{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "malwarebytes",
            "name": "Malwarebytes",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.malwarebytes.com/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/malwarebytes",
            "tagline": "Malware scanner with free cleaners and paid Premium Security",
            "summary": "Malwarebytes is a security company that sells malware protection for PCs, Macs, Android and iPhone. It offers a free malware scan and device cleaners, and paid Premium Security plans that add protection from malicious websites, a browser guard and a VPN.",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "android",
                "ios"
            ],
            "pricing": "freemium",
            "price_note": "Free scanner and cleaners; paid Premium Security plans",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Free malware scan and device cleaners",
                "Covers PCs, Macs, Android and iPhone",
                "60-day money-back guarantee on paid plans"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Ongoing protection and the VPN come with paid plans",
                "Pricing is shown per year with discounts that expire"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Malwarebytes scans for malware and removes what it finds, and its site offers a free download to start a virus and malware scan. Free device cleaners and the AdwCleaner tool are also listed. The paid Premium Security tier adds protection from malicious websites and scams, a browser guard that blocks ads and trackers, and privacy tools including a VPN.\n\nPlans are sold per year for individuals, families, small businesses and sole proprietors, and the homepage shows a 60-day money-back guarantee. Premium Security covers PCs, Macs, Android devices and iPhones."
        },
        {
            "slug": "microsoft-defender",
            "name": "Microsoft Defender Antivirus",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/microsoft-defender",
            "tagline": "Built-in antivirus in Windows Security, included with Windows",
            "summary": "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the built-in antivirus in Windows Security, made by Microsoft. It comes with Windows at no extra charge, and Microsoft sells a separate Defender subscription for individuals to protect Android, iPhone and Mac devices.",
            "developer": "Microsoft",
            "platforms": [
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "free",
            "price_note": "Included with Windows; no separate purchase",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Included with Windows at no extra cost",
                "Needs no separate install or setup",
                "Personal subscription available for other devices"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Built-in version covers Windows only",
                "The built-in version is antivirus only, without a VPN"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows Security, so it protects Windows PCs without a separate install. Microsoft points people to the built-in version for Windows, and to a separate personal Defender subscription for other devices such as Android, iPhone and Mac.\n\nIts cost is nothing beyond Windows itself, and it needs no setup. The built-in version covers antivirus on Windows, so extra tools such as VPNs, scam protection and identity monitoring come from third-party suites like those in this list."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Malwarebytes runs on macOS.",
        "Only Malwarebytes runs on iOS.",
        "Only Malwarebytes runs on Android.",
        "Malwarebytes: free plan, paid upgrades. Microsoft Defender Antivirus: free."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "antivirus-software",
            "name": "Antivirus software",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/antivirus-software",
            "of": 11,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "malwarebytes",
                    "rank": 3,
                    "score": 87,
                    "verdict": "A free malware scanner and device cleaners, with paid Premium Security for ongoing protection, a VPN and a browser guard. It covers PCs, Macs, Android and iPhone with a 60-day money-back guarantee.",
                    "best_for": "Free malware scans and paid ongoing protection",
                    "spec": {
                        "free_version": true,
                        "platforms": "Windows, macOS, Android, iOS",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "extras": "VPN, browser guard, cleaners"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "microsoft-defender",
                    "rank": 2,
                    "score": 89,
                    "verdict": "Built into Windows Security at no extra cost and needs no setup. It covers Windows only, and tools such as a VPN come from third-party suites like the ones in this list.",
                    "best_for": "Windows PCs that need no extra software",
                    "spec": {
                        "free_version": true,
                        "platforms": "Windows",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "extras": "Personal subscription for other devices"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "microsoft-defender",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/malwarebytes-vs-microsoft-defender",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/malwarebytes-vs-microsoft-defender.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}