Quick take
Already sold on Malwarebytes?
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Short answer: Malwarebytes Free remains one of the best tools for cleaning up a computer that is already infected with adware, browser hijackers or unwanted programs — and it costs nothing. Malwarebytes Premium, which adds real-time protection, is a capable antivirus that blocked 98.8% of attacks in AV-Comparatives' February–May 2026 test, but it also produced 39 false alarms, one of the highest counts in the test, which cost it a downgraded award. Our recommendation: keep the free version as a second-opinion scanner, and choose a main antivirus with fewer false positives.
What the independent labs found
Test | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection, Feb–May 2026 (400 live attacks) | 98.8% blocked, 5 compromised, 39 false alarms — STANDARD (downgraded for false alarms) | Detection is competitive; false positives are high |
For comparison in the same test | Bitdefender 99.5% / 5 FPs; ESET 98.5% / 2 FPs; Microsoft Defender 99.0% / 0 FPs |
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A false alarm means legitimate software was blocked or flagged as malicious. A few are normal; 39 in one test round means more interruptions and a real risk of users learning to ignore warnings.
Gizmodo also reports that the Malwarebytes Windows app earned an AV-TEST TOP PRODUCT award in the March–April 2026 round (17.5 of 18 points).
Free vs. Premium
| Malwarebytes Free | Malwarebytes Premium |
|---|---|---|
Scanning | Manual, on-demand scans | Manual plus real-time protection |
Cleans existing infections | Yes | Yes |
Blocks threats before they run | No | Yes — malware, ransomware, exploits and malicious websites |
Browser Guard extension | Yes (ad, tracker and scam blocking) | Yes |
Price | Free | From about $44.99 for the first year (1 device); multi-device and VPN bundles cost more |
Money-back guarantee | — | 60 days |
Important: the free version does not protect you in real time. It only finds problems when you run a scan. That is exactly why it pairs well with another antivirus — it won't conflict with it.
The Malwarebytes dashboard: scan status, real-time protection toggles and Browser Guard in one view.
Where Malwarebytes shines: cleaning up
Malwarebytes made its name removing the stubborn junk that traditional antivirus often ignores:
- Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) bundled with free downloads.
- Adware and browser hijackers that change your homepage or search engine.
- Leftover components from infections other tools only partly removed.
How to clean an infected Windows PC with Malwarebytes Free
- Disconnect from the internet if the PC is behaving strangely (pop-ups, redirects, unknown programs launching).
- Download Malwarebytes from malwarebytes.com only — fake versions are a common trap.
- Reconnect briefly to install and update, then run a Scan.
- Quarantine everything it finds and restart.
- Run a second scan to confirm the system is clean.
- Reset your browsers' settings and remove extensions you don't recognize.
- Change passwords for important accounts from a clean device if you suspect credential-stealing malware.
Should you use Premium as your main antivirus?
You can — its detection is competitive — but we don't recommend it as the first choice. Bitdefender, Norton and Microsoft Defender all blocked more attacks in the same AV-Comparatives test with far fewer false alarms. Premium makes the most sense if you specifically value its exploit and anti-ransomware layers alongside the familiar Malwarebytes interface, or if it comes bundled with a plan you already use.
Weak spots
- High false-positive count in the latest AV-Comparatives test.
- No firewall, parental controls or backup — it is a focused anti-malware product.
- Free version has no real-time protection.
Who should choose Malwarebytes
Use Malwarebytes Free if you: need to clean up adware or a suspected infection, or want a second-opinion scanner alongside your main antivirus.
Consider Premium if you: want a simple, lightweight real-time protection layer and accept more false alarms than leading suites.
For your main antivirus, look at: Bitdefender for top protection, ESET for very few false alarms, or Microsoft Defender if you want free and built in.
Verdict
Malwarebytes Free belongs in every Windows user's toolkit as a cleanup and second-opinion scanner. Malwarebytes Premium is a competent real-time antivirus, but its 2026 lab results show too many false alarms to make it our top pick for full-time protection.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malwarebytes Free enough on its own?
No. The free version only scans when you run it and does not block threats in real time. Use it alongside Microsoft Defender or another antivirus.
Can I run Malwarebytes with another antivirus?
Yes. Malwarebytes Free is designed to run alongside other antivirus software without conflict.
How good is Malwarebytes Premium at detecting malware?
It blocked 98.8% of 400 real-world attacks in AV-Comparatives' February–May 2026 test, competitive with leading products, but it also produced 39 false alarms.
Does Malwarebytes have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, 60 days on Premium purchased directly from Malwarebytes.
Sources
- AV-Comparatives, Real-World Protection Test February–May 2026
- PCWorld, Malwarebytes Premium Security review (free vs. Premium features)
- Gizmodo, Malwarebytes review (pricing, AV-TEST March–April 2026 award)
The bottom line
