Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Cisco Duo
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Cisco Duo free tier caps at 10 users; every paid tier requires a minimum of 10 users
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Cisco Duo actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Cisco Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2008 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
Only in Cisco Duo
Nothing recorded that Malwarebytes does not also cover.
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 Cisco Duo
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Cisco Duo
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Cisco Duo
Cisco Duo
No use cases recorded yet. See the Cisco Duo review.
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
Cisco Duo
- Free tier caps at 10 users; every paid tier requires a minimum of 10 users
- Licenses cannot be bought individually above the free tier: under 100 users they are sold in increments of 10, and over 100 users in increments of 25
- Duo Premier, the top tier with the most adaptive access controls, costs $9 per user per month on top of the per-increment purchase requirement
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Cisco Duo
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Cisco Duo 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.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Cisco Duo better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Cisco Duo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Cisco Duo?
- Malwarebytes starts at Free and Cisco Duo at Free.
- Does Malwarebytes or Cisco Duo run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Cisco Duo runs on Web.
- 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 Cisco Duo is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Cisco Duo cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.