2026

Avast vs Malwarebytes

Avast and Malwarebytes compared side by side: protection, performance, pricing, and features. Which antivirus suits you better?

Avast

8.7

/ 10

Avast Premium Security is one of the most recognisable antivirus brands and offers solid protection for up to 10 devices. The suite includes web protection, VPN, and anti-tracking features. Platform coverage is broad – from Windows and Mac to mobile devices. Avast has faced past criticism over data privacy practices, which have since been addressed. Pricing is fair but not always the cheapest.

1st Year PriceCHF 37.90 RenewalCHF 74.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.1

Performance 8.7

Best for 8.9

First-year price 8.5

Key features 8.8

Support 8.1

Visit vendor

* Affiliate link. We may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you.

Malwarebytes

8.5

/ 10

Malwarebytes has built its reputation as a specialist in malware detection and removal. The Premium version offers real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and malicious websites. The software is particularly lightweight and works well as a complement or replacement for heavyweight suites. The VPN add-on provides extra privacy. The feature set is intentionally focused – those looking for extras like password managers or parental controls will need to look elsewhere.

1st Year PriceCHF 44.90 RenewalCHF 79.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 8.9

Performance 9.2

Best for 9.0

First-year price 8.0

Key features 7.8

Support 8.3

Visit vendor

* Affiliate link. We may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you.

Our Verdict

Avast narrowly wins – Malwarebytes is the leaner choice.

Avast scores 8.7 / 10 overall and is the stronger pick on protection and feature scope. If you value maximum performance, low resource use and lower renewal costs, Malwarebytes is the better fit. Both are excellent options for Swiss users.

See Avast in detail

Our verdict

Avast and Malwarebytes come out tied at 8.7 out of 10 in our rating. The decision should not hinge on overall score but on your concrete needs.

On price, Avast currently sits at CHF 38 in year one, Malwarebytes at CHF 45. Watch the renewal price closely: both are transparently listed in the table above and matter more long-term than the introductory price.

Strength profiles: Avast scores highest on protection, Malwarebytes on system impact. If you care most about one of those dimensions, the choice is clear. For all-round needs, either product is a safe pick.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Criterion	Avast	Malwarebytes
Real-time protection	Yes	Yes
Built-in VPN	Yes	Yes
Password manager	No	No
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing	Yes	No
Parental controls	No	No
Identity protection	No	No
Low system impact	No	Yes
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad
Number of devices (standard licence)	10	5
System impact in daily use	Moderate	Very low

More comparisons with Avast

More comparisons with Malwarebytes

Frequently asked questions about Avast vs Malwarebytes

Which scores higher on protection, Avast or Malwarebytes?

Both reach top scores in AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives – the differences are small. The exact scores are in the comparison table above.

Which is cheaper in year 1 and on renewal – Avast or Malwarebytes?

Look at the price columns above: year-one price and renewal price are stated transparently side by side. The renewal delta is often the bigger cost factor over 3 years.

Which is better for families, Avast or Malwarebytes?

Both offer family plans for 5–10 devices. What matters: does the product have a dedicated parental-controls mode, screen-time management and a smooth setup. Details in the feature table.

Do I get better Mac/mobile support with Avast or Malwarebytes?

Platform support is listed in the comparison above. Generally: macOS performance is best with Bitdefender and Intego; Android protection is most mature with Bitdefender, Norton and Kaspersky.