Malwarebytes vs Microsoft Defender
Not really rivals, whatever the forums say. One is the baseline shield built into Windows, the other is the cleanup specialist technicians reach for. Microsoft Defender is the current name for what most people still type as Windows Defender, so this is the same built-in protection either way.
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Malwarebytes Premium
The second opinion that usually has the final word.
Microsoft Defender
Already on your PC, and better than its reputation.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | Malwarebytes Premium | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Price | From $3.75/mo | Free |
| Renews at | $59.99/yr | n/a |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Cleanups and second layer | Careful single-PC users |
| Category | Specialists | Free & built-in |
| Provider | Malwarebytes | Microsoft |
| Visit Malwarebytes Premium | Visit Microsoft Defender |
What year two costs
On the vendors’ own pages, read September 8, 2026: Malwarebytes Premium's page could not be verified on September 8, 2026, so no amount is quoted for it; Microsoft Defender has no subscription and nothing to renew. Across the 9 vendors that print a renewal price, the median increase is 58.9% and the average 64.3%; every vendor with its source is in the Renewal Price Index, and the entry prices of both sit side by side in the Price Index.
Our verdict
This is the rare comparison where the right answer is often both. Defender provides the always-on baseline with excellent lab scores at zero cost. Malwarebytes specializes in what slips past any baseline (adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs), and its Premium tier is designed to run alongside Defender rather than replace it.
Careful users can run Defender alone and keep the free Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner. If you regularly rescue family PCs, Malwarebytes Premium next to Defender is the strongest budget setup we know.
“The cleanup champion. When something slips through, Malwarebytes is what technicians reach for, and it runs happily next to Defender or any suite. As your only protection it is thinner than the big suites, but as a second layer it is the best money in this market.”Editorial team, on Malwarebytes Premium
“The free baseline that made half the paid market nervous. A perfect 6/6 protection score in recent AV-TEST rounds, zero nags, zero installs. It lacks a VPN, password manager, and cross-platform coverage, but for a careful single-PC user, Defender plus good habits is a legitimate choice.”Editorial team, on Microsoft Defender
Frequently asked questions
Malwarebytes or Microsoft Defender: which do I need?
Often both, and that is not a dodge. Defender is the always-on baseline, with a 6 out of 6 protection score in recent AV-TEST rounds and no cost at all. Malwarebytes specializes in what slips past any baseline. Adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted programs. Its Premium tier is designed to run alongside Defender rather than replace it.
Can Malwarebytes run at the same time as Windows Defender?
Yes, and that is how many professionals run it. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection built to sit next to Microsoft Defender instead of taking it over. If you would rather not pay, keep the free Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner and let Defender do the always-on work. That combination costs nothing and covers two different kinds of failure.
What does Malwarebytes Premium cost?
The Malwarebytes figure in the table above is an older reading; at the September 2026 check no price could be read from malwarebytes.com, as the year-two block above notes, so confirm the first-year price and the renewal on the vendor's page before you buy. Microsoft Defender is free and already installed. What matters for a second layer is the renewal step rather than the first bill. It only makes sense if it is still affordable in year three and year four.
Is Malwarebytes enough as my only antivirus?
As your only protection it is thinner than the big suites. Malwarebytes skips the suite extras, so there is no firewall and no parental controls, and its lab results are good rather than chart-topping. As a second layer next to Defender or a full suite, it is the best money in this market. Those are two very different verdicts on the same product.