Softwr

Software · head to head

Malwarebytes vs Qualys VMDR

Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Qualys VMDR logo

Qualys VMDR

Software

Vulnerability management, detection, and response

From
$3/month
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; Qualys VMDR listed on UK G-Cloud at £18.75 to £61.58 per device per year for the Qualys Cloud Platform and VMDR, via reseller Barrier Networks Limited
  • They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Qualys VMDR covers Vulnerability scanning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Qualys VMDR actually diverge.

Attributes where Malwarebytes and Qualys VMDR differ
AttributeMalwarebytesQualys VMDR
Starting priceFree$3/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWeb, Cloud, Api
Founded20081999

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 Qualys VMDR

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Threat detection
  • Asset discovery
  • Compliance checking
  • Remediation tracking
  • Cloud asset visibility
  • API access
  • Custom policies

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 Qualys VMDR
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Qualys VMDR
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Qualys VMDR

Qualys VMDR

  • Vulnerability Managementnot Malwarebytes
  • Asset Managementnot Malwarebytes
  • Compliancenot 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

Qualys VMDR

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £18.75 to £61.58 per device per year for the Qualys Cloud Platform and VMDR, via reseller Barrier Networks Limited

Pricing, plan by plan

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Qualys VMDR

$3/month
  • VMDR$3/month
    • Per asset
    • Vulnerability scanning
    • Detection
  • VMDR+$5/month
    • All VMDR features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Cloud integration
  • VMDR Complete$7/month
    • All VMDR+ features
    • Threat intel
    • Response automation

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 Qualys VMDR if

  • You need vulnerability scanning.
  • You work on Web, Cloud, Api.
  • You also want threat detection.

Questions people ask

Is Malwarebytes or Qualys VMDR better?
Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Qualys VMDR at $3/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Qualys VMDR?
Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $3/month for Qualys VMDR.
Does Malwarebytes or Qualys VMDR run on more platforms?
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Qualys VMDR runs on Web, Cloud, Api.
Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Qualys VMDR starts at $3/month.
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 Qualys VMDR is typically brought in for.
What can Malwarebytes do that Qualys VMDR cannot?
Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Qualys VMDR covers Vulnerability scanning, Threat detection, Asset discovery, Compliance checking.

Related pages

Other head to heads