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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Norton Safe Web vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Norton Safe Web #4 in Anti-Phishing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Try Norton Safe Web
Malwarebytes Browser Guard #7 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Malwarebytes

Norton Safe Web leads on 0 checks, Malwarebytes Browser Guard on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNorton Safe Web · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNorton Safe Web · 3 of 6

Norton Safe Web scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Norton Safe Web is the better fit for people seeking free browser-based phishing protection. Malwarebytes Browser Guard is the better fit for free browser protection with scam and skimmer blocking.

  • Norton Safe Web fits best

    People seeking free browser-based phishing protection

  • Malwarebytes Browser Guard fits best

    Free browser protection with scam and skimmer blocking

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Norton Safe Web 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Malwarebytes Browser Guard 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #4 in Anti-Phishing Software #7 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for People seeking free browser-based phishing protection Free browser protection with scam and skimmer blocking
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Browser extension, Cloud Browser extension
Platforms Chrome extension, Web Windows, macOS, Chrome extension
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Norton Safe Web 3/6 · Malwarebytes Browser Guard 0/6
Phishing URL blocking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Email phishing detection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Browser protection ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Credential protection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Real-time scanning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Checks URLs against a database of scam sites
  • Real-time updates help identify and block new threats
  • AI analyzes page text, code, images, and hidden elements
  • Blocks phishing, scams, malware, and credit-card skimmers
  • Combines ad, tracker, cookie, and GDPR banner blocking
  • Offers site controls, allow lists, and content blocking
Cons
  • Free extension has more limited capabilities than plan-included version
  • Protection is browser-focused, with no email protection specified
  • Standalone Safe Web pricing is not published
  • Browser-extension protection, not a standalone email filter
  • Desktop coverage rather than mobile device coverage
  • Support is limited to documentation
Our verdict

Norton Safe Web is a browser extension and a feature included with Norton device-security plans. It checks websites and links for scam URLs, phishing attempts, malicious links, and other threats, then warns about or blocks suspected…

Read the review →

Malwarebytes Browser Guard is a free browser extension for people who want protection against phishing and scams alongside cleaner browsing. It blocks malicious websites, malware, credit-card skimmers, ads, trackers, and cookie consent…

Read the review →
  1. Norton Safe WebAnti-Phishing Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Malwarebytes Browser GuardAnti-Phishing Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Norton Safe Web — where it wins

    • Checks URLs against a database of scam sites
    • Real-time updates help identify and block new threats
    • AI analyzes page text, code, images, and hidden elements

    Where it doesn't

    • Free extension has more limited capabilities than plan-included version
    • Protection is browser-focused, with no email protection specified
    • Standalone Safe Web pricing is not published

  • Malwarebytes Browser Guard — where it wins

    • Blocks phishing, scams, malware, and credit-card skimmers
    • Combines ad, tracker, cookie, and GDPR banner blocking
    • Offers site controls, allow lists, and content blocking

    Where it doesn't

    • Browser-extension protection, not a standalone email filter
    • Desktop coverage rather than mobile device coverage
    • Support is limited to documentation

More comparisons

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update