Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Avast One
Malwarebytes
Security & Cybersecurity
Protects every device, everywhere
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Avast One
Security & Cybersecurity
All-in-one protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Avast One ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Avast One covers Antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Avast One actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Avast One |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Founded | 2008 | 1988 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- Brute Force Protection
- Windows Security Center
Only in Avast One
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Data breach monitoring
- Email Guardian
- Webcam Shield
- Ransomware Shield
- Performance optimization
- Windows Security
Both cover
- VPN
- AV-TEST Certified
- Cloud deployment
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Malwarebytes
- Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Avast One
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Avast One
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Avast One
Avast One
- Antivirusnot Malwarebytes
- Internet Securitynot Malwarebytes
- Privacy Toolsnot Malwarebytes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Avast One
- Ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- Free plan VPN is limited, no data breakthrough monitoring
- Rebuilt app in May 2026 may have stability issues
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Avast One
Free- FreeFree
- Antivirus
- Limited VPN
- Privacy tools
- Silver$2.99/month
- Enhanced antivirus
- VPN
- Device cleanup
- Premium$4.19/month
- Full antivirus
- VPN with 55 servers
- Password manager
- Premium Plus$11.67/month
- All Premium features
- 30 devices covered
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Avast One if
- You need antivirus.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want firewall.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Avast One better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Avast One at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Avast One?
- Malwarebytes starts at Free and Avast One at Free.
- Does Malwarebytes or Avast One run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Malwarebytes best used for?
- Malwarebytes is most often used for budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version, organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription, users combining antivirus with privacy via premium plus privacy vpn bundle. Of those, budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version and organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription are not what Avast One is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Avast One cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Avast One covers Antivirus, Firewall, Data breach monitoring, Email Guardian. Both handle VPN, AV-TEST Certified, Cloud deployment, Desktop support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Avast One: Is Avast One free?
Yes. Avast One offers a free tier with antivirus, VPN (limited), and privacy tools. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for Silver and $4.19/month for Premium covering up to 5 devices.
SourceAvast One: What does Avast One include?
Avast One provides antivirus, VPN, password manager, device cleanup, Wi-Fi security, data breach monitoring, and protection against AI-generated scams and deepfakes.
SourceAvast One: Does Avast One have ransomware protection?
Ransomware protection is available only on paid plans, not the free tier. Free users get antivirus and basic protection only.
Source