Antivirus software serves as a vital component in the broader security landscape, designed to protect your data and devices from an array of threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. While modern operating systems provide a basic level of protection, integrating third-party antivirus solutions can significantly enhance your security posture by adding features such as VPNs and firewalls.
In a detailed comparison of two leading antivirus options, Bitdefender emerges as the preferred choice over Malwarebytes, primarily due to its extensive feature set and competitive pricing. When selecting the right antivirus software, it is essential to evaluate various factors, including compatibility across devices, types of threat protection, additional features, and overall cost. Below is a comprehensive overview of these two popular antivirus solutions.
Specifications
| Bitdefender | Malwarebytes | |
| Free version | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free premium trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Compatibility | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Malware protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Phishing protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scan types | Scheduled, real-time | Scheduled, real-time |
| Customer support | Live chat, email, phone, support pages | AI and live chat, email, support pages |
| Price | Plans starting at per year for one device or per year for three devices | Plans starting at per year |
You should choose Bitdefender if…
1. You want comprehensive protection across devices and browsers
Bitdefender is recognized as a reliable and trusted brand in the antivirus landscape. It offers extensive protection against a variety of threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, rootkits, and adware, across all major operating systems. This ensures that your data remains secure from potential breaches. Additionally, its anti-phishing capabilities safeguard against malicious websites that seek to compromise your personal information. On Windows, Bitdefender performs continuous, real-time scans while optimizing performance, allowing for seamless gaming, streaming, or work experiences. A subscription to Bitdefender Total Security includes a privacy firewall tailored for Windows users, along with anti-tracking and anti-phishing browser extensions compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.
2. You want premium features at a competitive price
Beyond basic antivirus and anti-malware functions, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus includes a VPN service (offering up to 200MB of encrypted traffic per device daily) and data breach protection. For those seeking even more features, upgrading to Bitdefender Total Security adds password management to the mix. With plans starting at just per year for Antivirus Plus and per year for Total Security, Bitdefender’s offerings are competitively priced compared to Malwarebytes, which ranges from to 0 annually for similar plans. While the free version of Bitdefender is limited to virus and malware protection, it still provides real-time scanning and 24/7 customer support via live chat.
You should choose Malwarebytes if…
1. You’re looking primarily for malware protection
Malwarebytes excels in its core function of anti-malware protection. Unlike other antivirus solutions that bundle numerous features, Malwarebytes focuses on delivering robust malware, virus, ransomware, phishing, and rootkit protection. For users who do not require additional features like VPN access or password management, a free or standard subscription to Malwarebytes is often sufficient. For those interested in enhanced features, Malwarebytes Plus ( per year) includes VPN and anonymous browsing, while Malwarebytes Ultimate (0 per year) offers dark web monitoring and credit reporting services.
2. You want to supplement existing security features
If you already utilize a VPN or password manager, Malwarebytes can effectively complement those services by concentrating on its primary function: threat detection and system scanning. While it does offer VPN and identity protection add-ons, these are not necessary for users seeking solid antivirus and anti-malware capabilities. Malwarebytes provides rapid and real-time scanning, threat quarantining, and ad blocking within a user-friendly interface, although the free plan limits users to manual scanning only.
Alternatives to consider
The antivirus market is diverse, offering a multitude of options beyond Bitdefender and Malwarebytes. For those who find that neither of these solutions meets their specific needs, numerous alternatives are available for consideration.
