The best Malwarebytes alternatives
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While Malwarebytes is a fairly popular antivirus, it is still lacking in the real-time protection and malware scan areas. And if you’re using the free version, the limitations increase. Fortunately, there are other options you can consider for complete protection.
With the help of the Cybernews research team, I explore the best Malwarebytes alternatives, testing top antivirus software for protection capabilities, performance impact, additional features, and overall value.
Overall, Bitdefender stands out as the best alternative to Malwarebytes, delivering advanced malware protection and additional security tools. Some options even include freemium plans or support for 25 devices.
Top 5 best Malwarebytes alternatives
- Bitdefender – best Malwarebytes alternative in 2026
- Norton – reliable replacement for Malwarebytes
- TotalAV – secure alternative option to use instead of Malwarebytes
- Avira – Malwarebytes replacement with a freemium plan
- Surfshark Antivirus – affordable Malwarebytes alternative with VPN
Why look for an alternative to Malwarebytes?
Even though Malwarebytes is a relatively popular antivirus software, it has its flaws, and there are certainly better solutions. Here are the main reasons why you should consider Malwarebytes alternatives, including:
- Get better malware protection. According to AV-Comparatives, Malwarebytes has a 99.5% online protection rate with 32 false positives (FP), which is considered pretty standard. Other antiviruses offer advanced protection with better scores: Bitdefender (99.8% with 3 FP), Norton (99.5% with 8.5 FP), TotalAV (99.1% with 5 FP), McAfee (99.3% with 9 FP), and Avira (99.3% with 5 FP).
- Avoid potential security risks. In 2020, Malwarebytes was involved in two incidents. First, hackers gained access to internal company emails. Second, threat actors stole Malwarebytes website’s source code to create a fake site and scam unsuspecting users. So it’s advised to choose another provider to avoid such incidents.
- Save up with more affordable antivirus options. Malwarebytes costs from $44.99/year for only 1 device. Unfortunately, it’s the priciest option, and you can definitely get robust protection for less, like Bitdefender ($12.99/year for 1 device), Norton ($29.99/year for 1 device), or TotalAV ($19.00/year for 3 devices).
Best Malwarebytes alternatives in 2026
If you’re about to get a replacement for Malwarebytes, we’ve got your back. Below, you'll find a list of the best Malwarebytes alternatives that we’ve carefully tested and selected based on security, features, and malware protection scores.
1. Bitdefender – best Malwarebytes alternative overall
| Simultaneous connections: | From 1 to 5 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF |
Bitdefender is our top Malwarebytes alternative because of better malware detection scores, shorter scanning time, and additional security features that are actually practical in real life.
Malware protection. Independent test results by AV-Comparatives show that Bitdefender has a nearly perfect malware detection score of 99.8%, which is higher than Malwarebytes' 99.5%. Additionally, AV-Comparatives has listed Bitdefender’s protection as Advanced+ while Malwarebytes’ as Standard.
Security features. Even though both antivirus programs include real-time protection, anti-tracking technology, and Wi-Fi security features, Bitdefender has something that Malwarebytes cannot offer – a firewall. It serves as a barrier between your computer and the internet to block any malware attacks.
Performance. During our tests, Bitdefender was 2.5 times faster than Malwarebytes. It took 9 minutes and 25 seconds to perform a scan while with Malwarebytes – almost 23 minutes.
Additional features. Bitdefender VPN, a file shredder, and a password manager are included even with the basic antivirus subscription. Unfortunately, Malwarebytes only offers such perks with its most expensive plan.
All in all, Bitdefender is definitely the best Malwarebytes alternative in terms of security, features, and even price. You can get it from $12.99/year for 5 devices with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read more about this product in our full Bitdefender Antivirus review.
2. Norton – top replacement for Malwarebytes
| Simultaneous connections: | From 1 to 10 devices |
| Free version: | No |
| Current deal: | Get up to 60% OFF Norton Antivirus |
Norton is our second best alternative for Malwarebytes. Mainly because it has superior malware detection scores, more features, and better overall performance.
