MalwareBytes vs Avast: Which Anti-Malware Tool Actually Protects You Better?

If you're shopping for malware protection, Malwarebytes and Avast are two of the most downloaded options in the world. Both are free at their base tier, both have paid upgrades, and both claim comprehensive protection. But they're built on different philosophies and are genuinely better in different situations. Here's an honest breakdown.

The Fundamental Difference¶

Avast is a traditional full-suite antivirus — it's designed to be your primary, always-on security solution. It monitors files in real time, scans email, checks web URLs, and provides a comprehensive security ecosystem.

Malwarebytes was originally built as a dedicated malware removal tool — specifically designed to catch threats that traditional antivirus misses. The free version still works this way (on-demand scanning only). The paid "Premium" version adds real-time protection that makes it usable as a primary security tool.

This history shapes their design, strengths, and appropriate use cases.

Detection Rates¶

Independent testing organizations (AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, SE Labs) provide the most objective comparison:

Avast consistently scores in the upper tier for malware detection — typically 99–99.9% protection rates in AV-TEST's monthly assessments. Its behavioral shield and CyberCapture cloud analysis add layers beyond signature detection.

Malwarebytes Premium also scores well but historically has been rated slightly below the top-tier traditional AVs in comprehensive independent testing. However, it often catches PUPs, adware, and browser hijackers that Avast and other traditional AVs miss — this is where its reputation was built.

For the current month's independent test results, always check av-test.org directly — results vary by version and testing period.

Performance Impact¶

This is where the products diverge significantly:

Avast is feature-rich, which means it uses more system resources. On older machines or systems with limited RAM (under 8GB), Avast's real-time scanning, behavior shield, and background services can noticeably slow performance. However, recent versions have improved efficiency significantly.

Malwarebytes (both free and Premium) is notably lightweight. It was designed from the start to have minimal performance impact, making it an excellent choice for older or resource-constrained systems.

In independent AV-Comparatives performance testing, Malwarebytes consistently scores among the highest for low performance impact, while Avast sits in the moderate range.

Privacy Concerns: Avast's Controversy¶

In 2020, Avast received major negative press when it was revealed that its Jumpshot subsidiary was selling detailed user browsing data collected through Avast products. The data was claimed to be anonymized, but journalists demonstrated it could be de-anonymized.

Avast shut down Jumpshot following the backlash and changed its data collection practices. However, this history is worth knowing when making a privacy-sensitive choice. Avast still collects usage telemetry, as disclosed in its privacy policy.

Malwarebytes has a cleaner privacy record — it collects less telemetry and has no equivalent controversy in its history.

Feature Comparison¶

Compatibility: Can You Run Both?¶

Yes — and this is a popular configuration. Using Avast as your primary real-time protection and Malwarebytes Free as an on-demand second-opinion scanner is a practical approach that leverages both tools' strengths. Malwarebytes Free is specifically designed to be compatible with other antivirus products.

Running two real-time scanners simultaneously (Avast + Malwarebytes Premium) is generally not recommended — they can conflict, causing slowdowns and missed detections.

Which Should You Choose?¶

Choose Avast Free if:
- You want a complete, all-in-one security suite at no cost
- You don't have privacy concerns about Avast's data practices
- You want web protection and email scanning without paying
- Your machine has sufficient resources (4GB+ RAM, modern CPU)

Choose Malwarebytes Premium if:
- Privacy is a priority (less data collection)
- You have an older or slower system (lighter resource footprint)
- You deal frequently with adware/PUP threats (better detection in this category)
- You want comprehensive protection without the full antivirus suite overhead

Use Both (Best Value Option):
- Install Windows Defender (free, built-in, excellent) as primary real-time protection
- Install Malwarebytes Free for periodic on-demand scans
- This combination costs nothing and provides solid layered protection

FAQ¶

Is Malwarebytes Free enough protection on its own?
No — without real-time protection, Malwarebytes Free only finds threats after they've potentially been active for some time. Use it as a second-opinion scanner alongside a real-time antivirus.

Is Avast actually free or does it nag you constantly?
Avast Free is genuinely functional but includes frequent upgrade prompts and promotions. These can be dismissed but are annoying for some users.

Which is better for Windows 11?
Both are Windows 11 compatible and well-supported. Windows Defender (built-in) is actually an excellent primary option on Windows 11, used alongside Malwarebytes Free.

Does Malwarebytes detect viruses or just malware?
Malwarebytes Premium detects and blocks viruses, trojans, ransomware, adware, PUPs, and other threat categories. "Malware" in its name covers the full threat spectrum.

This article is published by ScamSandbox to help users understand and avoid malware threats and online scams.