Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Bitdefender
Antivirus with a free Windows edition and paid suites covering Mac, Android and iOS.
Malwarebytes
Anti-malware suite for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with a free cleanup scanner and paid real-time protection.
The short answer
Bitdefender gives Windows users a free real-time antivirus with few alerts and a small VPN, plus paid suites covering four platforms. Malwarebytes' free version is a cleanup scanner, with real-time protection only on paid plans. Choose Bitdefender for free always-on protection or a broad security suite; choose Malwarebytes for cleaning up infections and scam-site blocking.
Bitdefender or Malwarebytes: our take
The free editions are the clearest difference. Bitdefender Antivirus Free runs on Windows only, with no time limit, and provides real-time scanning, behaviour-based detection and a basic VPN capped at 200 MB per day. It has almost no settings and few pop-ups. Malwarebytes' free version is a scanner that removes infections already on a computer; it doesn't block threats as they arrive. Real-time protection, automatic quarantine and the Browser Guard extension come with the paid Premium Security subscription.
On paid plans, both are yearly subscriptions. Bitdefender's Antivirus Plus Multiplatform plan is $29.99 a year for 3 devices, Total Security is $59.99 a year, and Premium Security is $79.99 a year; Total Security adds ransomware remediation, web protection, a vulnerability scanner and parental tools across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Introductory prices rise at renewal. Malwarebytes starts at $59.99/year, adds a VPN and identity theft protection on higher tiers, and offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. Its feature set differs between operating systems.
Bitdefender's antivirus regularly scores near the top in independent lab tests, and its paid suites include more traditional security tools such as parental controls and vulnerability scanning. Malwarebytes is known as a dependable second-opinion scanner and focuses its paid plans on blocking malware, phishing, scam sites, ads and trackers.
Pick Bitdefender if you want a free real-time antivirus on Windows or a full security suite for a household of mixed devices. Pick Malwarebytes if you mainly need to clean up a machine, want a scanner to run next to the built-in Windows or macOS protection, or value its browser-level scam blocking. Some people use both: Bitdefender for always-on protection and the free Malwarebytes scanner for occasional checks.
Which should you pick?
Choose Bitdefender if…
- Windows users who want a quiet, high-scoring free antivirus with an upgrade path
- Free Windows edition with no time limit and few alerts
- Basic VPN included even in the free version
Choose Malwarebytes if…
- People who want a familiar anti-malware scanner across several platforms
- Free scanner is handy for cleaning up an already infected machine
- One subscription covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices
About each app
What is Bitdefender?
Bitdefender is a Romanian security company whose antivirus regularly scores near the top in independent lab tests. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a pared-back Windows app: real-time scanning, behaviour-based detection that watches for suspicious changes, and a basic VPN with a small daily data allowance, all with few pop-ups and no time limit. The paid line starts with Antivirus Plus for one Windows PC and goes up to Total Security, which covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS on up to 10 devices and adds ransomware remediation, web protection, a vulnerability scanner and parental tools. Plans are yearly subscriptions, with introductory discounts that rise at renewal. It suits people who want strong detection with little interference; the free version has no settings to tweak and runs only on Windows.
What is Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes is one of the best-known consumer anti-malware brands. Its free version is a scanner that finds and removes infections that are already on a computer. The paid Premium Security subscription adds real-time protection against viruses, ransomware, exploits and phishing, quarantines threats automatically and bundles the Browser Guard extension for blocking scam sites, ads and trackers. Higher tiers add a VPN and identity theft protection. It covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with exact features varying by platform, and a single plan can protect several devices. People often install the free scanner to clean up a machine and keep it alongside the antivirus built into Windows or macOS. Paid plans are sold as yearly subscriptions with a money-back guarantee, and there is a separate Teams product for small businesses.
