Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Microsoft Defender
M
Microsoft Defender
Software
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- On request
- 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; Microsoft Defender the overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2008 | Unknown |
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 Microsoft Defender
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 Microsoft Defender
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Microsoft Defender
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft Defender 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
Microsoft Defender
- The overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
- Full family and business protection requires a Microsoft 365 Family, Personal or Premium subscription rather than being included with the free built-in Windows version
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Microsoft Defender
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender 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 Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Malwarebytes on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Microsoft Defender better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Microsoft Defender at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Microsoft Defender?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and On request for Microsoft Defender.
- Does Malwarebytes or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Microsoft Defender runs on Web.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender starts at On request.
- 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 Microsoft Defender is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Microsoft Defender cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.
Related pages
More on Malwarebytes
More on Microsoft Defender
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