ESET vs Malwarebytes: Which One is Better? [2022 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.
ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Which Is Right for You?
ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Which Is Right for You?
ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Features
ESET and Malwarebytes both offer good anti-malware protection, but ESET detected 100% of the malware samples in our testing, while Malwarebytes only caught 90% of our test files. ESET also comes with a good range of additional internet security features, while Malwarebytes is a minimalistic anti-malware scanner that only offers a couple of extra protections.
ESET Smart Security Premium covers 1 to 10 devices and includes:
- Firewall.
- Web protection & secure browser for online finances.
- Anti-theft protection.
- Password manager.
- Parental controls.
- File & device encryption.
- Advanced diagnostics tools.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy covers 5 devices and comes with:
- Web protection & ad blocker.
- VPN with unlimited data.
- 60-day money-back guarantee.
ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Final Verdict
ESET provides better anti-malware protection and has more useful features. If you want a high-powered antivirus that comes with some useful additional security protections, go with ESET.
Malwarebytes is easier to use and includes a VPN (with unlimited data). If you’re after a simple but high-performing antivirus that comes bundled with a decent VPN, opt for Malwarebytes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.