Norton vs Malwarebytes
A detailed head-to-head comparison of Norton and Malwarebytes based on our 100-point scoring system.
Winner
Norton
Norton 360 Deluxe
88/100
Very Good4.4
22,850 reviews
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes Premium
86/100
Very Good4.5
14,630 reviews
Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
Norton
Malwarebytes
Overall Score
88/100
86/100
Price
$34.99
$44.99
Customer Rating
4.4/5
4.5/5
Review Count
22,850
14,630
Best For
Best Comprehensive Security Suite
Best Malware Removal Tool
About Page
Yes
Yes
Contact Info
Yes
Yes
Norton — Score Breakdown
Protection Quality24/25
Performance Impact11/15
Feature Set15/15
Price & Value13/15
Ease of Use9/10
Customer Support8/10
Update Frequency8/10
Malwarebytes — Score Breakdown
Protection Quality22/25
Performance Impact14/15
Feature Set12/15
Price & Value12/15
Ease of Use10/10
Customer Support8/10
Update Frequency8/10
Pros & Cons
Norton
Unlimited bundled VPN with no daily data cap, a genuine differentiator in a category where most competitors impose significant usage limits.
Broad feature set covering antivirus, firewall, VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring, parental controls, and cloud backup under one license.
Strong independent lab scores with a 99.8% detection rate across multiple AV-TEST evaluation rounds in 2025.
Medium performance impact rating means users on older hardware may notice system slowdowns during scans and real-time monitoring activity.
No free version available, which makes it harder to evaluate the software before committing to an annual subscription.
Renewal pricing increases significantly after the introductory first-year rate, which can make the long-term cost less competitive than it initially appears.
Malwarebytes
Free on-demand scanner lets users evaluate core detection capability before purchasing, lowering the barrier to trying the product.
Specialized detection for advanced malware categories that conventional signature-based antivirus engines historically miss.
Low system performance impact with a dedicated Play Mode that pauses non-critical background activity during games and media playback.
98.5% detection rate, while strong, falls below the 99.7-99.9% scores achieved by Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and ESET in standardized independent lab evaluations.
No bundled VPN or password manager, meaning users who want those features need to purchase separate subscriptions.
The $44.99 annual price for 3 devices is comparatively high given the feature set relative to competitors offering 5-device plans with VPN and password manager included at similar or lower prices.
Our Verdict
Norton comes out ahead with a score of 88/100 compared to 86/100. Norton is best for best comprehensive security suite. However, Malwarebytes may be a better fit if you prioritize best malware removal tool.
No cybersecurity software can guarantee 100% protection. Always practice safe browsing habits and keep your software up to date. Results may vary based on system configuration.