Avira vs. Malwarebytes – Comparison review

Avira is award-winning software that allows you to secure your privacy and improve your device performance with one click. During regular checks, it scans for privacy and performance issues, existing viruses, outdated apps, and possible network threats. As a result, you will have a report with all the issues found and recommendations to follow up.

It can not only scan for problems but also fix them by adjusting settings, clearing and quarantining harmful files, deleting cookies, etc. Many of these essential features for your cyber security Avira provides for free. To enhance your PC’s performance, there are paid tariffs allowing you to stay safe during online shopping, banking, and browsing. The antivirus is cloud-based to decrease your device memory load, but even so, it offers real-time protection from the latest online threats, ransomware, Trojans, malware, and many more.

More than 80 million customers worldwide have already proven Avira’s expertise. It has received awards for best usability, best anti-phishing tools, malware protection, performance, and real-time protection. You can download Avira for the most common device types and protect with one plan of up to 25 devices (Amira Prime). Special discounts are provided for seniors and students.

Malwarebytes proposes one of the best malware removal and protection software on the market for personal and business. There are free and paid packages for all personal and business needs. All tools use less than 50% CPU resources, and you can always turn off notifications during gaming or watching movies. The friendly interface is customizable to meet your needs.

Malware protects your identity and sensitive documents from hackers, crushes malware attacks, blocks malicious and fake websites, and offers exclusive features with a unique Browser Guard. Moreover, Security Advisor in the all-in-one dashboard helps to set the best settings and informs regarding all threats and resolving solutions (available only for Mac and Windows). You may try all features for free in the limited-duration trial.

After a quick download, Malwarebytes software is ready for immediate action. The Premium packages have $1 million and 2 million identity protection insurance and provide real-time notification in case of exposed personal information. Personal data breaches are monitored on the Internet and the Dark Web. If required, you can use plans with credit and social media monitoring.

Avira technologies allow to block more than 900 million threats in 100 days and prevent 23 million phishing attempts per month. Your device and all removable devices are scanned from malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks in real-time in the background, or you can start it manually for a folder or a device.

The Avira database of potential threats receives 10.000 new virus strains every day and is always up-to-date, and includes known and unknown threats. Free antivirus scanner is available for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. However, behavior-based analysis is performed only inside paid packages.

Malwarebytes is already installed on more than 60.000 devices worldwide; 225 million files are scanned every month to prevent 9 million threats. For all users, a free online virus scanner is available to stop infections and remove malware from the PC. In the detailed report, all detected malicious software and viruses are provided. You can choose further actions – remove or keep it.

You can start the scan with one click from the dashboard, as well as set scheduled scans. In the “Security” menu, you can choose between a particular type of scan –rootkits or ransomware, or choose an overall scan for all threats (Trojan, spyware, viruses, and more).

Avira obtains several antivirus protection tools based on next-generation artificial intelligence. It detects in real-time from PUA and malware, phishing, infected sites, Trojans, spyware, adware and more. It ensures that ransomware does not encrypt the data. Another Avira protection tool is the Firewall. It blocks unauthorized apps trying to receive access to your system files and private data. It monitors all worms and viruses, scanning the computer ports. In case of any potential harmful threats, all attempts will be blocked, and you receive a notification. These tools are available in all Avira packages (Prime, Antivirus Pro, and Internet Security).

To ensure that your PC has the latest software, the software updater inside Avira Prime and Internet Security packages automatically updates all installed programs, applications, drives, and operating systems. Such updates will protect you from exploits, improve the system stability, and enhance performance. All updates are executed silently without slowing down the PC.

You can also download for free separately Avira Software Updater for Windows for optimizing your hardware performance and updating drivers and software. More functional Software Update PRO is available for $32.99 per year with OS update and priority access.

Malwarebytes in the dashboard provided control of the required protection levels. You can activate/deactivate web, malware, ransomware, and exploit protections.

In addition to scanning capabilities, the antivirus perfectly removes found threats. All defenses are based on proprietary intelligent technologies. You also receive brute force protection for guessing your login info and uninstalling blocks, not allowing malware to disable your antivirus security.

In addition to the identity threat alerts and private data leakage monitoring, you will get lost wallet assistance and toll-free customer service.
Depending on your device (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebook), you will receive specific essential features. For example, Mac users receive the App Block, which blocks applications wanting to bypass security and have a quick scan for 30 seconds.

Avira allows to browse safely without tracking, geo-tracking, and censorship. Like any other VPN, the provided service masks the IP address and changes it to secure your connection. The user can surf in public hotspots.

It is available only in Avira Prime; for other packages, you can download it for free for Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS from the official website. The free version offers 500 MB/month; the paid version is unlimited for $10.00/month. Avira offers for all users 1400 VPN servers from 37 countries from all over the world).

Malwarebytes, among other security tools, has a Privacy VPN. It allows you to block your real IP and change your geo-location to prevent tracking, secure any Wi-Fi connection, and allow access to blocked websites. All traffic through VPN is encrypted (256-bit) without slowing down the connection speed and lags as next-gen technology and WireGuard protocol is used.

