Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware prote...
Malwarebytes vs McAfee: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Malwarebytes and McAfee covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Malwarebytes vs McAfee: Overview
Choosing between Malwarebytes and McAfee 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 McAfee also has a free option and begins at $29.99/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 McAfee stands out for excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests. 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
McAfee
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1987
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Malwarebytes and McAfee.
| Feature | M Malwarebytes | M McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Ransomware Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Browser Guard | Free browser extension | |
| Web Protection | Blocks malicious websites | WebAdvisor blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts |
| VPN | Plus and Ultimate plans | |
| Exploit Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Custom Scans | Multiple scan modes available | |
| Identity Theft Protection | Ultimate plan only | Up to $2M coverage and 24/7 monitoring |
| Threat Quarantine | All versions | |
| Machine Learning Detection | Malware.AI technology | |
| Real-time Antivirus Protection | AI-powered malware detection with 99.9% detection rate | |
| Advanced Firewall | Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic | |
| Secure VPN | AES-256 encryption with kill switch and auto-connect | |
| True Key Password Manager | Multi-factor authentication and secure password storage | |
| Personal Data Cleanup | Removes personal info from data broker sites | |
| File Shredder | Permanently deletes sensitive files with multiple overwrite levels | |
| Safe Family Parental Controls | Family plans only - device time limits and location tracking | |
| Credit Monitoring | Advanced and Ultimate plans - monitors up to 3 credit bureaus |
Features Deep Dive
Both Malwarebytes and McAfee offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Web Protection, Identity Theft Protection.
Malwarebytes unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Ransomware Protection, Browser Guard. This makes it ideal for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
McAfee unique strengths: Real-time Antivirus Protection, Advanced Firewall, Secure VPN. This makes it better suited for families needing multi-device protection.
Malwarebytes offers 10 core features with 5 integrations, while McAfee provides 10 features and 8 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, McAfee edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, McAfee offers better overall user satisfaction. Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
McAfee
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests.
Try McAfeeMalwarebytes
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
McAfee Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests
- Unlimited device coverage on most plans
- Comprehensive identity theft protection with high coverage amounts
- Includes VPN and password manager in all plans
- 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive renewal rates after first year
- Below average phishing protection (80% block rate)
- VPN has limited features and slower speeds
- Can be resource-intensive during scans
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
McAfee
subscription- 5 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Firewall
- Unlimited devices
- Antivirus protection
- VPN
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($1M)
- Credit monitoring
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($2M)
- 3-bureau credit monitoring
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.
McAfee Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $29.99/annually. 4 plans available: Essential, Premium, Advanced, Ultimate.
Verdict: McAfee 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, McAfee 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 McAfee if you need:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Individuals wanting all-in-one security suite
- Those prioritizing malware protection performance
- Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests
- Unlimited device coverage on most plans
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 McAfee if: You prioritize families needing multi-device protection or users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests and unlimited device coverage on most plans.
Overall: McAfee has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 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 McAfee FAQ
What are the main differences between Malwarebytes and McAfee?
Malwarebytes focuses on users seeking lightweight antivirus protection with minimal impact on system performance, while McAfee excels at families needing multi-device protection with excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Malwarebytes or McAfee 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 McAfee's lower starting price of $29.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Malwarebytes and McAfee?
Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available, while McAfee starts at $29.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Malwarebytes integrate with McAfee?
While direct integration may vary, both Malwarebytes and McAfee support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Malwarebytes integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while McAfee works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Malwarebytes or McAfee?
Based on user reviews, McAfee generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.3 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Malwarebytes is known for strong ransomware protection.
Does Malwarebytes or McAfee offer better customer support?
Both Malwarebytes and McAfee 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 McAfee?
Malwarebytes's main advantages include: Minimal impact on system performance, Strong ransomware protection, Free version available with basic protection. Compared to McAfee, it's particularly strong for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
What are the cons of Malwarebytes compared to McAfee?
Malwarebytes's potential drawbacks include: Limited malware detection in real-time tests, Free version lacks real-time protection. McAfee may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Malwarebytes to McAfee 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, McAfee leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Malwarebytes excels for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, while McAfee is ideal for families needing multi-device protection.