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Malwarebytes Free is free to download and can scan for and remove malware, but on Windows and Mac it does not provide the continuous real-time protection included with paid plans. If you mean “gratis antivirus” as protection that runs in the background all the time, the free desktop version is not that: Malwarebytes lists Quick Scan and Custom Scan as free, while Threat Scan and several active protections require a subscription. Features also vary by operating system.
What Malwarebytes Free does
Malwarebytes describes its free Windows and Mac versions as tools for removing malware. That makes the free edition useful for on-demand scanning and cleanup, but it is not equivalent to an always-on antivirus subscription. The vendor’s current comparison table separates free scans from paid protection features. Malwarebytes’ Dutch free-antivirus page
Malwarebytes’ Help Center says its comparison tables show which features are free and which require a subscription across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. The distinctions below reflect that vendor table, updated September 8, 2026; they are not independent test results. Malwarebytes Help Center feature comparison
Which features are free on desktop?
For both Windows and Mac, the current table lists Quick Scan and Custom Scan as free. The following desktop features are listed as paid:
#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.
- Threat Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Web Protection
- Malware Protection
On Windows, ransomware protection and exploit protection are also listed as paid. The table additionally lists several free Windows utilities: Privacy Controls, Remote Desktop Monitoring, Windows Firewall Control, System Tweaks, Startup Applications, and File Shredder. Do not assume these Windows-specific utilities are available on Mac.
How the mobile versions differ
Mobile features do not match the desktop feature set. Malwarebytes’ feature table and its Dutch product page describe different sets of free and paid tools for Android and iOS.
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.
Android
The table lists Android Scanner as free. Real-Time Protection, ransomware protection, and Safe browsing scanner are paid. It lists Android SMS protection as free and call protection as paid. The Dutch product page also describes scanning and removing adware and malware, plus an app privacy audit, as part of its free Android offer. Those are Malwarebytes’ own product descriptions, not independently verified performance claims.
iOS and iPadOS
The comparison table lists Ad blocking and Scam Guard as free, while Web protection and call protection are paid. It lists SMS filtering as free for iOS. Malwarebytes’ Dutch page describes its free iOS offer as Safari ad blocking and SMS filtering. Check the feature table for your device and platform rather than assuming that a feature available on one mobile operating system is available on the other.
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
Is the free version enough?
It depends on what you want it to do. If you want to run a scan and remove malware on a Windows PC or Mac, Malwarebytes Free includes Quick Scan and Custom Scan according to the current feature table. If you want Malwarebytes to provide ongoing real-time, web, or malware protection on those desktop systems, the table marks those features as paid.
For mobile, decide using the features listed for your specific platform. Android’s free scanner and iOS’s free ad-blocking and Scam Guard features are not the same package, and some mobile protections are paid. A feature being described as free on one platform does not establish that it is free on another.
Rank #4
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](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.
Where to download Malwarebytes
Use the official Malwarebytes download page to find the version for your device. The available official pages do not establish a full, version-specific installation walkthrough or system requirements, so check the current download and setup information for your operating system rather than relying on generic steps.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFree versus Premium: the practical difference
The main desktop distinction is on-demand scanning and cleanup versus continuous protection. Free includes Quick Scan and Custom Scan on Windows and Mac; Malwarebytes lists real-time and several other active protections as paid on both. For mobile, the free and paid features depend on whether the device runs Android or iOS/iPadOS. If you are considering a subscription, compare the current feature list for your platform before choosing; subscription prices are not stated here.
Quick Recap
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