Malwarebytes vs. Bitdefender

Struggling to choose the best cybersecurity protection for you and your family?

Here’s a handy guide.

Choosing the right cybersecurity protection is tricky.

Comparing trusted providers and making a final decision can feel overwhelming. At Malwarebytes, we build our products and services with customers top of mind, keeping our threat scanning and identification tools free and easy to use. As brands like Bitdefender seek to offer customers comparable features, we want to be sure you’re considering all your upfront needs, so you can reap the most benefits.

Compare Malwarebytes and Bitdefender side-by-side

Available features*	Malwarebytes	Bitdefender
Device security
Comprehensive threat scanning
Antivirus, anti-malware protection, and Windows Firewall Control
Trusted Advisor with personalized protection score
Fast and seamless software installation
Speedy device threat scanning with minimal RAM usage
Mobile call protection
Browser protection
Malware and phishing protection
Ad and adware blocking
Online credit card skimmer protection
Breached sites alerts
Auto GDPR cookie blocks
IT tech support scam protection
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Wifi security and anonymous browsing
Blind operator security (disables remote and local server access for privacy)
Unrestricted VPN (no metering across VPN products)
Identity Theft Protection
Identity theft protection and dark monitoring alerts
Up to $2 million USD identity theft protection insurance
3 bureau credit monitoring
Complete identity theft restoration services
Global identity theft protection insurance availability
Free digital footprint scanner
Free personal data scanner and DIY remover

*Features vary by OS

Why choose Malwarebytes?

It just works.

In the past 30 days, Malwarebytes protected people from:

49.1 million pieces of malware and PUPs
90.3 million malicious websites
13,700 ransomware attacks
2.5 million exploits

Malwarebytes Browser Guard also blocks countless third-party ads and unwanted content for people online, speeding up their browsing by up to 4x.

We’ve got your back.

We’re a human-led outfit for a people-first internet. Malwarebytes provides:

24/7 human support
60-day money-back guarantee
$2 million-backed identity theft protection insurance
Expert guidance and tailored security assessments

We know what we’re talking about.

We’re the internet’s investigators. Our engineers and researchers have uncovered cybercrime networks, tracked ransomware gangs in real time, warned companies about attacks against their networks, and secured novel patents in cybersecurity.

We’re regularly trusted to explain modern security to people through The New York Times, the AP, Wired, The Verge, and more.

Cybersecurity cannot stand still. In constantly evolving our learning, we constantly evolve what we offer you.

When all else fails, Malwarebytes prevails

Watch live as our software detects things other programs have overlooked.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Try Malwarebytes Standard FREE for 14 days >

Protection for you and all your devices!

Security you can trust. All plans include our free customer support and a 60-day money back guarantee.

Standard

Security protection for your
computer, phone and tablet

Starting at

[ List Price ]/yr.

BUY NOW

Plus

Protect your device AND your privacy
with our powerful VPN

Starting at

[ List Price ]/yr.

BUY NOW

Ultimate

Don’t compromise on security for your
devices, your privacy and your identity

Starting at

[ Purchase Price ]/yr.

~~[ List Price ]~~

BUY NOW

Protection for you and all your devices!

Security you can trust. All plans include our free customer support and a 60-day money back guarantee.

Standard

Security protection for your
computer, phone and tablet

Starting at

[ List Price ]/yr.

BUY NOW

Plus

Protect your device and your privacy
with our powerful VPN

Starting at

[ List Price ]/yr.

BUY NOW

Total

Don’t compromise on security for your
devices, your privacy and your identity

Starting at

[ Purchase Price ]/yr.

~~[ List Price ]~~

BUY NOW

AV Lab Product of the Year badge for 2025

Malwarebytes was awarded Product of the Year 2025 by AV Lab. Read more >

Quick check

What are your unique needs and concerns?

A: Malwarebytes offers comprehensive, fast, free access to real-time scanning tools, while Bitdefender reserves this feature for premium customers only.

