Avast Free Antivirus vs Malwarebytes Free

Avast Free Antivirus: what it's good at

Avast Free Antivirus provides continuous real-time scanning against viruses, ransomware and malicious websites at no cost. It is one of the most widely installed consumer security products in the world, and the free tier covers the essentials most home users need.

• Real-time virus and ransomware shield
• Malicious and phishing website blocking
• Wi-Fi network security scanning
• Optional paid upgrade for firewall and VPN

Malwarebytes Free: what it's good at

Malwarebytes Free is an on-demand scanner that specialises in removing adware, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and infections that traditional antivirus products routinely miss. It is the tool most technicians reach for when a machine is already misbehaving.

• Excellent adware and PUP removal
• Runs alongside your existing antivirus
• On-demand scanning in the free tier
• Real-time protection in the paid version

Which should you choose?

Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.

Both run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.

We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Avast Free Antivirus better than Malwarebytes Free?

Neither is universally better. Avast Free Antivirus long-established free antivirus with real-time protection, while Malwarebytes Free the standard second-opinion malware remover. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.

Are both really free?

Avast Free Antivirus is free tier and Malwarebytes Free is free tier. Both can be downloaded without paying.

Can I install both?

Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.