Norton vs Malwarebytes – which is better?

Norton and Malwarebytes are both well-known antivirus companies on the market, each serving different needs. Norton 360 is known for its comprehensive security suite, offering top protection across multiple devices.

On the other hand, Malwarebytes excels in its specialized focus on malware detection and removal, providing an extra layer of security, particularly against advanced threats.

In this Norton vs Malwarebytes comparison, I compare their malware protection, security features, performance, pricing, and ease of use. Together with the Cybernews research team, I also tested both antivirus programs hands-on to help you choose the antivirus option that best meets your security needs.

Malwarebytes vs Norton overview

Norton offers a broader security suite, while Malwarebytes focuses on lightweight malware detection and removal. In our tests, Malwarebytes completed scans faster, but Norton delivered stronger results in real-time malware detection ransomware protection, and malicious URL blocking. So, while Malwarebytes performed faster, Norton wins for its stronger protection across key security areas.

	Norton Antivirus	Malwarebytes
⭐ Rating:	4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
🥇 Overall rank:	#2 out of #30	#4 out of #30
🔥 Coupons:	Norton coupon 60% OFF	Malwarebytes coupon 50% OFF
💵 Price:	From $29.99/year	From $44.99/year
✂️ Free version:	No	Yes
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS

Pricing breakdown: Malwarebytes vs Norton

Both Malwarebytes and Norton offer several plans to choose from. While Malwarebytes has a free version, it’s quite basic compared to paid options. But if we compare only paid subscriptions, then Norton is not only better for the features it offers but also has far better value for money.

Plan type	Norton 360	Malwarebytes
Free version	–	$0.00
Entry-level paid plan	AntiVirus Plus – $29.99/year	Standard – $44.99/year
Mid-tier plan	Deluxe – $49.99/year	Plus – $59.99/year
	View plans	View plans

Overall, Norton provides more budget-friendly starting options, while Malwarebytes appeals more if specialized malware defense is your priority. Looking at the cheapest paid plans, Norton AntiVirus Plus starts at $29.99/year for one device and includes antivirus protection, Smart Firewall, Password Manager, and 2GB cloud backup. By comparison, Malwarebytes Standard for one device costs $44.99/year and focuses mainly on antivirus, anti-malware, and browser protection. Norton’s next tier, Norton 360 Standard, costs $39.99/year for 3 devices and adds a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring, while still staying cheaper than Malwarebytes Standard for 3 devices at $59.99year.

When looking at higher-tier plans, the difference is even clearer. Malwarebytes Plus costs $79.99/year for 3 devices and adds a VPN, while Norton 360 Deluxe costs $49.99/year for 5 devices and also includes a VPN, plus dark web monitoring, parental controls, privacy monitoring, and 50GB cloud backup. While Malwarebytes does offer a free version, it only covers basic on-demand scanning and malware removal, so it lacks the real-time protection and broader extras that are included in Norton’s paid plans.

Malware detection rates

To determine which antivirus offers better malware protection, we reviewed independent lab results and ran our own in-house tests. Here’s a full breakdown of Norton and Malwarebytes results across malware protection, scanning performance, phishing detection, malicious URL blocking, and firewall protection.

Test	Norton	Malwarebytes	Source
Real-world protection (February-May 2026)	99.3%	98.8%	AV-Comparatives
Offline detection (March 2026)	96.3%	92.4%	AV-Comparatives
Protection score (March-April 2026)	6/6 (Top Product)	5.5/6 (Top Product)	AV-TEST
SE Labs score (April-June 2026)	99%	94%	SE Labs
Phishing detection	60% (6/10)	40% (4/10)	Cybernews in-house tests
Malicious URL blocking	100% (10/10)	60% (6/10)	Cybernews in-house tests
False positives (February-May 2026)	5	39	AV-Comparatives
False positives (March 2026)	9	23	AV-Comparatives

Our in-house testing results

Independent lab results are useful, but they don’t always show the full picture of how an antivirus performs in everyday conditions. That’s why we also tested Norton and Malwarebytes in our own controlled environment. Using the same Windows 11 test setup, we compared their malware detection, scan times, system impact, phishing protection, and real-time blocking.