If your device has a virus or malware infection, there are some telltale signs, including:

Reduced speed: Your device slows down significantly.
Pop-ups: You have started to see a lot of unexpected pop-ups.
System crashing: Your system unexpectedly crashes, either by freezing or by giving you a blue screen.
Loss of disk space: A lot of your device’s storage has been taken up unexpectedly.
Settings changed: Device or browser settings have changed without your knowledge.
Files encrypted: You are locked out of your files or your entire device.

Different types of malware use your device’s resources in different ways, such as making it part of a botnet to perform DDoS attacks, mining cryptocurrency without your knowledge, or other nefarious activities.

A: As we spend more time on our phones, scams feel more personal and frequent than ever. Our new Scam Guard feature within the Malwarebytes mobile security app for iOS and Android offers real-time chat support for all scam related concerns at no additional cost. Simply upload text, screenshots, suspicious links, and more for immediate guidance. While Bitdefender does offer scam support, its chat feature is not embedded within the app, making it more difficult to use and limiting its functionality.

Ransomware attacks can be hard to spot. Malwarebytes Free is a cleanup tool for cyberattacks that have already damaged a device. Malwarebytes Premium Security stops these attacks from happening in the first place. It runs automatically on an ongoing basis, giving you peace of mind.

A: While both Malwarebytes and Bitdefender offer dark web monitoring benefits, only Malwarebytes offers Digital Footprint Scanning and Personal Data Remover support, going beyond cybersecurity to keep your information safe from criminals.

Check here to see if your personal info was exposed to hackers for free with Malwarebytes Digital Footprint Scanner. Have you already been exposed? Malwarebytes Personal Data Remover helps delete your info from search results, spam lists, people search sites, data brokers, and more.

A: Only Malwarebytes offers around the clock live support from real cybersecurity experts to all users without extra premiums.

A: Only Malwarebytes offers Trusted Advisor, which includes a built-in personal privacy score, personalized suggestions, and tips that aim to keep you safe and your device(s) as secure as possible.

6 factors to help you choose the right antivirus software.

Whether it’s Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, or another antivirus solution, your security, privacy, and identity concerns must drive the decision.

1. Real-time protection and threat detection

Your antivirus should be more than a cleanup tool—it needs to actively monitor your system to block threats before they cause damage.

2. System performance impact

Antivirus tools shouldn’t slow your computer to a crawl.

3. Multi-device and cross-platform coverage

If you use a combination of Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, look for antivirus software that offers cross-platform protection and centralized management for all your devices.

5. Customer support and updates

Cyber threats evolve quickly—your antivirus software should, too.

4. Privacy protection add-ons

Not all antivirus solutions include privacy features such as internet browser protection, VPN, and identity theft monitoring. These features can offer an added layer of protection for your personal information and online activity.

6. User-friendly interface

Even the most powerful antivirus software won’t help if it’s too complicated to use. Choose an option with a clear, easy-to-navigate dashboard that makes security management simple for all users.

Buy now from [ List Price ]/yr.

Try for free

Don’t just take our word for it.

4.6 rating | 22,825 reviews

Seamless and easy to use.
I love that I can install (so easy) and pretty much forget about it because the software protects 24/7. It gives me instant information that I am protected even if I have been online for two or three hours or more!
Low resources and high, high-end benefits.
The same strong anti-malware engine for your desktop and laptop comes to the Android. Runs seamlessly in the background protecting you, and does a great job of keeping your system secure.

Expert built, expert run.

Malwarebytes experts have been quoted and referenced in many news publications.

Malwarebytes vs. Bitdefender

Compare Malwarebytes and Bitdefender side-by-side

Malwarebytes

Bitdefender

Device security

Browser protection

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Identity Theft Protection

Why choose Malwarebytes?

It just works.

We’ve got your back.

We know what we’re talking about.

When all else fails, Malwarebytes prevails

Watch live as our software detects things other programs have overlooked.

Try Malwarebytes Standard FREE for 14 days >

Quick check

What are your unique needs and concerns?

6 factors to help you choose the right antivirus software.

Don’t just take our word for it.

Seamless and easy to use.

Low resources and high, high-end benefits.

Expert built, expert run.

Reviewed and awarded by those you trust.