Avast vs. Malwarebytes – Comparison review

If you want to secure your PC or mobile device from online threats like malware, ransomware, or viruses, consider installing an antivirus program. Only last year, 8 million computers were infected in the USA, and every 39 seconds, one computer experiences a hacker attack. You can find hundreds of free and paid proposals for home and business purposes on the market.

It is recommended to use paid versions, as they usually consist of the best packages of cybersecurity that this particular antivirus can propose. Avast and Malwarebytes are two antivirus software programs with many valuable features and several tariff plans.

Their detailed characteristics are presented as a comparison of Avast vs. Malwarebytes.

Avast vs. Malwarebytes – Comparison Table

Purpose	Antivirus	Antivirus
Free Version
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, iPhone/iPad	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebook
Real-time scanning
Scanning	Smart / rescue disc	Automatic / Scheduled / Customized
Portable devices scanning
Threats protection	Ransomware, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans, Bots, Keyloggers, rootkits, fieless malware	Spyware, worms, Trojans, rootkit, phishing, spam, adware, spyware
Email protection
Mobile protection	Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Webcam protection	Webcam shield
Safe browser
Automatic Software Updates
Fast scans		Less than a minute
VPN
Real-time protection
Performance optimizer
Firewall	Advanced firewall
Password manager
Trial-period	30 days / 30 days guaranteed money to return	14 days / 60 days guaranteed money to return
Support	Chat, email, phone	Online, email
Additional features	Network inspector, Password Premium, File shredder
LINK

Main Differences Between Avast and Malwarebytes

Avast and Malwarebytes are both antivirus software. Their basic protection features are similar, and the main differences are connected with additional features:

For a more detailed review of the differences and advantages of each antivirus program, please check the other parts of this review.

Avast vs. Malwarebytes – Overview

For more than 30 years, Avast has created products and services providing everybody the right to use the Internet safely and with personal data confidence storage. Now, over 400 million people worldwide use Avast products. Avast is the world’s most trusted antivirus, preventing about 66 million daily threats. In addition, it showed promising results in independent test laboratories (including AV-Test Institute). It is also popular because of its excellent ease of use with quick download and installation.

Avast has an antivirus, a browser, a cleanup tool, VPN for home and business purposes, free and premium paid packages. The free version has basic functions with a decent level of security: virus scans, malware protection, real-time protection, and a Wi-Fi inspector for checking the quality of public connection. Paid plans provide more features such as real-time security alerts, file shredder, advanced firewall, anti-spam feature, and better customer support.

Premium versions protect from all Internet threats, including advanced ones on 10 devices, and offer several options for customer support – 24/7 support, remote troubleshooting, and remote virus and spyware removal. Avast also has proposals for small and large businesses.

Malwarebytes has given cyber protection to everyone since 2006 – home devices and businesses. All malware and privacy protection proposals are behavior-based, powered by AI and the latest technical achievements. This antivirus is available in 30 languages and is installed on Windows, macOS, Android, ChromeOS, and iOS.

From a safety point of view, Malwarebytes is now top-rated among other popular competitors and receives top scores for performance and protection from independent laboratories. It can protect with effectiveness 99.4% from zero-day threats and 100% from 4-weeks old malware. In the last 30 days, Malwarebytes stopped more than 44 malware attacks.

Malwarebytes has quite a significant number of features: real-time protection, phishing protection, anti-malware, intuitive dashboard, monthly health reports, exploits protection, protection from unnecessary advertisement, trackers blockage, blockage of malicious web pages, no-log VPN, and Wi-Fi security. Unfortunately, some features are available only for Windows users.

One of the significant advantages is that the antivirus uses minimal system resources without affecting the CPU. The free version includes only basic protective features, advanced protection is provided for premium users and users with a premium + privacy VPN package.

verdict

Avast has a more extended history and is more popular, even though current Malwarebytes protection is not worse. Also, Avast has more features, such as an advanced firewall and a password manager. So, Avast is the winner.

Avast vs. Malwarebytes – Face-to-Face Comparison

In this section, we will review all features that both Antivirus can propose. Keep in mind some of them are available only in the paid versions.

Antivirus Scanner

Avast has several scanning options: smart scan (all-inclusive complete checkup of PC for all security, privacy, and performance issues); and rescue disk (scans the system while the system is turned off for sagely removal of malware. Using real-time intelligence, Avast blocks viruses, ransomware, malware from all your devices).

Malwarebytes has more intuitive scans options: quick scan (searching for active infections in memory and start-up objects and takes only a minute), threat scan (a recommended scan method to find threats in the most common system locations), and customs scam (you can set what to scan and how to handle the suspicious objects, can be used for external devices). Moreover, in the settings, what kind of threats should be disabled or turned on.

verdict

Malwarebytes can perform quick scans, scan remote devices and customize all options; these options are not available for Avast. So, Malwarebytes is the winner.

Protection Options

Avast Premium Security package offers total protection against malware and cyber threats. The malware protections received the highest level of security in numerous independent tests – 6 out of 6.

