwarebytes's main advantages include: Minimal impact on system performance, Strong ransomware protection, Free version available with basic protection. Compared to Kaspersky, it's particularly strong for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
What are the cons of Malwarebytes compared to Kaspersky?
Malwarebytes's potential drawbacks include: Limited malware detection in real-time tests, Free version lacks real-time protection. Kaspersky may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Malwarebytes to Kaspersky 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, Kaspersky leads in this comparison with a 4.6 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Malwarebytes excels for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, while Kaspersky is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.