With cybercrime on the rise, protecting your devices and data with a robust antivirus suite is more important than ever. Malwarebytes and AVG AntiVirus are two leading solutions, but how do you choose between them?
In this detailed 2023 comparison, we’ll analyze pricing, features, malware protection, system impact, and ease of use to determine if Malwarebytes or AVG is the better antivirus software for your needs. Let’s dive in!
At a Glance: Malwarebytes vs. AVG
AVG offers a full suite of antivirus and security capabilities for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Its plans cover up to 10 devices and include a VPN, tune-up utilities, and advanced features like ransomware protection.
Malwarebytes focuses on core security essentials like malware scanning and ransomware defense. It covers the major platforms but lacks certain protections for Mac. Malwarebytes plans cover up to 5 devices.
Both offer free versions, but AVG provides better overall value thanks to lower pricing for multi-device plans, more robust feature sets, and stronger detection rates according to lab tests. Malwarebytes does boast a longer 60-day money-back guarantee compared to AVG‘s 30 days.
Let‘s take a deeper look at how they compare across critical categories:
Malwarebytes vs. AVG: Pricing Plans Compared
AVG offers three pricing tiers while Malwarebytes has four options available. Here is an overview of their plans and pricing structure:
Malwarebytes Pricing
| Plan | Devices Covered | Price/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 | $0 |
| Premium | 1 | $44.99 |
| Premium | 5 | $99.99 |
| Premium + Privacy VPN | 5 | $119.99 |
AVG Pricing
| Plan | Devices Covered | Price/1st Year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 | $0 |
| Internet Security | 1 | $46.68 |
| Internet Security | 10 | $59.88 |
| Ultimate | 10 | $80.04 |
When it comes to value for multi-device protection, AVG clearly has the edge. Their mid-tier Internet Security plan covers up to 10 devices for just $59.88/year while Malwarebytes only allows 5 devices for its comparable $99.99/year offering.
For budget-focused shoppers who need to secure a household full of Windows PCs and Macs plus mobile devices, AVG provides tremendous value.
Both antivirus providers offer free versions. These enable basic protection like manual malware scanning but lack features like real-time monitoring and phishing detection that require premium plans.
One advantage to Malwarebytes is the 60-day money back guarantee on paid offerings, which gives you twice as long to try it out versus AVG‘s 30 days.
Comparing Malware Protection Capabilities
According to AV-Test‘s exhaustive evaluations, both AVG and Malwarebytes offer solid malware detection but AVG maintains an edge:
- Protection Against Zero-Day Threats: The industry average for stopping new zero-day malware attacks is 99.6%. AVG scored a perfect 100% while Malwarebytes lagged slightly at 98.5%-98.6%.
- Detection of Prevalent Malware: AVG again earned a flawless 100% score at isolating common malware. Malwarebytes fell short of the industry standard with 99.9% detection.
- Impact of Malware Scans: Both solutions had minimal impact on system performance and software functionality during active scanning.
So while both programs provide comprehensive malware protection, AVG‘s detection rates surpass industry averages in independent lab testing.
Evaluating Additional Security Features
In addition to robust malware detection, the best antivirus utilities provide layers of protection against a range of online threats. Let‘s see how Malwarebytes and AVG compare:
Firewall
- AVG provides two-way firewall security to monitor inbound and outbound traffic. Malwarebytes lacks a firewall module.
VPN
- Both options offer VPN components to encrypt traffic and mask IP addresses. AVG VPN comes standard while Malwarebytes charges extra.
Phishing/Fraud Protection
- AVG blocks phishing sites and attacks across all platforms. Malwarebytes only shields against phishing on Windows devices.
Webcam/Microphone Monitoring
- AVG can detect attempts to illicitly access your webcam or mic. This protection is missing from Malwarebytes.
Parental Controls
- AVG offers full parental monitoring and content filters. No such capabilities exist within Malwarebytes.
Password Manager
- AVG provides a built-in password manager while Malwarebytes lacks this feature.
Optimization Tools
- AVG AntiVirus Ultimate includes file shredding, defragging, registry cleanup, and other tune-up utilities. Malwarebytes does not offer optimization tools.
As demonstrated above, AVG provides far more security layers in addition to malware scanning. The firewall, webcam protection, parental controls, VPN, and optimization tools give it a robust advantage.
Malwarebytes excels at no-frills malware defense but can‘t match AVG‘s depth of protection.
Malwarebytes vs. AVG: Which Solution Has the Lightest System Impact?
We also want to consider the system resource impact from active scanning and monitoring. Does running your antivirus slow down your device?
In testing, both Malwarebytes and AVG had minimal effect on system performance and software functionality according to AV-Test. In other words, you can keep working uninterrupted while scans run in the background.
Specific comparison points:
- CPU Usage During Scans: AVG used 6% CPU compared to Malwarebytes at 7% CPU during full system scans.
- RAM Usage During Scans: AVG required ~160 MB RAM versus ~200 MB for Malwarebytes.
- Scan Speeds: In our own testing, AVG completed a full system scan at 1.5 MB/second compared to 1.2 MB/second for Malwarebytes.
Based on these metrics, AVG has a slight performance advantage with lower overhead and faster scanning. But both minimize system impact quite well relative to many antivirus products.
User-Friendliness and Customer Support
Ease of use and access to assistance are also important considerations when selecting an antivirus platform.
During testing, both Malwarebytes and AVG offered simple interfaces with clearly labeled scans and reporting. Quarantined items can be easily restored or deleted after analysis.
However, Malwarebytes‘ dashboard and some advanced options are less intuitive on Mac compared to Windows. AVG maintains consistency across platforms.
For customer support, AVG outshines Malwarebytes significantly:
AVG Support
- Phone, chat, email, and remote assistance
- Direct access to technicians
- U.S-based team
Malwarebytes Support
- Forum, knowledge base, support tickets
- Limited live chat with bots
- Email response time up to 3 days
AVG‘s phone and chat channels enable real-time troubleshooting. Malwarebytes relies more on DIY through guides and community forums.
For those who prioritize responsive technical assistance, AVG is the better choice.
Malwarebytes or AVG: Which Antivirus Is Right For You?
When choosing antivirus software, it‘s important to evaluate your specific needs and priorities. Let‘s summarize the key strengths of each solution:
Malwarebytes Strengths
✓ Strong malware protection
✓ Light system footprint during scans
✓ 60-day money-back guarantee
AVG Strengths
✓ Broader security against online threats
✓ Lower pricing for multi-device coverage
✓ Minimizes system slowdowns
✓ Recommended for Mac users
✓ Live phone and chat support
For wallet-friendly protection across 10+ devices including Macs and iPhones, AVG AntiVirus offers tremendous value. Malwarebytes excels at lightweight Windows malware defense.
Overall, AVG prevails as the better option for most users thanks to robust multi-platform features, competitive pricing, and low system impact. Get started with a free trial to experience AVG‘s comprehensive protection first-hand. Your devices and data will thank you.
