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JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA vs Malwarebytes

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA logo

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

Developer Tools

Java and Kotlin IDE

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit JetBrains IntelliJ IDEAFull review
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Cybersecurity

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit MalwarebytesFull review

The short version

  • Malwarebytes is free; JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA starts at $19.9/mo.
  • Only JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA lists smart code completion; only Malwarebytes lists malware detection & removal.
  • Where JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA falls short: high memory consumption and slower startup time compared to lightweight editors like Visual Studio Code.
  • Where Malwarebytes falls short: pricing page information is incomplete or dynamically loaded, making transparent pricing comparison difficult for potential customers.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeJetBrains IntelliJ IDEAMalwarebytes
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, LinuxWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsCybersecurity
Founded20002008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: pricing model for JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA.

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 JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

  • Smart code completion
  • Framework support
  • Refactoring tools
  • Debugging & profiling
  • Version control
  • Database tools
  • Build tools
  • Testing frameworks

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.

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

  • Enterprise Java developmentnot Malwarebytes
  • Spring applicationsnot Malwarebytes
  • Android appsnot Malwarebytes
  • Web applicationsnot Malwarebytes
  • Microservicesnot Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes

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

Where each one falls short

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

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

  • High memory consumption and slower startup time compared to lightweight editors like Visual Studio Code
  • Refactoring can sometimes increase code line count and doesn't effectively support all modern programming languages
  • Occasionally misses dependencies between files requiring full rebuilds for consistency
  • Expensive subscription costs for Ultimate edition compared to open-source alternatives like Eclipse
  • Not all class name references are updated reliably when using search and replace functionality

Malwarebytes

  • Pricing page information is incomplete or dynamically loaded, making transparent pricing comparison difficult for potential customers
  • Specific price amounts for different tiers (Individual, Family, Small business) are not clearly displayed on the main pricing page
  • No mention of free tier or free trial duration on pricing page, unclear what features are included in each tier

Pricing, plan by plan

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Java, Kotlin, Scala development
    • Python, Go, Rust, PHP, Ruby support
    • Spring Boot integration
  • Ultimate (Individual)$19.9/mo
    • All Community Edition features
    • Advanced web development tools
    • JavaScript, TypeScript, React support
  • All Products Pack (Individual)$29.9/mo
    • IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate
    • PyCharm Professional
    • WebStorm

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Which should you pick?

Choose JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA if

  • You need smart code completion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want framework support.
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 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 JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 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, JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA or Malwarebytes?
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA starts at Free and Malwarebytes at Free.
Does JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA runs on macOS, Windows, Linux. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA best used for?
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA is most often used for enterprise java development, spring applications, android apps, web applications. Of those, enterprise java development and spring applications are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA do that Malwarebytes cannot?
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA covers Smart code completion, Framework support, Refactoring tools, Debugging & profiling. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: Is there a free version of IntelliJ IDEA?

Yes, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is completely free for personal, educational, and commercial use. As of IntelliJ IDEA 2025.3, the Community Edition has been unified with Ultimate, maintaining all core functionality free including Java, Kotlin, Scala, Python, Go, Rust, PHP, and Ruby support.

Source
Malwarebytes: What is the refund policy for Malwarebytes subscriptions?

Malwarebytes offers a 60-day money back guarantee on all purchases. This allows customers to test the product across their devices (PC, Mac, Android, iOS) with full refund protection if unsatisfied.

Source
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: What programming languages does IntelliJ IDEA support?

IntelliJ IDEA supports Java, Kotlin, Scala, Python, Go, Rust, PHP, Ruby, JavaScript, TypeScript, and more. The free Community Edition includes support for all major languages with new features in Spring, Jakarta EE, Thymeleaf, and other frameworks.

Source
Malwarebytes: What platforms does Malwarebytes support?

Malwarebytes works on Windows PC, macOS, Android, and iOS. Multi-platform protection is available across all subscription tiers including Individual, Family, Small business, and Standard single device options.

Source
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: Can I use IntelliJ IDEA with Spring Boot?

Yes, IntelliJ IDEA has built-in Spring Boot integration including the Spring Initializr project wizard, automatic dependency management with Maven and Gradle, code inspections for Spring frameworks, and direct project creation from Spring Initializr.

Source
Malwarebytes: What is included in customer support with Malwarebytes?

Free customer support is included with all Malwarebytes subscription tiers. The product is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee for risk-free purchasing.

Source
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: Does IntelliJ IDEA support Git version control?

Yes, IntelliJ IDEA includes comprehensive Git integration allowing users to create Git repositories, commit changes, push to GitHub, create and merge branches, resolve conflicts, and investigate file history directly from the IDE.

Source
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: How much does IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate cost?

IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate subscription starts at $19.90 per month for Individual plans or $29.90 for the All Products Pack. Long-term discounts apply: 20% off year 2 and 40% off year 3 and beyond, reducing the annual cost significantly for loyal users.

Source
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA: What are the main differences between IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse?

IntelliJ IDEA offers a cleaner UI and more powerful code assistance capabilities compared to Eclipse's more complex interface. IntelliJ provides better refactoring tools, superior code completion, and optimized performance, while Eclipse remains free and open-source with a larger plugin ecosystem.

Source
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