ESET and Malwarebytes are both popular antivirus choices with reliable malware protection and user-friendly designs. ESET brings in more advanced features, while Malwarebytes focuses on simplicity with no extra frills.
In this article, I’ll break down the main differences between the two to help you find the best fit for your security needs.
Short on Time? ESET vs. Malwarebytes 2024 — Final Verdict:
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Malwarebytes is better for malware protection and ease of use, and its customer support is easier to access. If you want a straightforward and user-friendly antivirus product, go with Malwarebytes.
ESET has a wider range of features and better web protection. If you want more control over your security settings and don’t mind a more technical interface, go with ESET.
ESET vs. Malwarebytes: Quick Summary
Malware Protection — Malwarebytes Offers Strong, User-Friendly Protection
ESET — Powerful Protection, but It’s Best for Experienced Users
ESET provides excellent malware detection, blocking a wide range of threats, including ransomware. It relies on several methods, like signature-based scanning, machine learning, and heuristics, to deliver this protection.
The full-system scan is thorough and reliable, and I didn’t notice any major slowdown on my device while it was running. It’s a little disappointing that ESET doesn’t have a quick scan option, but the full scan completed in 40 minutes, which is pretty fast. And I do like the real-time scanning feature — it consistently flagged and blocked threats before they could do any damage.
However, ESET’s advanced settings and interface come with a learning curve. While it’s a good option for users who want to fine-tune their security, it might feel overwhelming for beginners.
Malwarebytes — Simple, Effective Protection With Minimal Hassle
Malwarebytes offers straightforward and effective malware protection. It’s easy to set up and use, making it a good choice for anyone who wants strong security without a complicated setup.
The full system scan detected 95% of my malware samples, and I didn’t notice any system slowdown while it was running. I was also impressed with the real-time protection — it blocked the vast majority of threats I tested it against.
While Malwarebytes doesn’t have all the customization options that ESET offers, it delivers reliable protection without complex settings. If you’re looking for hassle-free security that you can set and forget, Malwarebytes is a better choice than ESET.
Web Security — ESET Offers Stronger Phishing Protection
ESET — Advanced Web Protection for a Safer Internet
When testing ESET’s web security, I found it highly effective at blocking dangerous websites and phishing attacks. It consistently stopped every phishing site I visited, including some that slipped through major browsers’ built-in protections.
However, ESET can be a little overprotective, sometimes blocking safe sites. Adding those to the whitelist was a bit cumbersome as well, so it might be frustrating for users unfamiliar with navigating more technical settings.
Malwarebytes — Stops Web Threats in Their Tracks
Malwarebytes’s Browser Guard is a free extension that provided reliable protection in my testing, blocking around 98% of the dangerous sites I visited. While it missed a few, it still offered decent protection across all major browsers.
The Browser Guard also did a good job of blocking trackers, which helps keep your browsing private. Its ad-blocking capability is pretty good too — it blocked about 80% of ads on heavily ad-filled pages. That said, it didn’t live up to its claim to make my browser 4x faster by blocking ads.
Features — ESET Provides Great Features for Power Users
ESET — A Wider Range of Tools for Advanced Users
ESET covers up to 25 devices and includes:
- Anti-malware scanner.
- Ransomware detection.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- Anti-theft tools.
- System cleaner.
- Gaming mode (not included on Mac).
- Password manager.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Identity theft insurance (US only).
- And more…
ESET offers a lot for users who want full control over their security. For example, it includes advanced tools like diagnostics for checking the safety of running applications and a network inspector to find vulnerabilities.
That said, some of the more technical tools are best suited for experienced users who are comfortable diving deeper into their system’s security. If you enjoy tinkering with settings and exploring advanced options, ESET has plenty to offer.
Malwarebytes — Good VPN With Unlimited Data
Malwarebytes offers coverage for up to 20 devices and includes:
- Anti-malware scanner.
- Web protection & ad blocker.
- VPN (unlimited data).
- Advanced dark web monitoring.
- Identity theft insurance (select countries).
You get a reliable malware scanner, real-time protection, anti-phishing, and even a decent VPN with unlimited data on the Plus and Ultimate plans. While it doesn’t have as many advanced tools as ESET, Malwarebytes makes up for it with its lightweight design and user-friendly interface.
If you’re looking for straightforward security without a lot of extras, Malwarebytes is an excellent option. It also offers identity theft protection on select plans, and extends identity theft insurance to users in 70+ countries.
Ease of Use — Malwarebytes Is Simpler & More Accessible for Non-Technical Users
ESET — Functional, but It Requires Patience
In my testing, ESET’s installation process was quick and easy. I downloaded the software, created an account, and started the free trial in minutes. The interface is simple to navigate, but more advanced features, like scheduling scans, require a confusing multi-step setup. While ESET offers great customization for experienced users, beginners might find it overwhelming.
ESET’s mobile app for Android offers malware scanning, anti-phishing, and anti-theft protection. You can also track and wipe your device if necessary. However, the lack of an iOS app is a big drawback — Malwarebytes supports both Android and iOS.
Malwarebytes — Easy, Minimalistic User Interface
Malwarebytes was also very easy to install and set up. The process took just a few minutes, and I didn’t need to enter any personal info to start the free trial. The interface is clean, with everything clearly laid out, and most protections are enabled by default, making it great for less tech-savvy users. I also like the Play Mode feature, which hides notifications while gaming or watching movies.
Malwarebytes’s Android app offers extras like spyware protection and a privacy audit tool, while the iOS app, although more limited, provides essential protections like web filtering and scam call blocking.
Customer Support — Malwarebytes’s Support Options Are Easier to Access
ESET — More Options, but Access Is Limited for Home Users
ESET offers a wide range of support options, including live chat, phone support (for business users), email, and a comprehensive knowledge base. However, these are somewhat hidden on the website, making it hard to find the help you need quickly.
When I reached out via live chat from Canada, I received helpful and clear responses. Unfortunately, email support was less impressive — while the response time wasn’t bad, the reply was generic and not very helpful.
Malwarebytes — Helpful & Informative Support Reps
Malwarebytes provides live chat, a live chatbot, email support, and an in-depth knowledge base. While the live chatbot is useful for searching the knowledge base, the live chat response time can be slow, and initial interactions often feel scripted.
However, the email support team was very friendly and helped address all my technical questions. The knowledge base is also very good, with in-depth guides to resolve many common issues independently. While Malwarebytes has fewer support options, it’s easier to access than ESET’s support channels, which gives it a slight edge.
