Zone Alarm vs Malwarebytes: Which One is Better? [2024 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.

Zone Alarm vs. Malwarebytes: Which Is Right for You?

Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Writer

Zone Alarm vs. Malwarebytes: Which Is Right for You?

Modern antivirus software needs to protect against all online threats. Both Malwarebytes and Zone Alarm use the latest malware detection technology to defend against both known and unknown infections. Even better, they also include a range of additional features.

Malwarebytes offers strong malware protection with granular customization. You get advanced scheduling options to create your own scans, along with custom application-level scanning to target suspect areas. There are also protocols to protect from rootkits, which are notoriously difficult to detect. The report history lets you go back and compare to past results, and the “Bug Bounty” enters users in a cash prize draw if they report an issue. It’s also great for beginners—as the pop-up guidance will walk you through different threat resolutions—and the integrated support tool can answer your questions quickly.

Zone Alarm uses very different tactics to ensure high-quality protection. Their auto-sandboxing technology launches all files in a virtual environment to makes sure they’re safe, while the use of crowdsourced insights creates a whitelist that speeds up the process. An advanced two-way firewall identifies tricks commonly used to bypass traditional firewalls. Plus, the Wireless Network will update settings depending on the level of threat. You also get an anti-phishing Chrome extension, an anti-keylogger, and 5GB of online backup space. The “Find My Laptop” feature helps in case of physical theft and lets you remotely locate your device.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$14.95
30 Days
$59.99
60 Days
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Support
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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
Benny
Sep. 22, 2020
A good security product
A very good antivirus with firewall, and it's free !
Vince
Dec. 18, 2018
It works quietly and unobtrusively in the background
Easy installation and handling even for older people. There are no popup...
Michael Weiner
Dec. 12, 2022
Great so far
Malwarebytes is fast and has an effective user interface that allows...
Peggy Weeks
Nov. 23, 2021
super stuff!!!
I think it is a real must to have and use. I have helped a lot of computer...
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Sanjay
Nov. 7, 2018
Use to be good, but not anymore
I've been using this program for a very long time and have always been...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Mel
Sep. 8, 2022
product has gone down hill, poor support & can't get refund
Support is non existent only auto replies from a bot. even if you turn off...
Michael Weser
Mar. 31, 2022
Support SERIOUSLY Lacking!!!
I have been trying to get support for a licensing issue and now a refund...
Our Verdict
Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Writer
Malwarebytes may be better suited for those who want to be involved in their cybersecurity. There are numerous options for customization and you can easily review your scan history. Zone Alarm provides more comprehensive coverage from different threats, but doesn’t allow you to set-up the security yourself or edit many of the settings.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2024.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

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