Avast proposes several protection shields:

• file shield – scans all files before opening on PC,
• botnet shield – protects against malware (spam, stealing data, committing fraud, and other illegal activities),
• behavior shield – warning of all suspicious app behavior,
• web shield – blocks web attacks and unsafe downloads,
• mail shield – blocks dangerous attachments from email.

In addition, it has a firewall that monitors network activity and informs about suspicious actions. With this package, you can open suspicious files in safe mode without any threats to your system (Avast calls this feature “sandbox”). Automatically all suspicious files are analyzed in the cloud in case of threat and are cured; while files are suspicious, they are stored in quarantine, isolated from the system files.

You also receive decent Internet browsing protection: the built-in utility “Anti-spam” protects your email box from malicious emails, and the actual site utility protects you from visiting malicious websites. If you have a microphone or webcam, inside this package, there is also a webcam shield to prevent unauthorized person access and change of settings. Avast proved that even if all protective measures are on, the performance speed of your device will not drop significantly, only for several percent, which is an excellent result.

Malwarebytes offers real-time protection for Premium users (not included in the free version). In the background, all suspicious processes are stopped even before they can be a threat to your device.

It has several protection layers:

• Web protection – blocks infected and fake websites,
• Malware and PUP protection – blocks from hackers, malicious websites, infected and potentially unwanted programs,
• Ransomware protection – protects files, documents, PC, and photos from unpatched software,
• Exploit protection.

Malwarebytes also secures from brute force login attacks, and the application itself is protected from uninstall by hackers. The user can check in the application dashboard his current security status and receive advice on how to improve it if required. During game and video watching, Malwarebytes suspends notifications and leaves only emergency alerts.

verdict

Avast has more shields and protection options, so it is the winner.

Supported OS

Avast and Malwarebytes are easily installed in three steps: download from the official website (or app store for mobile apps and Chromebook), open the file and install with the wizard’s guidance. All features and packages of Avast are compatible with Windows and macOS. Malwarebytes has some functions exclusively for Windows users. Mobile applications of both antiviruses are limited for iOS devices.

verdict

The system and hardware requirements for Malwarebytes and Avast are close. Only Malwarebytes can additionally be used on Chromebooks. Therefore, there is no winner for this parameter.

User Interface

Avast has a user-friendly, intuitive interface. The app has a black background with all features collected on the vertical panel on the left side of the screen – status, protection, privacy, and performance. All these buttons can be expanded to obtain more detailed information. In addition, in the menu button on the top, you can access settings for detailed customization.

Malwarebytes has a simple and intuitive user interface as well. The application is designed in two colors – white and blue. The application in the center has the current protection status and occurred problems. Below are three buttons – detection story (here you can see quarantined files), scanner (you can schedule the scan here), and real-time protection status. All customized features should be set in the title bar in the upper part.

verdict

Both programs are very well-designed and have friendly interfaces. There is no winner between Avast vs. Malwarebytes in this regard.

VPN

Avast includes SecureLine VPN into Avast One package for anonymous browsing not traceable by hackers. You can also buy VPN services separately (from $4.39 per month). Avast VPN has 700 servers in 55 locations (34 countries) that allow the creation of a secure network with access to geo-blocked content.

You will be automatically connected to an optimal server in one click. This intermediate network hides online activity and protects connection privacy even with public Wi-Fi. Avast VPN is an open-source software based on OpenVPN protocol, has 256-bit encryption, servers with support of P2P, and DNS leak protection.

Avast VPN hides the actual IP address and changes it to a single shared IP address for all users. To use the service, you do not need to log in. Instead, only choose in the installed application the required server. After you connect to one of the servers, your Internet activity will not be recorded or tracked. Each server has a maximum speed of up to 2 Gbit/s. The VPN supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. You can download a 7-day free trial if you purchase the service separately.

The user can obtain Malwarebytes VPN inside the Premium + Privacy VPN or as a separate tool (from $3.33 per month for one device). You will get next-generation VPN service without logins to protect the user’s digital fingerprint. It has more than 500 servers in more than 30 countries. The VPN can be used for all devices supported by Malwarebytes Antivirus.

The service masks your actual IP address and location, encrypts the connection (256-bit), and gives the opportunity to choose any of the available services. It uses WireGuard Protocol ensuring fast connection speeds without lags. The VPN users can connect to unsafe Wi-FI but still feel secure about their sensitive files as the VPN offers a protected tunnel between the user and the Internet.

Premium Malwarebytes subscribers can add VPN to their plans by adding this option to their website accounts. The user will receive an email with activation instructions. If you download this tool separately, you have a 7-day trial.

verdict

Avast and Malwarebytes have close VPN services with a similar number of features, encryption characteristics, number of servers, and price. There is no winner.

System Optimizer

Another tool for Avast One users is the Clean-up Tool for cleaning all junk files and keeping your device at optimal performance level. It is also available as a paid separate tool –Avast Cleanup Premium. It speeds up and optimizes the work of your PC (available for Windows, iOS, and Android). The Cleanup Premium tool turns off the programs that are not used and slows down the PC performance.