Test	Norton	Malwarebytes
Full scan detection	70.67%, 106 of 150 samples	59.33%, 89 of 150 samples
Quick scan detection	59.33%, 89 of 150 samples	0%, 0 of 150 samples
Full scan time	1h 4m 29s	39m 22s
Quick scan time	11m 43s	1m 5s
CPU usage (idle)	2-60%	1-12%
CPU usage (full scan)	34-100%	28-100%
RAM usage (idle)	36-40%	38%
RAM usage (full scan)	29-34%	28-34%
Boot time impact	+17.16s	+17.96s
EICAR test file	Blocked during download and file creation	Blocked during download, but not file creation
Phishing test (10 URLs)	6/10 blocked	4/10 blocked
Real-time download block	60.67%, 91 of 150 samples blocked	0%, 0 of 150 samples blocked

Scanning with Norton and Malwarebytes

Different types of antivirus scans are useful in different situations. Quick scans are great for fast routine checks, full scans can inspect the entire system, and custom scans let you target specific files or folders. To compare Norton and Malwarebytes more closely, we checked which scan options are available on Windows and macOS. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Norton	Malwarebytes
Quick scan	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Full system scan	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Smart/scheduled scan	✅ Smart Scan + scheduled scans	✅ Scheduled scan
Individual file scan	✅ Right-click scan	✅ Right-click scan on Windows
Custom folder scan	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Scan scheduling	✅ Built-in scheduler	✅ Built-in scheduler
Scan UI ease	Single dashboard for all scan options	Separate scan dashboard; custom scans are harder to find

Firewall protection

Norton has the stronger firewall setup, thanks to its Smart Firewall, built-in IPS, app-level program control, and exploit protection. Meanwhile, Malwarebytes takes a lighter approach by relying on the operating system’s firewall, though it still includes real-time and exploit protection. This makes Malwarebytes simpler in some areas, but Norton offers a more complete firewall setup overall.

Feature	Norton	Malwarebytes
Firewall type	✅ Smart Firewall	❌ No dedicated firewall; relies on native OS firewall
Intrusion prevention (IPS)	✅ Built-in	❌ No dedicated IPS toggle; RTP available
Port stealth mode	✅ Supported via firewall settings	❌ No dedicated setting; depends on OS firewall
Program control	✅ Can block or allow individual apps	✅ Available on Windows
Exploit protection	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Configuration ease	✅ Essential settings are enabled by default; Smart Mode manages app connections	✅ Settings are clearly explained; Windows offers more configuration options

Norton vs Malwarebytes: feature overview

Norton provides significantly broader security coverage compared to Malwarebytes. Both include essential malware protection, but Norton goes further with features like built-in scam detection powered by advanced AI and a password manager to provide thorough security.

Protection features compared

Here’s how Norton and Malwarebytes compare in terms of core antivirus, browser, and device protection features:

Feature	Norton	Malwarebytes
Malware protection	AI-powered protection against viruses, spyware, ransomware, and malware	Protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and other cyberthreats
Real-time protection	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Browser extension	✅ Yes, Norton Safe Web	✅ Yes, Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Webcam protection	✅ Yes, Windows only	✅ Yes, Windows only
Tracker/cookie blocking	❌ No	✅ Yes, Browser Guard blocks ads, trackers, and cookie banners
File shredder	❌ No	✅ Yes, Windows File Shredder
Auto app updates	✅ Yes, Software Updater	❌ No
Cryptojacking prevention	❌ No	✅ Yes, Browser Guard stops in-browser cryptojackers

Norton has the edge in core protection because it combines essential antivirus protection with broader device-security tools. Malwarebytes covers the essentials and adds browser/privacy extras, but but Norton provides broader overall protection.

Additional security and privacy features

Norton and Malwarebytes also include tools for privacy, identity monitoring, and safer browsing. Here’s how these extra features compare:

Feature	Norton	Malwarebytes
VPN	✅ Yes, included with Norton 360 plans	✅ Yes, included with Plus and higher plans
AI scam protection	✅ Yes, Norton Genie, including limited deepfake detection	✅ Yes, Scam Guard
Credit monitoring	✅ Yes, available with LifeLock plans	✅ Yes, but plan and location-dependent
Privacy/data removal tools	✅ Yes, Privacy Monitor	✅ Yes, Personal Data Remover
Identity/financial alerts	✅ Yes, Dark Web Monitoring	✅ Yes, Identity monitoring available, plan/location dependent
Text scam detection	✅ Yes, Safe SMS	✅ Yes, Malwarebytes Scam Guard
Password manager	✅ Yes, Norton Password Manager	❌ No
Parental controls	✅ Yes, Included with Norton 360 Deluxe	❌ No
Cloud backup	✅ Yes, 2GB with AntiVirus Plus/Standard; 50GB with Deluxe	❌ No

When looking at features beyond malware blocking, Norton has the advantage. It includes extras like a VPN, a password manager, parental controls, cloud backup, and AI scam/deepfake protection. In my tests, these features were easy to find, making Norton feel like a more complete security suite.