Side by side
| Attribute | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Best for | Windows users who want a quiet, high-scoring free antivirus with an upgrade path | People who want a familiar anti-malware scanner across several platforms |
| Status | Active | Active |
Verified facts, compared
Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.
| Fact | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes, Windows only | Cleanup scanner |
Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes pricing
Bitdefender: free plan + paid
- Free version: Yes, Windows only source
- Free VPN allowance: 200 MB per day source
- Total Security plan: $59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices source
- Premium Security plan: $79.99 a year source
- Antivirus Plus Multiplatform plan: $29.99 a year, 3 devices source
- Free plan: Yes, Windows only, no time limit source
Malwarebytes: free plan + paid
- Free version: Cleanup scanner source
- Starting price: $59.99 a year (Standard, 3 devices) source
- Plus plan: $79.99 a year, adds VPN source
- Standard Family plan: $119.99 a year, 10 devices source
Platforms
| Platform | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Bitdefender facts
8 of 8 verified- Free version
- Yes, Windows only
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a free antivirus software especially designed to protect your Windows PC.”
- No time limit
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers top-notch protection for your Windows PC without any hidden costs or time limits.”
- Free VPN allowance
- 200 MB per day
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Total Security also includes a basic VPN with up to 200 MB per day of encrypted traffic for your devices.”
- Platforms (Total Security)
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS; up to 10 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Total Security offers cross-platform protection that covers Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets running Android or iOS for up to 10 devices.”
- Total Security plan
- $59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “products ts_i/5/1, ts_f/25/1 monthly-products ts_i/5/2, ts_f/25/2 ts_i/5/1 (Bitdefender Total Security Individual) USD 59.99”
- Premium Security plan
- $79.99 a year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “(Bitdefender Premium Security Individual) USD 79.99”
- Antivirus Plus Multiplatform plan
- $29.99 a year, 3 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “(Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Multiplatform) USD 29.99”
- Free plan
- Yes, Windows only, no time limit
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers top-notch protection for your Windows PC without any hidden costs or time limits.”
Malwarebytes facts
6 of 6 verified- Free version
- Cleanup scanner
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Malwarebytes Free is a cleanup tool for cyberattacks that have already infected a device.”
- Starting price
- $59.99 a year (Standard, 3 devices)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Standard Device security Starts from $59.99/yr. Protects 3 devices”
- Money-back guarantee
- 60 days
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “60-day money back guarantee”
- Platforms
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS protection”
- Plus plan
- $79.99 a year, adds VPN
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Device security and VPN Starts from $79.99/yr.”
- Standard Family plan
- $119.99 a year, 10 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026malwarebytes.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Standard Family Device security Starts from $119.99/yr. Protects 10 devices”
Pros and cons of Bitdefender
- Free Windows edition with no time limit and few alerts
- Basic VPN included even in the free version
- Total Security covers up to 10 devices across four platforms
- Free edition is Windows only
- Free VPN is capped at 200 MB a day
- Paid plans renew at a higher price than the first year
Pros and cons of Malwarebytes
- Free scanner is handy for cleaning up an already infected machine
- One subscription covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices
- Paid plans include a scam and ad blocking browser extension
- Real-time protection requires a paid subscription
- Higher tiers bundle a VPN and identity services some people won't need
- Feature set differs between operating systems
Other apps to consider
KasperskyInstead of Bitdefender
Similar tiered suites, from basic antivirus up to full security with VPN and password manager, on all major platforms.
ESET NOD32 AntivirusInstead of Bitdefender
Lightweight paid antivirus with fine-grained settings for advanced users.
ClamXAVInstead of Malwarebytes
Mac-focused paid antivirus that stays light on resources, for people who only need to protect Macs.
BlockBlockInstead of Malwarebytes
Free and open source; alerts on new persistent software on a Mac instead of relying on signatures.
KnockKnockInstead of Malwarebytes
Free on-demand Mac scan of everything set to auto-run, useful for checking a machine without a subscription.
Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes: common questions
Is Bitdefender better than Malwarebytes?
Bitdefender gives Windows users a free real-time antivirus with few alerts and a small VPN, plus paid suites covering four platforms. Malwarebytes' free version is a cleanup scanner, with real-time protection only on paid plans. Choose Bitdefender for free always-on protection or a broad security suite; choose Malwarebytes for cleaning up infections and scam-site blocking.
Is Bitdefender free?
Bitdefender has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Malwarebytes free?
Malwarebytes has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Bitdefender or Malwarebytes open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Bitdefender and Malwarebytes support?
Bitdefender: Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Malwarebytes: Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.