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Best for Comprehensive Cybersecurity
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Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
Best for Basic Antivirus Protection
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Free version includes manual scans to identify and remove malware, ransomware, and other threats
Premium features include a VPN, ad blocker, identity theft services, and more
TotalAV and Malwarebytes are products that cater to various demands and tastes in the antivirus market. While offering many features and an easy-to-grasp interface, TotalAV suits those who are not particularly tech-savvy but need malware protection. Its overall features slightly edge ahead of Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes is designed for a quicker scanning process combined with a more streamlined approach, best suited for users looking for quick, reliable security without extra features.
We’ll go over TotalAV’s and Malwarebytes’ pricing, features, third-party test results, and more to help you pick the best antivirus.
Having robust antivirus software is essential. Cyberthreats are rapidly evolving, so choosing the right antivirus software is the key to shielding your online identity, personal information, and overall security.
Two of the most reputable contenders in this space are TotalAV and Malwarebytes. But which one best suits your purpose?
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| Star rating | ||
| Starting price | Starts at $29.00/yr (first year only) | Free or $24.99/yr |
| Max number of protected devices | 8 | 20 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Free version: Manual scans only
Premium version: Manual and scheduled scans |
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera, Amazon Fire | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Malwarebytes |
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics.
This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.
TotalAV protects up to eight devices and has broad compatibility. It's reliable at detecting and stopping various forms or malware and has extra features like a virtual private network (VPN) and password manager.
Malwarebytes has a variety of plans and can protect up to 20 devices. The free plan is surprisingly good and even offers malware scans. Malwarebytes performed well during third-party testing, too.
TotalAV's Antivirus Pro plan is the best value of these two reliable brands.
Our Pick
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| Price range | $29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only) | Free–$119.99/yr |
| Best value plan | TotalAV Antivirus Pro for $29.00/yr (first year only) | Malwarebytes Basic Security for $24.99/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days for annual plans, 14 days for monthly plans | Yes — 60 days |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Malwarebytes |
When it comes to pricing, TotalAV has a significantly lower starting price compared to Malwarebytes. Its top-tier plan, Total Security, is closer to Malwarebytes' starting price of $78.73/2 yrs.
For the best value plan, TotalAV Antivirus Pro is priced at $29.00/yr (first year only), which is an exceptional value. This plan includes protection against viruses, trojans, malware, ransomware, and phishing, along with Total Adblock.
On the other hand, Malwarebytes' Basic Security plan starts at $39.00/yr (first year only). This is a competitive price for those who prefer straightforward, effective protection for multiple devices, including computers, phones, and tablets.
TotalAV’s higher-tier plans, like the Total Security, offer complete online protection, including a VPN. These plans are great for users needing advanced security features.
Malwarebytes also has higher-tier plans like Complete Protection, which covers device security, privacy, and identity protection with its VPN and other tools.
Both services offer money-back guarantees and a free version. TotalAV provides a 30-day guarantee for annual plans, and Malwarebytes provides a more generous 60-day guarantee.
| Feature | Our Pick
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| Manual and scheduled scans | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Parental controls | ||
| Password manager | ||
| VPN | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Device optimization tools | ||
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Malwarebytes |
Both TotalAV and Malwarebytes support manual and scheduled scans, real-time protection, phishing protection, and ransomware protection. However, TotalAV stands out with its additional security features.
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TotalAV includes a password manager and device optimization tools, which Malwarebytes does not offer. The password manager is a significant addition because it can create and manage secure, complex passwords without the need to remember each one yourself. Device optimization tools are also beneficial as they help improve the performance of your device by cleaning unnecessary files and managing resources more efficiently.
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On the other hand, Malwarebytes keeps its feature set more streamlined, which can be an advantage if you prefer an antivirus solution without bells and whistles.
To objectively assess the performance of antivirus software, we refer to third-party tests. These tests provide an unbiased evaluation of how well an antivirus can detect, block, and remove malware, including zero-day and known threats.
For our comparison of TotalAV and Malwarebytes, we reference results from AV-TEST, a respected independent organization that regularly evaluates antivirus products based on protection, performance, and usability.
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| AV-TEST Windows score | 17.0/18.0 | 17.0/18.0 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18.0/18.0 | N/A |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Malwarebytes |
TotalAV showed great performance on its Windows platform. It received a score of 17/18, with partial points docked for protection and performance. TotalAV had a score that was 1% lower than the industry average for protection against zero-day malware attacks, which we consider inconsequential. It also slowed down computer speeds when installing frequently-used applications.
Malwarebytes last submitted its Windows program for AV-TEST in summer 2023. It received a score of 17/18 on the Windows platform, with partial points being docked for protection and performance. It had a lower protection rate against zero-day malware attacks compared to the industry average. It also slowed down computer speeds when launching popular websites and installing frequently-used applications.
The lack of macOS scores for both programs and lack of Android scores for Malwarebytes indicates that these companies might not submit for testing across all systems.
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Phone, email, live chat, online guides | Live chat, email, support forums, online guides |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Malwarebytes |
TotalAV and Malwarebytes have extensive compatibility across the standard operating systems: Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. However, Malwarebytes slightly edges out with its browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, which help block malicious sites and ads while web browsing.
TotalAV, known for its user-friendly interface, makes it easy for antivirus beginners to navigate and use its features with a straightforward setup process.
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In contrast, Malwarebytes offers a simple interface, though some may find the deeper settings less intuitive, especially when customizing scans or adjusting protections.
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Both TotalAV and Malwarebytes offer 24/7 customer support, which is crucial for receiving timely assistance. TotalAV provides a comprehensive range of support through phone, email, live chat, and online guides, catering to different user preferences for help.
While lacking phone support, Malwarebytes compensates with live chat, email, support forums, and online guides. Malwarebytes' support forums allow you to seek quick solutions from a knowledgeable community.
TotalAV offers robust malware protection with high scores from independent testing labs, like AV-TEST, where it achieved near-perfect results. It effectively detects and removes a wide range of malware, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware.
While Malwarebytes is a strong choice for basic antivirus protection, especially for quick malware scanning, alternatives like TotalAV provide more comprehensive features such as a password manager, device optimization tools, and consistently higher malware protection scores.
Yes, TotalAV is a trustworthy antivirus solution, offering secure, reliable protection against various cyberthreats. Its excellent scores from independent labs confirm its effectiveness and reliability in protecting devices from malware and other attacks.
Malwarebytes sometimes lacks in providing comprehensive features compared to other antiviruses. It doesn’t offer a password manager or device optimization tools and has less consistent AV-TEST results compared to other programs like TotalAV.
TotalAV finishes slightly ahead as it provides comprehensive protection combined with user-friendly features. Its additional features include a password manager, VPN, ad blocker, and device optimization tools. The main drawback is the lack of a firewall, which some might expect at its price point.
Malwarebytes has a straightforward, efficient approach to malware protection. While it offers fewer features than TotalAV, it’s more suitable for tech-savvy users who might already have products for password management and device optimization. However, its inconsistent third-party test scores could be a concern if you’re looking for the highest possible security level.
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Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
If neither TotalAV nor Malwarebytes seems like the perfect fit, consider these best antivirus alternatives.
| Antivirus | 
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| Best for | Bundled services | Parental controls | Phishing protection |
| Starting price | Starts at $29.99/first yr | Starts at $39.99/first 2 yrs | Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only) |
| Additional features | Cloud backup, password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls | VPN, identity protection, parental controls, password manager | VPN, identity protection, parental controls, device optimization tools |
| Learn more | Get Norton | Get McAfee | Get Bitdefender |
Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
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