It identifies unwanted toolbars, not used for ages files, temporary files, old backups, cache, installation files, trial versions, and software and deletes them. It also can perform defragmentation to arrange files on a hard disc for better performance and reduce startup time. Cleanup Premium also takes care of the registry, broken shortcuts, and discs. And the last important feature – is to update the essential applications automatically.

To update drivers, Avast has Avast Driver Updater. In addition to scanning and updating PC drivers, it fixes the software but only for 1 Windows device.

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner which can be downloaded for free but separately, helps to clean the PC from unwanted programs, adware, and junk files. This program does not use any memory or CPU; it optimizes its performance. You can also scan using this tool PC for adware, spyware, unwanted browser toolbars, unwanted programs (PUPs), and other content slowing down your PC.

Attention

Unfortunately, this tool does not protect users from installing programs without consent or aggressive advertisements.

For that, you need to install Malwarebytes Premium, but you can delete all traces of this software with this tool. This tool is available only for Windows 7,8,10, and 11. To start using the tool, you need to download it from the official website, open the program and start the scanning.

verdict

Avast Cleaning tool has more features than Malwarebytes, especially regarding software updates and fixes broken shortcuts and discs. Avast is the winner in this category.

Privacy Optimization

Avast has several separate tools to protect user’s identities. Secure Browser and Online Security & Guard are available for free. Other tools, including Secure Browser Pro, have several tariff plans.

To protect user privacy, Malwarebytes can propose only Browser Guard. Its primary purpose is to block unwanted Internet content and give the user a safe and uninterrupted browsing experience.

With this extension, you can browse four times faster as all ads and other slow-downloading unwanted content will be blocked. This tool also blocks third-party tracers and blocks web pages with malware.

It works only with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari browsers. For Safari, the extension is available in the App Store, and for other browsers, in the Chrome Web Store.

verdict

Malwarebytes provides fewer privacy tools than Avast, so Avast is the winner.

Password Manager

Avast offers all Premium Security package users a Password Manager to protect passwords and login information for your multiple accounts on different websites. In addition, you will receive an immediate alert if your password has been hacked or leaked.

verdict

As Malwarebytes does not have a solution for managing passwords, Avast is the winner.

Mobile version

Avast presents two separate versions for Android and iPhone users. Both applications do not impact the battery and do not slow down the mobile performance.
The Android version was installed more than 100 million times and has a 4.8 score out of 5 on Google Play. Avast for Android provides powerful 100% protection against malware and viruses with perfect application usability.

It has multiple features as a regular PC version (the main ones are presented, but not limited):

• performs regular scans,
• detects malicious applications before their installation,
• blocks suspicious links,
• checks the quality of Wi-Fi connections,
• secures photos and video with PIN code, fingerprint, or other protection,
• hides identity and changes geolocation with VPN,
• track devices’ geolocation,
• provides information about passwords leakage,
• enhance performance by removing junk files and performing RAM boost.

IPhone application, due to the limitations of iOS, has fewer features: Wi-Fi advisor, passwords and photos protection, and VPN.
Malwarebytes mobile app for Android has already been downloaded more than 10 million times.
Even though the number of features is limited, it still provides robust protection for mobile phones:

• detects dangerous threats;
• removes malware and ransomware;
• detects aggressive adware and PUPs;
• makes privacy audit checking apps tracking user’s activities;
• real-time protection;
• scanning URLs to provide a safe browsing experience;
• checks privacy privileges for applications.

The application for iPhone has different features: protection from online threats, blocking spam calls and messages, safe browsing, and protection from online scams.

verdict

The number of features for both Avast and Malwarebytes mobile apps (for Android) is impressive, and they both protect perfectly well. For iPhone users, the possibilities are significantly lower. So, there is no winner.

Additional tools

Avast, like many other premium antiviruses, has a file shredder. In the paid version, you can permanently delete all files, including junk files, to clean your system memory.

Avast One package proposes an additional Password Premium feature that allows quick login into websites.

verdict

As there are no other additional tools despite mentioned earlier for Malwarebytes, Avast is the winner in this comparison.

Price

Price has a significant impact on a purchase decision.

So, Avast has several proposals based on the number of features and supported devices. Paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Malwarebytes also has several proposals based on features (with VPN or without) and on a number of devices, but limited only to 5 devices. Paid plans have a 60-day money-back guarantee.

All antiviruses have special proposals for businesses of all sizes.

verdict

The Premium package for one is cheaper for Malwarebytes, but for more devices, the Avast proposal is more reasonable. Also, the ultra-premium proposal from Malwarebytes is more attractive, as five devices will be protected at the same price. So, Malwarebytes is the winner.

Conclusion

Avast and Malwarebytes are top-rated antivirus programs. They provide perfect security for PC and Android devices. Avast, in addition to real-time protection, has numerous additional features in privacy optimization, a password manager, and a file shredder. But Malwarebytes is better organized for quick scans and is cheaper. If you do not want to pay more for additional tools, then Malwarebytes is a perfect choice. Avast is a perfect solution for those who prefer to receive all in one package.