Malwarebytes Review 2026
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Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes Premium scored the maximum 6/6 for protection, performance and usability in AV-TEST's July–August 2026 round, so it can be your only antivirus if you want a light, simple product. The free version finds and removes existing infections but has no real-time protection — keep it as a second-opinion scanner.
Best for
Users who want a lightweight malware scanner alongside their existing antivirus, or those dealing with an active infection
Not for
Users who want a full security suite with VPN, firewall, and parental controls
Prices verified April 2026. Always confirm directly with provider.
Norton 360
Norton 360 bundles antivirus, a VPN, a password manager, and dark-web monitoring in one subscription — an option you can sign up for right now. It does not change our editorial assessment on this page.
Visit Norton 360Pros
- Premium scored 6/6 for protection, performance and usability in AV-TEST's July–August 2026 round
- Free version is a useful second-opinion scanner for existing infections
- Light, simple interface
- Browser Guard extension blocks ads, trackers and scam sites
- 60-day money-back guarantee mentioned on its website
Cons
- Free version has no real-time protection
- No firewall, parental controls or password manager
- VPN only in the Premium + Privacy bundle
- Pricing page did not show amounts when checked
Malwarebytes Review 2026: The Short Verdict
Malwarebytes is enough on its own for many people now — Malwarebytes Premium scored the maximum 6 out of 6 for protection, performance and usability in AV-TEST's July–August 2026 Windows round, level with Bitdefender and Norton. Its free version is a different product: according to Malwarebytes' own site it finds and removes infections already on a device but does not provide real-time protection. So the honest answer is: Premium can be your only antivirus; the free version is a second-opinion cleaner to keep alongside whatever protects you in real time.
Free vs Premium at a glance
| Malwarebytes Free | Malwarebytes Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Finds and removes existing infections | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time protection | No — Malwarebytes says this is a Premium feature | Yes |
| AV-TEST Jul–Aug 2026 (protection / performance / usability) | Not tested as a product | 6 / 6 / 6, TOP PRODUCT |
| Best use | Occasional second-opinion scan | Primary protection for people who want a light, simple product |
Protection: what the latest lab round shows
AV-TEST tests Windows products against malware discovered within the previous 24 hours and against a reference set of widespread recent malware. In its July–August 2026 home-user round (checked 16 October 2026), Malwarebytes Premium 5.5 and 5.6 scored 6/6 for protection, 6/6 for performance and 6/6 for usability, earning TOP PRODUCT. Earlier criticism that Malwarebytes lagged the big suites on detection is not supported by that round — but one round is a snapshot, so check the latest results before deciding.
What Premium adds
Malwarebytes describes Premium as real-time protection; the product combines web protection against malicious sites, malware protection, ransomware protection and exploit protection. The separate Browser Guard extension blocks ads, trackers and scam sites in the browser. A Premium + Privacy bundle adds a VPN, which is fine for public Wi-Fi but not a substitute for a dedicated VPN if you need many locations or streaming.
How to use the free version as a second opinion
Step 1. Download Malwarebytes from its official website only. Step 2. Run a full scan while your main antivirus stays on. Step 3. Review what it found before quarantining — potentially unwanted programs are sometimes tools you installed on purpose. Step 4. Quarantine the rest and restart. Step 5. If infections keep coming back, change your important passwords from a clean device and consider reinstalling the operating system.
What it does not include
Malwarebytes is deliberately narrow: no firewall, parental controls or password manager. If you want those in one subscription, a suite such as Norton 360 or Bitdefender Total Security fits better — compare them in our best antivirus software ranking or the Malwarebytes vs Norton comparison.
Pricing and guarantee
Malwarebytes sells Premium per device and per year, with family and small-business options; its pricing page did not display amounts when we checked, so confirm the current price on its site. Its free-version page mentions a 60-day money-back guarantee on purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malwarebytes enough on its own?
Malwarebytes Premium can be: it scored 6/6 for protection in AV-TEST's July–August 2026 round. The free version cannot, because it has no real-time protection.
Is Malwarebytes free version safe to use with another antivirus?
Yes — that is its main purpose. Run it as an occasional scan alongside your real-time protection, such as Microsoft Defender.
Does Malwarebytes slow down your computer?
Malwarebytes Premium scored 6/6 for performance in AV-TEST's latest round, which measures system slow-down during everyday tasks.
Does Malwarebytes have a money-back guarantee?
Its website mentions a 60-day money-back guarantee. Check the terms for your region before buying.
Checked 16 October 2026: AV-TEST Windows home-user results (July–August 2026) and test procedures; malwarebytes.com/free. See also do you need antivirus in 2026?
Reviewed by Thomas Lovas Lokoy, Co-founder & Editor — researched and drafted with AI assistance, then read, fact-checked and approved by Thomas before publishing · Editorial policy · Disclosure
