Kaspersky vs Malwarebytes: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Kaspersky and Malwarebytes side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Kaspersky leads on lower entry price; Malwarebytes leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Kaspersky
Cybersecurity solutions for individuals and businesses, building a Cyber Immune future.
Best for you if:
- • You want good malware detection
Malwarebytes
Cybersecurity and malware protection
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Kaspersky | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $2.50/mo, billed yearly Standard plan | Free plan, paid from $3.75/mo, billed yearly Premium plan |
Category | Security VPN | Security Vulnerability Scanning |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 94 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,089 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Kaspersky or Malwarebytes?
Choose Kaspersky if
- You want good malware detection
- You want comprehensive security
- Budget matters ($2.50/mo, billed yearly vs $3.75/mo, billed yearly)
Choose Malwarebytes if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good malware removal
- You want easy to use
In-Depth Analysis
Kaspersky
Cybersecurity solutions for individuals and businesses, building a Cyber Immune future.
Kaspersky's pricing is fair, especially for the 'Plus' tier at $49.99/year, offering good value with VPN and password manager.
Strengths
- Pro: Good malware detection
- Pro: Comprehensive security
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Russian origin concerns
- Con: Banned in some regions
- Con: Privacy concerns
- Con: Resource usage
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Malwarebytes
Cybersecurity and malware protection
Malwarebytes offers a fair pricing structure, especially with its robust Free tier for basic malware removal.
Strengths
- Pro: Good malware removal
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Free scanner option
- Pro: Good reputation
Weaknesses
- Con: Not full antivirus
- Con: Limited free version
- Con: Resource usage
- Con: False positives
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: Kaspersky vs Malwarebytes
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kaspersky |
| kaspersky.com/pricing read Oct 2, 2026 |
| Malwarebytes |
| malwarebytes.com/pricing read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Kaspersky pricing and Malwarebytes pricing.
Key Takeaways
Kaspersky
- Lower entry price: $2.50/mo, billed yearly vs $3.75/mo, billed yearly
Malwarebytes
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Kaspersky leads on lower entry price; Malwarebytes leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 94 reviews for Kaspersky, 4.6/5 from 1,089 reviews for Malwarebytes).
- Kaspersky has the lower entry price: $2.50/mo, billed yearly (Standard) against $3.75/mo, billed yearly (Premium) for Malwarebytes.
- Only Malwarebytes has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Kaspersky and Malwarebytes compare in 2026?
On the data below, Kaspersky leads on lower entry price; Malwarebytes leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 94 reviews for Kaspersky, 4.6/5 from 1,089 reviews for Malwarebytes). Kaspersky has the lower entry price: $2.50/mo, billed yearly (Standard) against $3.75/mo, billed yearly (Premium) for Malwarebytes. Only Malwarebytes has a free plan.
What are Kaspersky and Malwarebytes used for?
Kaspersky: Cybersecurity solutions for individuals and businesses, building a Cyber Immune future. Malwarebytes: Cybersecurity and malware protection.
What does Kaspersky cost vs Malwarebytes?
Kaspersky's cheapest paid plan is Standard at $2.50/mo, billed yearly. Malwarebytes's cheapest paid plan is Premium at $3.75/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 15, 2026.
What's the main difference between Kaspersky and Malwarebytes?
Kaspersky's main strength: good malware detection. Malwarebytes's main strength: good malware removal.