Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Darktrace
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; Darktrace listed on UK G-Cloud at £2.50 per user per month for the Darktrace Active AI Security Platform, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Darktrace covers Self-learning AI.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Darktrace actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Darktrace |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $20000/year |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Network, Cloud, Email |
| Founded | 2008 | 2013 |
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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
Only in Darktrace
- Self-learning AI
- Network anomaly detection
- Autonomous response
- Behavioral analysis
- Threat model visualization
- Email security
- Application control
- Incident response automation
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
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 Darktrace
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Darktrace
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Darktrace
Darktrace
- Threat Detectionnot Malwarebytes
- Ndrnot Malwarebytes
- Incident Responsenot 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
Darktrace
- Listed on UK G-Cloud at £2.50 per user per month for the Darktrace Active AI Security Platform, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited
- Also listed on UK G-Cloud by reseller Grove Information Systems at £1,500 to £12,500 per device per month for the Malicious Network Activity Detection tool
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Darktrace
$20000/year- Detect$20000/year
- Network anomaly detection
- AI-powered threat detection
- Compliance reporting
- Detect & Respond$35000/year
- All Detect features
- Autonomous response
- Email security
- Enterprise$50000/year
- All features
- Dedicated support
- Custom training
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 Darktrace if
- You need self-learning ai.
- You work on Network, Cloud, Email.
- You also want network anomaly detection.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Darktrace better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Darktrace at $20000/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Darktrace?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $20000/year for Darktrace.
- Does Malwarebytes or Darktrace run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Darktrace runs on Network, Cloud, Email.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Darktrace starts at $20000/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 Darktrace is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Darktrace cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Darktrace covers Self-learning AI, Network anomaly detection, Autonomous response, Behavioral analysis. Both handle Cloud deployment.