Like Norton, Malwarebytes also includes a VPN and AI scam protection, as well as privacy tools such as Personal Data Remover and Webcam Monitoring on Windows. However, its additional feature set is narrower overall, with no dedicated password manager, parental controls, or cloud backup. Because of this, Malwarebytes works better for users who want a simpler privacy-focused setup rather than a full bundle of security extras.

Apps and interface: which is more user-friendly?

I joined a team of experts to evaluate Norton and Malwarebytes, using specific testing criteria to compare their performance. The testing process took about two days, during which time, with a research team, we analyzed key features, security capabilities, and overall ease of use. I conducted these tests across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Apps and interface

Getting started with Malwarebytes or Norton on your desktop is straightforward. Simply download the applications from their official websites, install them on your device, and you’re ready to go. Whether you’re using Windows or macOS, both offer user-friendly graphical interfaces, making navigation simple and intuitive.

The Malwarebytes desktop app is designed with simplicity in mind. The main page gives you quick access to Real-Time Protection, Detection History, VPN, and Scanner features, while identity protection is easily accessible from the sidebar. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to find scan options, adjust real-time protection, and manage other product settings.

Norton, on the other hand, provides a slightly more guided experience. Upon installation, it walks you through the setup process, ensuring that all essential security features are enabled from the get-go. The main page presents all features clearly, with most tools easily accessible in just one click. Norton’s Smart Scan is particularly convenient, as it checks for malware and device performance issues, while the app also monitors network security, including detecting public networks and restricting incoming traffic when needed.

Malwarebytes and Norton both offer apps for Android and iOS devices, which can be easily downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. When exploring and testing these apps, I found both to be user-friendly and intuitive, making them easy to navigate even if you're not particularly tech-savvy.

Malwarebytes presents a clean and straightforward interface, immediately offering essential features like Scan, VPN, and security options, including Text Protection, Real-Time Protection (RTP), and Safe Browsing Scanner. Everything you need is right on the main screen, making it simple to access. However, during testing, I noticed that while the scan was thorough, taking a bit over 6 minutes, it did have a noticeable impact on device performance, which could be a drawback if you're multitasking.

Norton, on the other hand, automatically starts a scan as soon as you install the app, providing a security report covering your apps, internet, Wi-Fi network, and even SMS security. One feature that stood out is Norton’s ability to identify data-harvesting apps and unprotected apps without even needing to enable Real-Time Protection. The scan was impressively quick, finishing in under a minute, with no noticeable performance impact on the device, which is a big plus if you’re using your phone while the scan is running.

Customer support

Malwarebytes and Norton both offer multiple customer support options, including live chat, knowledge bases, and community forums. However, Norton provides phone support, while Malwarebytes relies more on live chat and ticket support.

	Norton	Malwarebytes
Email support	❌ No	✅ Yes
24/7 live chat	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (only to paid customers)
Phone support	✅ Yes	❌ No
Knowledge base	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Community forum	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Malwarebytes live chat begins with a chatbot before you're connected to a live agent. During testing, I reached a live agent in under a minute, and the overall experience was positive. Malwarebytes also offers ticket support for those who prefer email communication.

Norton also starts live chat through a chatbot, but my experience was slower. It took longer to reach an agent and get the correct answer. Nevertheless, Norton’s support agents are available to assist with more complex issues. Additionally, Norton offers phone support, which can be useful for more complex issues.

Video review

If you prefer video format and want a second opinion, check out our team’s Norton vs Malwarebytes comparison.

Final verdict

Norton comes out ahead in 2026 as the stronger antivirus overall. In our in-house tests, it delivered better malware detection, stronger real-time download blocking, and more reliable malicious URL protection than Malwarebytes. Since it combines lower starting prices with more tools that are included in its paid plans, Norton offers better value for money. That doesn’t mean Malwarebytes isn’t worth your attention: its scans were faster, it had a lighter system impact, and the app felt simpler to use.

	Norton	Malwarebytes
Pricing	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
Malware detection rates	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
Scan performance and detection	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
Firewall protection	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
Features	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
User interface	✅ Wins	❌ Loses
Support	❌ Loses	✅ Wins

Malwarebytes is a decent pick if you want a lightweight antivirus with focused malware and privacy tools. However, Norton’s better test results, stronger web protection, and better value on paid plans make it the better choice overall.

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