Malware protection. During AV-Comparatives tests, Norton displayed a nearly perfect 99.5% malware detection score and a small false positives number of just 9.5, which is way lower than Malwarebytes.
Security features. With both antivirus suites, you get real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and online threats. However, Norton has a Smart Firewall and a vulnerability assessment to find your device’s weak spots.
Performance. Our tests show that Norton uses a significantly lower amount of CPU resources during scans than Malwarebytes. Also, it includes the Norton Power Eraser tool to get rid of unwanted programs that might be slowing your computer down.
Additional features. You can get Norton VPN Standard, Parental Controls, a password manager, and a SafeCam feature with the standard Norton plan. Well, Malwarebytes can only offer a VPN, and for a relatively high price, too.
To conclude, as our full Norton review reveals, it is an excellent alternative to Malwarebytes since it has so much to offer. What’s even better is that its prices start from $29.99/year with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
3. TotalAV – great alternative option to Malwarebytes
| Simultaneous connections: | From 1 to 8 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF |
Another great alternative to Malwarebytes is TotalAV. It completes scans quicker, has fewer false positives, and is also more affordable.
Malware protection. TotalAV passed AV-Comparatives tests with impressive results – caught 99.1% of malware files with only 5 false positives.
Security features. In addition to real-time and ransomware protection, TotalAV includes a WebShield extension with a Safe Search feature. It redirects all your queries through TotalAV’s web engine to warn about untrustworthy sites and protect against online threats.
Performance. We have tested both antivirus suites by performing a full scan on our device. TotalAV, in this case, completed a scan in 6 minutes and 36 seconds – that’s not something Malwarebytes can offer.
Additional features. If you opt for a premium version of TotalAV, it includes a VPN for safe browsing and even a password manager with the highest-tier plan. There’s also an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, and even system clean-up tools.
To conclude, TotalAV offers better performance and more security features compared to Malwarebytes, which makes it a great alternative choice. The subscription prices start from $19.00/year for 5 devices and include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Avira – good replacement for Malwarebytes free and paid versions
| Simultaneous connections: | From 1 to 25 |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 1 year of Avira at 65% OFF |
Avira is a good alternative to replace both Malwarebytes free and paid versions. It not only has better protection capabilities but also includes numerous useful security features even with a free plan.
Malware protection. During AV-Comparatives tests, Avira showed a 99.3% effectiveness in catching viruses with only 5 false positives. In overall protection testing awards, it is rated as Advanced+ while Malwarebytes was rated Standard.
Security features. In addition to real-time and ransomware protection, Avira offers web and email protection features. Also, there’s a Software Updater and a firewall which is not something you get with Malwarebytes.
Performance. Avira does everything in its power to optimize your computer’s performance. That includes features such as an Optimizer, Battery Saver, Duplicate Finder, and Driver Updater. I enjoyed Avira's performance greatly, which is one of the reasons it's on this list.
Additional features. Even with a free version, you get an Avira Phantom VPN, a password manager, a file shredder, and a Safe Shopping plugin. Even though the VPN services come with a data cap, Malwarebytes only includes those with a paid plan.
All in all, you should definitely consider Avira if you’re about to stop using Malwarebytes. Even its free version offers numerous security features that are not available with Malwarebytes. If you want more, you can get a subscription from $22.99/year.
5. Surfshark Antivirus – budget-friendly Malwarebytes alternative with built-in VPN
| Simultaneous connections: | Up to 5 devices |
| Free version: | No |
| Current deal: | Get Surfshark Antivirus - 86% OFF + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark Antivirus is an excellent Malwarebytes alternative if you’re looking for a lightweight antivirus bundled with a premium VPN. It’s part of the Surfshark One suite, which combines antivirus, VPN, private search, and breach monitoring — making it an all-in-one digital security solution.
