Malwarebytes Free vs ClamAV
Both are free antivirus & security tools. Here is how they actually differ.
Malwarebytes Free and ClamAV at a glance
| Feature | Malwarebytes Free | ClamAV |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Malwarebytes | Cisco Talos |
| Licence | Free tier | Open Source |
| Cost | Free tier | Free |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | No | Yes |
| Mobile | Yes | No |
| Source code | Closed | Public |
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
ClamAV: what it's good at
ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine widely deployed for scanning mail gateways, file servers and uploads. It is command-line and integration oriented rather than a consumer desktop suite, which makes it the natural pick for scripted or server-side scanning.
- Fully open source
- Designed for mail and file server scanning
- Scriptable command-line interface
- Frequent signature database updates
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. Only Malwarebytes Free supports Android, iOS. Only ClamAV supports Linux. If open source matters to you, ClamAV publishes its source code and Malwarebytes Free does not.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either.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 Malwarebytes Free better than ClamAV?
Neither is universally better. Malwarebytes Free the standard second-opinion malware remover, while ClamAV open-source antivirus engine, standard on mail servers. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
Malwarebytes Free is free tier and ClamAV is open source. 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.