Malwarebytes policy ensures no storage or sharing of personal data. You can choose between more than 500 servers from 40 countries. The service is available for $3.99/month or $39.99 per year (1 device). Subscription plans for 3 and 5 devices are also available

Avira has tools to increase PC speed and for tune up. It removes junk files, reorganizes resources to free up the live memory, and defragments the disk. After optimization, the PC will start up faster without lags, and the battery will work longer.

In the web browser, you can set the automatic deletion of history, cache, cookies, and other traces of Internet activity. The PC’s registry is subject to analysis and cleaning for all problems, crashes, freezing, and other errors. As an additional feature, you can encrypt the most sensitive files. This tool is available only in the Avira Prime package.

You can purchase the Speedup tool separately for Windows. It includes 40 different tools, such as a file shredder, disk wiper, power boost, easy uninstaller, and more ($4.99 per month). Its simple interface keeps your Windows device clean and lean.

Malwarebytes has a tool to remove unwanted software and junk files from your PC – Malwarebytes AdwCleaner. Using innovative technologies, it detects and removes all unnecessary software and files, as well as adware and spyware that slow down your computer.

The tool does not use the memory; it should not be installed. This tool is great in removing certain types of dangerous programs (not all, so it can’t be used as an antivirus) and works perfectly paired with Malwarebytes Premium. The tool is free and should be downloaded from the official website.

For users value their online privacy Avira has an extension – Avira Secure Browser, that is downloaded for free from the official website. It blocks dangerous URLs and websites (opens HTTPS-encrypted websites), stops phishing and scam attacks, controls online privacy, blocks trackers and ads, erases your digital fingerprint, and securely stores accounts and passwords.

You can be sure, with this tool, that your search results, cache, cookies, and browser history will be erased after the session. You will be notified if someone gets unauthorized access to your webcam. It is available only for Windows users, and one download is for one device.

Malwarebytes also has Browser Guard, which is available as an extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Using this guard, you are protected from unwanted and unsafe content. The extension identifies and stops scams, removes annoying ads, protects your privacy, blocks third-party ad trackers, and stops malware in the browser. After decreasing the number of displayed ads, the browser will download all pages four times faster.

There are proposals for personal needs (plans for 3 and 5 devices) and teams. In the standard option (from $3.75 per month or $44.99 per year) for 1 or 3 devices, you get premium technical support 24/7 and Browser Guard; in the Plus option (from $6.67 per month or $79.99 per year) for 3 or 5 devices the package also includes privacy VPN.

Avira has a multi-functional password manager that creates unique passwords and stores them in a safe encrypted wallet with one master password access. You can set cross-device synchronization to use the service on several devices. You will receive a notification in case of a password breach. The Password Manager is available with two packages: Avira Prime and Avira Internet Security.

Malwarebytes does not have a password manager, but all users may use a password generator on the official website. It creates strong passwords using numbers, symbols, lowercase and uppercase letters. Created passwords could be part of all two-factor authentication.

Avira proposes for iOS and Android users a Free Antivirus Scanner and a Pro version. The Security Pro version for Android protects from all types of online threats, blocks suspicious websites, and protects cameras and microphones from unauthorized access. In addition to antivirus protection, you get a free VPN with 100 MB per day, app control, and device optimizer to improve its performance and web protection.

In case your device is stolen, your data will be protected, and you can control your device remotely. It is available for $11.99 per year. If you need unlimited VPN traffic and protection from robot and spam calls (available only for Canada and the USA), the Prime Mobile option for $31.99/year is available. By the way, the Avira Prime package includes protection for five devices, including smartphones.

For iOS users, the Avira Security Pro has similar functionality: identity and theft protection, SIRI private searches, blockages of malicious websites and phishing attacks, secure storage and accounts, iOS updater, device analyzer, contacts backup, and web protection. The Pro version is available for $7.99 per year, and the Prime version is available for $31.99/year (with unlimited VPN, call blocker, and password manager).

Malwarebytes has separate antiviruses for Android and iOS. The Android and iOS versions have the all-in-one app with antivirus security and VPN. It blocks scams, viruses, malware, ransomware, phishing scams, and unwanted apps.

All threats are detected in real time before they can cause any harm to your device. Unfortunately, malware scanners do not work on iOS apps. Meanwhile, all Apple devices are designed with strong protection from this kind of threat.

These apps are available for download only at the corresponding online stores (App Store and Google Play Market). Provided VPN service using sophisticated encryption and WireGuard protocol.

To increase online safety while shopping, Avira offers Avira Safe Shopping, which can be downloaded for free as an extension for Chrome, Opera, or Edge. It not only stops malicious websites and prevents hijackings but also finds the best shopping deals. The interface is adjustable; you can choose between settings—blockage of ads, web tracking, extension analysis, dark mode, and more. The extensions show the number of blocked ads and trackers on each page.

Malwarebytes does not have additional tools that are not already described in the article.