Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes
Bitdefender and Malwarebytes both hand out a free scam checker and sell full device security on top. Bitdefender's free tool is Scamio, an AI chatbot; Malwarebytes offers the Browser Guard extension and Scam Guard.
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Bitdefender
Security suite with a free AI chatbot that checks suspicious messages
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Malwarebytes
Stops scam sites and malware, with a free browser extension
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Prices last checked on
| Feature | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.0 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Price | From $5/mo | From $5/mo |
| Renews at | $109.99/yr | n/a |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | People who want a free scam second opinion | Blocking phishing and malware on three devices |
| Category | Scam and phishing protection | Scam and phishing protection |
| Provider | Bitdefender | Malwarebytes Inc. |
| Visit Bitdefender This button can earn us a commission. You pay the same price. | Visit Malwarebytes This button can earn us a commission. You pay the same price. |
Our verdict
Bitdefender is the better fit if AI-written scams and leaked logins are your main worry. Scamio, its free AI chatbot, gives a second opinion on a suspicious message, website or email. Total Security adds a password manager and data breach detection for five devices, where Malwarebytes Standard covers three and keeps breach alerts for Plus.
In the first year there is little between them: $59.99 for Total Security, $59.99 for Standard. From year two Malwarebytes is cheaper, because Standard carried no introductory discount while Bitdefender shows $109.99 as its struck-through price, likely the renewal although it is not labeled that way. Browser Guard remains a sound free start.
“Worth a look if AI-polished phishing is what worries you most: Scamio costs nothing, and the paid suites add breach alerts and a password manager. Two reservations, though. Each price covers the first year only, with a far higher struck-through figure beside it, and the Scamio page says nothing about training on your chats.”Editorial team, on Bitdefender
“A sound pick for phishing and malware protection on a few devices, with the free Browser Guard as a starting point. Standard covers the core; the higher plans add a VPN, breach alerts and identity protection. Our reservation: Ultimate's half-price offer lasts one year, then the price doubles.”Editorial team, on Malwarebytes
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitdefender cheaper than Malwarebytes?
Not over time. In the first year there is little in it: Total Security Individual costs $59.99 and Malwarebytes Standard $59.99. After that Malwarebytes comes out cheaper, since Standard showed no introductory discount, while Bitdefender lists $109.99 as the struck-through price next to its offer. Bitdefender's US prices exclude sales tax; the Malwarebytes page does not mention tax.
Is Scamio better than Malwarebytes Browser Guard?
They do different jobs, and both are free, so you can use them side by side. Scamio is a chatbot: you show it a suspicious message, website or email and it looks for signs of phishing, fraud and social engineering. Browser Guard is an extension that blocks scam pages, ads and trackers while you browse. Bitdefender does not say whether what you paste into Scamio trains its model, so strip out account numbers and passwords first.
Does Malwarebytes have data breach alerts?
Yes, from the Plus plan up. Plus adds data breach notifications and a VPN to Standard for $79.99 a year. Ultimate adds dark web monitoring and identity protection at $139.99 for the first year, renewing at $279.99. Bitdefender puts data breach detection in Total Security already; it tells you when your login details turn up in a leak.
Which covers more devices, Bitdefender or Malwarebytes?
Bitdefender, on the plans compared here. Total Security Individual covers one account on five devices, and the Family version five accounts on 25 devices. Malwarebytes Standard and Plus protect three devices, and Ultimate one adult with three devices. For a household with several phones, tablets and laptops, Malwarebytes reaches its limit sooner.