ESET vs Malwarebytes
ESET and Malwarebytes are both solid antivirus options, but they prioritize different aspects of security. After testing both with real malware samples and measuring system impact, ESET edges ahead at 9.2/10.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
ESET beats Malwarebytes for most users. It scores 9.2/10 vs 8.2/10 and av-comparatives product of the year 2024. Choose Malwarebytes if you need avlab cybersecurity product of the year 2025.
ESET
WinnerAward-winning protection with minimal system impact
Starting from
$49.99/yr
Malwarebytes
Malware removal specialist with real-time protection
Starting from
$44.99/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Starting Price | $49.99/yr | $44.99/yr |
| User Reviews | ||
| Protection | ||
| Malware Detection | 100% | 97.8% |
| Real-Time Protection | ||
| Ransomware Protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Extras | ||
| VPN Included | Ultimate only | |
| Password Manager | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 20 |
| Gaming Mode | ||
| Webcam Protection | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
ESET
- AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024
- Perfect 6/6 AV-TEST scores across all categories
- Extremely lightweight - minimal system resource usage
- Multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Android)
- Advanced threat detection with low false positives
- 30-day money-back guarantee and free trial
- No iOS support available
- VPN only included in Ultimate tier
- Interface less modern than some competitors
- Identity protection requires Ultimate plan
Malwarebytes
- AVLab Cybersecurity Product of the Year 2025
- Excellent at removing existing malware
- 100% stalkerware detection (only product to achieve this)
- Lightweight and fast scans
- Great as a second-opinion scanner
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Higher false positive rates than competitors
- Lower AV-TEST scores (5.5/6 vs 6/6)
- No firewall included
- Real-time protection not in free version
Key Difference
The key difference: ESET offers firewall while Malwarebytes provides vpn included. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
ESET
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024, or value perfect 6/6 av-test scores across all categories.
Malwarebytes
Choose Malwarebytes if you prioritize avlab cybersecurity product of the year 2025, want to start with a free tier, or value excellent at removing existing malware.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, ESET is our winner with a rating of 9.2/10 compared to Malwarebytes's 8.2/10. ESET stands out for its av-comparatives product of the year 2024 and perfect 6/6 av-test scores across all categories. While Malwarebytes is more affordable, ESET's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, Malwarebytes remains an excellent choice if avlab cybersecurity product of the year 2025 is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESET better than Malwarebytes?
ESET scores higher in our testing (9.2/10 vs 8.2/10). ESET excels at av-comparatives product of the year 2024, while Malwarebytes is better for avlab cybersecurity product of the year 2025.
Which is cheaper, ESET or Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $49.99/mo. Malwarebytes offers 100% savings.
ESET vs Malwarebytes: which should I choose?
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024. Choose Malwarebytes if you need avlab cybersecurity product of the year 2025. Both are solid antivirus software options.
What's the main difference between ESET and Malwarebytes?
The main difference is ESET offers award-winning protection with minimal system impact, while Malwarebytes focuses on malware removal specialist with real-time protection.