Malwarebytes Inc. · freemium
Malwarebytes
The cleanup tool that became a full antivirus — with a free on-demand scanner.
Malwarebytes built its reputation as the second-opinion scanner people reached for when something had already slipped past their antivirus. That heritage still shapes the product: its detection is tuned aggressively toward adware, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and the grey-area software that traditional engines often ignore.
The modern product is a full real-time antivirus in its paid form. The free download is an on-demand scanner: you run it manually, it finds and removes what it finds, but it does not sit in memory blocking threats in real time once the initial trial period ends.
That distinction matters and is widely misunderstood. Free Malwarebytes is a cleaner. Paid Malwarebytes Premium is a resident antivirus.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-09
Developer Offer + 1 Extra Month
Current offer published by the software developer at checkout
+ 1 extra month of coverage provided by VirusGuardHub
- Valid:
- Ongoing while the developer promotion remains live
- Eligibility:
- New subscriptions purchased through the link on this page, for customers in the United States.
- Available in:
- United States
- Terms:
- The extra month is supplied by VirusGuardHub and applied after your purchase is confirmed. The developer sets the base price, currency, renewal terms and refund window.
Offer last verified on . Promotions are set by the developer and can change without notice.
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At a glance
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS
- Free version
- Yes — a free on-demand scanner and remover for Windows. Real-time protection is a paid feature after the introductory trial.
- Trial
- New installs typically begin with a Premium trial that reverts to the free scanner when it ends.
- Paid plans
- Malwarebytes Premium, plus bundles that add a VPN.
Who it is for
Good fit
- • Anyone cleaning up an already-infected Windows PC
- • People who want a second-opinion scanner alongside Microsoft Defender
- • Users plagued by adware, toolbars and browser hijackers
Not a fit
- • Users expecting the free version to provide always-on protection
Security features
| Real-time protection | Included |
|---|---|
| Malware scanning | Included |
| Ransomware protection | Included |
| Anti-phishing | Included |
| Web protection | Included |
| Email scanning | Not included |
| Trojan detection | Included |
| Spyware detection | Included |
| Firewall | Not included |
| VPN included | Not included |
| Password manager | Not included |
| Identity monitoring | Not included |
| Parental controls | Not included |
| PC cleanup tools | Included |
- • Free version = manual scan and remove only.
- • Premium adds real-time protection, ransomware protection and Web Protection.
- • Browser Guard is a separate free browser extension.
Performance and privacy
Scans are fast because the engine targets specific threat classes rather than exhaustively hashing every file. Premium's real-time layer is light.
Telemetry supports threat intelligence; Malwarebytes publishes a consumer privacy policy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Best-in-class at removing adware and PUPs
- + Free scanner is genuinely useful and safe to run alongside another antivirus
- + Fast, focused scans
- + Clear, uncluttered interface
Cons
- − Free version has no real-time protection
- − Not ideal as your only antivirus unless you buy Premium
- − Aggressive PUP detection occasionally flags legitimate bundled software
Installation and removal
How to install
- 1. Download only from malwarebytes.com.
- 2. Install — you can keep your existing antivirus, the free scanner is designed to coexist.
- 3. Update the database, then run a full scan.
- 4. Quarantine everything it finds, reboot and rescan to confirm the machine is clean.
How to uninstall
- 1. Settings → Apps → uninstall Malwarebytes.
- 2. Use the official Malwarebytes Support Tool if the uninstall fails.
Free version of Malwarebytes: what it does and does not do
The free version scans on demand, quarantines what it finds, and cleans browser hijacks and adware. It does not block a malicious download as it lands, it does not monitor running processes, and it does not filter web traffic. Those are Premium features.
Used correctly, the free scanner is one of the most useful tools a Windows user can keep on hand: install it, scan when something feels wrong, and leave your resident antivirus in place.
Platform notes
Windows: Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Android: Malwarebytes for Android scans apps and offers a free tier plus a premium upgrade.
macOS: Malwarebytes for Mac is well regarded for cleaning Mac adware.
ChromeOS: A ChromeOS app exists via Google Play on supported Chromebooks.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Malwarebytes free antivirus?
- The free download is an on-demand scanner and remover, not an always-on antivirus. Real-time protection is part of Malwarebytes Premium.
- Can I run Malwarebytes free alongside another antivirus?
- Yes. Because the free version is not resident, it does not conflict with Microsoft Defender or a third-party suite.
- How do I run a free Malwarebytes scan?
- Install the free version, click Update, then Scan. A full scan on a typical PC takes a few minutes to half an hour.
- Does Malwarebytes remove trojans?
- Yes, it removes trojans, adware, spyware, browser hijackers and many potentially unwanted programs. For a deeply compromised system, also run an offline scan from Windows Security.
Sources
- Malwarebytes official site