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Malwarebytes Free is free to download and use for on-demand malware scanning and cleanup, but it is not the same as continuous antivirus protection. On Windows and Mac, Malwarebytes lists Quick Scan and Custom Scan as free; real-time, web, and malware protection require a paid subscription. Features differ on Android and iOS, so check your device’s column before assuming a feature is included.
What Malwarebytes Free does
Malwarebytes describes its free desktop version as a way to remove malware from Windows or Mac. In practical terms, the free tier is for running scans when you choose; it does not provide the continuous protection that many readers expect when they search for “gratis antivirus.” The company’s Dutch product page also describes separate free tools for mobile devices, with different functions by platform.
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Malwarebytes’ Help Center says its comparison tables show “which features are free and which require a subscription on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.” The table was updated September 8, 2026, and its distinctions are platform-specific.
Malwarebytes Free features by platform
The following feature availability comes from Malwarebytes’ official comparison table. “Free” means listed as free by Malwarebytes; it is not an independent test of how well a feature works.
#1 Best Overall
![Malwarebytes Standard, Premium Security| Amazon Exclusive | 18 Months, 2 Devices | Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41LbYnawq9L._SL160_.jpg)
- AWARD WINNING Antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware & more
- 24/7 REAL TIME PROTECTION against emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses- without slowing you down.
- PROTECTS YOUR DEVICES ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS: Get cyber protection for your computers, smartphones, or tablets- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL INSTANTLY
- UNMATCHED THREAT DETECTION: We found malware on 40 percent of devices that already had a third-party antivirus installed.
| Platform | Features listed as free | Features listed as paid |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Quick Scan, Custom Scan, Privacy Controls, Remote Desktop Monitoring, Windows Firewall Control, System Tweaks, Startup Applications, File Shredder | Threat Scan, Real-Time Protection, Web Protection, Malware Protection, ransomware protection, exploit protection |
| Mac | Quick Scan, Custom Scan | Threat Scan, Real-Time Protection, Web Protection, Malware Protection |
| Android | Android Scanner, SMS protection | Real-Time Protection, ransomware protection, Safe browsing scanner, call protection |
| iOS/iPadOS | Ad blocking, Scam Guard | Web protection, call protection |
The vendor’s Dutch page separately describes Android’s free offer as scanning for and removing adware and malware and auditing app privacy. For iOS, it describes Safari ad blocking and SMS filtering. Those descriptions are Malwarebytes’ claims; the Help Center table uses its own feature names, so do not assume that similarly named features are identical across platforms.
Is Malwarebytes Free enough?
It can suit someone who wants to run an on-demand scan and remove detected malware, or who is looking for a particular free feature listed for their device. It is not enough for someone whose priority is Malwarebytes’ ongoing real-time protection: the current comparison table marks that as paid on Windows, Mac, and Android.
Rank #2
![Malwarebytes Standard, Premium Security + VPN Software | 1 Year, 2 Device | Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome [Online Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41jW8jXZyqL._SL160_.jpg)
- Malwarebytes Premium: Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook. 24/7 real-time protection against emerging threats
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard: Available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Removes annoying ads that follow you around. Blocks third-party ad trackers that collect your data. Helps protect against tech support and online scams. Blocks malicious web pages, stops in-browser cryptojackers.
- Malwarebytes Privacy: Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android. Next-gen, no-log VPN to protect your online digital footprint. Secure public Wi-Fi connections. One-click, intuitive UI to manage your online privacy. 500+ servers in 40+ countries.
- Choose the free tier if you want the free scanning or cleanup tools available for your operating system and are comfortable starting scans yourself.
- Consider a paid plan if you specifically want continuous protection or another feature that Malwarebytes marks as paid for your platform.
“Antivirus” and “anti-malware” are often used broadly in consumer descriptions, but the useful question here is what the product actually includes. Malwarebytes Free offers scanning and cleanup on desktop; it should not be described as including every protection feature or as equivalent to an always-on security subscription.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteHow to download Malwarebytes Free
Use the official Malwarebytes free antivirus page or its download page to choose the relevant product for your device. The available official pages do not establish a complete, version-specific installation walkthrough or system requirements, so follow the instructions shown on the download page and installer for your operating system rather than relying on generic steps.
Rank #3
![Malwarebytes Standard, Premium Software | 5 Device 1 Year (Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome) [software_key_card]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41u7YlqSaAL._SL160_.jpg)
- AWARD WINNING Antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware & more
- 24/7 REAL TIME PROTECTION against emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses- without slowing you down
- PROTECTS YOUR DEVICES ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS: Get cyber protection for your computers, smartphones, or tablets- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS devices
- DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL INSTANTLY
- UNMATCHED THREAT DETECTION: We found malware on 40 percent of devices that already had a third-party antivirus installed
What to know about Premium and pricing
The main distinction is capability, not simply the number of scans: Free is oriented toward on-demand scanning and cleanup, while paid protection adds features such as real-time protection on supported platforms. Confirm the current feature list for your own operating system before subscribing.
Malwarebytes’ pricing page is the place to check current subscription options. Prices and promotions can change, so this article does not quote an amount. The page has displayed a 60-day money-back guarantee, but check its current terms and availability before purchase.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download] | Includes Scam Protection, Advanced VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, & PC Cloud Backup](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
