Malwarebytes Review 2026
by Malwarebytes
Trusted malware and adware cleaner with real-time protection upgrade.
Starting Price
Free
Pricing Model
freemium
Free Tier
Yes
Category
Antivirus
Overview
Malwarebytes built its reputation as the go-to cleanup tool for infected PCs, and the Premium tier adds real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and exploit attacks. It runs comfortably alongside a traditional AV for a layered defence approach.
Pros
- ✓Excellent at removing existing infections
- ✓Light on system resources
- ✓Free tier for manual scans
Cons
- ✗Detection rates trail Bitdefender/Norton in lab tests
- ✗No firewall or VPN included
- ✗Per-device pricing
Key Features
- Real-time protection
- Exploit protection
- Ransomware rollback
- Browser guard
- Scheduled scans
Pricing
Free manual scanner. Premium from $39.99/yr per device. Teams pricing per seat.
Check current pricing on Malwarebytes →Who is Malwarebytes for?
Users wanting a second-opinion scanner or lightweight real-time protection layer
Ready to try Malwarebytes?
Check the latest pricing and plans on the official site.
Visit Malwarebytes →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malwarebytes free?
Yes, Malwarebytes offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $39.99/yr.
How much does Malwarebytes cost?
Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/yr, with a free tier available. Free manual scanner. Premium from $39.99/yr per device. Teams pricing per seat.
What is Malwarebytes used for?
Trusted malware and adware cleaner with real-time protection upgrade. Users wanting a second-opinion scanner or lightweight real-time protection layer
Is Malwarebytes worth it?
Malwarebytes's main strengths are excellent at removing existing infections and light on system resources. The main drawback is detection rates trail bitdefender/norton in lab tests.
What are the best alternatives to Malwarebytes?
There are several strong alternatives to Malwarebytes in the Cybersecurity category. See our full comparison on the Malwarebytes alternatives page for a ranked list.