Ever wonder if your computer is truly safe from online threats? With new dangers lurking around every digital corner, picking the right cybersecurity software isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Today, we’re putting two heavyweights head-to-head: Malwarebytes vs. McAfee. Both promise top-notch protection, but which one truly delivers for your peace of mind? Let’s dive into their features, performance, and what they offer to keep your digital life secure in 2025.
Table of Contents
A Brief History and Evolution
McAfee, a name that’s been synonymous with antivirus for decades, traces its roots back to the 1980s. It’s seen many changes, even a stint as part of Intel, but it remains a dominant force in providing all-encompassing security solutions.
Malwarebytes began its journey as a specialized tool for cleaning up stubborn malware infections. Fast forward twenty years, and it’s transformed into a formidable full-fledged antivirus contender, now offering real-time defense against a broad spectrum of digital threats.
At a Glance: Malwarebytes vs. McAfee
| Feature/Aspect | Malwarebytes Premium Security | McAfee AntiVirus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Advanced malware detection & removal, evolving to full antivirus | Comprehensive antivirus, identity, and privacy protection |
| Pricing (1 Device/Year) | Starts at $44.99 | $49.99 |
| Multi-Device Protection | Scalable pricing up to 20 devices | Less cost-effective for multiple devices |
| Independent Lab Scores | Not consistently included in recent reports | Consistently high scores (e.g., AV-Test, SE Labs, AV-Comparatives) |
| PCMag Hands-On Malware Blocking | 9.3 points | 8.5 points |
| PCMag Hands-On Anti-Phishing | 88% | 100% |
| VPN Included | No (separate product) | No (separate product) |
| Firewall | No (focus on endpoint protection) | Yes |
Pricing and Value
When it comes to cost, both Malwarebytes and McAfee offer different pricing structures that cater to individual users and those with multiple devices. For a single PC, Malwarebytes Premium Security starts at $44.99 per year, slightly undercutting McAfee AntiVirus at $49.99 per year. However, the real difference emerges when protecting multiple devices.
Malwarebytes offers a more scalable pricing model, with costs increasing incrementally for each additional computer, up to 20 devices. This makes it a more cost-effective solution for users with numerous PCs. McAfee, while offering a reasonable price for a single device, does not provide the same volume discounts, making it significantly more expensive if you need to protect many computers individually. In terms of overall pricing for multi-device households, Malwarebytes is the clear winner.
Independent Lab Test Scores
Independent laboratory tests are crucial for evaluating the real-world effectiveness of antivirus software. These labs rigorously test products against various threats and provide unbiased performance reports.
McAfee consistently participates in and performs exceptionally well in these tests. For instance, in recent reports from AV-Test Institute, McAfee achieved a perfect score of 18 out of 18 across protection, performance, and usability categories. Similarly, SE Labs awarded McAfee its top AAA certification, and AV-Comparatives gave it Advanced+ and Advanced certifications in their various tests. This consistent high performance from reputable labs indicates McAfee’s strong protection capabilities.
Malwarebytes, on the other hand, has not been as consistently featured in recent independent lab reports. While it has achieved excellent scores in the past, the lack of current data makes it harder to assess its up-to-date performance from an independent perspective. Based on available lab test scores, McAfee is the clear winner in this category.
PCMag Hands-On Test Scores
Beyond independent lab tests, PCMag conducts its own rigorous hands-on evaluations to assess how antivirus products perform in real-world scenarios. These tests cover malware blocking, malicious URL blocking, and anti-phishing capabilities.
In PCMag’s main malware blocking test, Malwarebytes Premium Security scored 9.3 points, demonstrating strong detection and remediation capabilities against a collection of diverse malware samples. McAfee, however, performed less impressively in its latest test, scoring 8.5 points.
For malicious URL blocking, which assesses how well an antivirus prevents access to dangerous websites, McAfee achieved a decent 94% detection rate, outperforming Malwarebytes, which scored 88%. In the anti-phishing test, designed to detect and block fraudulent websites attempting to steal credentials, McAfee again excelled with a perfect 100% detection rate, while Malwarebytes scored 95%.
Despite McAfee’s strong performance in URL blocking and anti-phishing, its lower score in the fundamental malware blocking test is a significant concern. Given the primary role of an antivirus is to block malware, Malwarebytes edges out McAfee in PCMag’s hands-on tests due to its superior malware blocking capabilities.
VPN Protection
Today, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must-have for boosting your online privacy and security. It encrypts your internet traffic, keeping your data safe from prying eyes and letting you browse anonymously or access content from anywhere. Many security suites now include VPNs.
Neither Malwarebytes Premium Security nor McAfee AntiVirus include a VPN as part of their core antivirus package. Both companies offer VPN services as separate products or as part of higher-tier security bundles. Therefore, in terms of built-in VPN protection within their standard antivirus offerings, this category is a Tie.
Firewall and Exploit Protection
A firewall acts as a digital bouncer, keeping unwanted connections out of your computer. Exploit protection, meanwhile, stops attacks that try to sneak in through software weaknesses.
McAfee AntiVirus includes a robust firewall as part of its protection suite. This firewall actively monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking suspicious connections and preventing programs from communicating maliciously. It also offers exploit protection to defend against attacks that target software flaws.
Malwarebytes Premium Security, while excellent at detecting and removing malware, traditionally focuses more on endpoint protection rather than a full-fledged firewall. While it has some network protection capabilities, it doesn’t offer the same comprehensive firewall features as McAfee. Therefore, for integrated firewall and exploit protection, McAfee is the winner.
Choosing between Malwarebytes and McAfee ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. Both are strong contenders in the antivirus market, but they excel in different areas.
- Choose Malwarebytes if: You prioritize superior malware blocking capabilities and a more cost-effective solution for protecting multiple devices. It’s an excellent choice for users who want a dedicated and powerful anti-malware tool.
- Choose McAfee if: You prefer a comprehensive security suite with consistently high independent lab scores, an integrated firewall, and strong anti-phishing protection. It’s a good option for users seeking an all-in-one security solution with broad compatibility.
In summary, while McAfee offers a more complete security package with its integrated firewall and strong lab results, Malwarebytes stands out for its core strength in malware detection and removal. Consider your primary concerns—whether it’s raw malware blocking power or a broader security suite—to make the best choice for your digital defense in 2025.
