Written by Ria du Plessis - Web Developer Updated on August 12 , 2021 |
It's not easy to figure out which antivirus software to use when you are not that tech-savvy. There are so many options available, and trying to decide between them can be stressful and confusing. We compare the general pros and cons, the key features, protection capabilities, system performance impact, pricing, and customer support options in this in-depth comparison of Malwarebytes VS Windows Defender.
| Our verdict on overall best antivirus program is Malwarebytes |
Malwarebytes Pros | Windows Defender Pros |
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Malwarebytes Cons | Windows Defender Cons |
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Windows Defender is a free antivirus that is included with every Windows PC with most of the basic features you want from an antivirus solution.
Malwarebytes, on the other hand, has a paid version as well as a free version available. The free version sticks to the fundamentals; it only includes a tool that you can use to scan your computer manually and remove any malware you find.
The paid version has a lot more functionality, including a VPN function. The features included in the paid version give Malwarebytes a leg up on the competition.
Both Malwarebytes and Windows Defender have excellent base-level malware protection.
| Malwarebytes vs Windows Defender overall winner: Malwarebytes |
The key to choosing the best antivirus is evaluating your wants and needs and matching them with the features available by one of these quality products.
Let's look at the table below to compare the key features included with Malwarebytes and Windows Defender.
Malwarebytes | Windows Defender | |
Virus Scanner | Yes | Yes |
Threat Protection | Yes | Yes |
Malware Removal | Yes | Yes |
Phishing Detection | Yes | Yes |
Spyware Protection | Yes | Yes |
Ransomware Protection | Yes | No |
Cloud Backup | Yes | No |
Firewall | No | Yes |
VPN | Yes | No |
Browser Protection | Yes | Yes |
Webcam Protection | No | No |
Password Manager | No | No |
Identity Theft Protection | No | No |
Parental Control | No | Yes |
Safe Banking | No | No |
Performance Optimization | No | No |
Cleaning Tools | No | No |
File Shredder | No | No |
Game Mode | Yes | No |
Mobile App | Yes | No |
As you can see, Malwarebytes offers more features overall than Windows Defender. It is important to note that the features listed are those included with the full version of Malwarebytes; the free version is much more pared-down.
We would describe the free version as non-intrusive. For those who are confident about cybersecurity and are looking for a tool to scan their computer and remove malware, Malwarebytes' free offering is a nice piece of software.
The VPN that comes with Malwarebytes' paid version makes it worth every penny. In that sense, Windows Defender falls short in terms of functionality. The gaming mode and the mobile app cement it as the clear winner in terms of features.
Windows Defender is not a bad antivirus solution, but it does offer fewer features.
| Winner for key features: Malwarebytes |
Both Malwarebytes and Windows Defender offer excellent protection from malware.
The website AV-test.org, a third-party antivirus software evaluator, has given them both top marks for protection as of April 2021.
Malwarebytes Results;
Malwarebytes detected 100% of the 278 malware samples that were used in the test to detect zero-day malware attacks.
In the widespread detection test, Malwarebytes also detected 100% of the 16990 malware samples that were used.
Windows Defender Results;
Windows Defender also detected all the malware attack samples that were used in both tests, giving the software an excellent score.
Malwarebytes' Premium version was tested compared to the Free Windows Defender. The Malwarebytes free version may not be up to the same level of security, given that it doesn’t offer real-time protection.
If you want free protection it is clear that Windows Defender is a quality solution. We're calling this one a tie.
| Winner for malware protection: Tie |
We turned to our friends at AV-test.org again for information about the performance of both of these software providers. Once again, both competitors scored top marks.
Windows Defender Results;
These results for Windows Defender are not surprising; it's pre-installed on any Windows PC, so it should function very well with other Microsoft software.
Malwarebytes Results;
For Malwarebytes, the full-featured version of the software won't slow down your computer's performance too much.
Given that Malwarebytes has significantly more features, we've given them the win in this category, despite the score being a tie. Having more features while still not slowing down system performance is crucial.
| Malwarebytes vs Windows Defender winner for system performance: Malwarebytes |
Malwarebytes has a free version: a just-the-basics, non-intrusive, functional tool you can use to scan for and remove malware from your computer.
They offer a variety of Premium options: single-device Premium for $3.33/month, Premium for five devices for $6.67/month, and Premium + Privacy for five devices for $8.33/month, all of which are billed annually.
Windows Defender, on the other hand, is completely free. There’s not an option to upgrade to a more complete version.
| Winner for price: Windows Defender |
The products offered by both of these developers are incredibly user-friendly. For those who want something that won't intrude on their experience at all, Malwarebytes' free option allows you to scan as you see fit. The Premium version will give you a more complete protection package.
In this case, we wouldn't necessarily say that one is more user-friendly than the other in general.
As usual, we recommend you take a good hard look at what it is you expect from your antivirus software. Use that as a roadmap to navigate your way to satisfaction.
| Winner for user-friendliness: Tie |
Malwarebytes screenshot for the menu
Windows Defender screenshot for the menu
Malwarebytes offers customers online support via a live chat feature. This is the only support option they have available. It may seem like an attractive solution, but the reality is that the agents aren't always well-informed, and the wait times aren't as short as we would like.
Windows Defender is backed up by a fully-fledged customer support system put in place by Microsoft to handle all of their products. You have the option to chat with them via an AI feature.
In this category, Windows Defender wins based mostly on the size of the company that makes it.
| Winner for customer support: Windows Defender |
This verdict gets a little complicated. If we're comparing apples to apples, Windows Defender beats Malwarebytes' free version.
It has more features, and it scores at least equally high in terms of malware protection and system performance.
If we look at the paid version of Malwarebytes, there are some clear and powerful advantages. Their VPN comes to mind.
There’s no doubt that Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy is the winner, but that doesn't necessarily make it the right antivirus for you. If you don't want to pay for your software or just don't feel you need all the added bells and whistles, either of the free options mentioned in this article will do a great job of keeping your data secure.
In any case, we hope this article has been informative and has helped you get a better idea of which antivirus is right for you.
