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Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

Malwarebytes vs Wireshark

Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Security & Cybersecurity

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wireshark logo

Wireshark

Security & Cybersecurity

The world's foremost network protocol analyzer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Wireshark free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier
  • They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Wireshark actually diverge.

Attributes where Malwarebytes and Wireshark differ
AttributeMalwarebytesWireshark
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidDesktop, Cli
Founded20081998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).

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 Wireshark

  • Deep packet inspection
  • Live capture
  • Offline analysis
  • 3000+ protocol support
  • Rich display filters
  • VoIP analysis
  • Decryption support
  • Scripting with Lua

Both cover

  • Desktop support
  • English language support
  • German language support
  • French 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 Wireshark
  • Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Wireshark
  • Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Wireshark

Wireshark

  • Network Securitynot Malwarebytes
  • Packet Analysisnot Malwarebytes
  • Open Sourcenot 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

Wireshark

  • Free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

Wireshark

Free
  • Free & Open SourceFree
    • Full functionality
    • Deep inspection
    • Live capture

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.
Malwarebytes review

Choose Wireshark if

  • You need deep packet inspection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Cli.
  • You also want live capture.
Wireshark review

Questions people ask

Is Malwarebytes or Wireshark better?
Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and Wireshark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or Wireshark?
Malwarebytes starts at Free and Wireshark at Free.
Does Malwarebytes or Wireshark run on more platforms?
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Wireshark runs on Desktop, Cli.
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 Wireshark is typically brought in for.
What can Malwarebytes do that Wireshark cannot?
Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection, Live capture, Offline analysis, 3000+ protocol support. Both handle Desktop support, English language support, German language support, French language support.
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