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ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Malwarebytes

ESET NOD32 Antivirus logo

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Software

Essential antivirus protection

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ESET NOD32 Antivirus the advertised price applies to the first term only, and renewal reverts to the official list price; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • They diverge on capability: ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeESET NOD32 AntivirusMalwarebytes
Starting price$39.99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktopWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded19922008

Identical on both: 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 ESET NOD32 Antivirus

  • Antivirus & Antispyware
  • Exploit Blocker
  • Advanced Machine Learning
  • Anti-Phishing
  • UEFI Scanner
  • Script-Based Attack Protection
  • Ransomware Shield
  • Gamer Mode

Only in Malwarebytes

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

Both cover

  • Windows Security Center
  • Cloud deployment
  • Desktop support
  • English language support
  • German language support
  • French language support
  • Spanish language support
  • Italian language support

What people use each for

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

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

  • Antivirus and anti malware protection for home Windows, macOS and Android devicesnot Malwarebytes
  • Blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computersnot Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

  • Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Where each one falls short

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

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

  • The advertised price applies to the first term only, and renewal reverts to the official list price
  • Any saving shown is the difference between the introductory price and that list price rather than an ongoing discount
  • Device coverage is chosen at purchase and priced accordingly, so protecting another machine means changing the licence

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

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

$39.99/year
  • NOD32 Antivirus$39.99/year
    • 1 Device
    • Antivirus & Antispyware
    • Anti-Phishing
  • Internet Security$49.99/year
    • 1 Device
    • All NOD32 features
    • Firewall
  • Smart Security Premium$59.99/year
    • 1 Device
    • All Internet Security features
    • Password Manager

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ESET NOD32 Antivirus if

  • You need antivirus & antispyware.
  • You work on Desktop.
  • You also want exploit blocker.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 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 ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Free for Malwarebytes.
Does ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
ESET NOD32 Antivirus runs on Desktop. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year.
What is ESET NOD32 Antivirus best used for?
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is most often used for antivirus and anti malware protection for home windows, macos and android devices, blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computers. Of those, antivirus and anti malware protection for home windows, macos and android devices and blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computers are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can ESET NOD32 Antivirus do that Malwarebytes cannot?
ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Exploit Blocker, Advanced Machine Learning, Anti-Phishing. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Both handle Windows Security Center, Cloud deployment, Desktop support, English language support.
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