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Bitwarden vs Malwarebytes

Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden

Software

Open source password management for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bitwarden the integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • They diverge on capability: Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitwarden and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeBitwardenMalwarebytes
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, CliWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded20162008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Bitwarden

  • Unlimited password storage
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Secure password sharing
  • Password generator
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted file attachments
  • Vault health reports
  • Emergency access

Only in Malwarebytes

  • Malware detection & removal
  • Ransomware protection
  • Real-time protection
  • Anti-exploit
  • Anti-phishing
  • Browser Guard
  • VPN
  • Brute Force Protection

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitwarden

  • Personal password managementnot Malwarebytes
  • Team credential sharingnot Malwarebytes
  • Enterprise securitynot Malwarebytes
  • Compliance requirementsnot Malwarebytes
  • Developer secrets managementnot Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

  • Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Bitwarden
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Bitwarden
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Bitwarden

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bitwarden

  • The integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month
  • Free accounts can share vault items with one other Bitwarden user and no more
  • File storage is capped at 5 GB on Premium and 5 GB personal plus 5 GB family on the Families plan
  • Two-step login accepts up to 10 hardware security keys per account
  • The Families plan is capped at 6 people, so a seventh member means moving to a Teams subscription at $4 per user per month

Malwarebytes

  • Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
  • Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitwarden

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited passwords
    • 2 users (organizations)
    • Sync all devices
  • Teams$3/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited users
    • Shared collections
  • Enterprise$6/month
    • Everything in Teams
    • SSO integration
    • Enterprise policies

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitwarden if

  • You need unlimited password storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Bitwarden review

Choose Malwarebytes if

  • You need malware detection & removal.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ransomware protection.
Malwarebytes review

Questions people ask

Is Bitwarden or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitwarden starts at Free and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitwarden or Malwarebytes?
Bitwarden starts at Free and Malwarebytes at Free.
Does Bitwarden or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
Bitwarden runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Bitwarden for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Bitwarden best used for?
Bitwarden is most often used for personal password management, team credential sharing, enterprise security, compliance requirements. Of those, personal password management and team credential sharing are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can Bitwarden do that Malwarebytes cannot?
Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Cross-platform sync, Secure password sharing, Password generator. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.
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