ESET vs Malwarebytes: Which One is Better? [2023 Top Picks]

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ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Which Is Right for You?

Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager

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.

Visit ESET

Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy covers 5 devices and comes with:

  • Web protection & ad blocker.
  • VPN with unlimited data.
  • 60-day money-back guarantee.

Visit Malwarebytes

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.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$8.99
30 Days
$37.49
60 Days
Security
Features
Ease of Use
Support
Pricing
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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
David
Mar. 23, 2021
It brings all the features I need
- Great Product, easy to use - Excellent Password Manager - many features...
Marko
Jun. 10, 2020
Izuzetan proivod!
Lagan i efektivan antivirus.Mnogo značajki koje mogu biti podešene upravo...
Store92
Jul. 23, 2021
SUPER!
I had a shit tone of malware left after a ransomware attack and it removed...
Gucci G
Feb. 12, 2021
Perfect
i had a "yahoo virus", the virus was deleted within a few minutes
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Cmike
Nov. 19, 2020
Worst business practice ever
Two years ago, I lost all my information on the hard drive. After checking...
Dave Gann
Apr. 30, 2020
ESET Customer Service - Linux AV NOD32
I had a trial version of Eset AV for Linux. I purchased the product but...
Michael Weser
Mar. 31, 2022
Support SERIOUSLY Lacking!!!
I have been trying to get support for a licensing issue and now a refund...
bob venezia
Mar. 23, 2022
poor customer support
bought subscription for 3 devices thinking it would cover my laptop and...
Our Verdict
Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager
ESET has excellent malware detection rates, good anti-phishing protection, a password manager, and parental controls. Malwarebytes is an ok antivirus, but it only has a malware scanner, anti-phishing protection, and a VPN. All of ESET’s packages come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, while Malwarebytes offers a more-generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
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 2023.

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.