TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malw...
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
TotalAV vs Malwarebytes: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of TotalAV and Malwarebytes covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
TotalAV vs Malwarebytes: Overview
Choosing between TotalAV and Malwarebytes is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
TotalAV offers a free tier and starts at $99/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.
TotalAV is best known for perfect scores in av-test evaluations, 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
TotalAV
- Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2016
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 TotalAV and Malwarebytes.
| Feature | T TotalAV | M Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Protection | Scans downloads, installs, and executables automatically | Premium plans only |
| Malware Detection | Award-winning antivirus engine with zero-day cloud scanning | |
| WebShield Protection | Blocks malicious websites and phishing attacks | |
| VPN Service | Internet Security and Total Security plans only | |
| Password Manager | Total Security plan only | |
| Ad Blocker | Total Adblock included in all plans | |
| System Optimization | Disk cleaner and browser cleanup tools | |
| Data Breach Monitoring | Monitors email for appearances in known breaches | |
| Multi-Platform Support | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android compatibility | |
| Cloud Storage | 2GB free secure cloud storage | |
| 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 TotalAV and Malwarebytes offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Real-time Protection.
TotalAV unique strengths: Malware Detection, WebShield Protection, VPN Service. This makes it ideal for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
Malwarebytes unique strengths: Ransomware Protection, Browser Guard, Web Protection. This makes it better suited for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
TotalAV offers 10 core features with 7 integrations, while Malwarebytes provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, TotalAV edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, TotalAV offers more features for the price. Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
TotalAV
Best for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.
Try TotalAVMalwarebytes
Best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Try MalwarebytesPros & Cons
TotalAV Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking
- Competitive pricing with valuable bundles
- User-friendly interface for beginners
Cons
- Significant price increase upon renewal
- Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities
- Auto-renewal enabled by default
- Mac protection scores lower than Windows/Android
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.
TotalAV
subscription- Real-time antivirus protection
- 3 device licenses
- System tune-up tools
- Everything in Premium
- 6 device licenses
- Safe Browsing VPN
- Everything in Internet Security
- 8 device licenses
- Total Password manager
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
TotalAV Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/annually. 3 plans available: TotalAV Premium, Internet Security, Total Security.
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: Malwarebytes is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, TotalAV may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Malwarebytes is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, TotalAV's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose TotalAV if you need:
- Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing multi-device coverage
- Users wanting antivirus plus VPN bundle
- Beginners who prefer simple interfaces
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
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 TotalAV if: You need budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing multi-device coverage. It excels at perfect scores in av-test evaluations and minimal impact on system performance.
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: TotalAV has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews. However, TotalAV 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.
TotalAV vs Malwarebytes FAQ
What are the main differences between TotalAV and Malwarebytes?
TotalAV focuses on budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection with perfect scores in av-test evaluations, 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 TotalAV or Malwarebytes better for small businesses?
TotalAV 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 TotalAV and Malwarebytes?
TotalAV starts at $99/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 TotalAV integrate with Malwarebytes?
While direct integration may vary, both TotalAV and Malwarebytes support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. TotalAV integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Malwarebytes works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, TotalAV or Malwarebytes?
Based on user reviews, TotalAV 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. TotalAV is known for minimal impact on system performance.
Does TotalAV or Malwarebytes offer better customer support?
Both TotalAV and Malwarebytes provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. TotalAV offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of TotalAV compared to Malwarebytes?
TotalAV's main advantages include: Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations, Minimal impact on system performance, Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking. Compared to Malwarebytes, it's particularly strong for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of TotalAV compared to Malwarebytes?
TotalAV's potential drawbacks include: Significant price increase upon renewal, Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities. Malwarebytes may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from TotalAV 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, TotalAV leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. TotalAV excels for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, while Malwarebytes is ideal for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.