Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security
Software
The world's #1 rated antivirus
- From
- $19.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Bitdefender Total Security vPN limited to 200MB per day, insufficient for streaming video or extended browsing sessions
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Bitdefender Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $19.99/year |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 2008 | 2001 |
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), 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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- Brute Force Protection
- AV-TEST Certified
Only in Bitdefender Total Security
- Advanced threat defense
- Multi-layer ransomware protection
- Real-time data protection
- Network threat prevention
- Parental advisor
- Anti-tracker
- Microphone monitor
- AV-TEST Top Rated
Both cover
- VPN
- Windows Security Center
- macOS Security
- Cloud deployment
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
- German language support
- French language support
- Spanish 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 Bitdefender Total Security
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Bitdefender Total Security
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security
- Antivirusnot Malwarebytes
- Internet Securitynot Malwarebytes
- Endpoint Protectionnot 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
Bitdefender Total Security
- VPN limited to 200MB per day, insufficient for streaming video or extended browsing sessions
- Limited features on Apple devices with iOS version lacking scheduled scans, firewall, file shredder, and other tools
- Failed to detect 10% of virus samples during in-house testing, falling short of perfect detection rates
- Auto-renewal billing issues with complaints about unauthorized recurring charges and difficulties with refunds
- Device optimization tools less extensive than competitors, lacking game booster, driver updater, startup manager, and battery usage manager
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Bitdefender Total Security
$19.99/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Bitdefender Total Security review.
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 Bitdefender Total Security if
- You need advanced threat defense.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want multi-layer ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Bitdefender Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Bitdefender Total Security at $19.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Bitdefender Total Security?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $19.99/year for Bitdefender Total Security.
- Does Malwarebytes or Bitdefender Total Security 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?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year.
- 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 Bitdefender Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Bitdefender Total Security cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Multi-layer ransomware protection, Real-time data protection, Network threat prevention. Both handle VPN, Windows Security Center, macOS Security, Cloud deployment.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Bitdefender Total Security: What are Bitdefender's main features?
Total Security includes real-time antivirus, anti-phishing, anti-ransomware, firewall, secure VPN (limited), password manager, file shredder, and anti-tracker. Additional features include parental controls, advanced threat defense, privacy firewall, and webcam/microphone protection.
Bitdefender Total Security: What did Bitdefender score on AV-TEST?
Bitdefender scored 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability in the January-February 2026 AV-TEST evaluation, and AV-Comparatives named it Product of the Year with a 99.98% detection rate.