Malwarebytes vs. CCleaner Comparison Review

1. Real-Time Protection

As the name suggests, Real-Time Protection works in the background, protecting your PC from real-time threats. It includes Web Protection, Malware Protection, Exploit Protection, and Ransomware Protection.

Web Protection shields your PC by blocking infected websites, while Malware Protection and Ransomware Protection keep malware and ransomware at bay. Exploit Protection, on the other hand, is a much-advanced feature that targets exploit attacks related to software and security vulnerabilities.

Real-Time Protection is available on the Malwarebytes Premium plan only.

2. System Scan

Another feature is System Scan, which thoroughly finds malware and threats that hide deep into your computer system. Initially, Malwarebytes had 4 scan levels, but with the release of Malwarebytes v4, the scans were truncated to 3; Hyper Scan, Threat Scan, and Custom Scan.

Hyper Scan is the fastest but only targets your PC’s memory and startup objects.
Threat Scan is more comprehensive as it scans memory objects, registry objects, file system objects, and startup objects.
Custom Scan, on the other hand, lets you choose specifics. You can choose to scan part of your system or all of it. You can also target rootkits and other malware that are difficult to detect.

3. Malicious Website Protection

Also known as URL filtering, Malicious Website Protection blocks access to phishing and scam sites and prevents your device from harboring malware and unwanted programs. It works by intercepting DNS queries and blocking malicious IP addresses and domains.

Malicious Website Protection is available only on the Malwarebytes Premium plan.

4. Browser Guard

Malwarebytes can also keep your browsing safe courtesy of Browser Guard, a Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge extension. It blocks ads and keeps 3rd party trackers, scams, browser hijackers, and malware at bay.

Browser Guard is included in Malwarebytes antivirus. You can decide whether or not to install the extension.

5. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN

Interestingly, Malwarebytes has a VPN that supports WireGuard protocol and boasts AES 256-bit encryption. Even though the server network is not as vast, it’s still a worthy addition.

The VPN is available with the Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy plan.

6. Quarantined Files

This is another cool feature that quarantines infected files instead of discarding them. So in case, the file that raised the red flag is not a real threat, you can get it back. You can also put it on a whitelist so it won’t be flagged down in the future.

1. Clean Junk Files

Junk files include temporary internet files (cache files), temporary program data, temporary system files, old program files, recycle bin files, and thumbnails.

One thing about junk files is that they unnecessarily take up a lot of space and slow down your PC. Finding junk files manually can be tedious, but CCleaner lets you easily find and clear them effortlessly.

2. Registry Cleaner

CCleaner doesn’t just clean junk files. It can also help you eliminate redundant and invalid entries in Windows Registry. Such files are another cause for slow performance.

All you need to do is run a scan on your Windows Registry, and CCleaner will give you a detailed report of all the redundant and invalid entries. You can then choose to fix all of them at a go or deal with them one by one.

3. Software Updater

Your PC’s performance could deteriorate because of outdated software. Finding outdated programs and drivers can be tedious now that software that is up-to-date today could be outdated tomorrow. This is where CCleaner comes in.

CCleaner has a tool that scans for outdated software and helps you keep all drivers and programs up-to-date with automatic checks and automatic updates.

4. Software Uninstaller

From time to time, you will have to do away with some programs. Even though you can uninstall a program without CCleaner, its advantage is that it allows for batch uninstallation.

Remember, without such a utility, you can only uninstall programs one by one, which is tedious.

5. Automatic Browser Protection

If you want to protect your digital footprint, CCleaner Kamo will come in handy. With this feature, you can program CCleaner to delete your cache, cookies, and history to protect your online privacy.

Clearing cookies and cache also boost browser performance.

6. CCleaner Browser

Also worth mentioning is the CCleaner browser, a fast, secure browser for Windows PCs. It is an ultralight supercharged browser that uses 50% less memory as it suspends unused tabs in the background and extends battery life by 20%.

Regarding privacy, it masks your browser fingerprint so you can go about your business anonymously. The good thing is that the CCleaner browser is free.

7. Defragger

Another feature CCleaner boasts is Defragger which speeds up your PC by defragging hard drives and individual files. Defragging is all about assembling fragmented files and organizing them efficiently. There is a free version of this feature and a pro version with all the features.

8. Recuva

CCleaner can also help you retrieve lost files. It has an add-on feature called Recuva that recovers files from your Windows PC, recycle bin, and damaged disks. You can also retrieve buried files and securely delete files with Recuva. It is available as a free download but with fewer features. Again, the best option is the paid plan.

9. Speccy

Last is Speccy, a fast and ultralightweight advanced system information utility that digs deeper into your system so you can spot threats in detail and find solutions.

There is also a free version of Speccy and a paid plan.

10. Performance Optimizer

A new feature CCleaner boasts is Performance Optimizer. While CCleaner’s primary duty to enhance speeds is clearing junk files, Performance Optimizer detects unnecessary startup items and background tasks and temporarily stops them enhancing speeds and performance.

CCleaner says that Performance Optimizer boosts startup speeds by 72% and overall speeds by 34%.