Malware protection. In the latest June 2025 AV-TEST evaluations, Surfshark Antivirus achieved a 99.8% malware detection rate, outperforming Malwarebytes' score in the same test window.
Security features. Surfshark includes real-time protection, ransomware shields, and data breach alerts through its Surfshark Alert tool. Its Search feature provides private, ad-free search results, while the included Surfshark VPN ensures secure and anonymous browsing, which is a feature that Malwarebytes lacks entirely in its base plans.
Performance. During our Surfshark testing, Surfshark completed a full scan and detected 70.67% of planted samples, compared to Malwarebytes’ 57%. Its antivirus engine runs smoothly in the background with almost no impact on CPU performance, even when multitasking or streaming.
Additional features. With Surfshark One, you get access to the VPN, private search engine, and identity breach monitor, all from one clean interface. Malwarebytes users would need multiple separate subscriptions to get the same coverage.
All in all, Surfshark Antivirus is an excellent choice for those seeking affordable and well-rounded protection that extends beyond traditional antivirus solutions. Plans start from $29.88/year for 5 devices, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Which Malwarebytes alternative should I pick?
Before choosing a Malwarebytes alternative, you should consider whether there are specific features you need or if you have a certain budget. That might help you pick the best one, as all of our listed alternatives provide excellent malware protection.
However, if you’re still not sure which one’s the best one, here are some useful criteria to consider:
- Free version. You can always get a grasp of what the antivirus is all about by using a free version. For example, Bitdefender, TotalAV, and Avira offer plans that are completely free of charge. If you like the software and need more features, you can upgrade to paid plans anytime.
- Simultaneous connections. In order to protect all of your devices, you should consider an antivirus with a generous simultaneous connection allowance. For example, McAfee is a great option to secure up to 10 devices at once.
- Features. Some antivirus programs include a wide variety of additional features, such as a VPN, a password manager, or data breach monitoring. If you’re not already using these services, it’s an excellent way to get an all-in-one package.
- Money-back guarantee. In case you pick an antivirus and it doesn’t seem right for you, consider whether it offers a money-back guarantee beforehand. With Norton, you can get a full refund within an impressive 60-day period.
How we tested and selected these Malwarebytes alternatives
In order to provide you with the best Malwarebytes alternatives, our research team and I tested multiple antivirus solutions. During our research, we’ve examined the products by taking into consideration the following aspects:
- Malware detection rates (30%). To find the most secure antivirus programs, we’ve looked into malware detection rates provided by independent testing labs, such as AV-Comparatives and AV-Test. We also performed in-house testing.
- Variety of security features (30%). While Malwarebytes is merely focused on malware removal, we’ve looked into alternatives that could offer more. Thus, the listed antivirus options include additional security features, like VPN services, a password manager, Parental Controls, and many more.
- Reputation (15%). Unfortunately, Malwarebytes is known to be involved in a few security incidents. Likewise, we’ve looked into more reputable alternatives to help you get top-class protection.
- Compatibility (15%). It’s essential to secure all of your devices. So you can be sure that our suggested replacement for Malwarebytes is compatible with a wide range of different operating systems.
- Pricing (10%). You shouldn’t need to spend a fortune to get quality security for your devices. Thus, we’ve picked reliable solutions to replace quite expensive Malwarebytes plans with more affordable ones.
Do I really need an antivirus tool?
You must get a reputable antivirus tool if you’re getting rid of Malwarebytes. The number of cyberattacks is only rising, and hackers are not only targeting large-scale organizations but individuals as well.
Therefore, it’s necessary to use a top-class antivirus for protection against ransomware, trojans, other types of malware, as well as various online threats. For example, the best antivirus programs often include a dark web monitoring feature that ensures your sensitive information is not exposed.
Also, they offer a password manager to help you create unique new passwords and manage existing ones. Additionally, some include VPNs that secure your connection when using public Wi-Fi.
All in all, getting antivirus software definitely adds an extra layer of security, even if you’re extremely careful when browsing online.
