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One account. Up to 5 devices. Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones and Android phones — all protected from a single dashboard.
The most complete Malwarebytes experience. Full malware scanning, real-time protection, ransomware blocking and Browser Guard. Runs seamlessly alongside Windows Defender.
⬇ Download for WindowsPurpose-built for Mac-specific threats. Catches adware, trojans, browser hijackers and PUPs that macOS Gatekeeper and Apple's XProtect leave undetected.
⬇ Download for MacReal-time malware protection, AI-powered scam call and text detection, privacy permission auditor, ransomware blocking and safe browsing — all in one app.
⬇ Get on Google PlayAI Scam Guard blocks fraudulent calls and texts. VPN masks your IP and browsing. Safari ad blocker removes intrusive ads. Identity monitoring watches for data breaches.
⬇ Get on App StoreTraditional antivirus waits for a file to land on your drive, then scans it. By the time a signature match is found, the malware may have already run. Malwarebytes uses a fundamentally different approach: real-time behavioral monitoring that watches how code behaves, not what it looks like.
Every process that starts, every file that writes to disk, every network connection that opens — Malwarebytes evaluates it against a model of known malicious behavior. Suspicious patterns trigger an immediate block before any damage can occur.
Malwarebytes isn't just an antivirus. It detects and removes 8 major threat categories that traditional security tools routinely miss.
Ransomware attacks are among the most devastating a PC can face — encrypting thousands of files within seconds, then demanding payment to restore them. Signature-based antivirus often fails because new ransomware variants are released faster than databases can be updated.
Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware uses a dedicated behavioral module — completely separate from the main antivirus engine — that watches specifically for ransomware-style file operations: mass file reads followed by encrypted rewrites, volume shadow copy deletion, and extension renaming.
Six layers of protection working simultaneously — every layer catches threats the others might miss.
Always-on monitoring of every running process, file write, network connection and script execution. Behavioral AI blocks threats the instant they attempt to run — before infection can occur. Zero-day threats caught via pattern recognition, not signatures.
A dedicated behavioral engine monitors specifically for ransomware attack patterns — mass file encryption, shadow copy deletion, extension renaming. Stops attacks in real time and rolls back any files encrypted in the milliseconds before detection triggered.
Free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. Blocks malicious websites, tech support scams, phishing pages, cryptojacking scripts and intrusive trackers. Updates in real time from Malwarebytes Labs threat intelligence. No subscription required.
AI-powered phone scam detection for iOS and Android. Analyses caller ID against a database of known scam operations and evaluates incoming call patterns in real time. Also scans incoming SMS for phishing links before you tap. Blocks scams before you engage.
Scans below the operating system using low-level kernel access to detect rootkits, bootkits and firmware-level malware that conventional scanners cannot see. Particularly effective against threats that hook into the Windows kernel to hide their presence.
WireGuard-encrypted VPN with a verified no-log policy. Masks your real IP address, encrypts all traffic and prevents ISP tracking. Available on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Servers in 40+ countries. Included in Premium Plus and Teams subscriptions.
Phone scams are now the fastest-growing form of cybercrime globally. In 2025 alone, Americans lost over $12 billion to phone and SMS fraud — more than any other form of online crime. Traditional call-blocking apps rely on crowdsourced lists that scammers evade by rotating numbers every few hours.
Malwarebytes Scam Guard takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of matching phone numbers to lists, it uses AI models trained on millions of real scam call recordings and transcripts to identify scam behaviour patterns. A new scam operation launching with fresh numbers is still detected — because the pattern of what scammers say doesn't change.
Clean, uncluttered interface designed to surface threats clearly — not to upsell features you don't need.
From download to first completed scan in under 5 minutes. No technical knowledge required on any platform.
Click the Download Now button. MBSetup.exe (~3.5 MB) downloads directly from Malwarebytes' official servers. No third-party mirrors, no bundled software. Mac users download a .pkg file via the same button.
Double-click MBSetup.exe. If Windows SmartScreen appears, click "More info" → "Run anyway" — this warning is generic for new software. Malwarebytes is digitally signed by Malwarebytes Inc. Installation takes under 2 minutes with no restart required.
Malwarebytes opens automatically and starts a free Premium trial. Click Scan. A full Threat Scan examines your running processes, memory, registry and file system. Most scans complete in 3–10 minutes depending on drive size and system speed.
Review detected items — malware, adware, PUPs and rootkits are clearly categorised. Click Quarantine to safely remove all threats. Quarantined files are stored encrypted so you can restore any false positives. Your PC is now clean and protected.
Independent AV-Test data, feature breakdown and real-world performance — side by side.
| Feature / Metric | Malwarebytes | Windows Defender | Norton 360 | McAfee Total Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free version | ✓ Full-featured free | ✓ Built into Windows | ✗ Trial only (30 days) | ✗ Trial only (30 days) |
| On-demand malware scan | ✓ Deep + rootkit scan | ✓ Quick/Full scan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Real-time protection | ✓ Behavioral AI (Premium) | ✓ Signature-based | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Anti-ransomware layer | ✓ Dedicated module | cp Basic heuristics | ✓ Yes | cp Basic |
| Browser Guard extension | ✓ Free for all users | ✗ Not available | cp Limited (Norton Safe Web) | ✗ Not available |
| Scam call blocking (mobile) | ✓ AI-powered (iOS & Android) | ✗ Not available | cp Basic call blocking | ✗ Not available |
| Rootkit detection | ✓ Below-OS scanning | cp Surface-level only | ✓ Yes | cp Limited |
| Privacy VPN | ✓ WireGuard, no-log (Premium+) | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Personal Data Remover | ✓ Premium Plus | ✗ Not available | ✗ Not available | cp LifeLock (add-on) |
| System performance (AV-Test) | 6/6 — Minimal impact | 6/6 — Minimal impact | 5.5/6 — Moderate | 4.5/6 — High impact |
| Malware detection rate (AV-Test) | 99.9% | 99.7% | 99.9% | 99.6% |
| False positive rate | Very low | Low | Low | Medium |
| Works alongside other AV | ✓ Designed for dual use | — Primary AV | ✗ Conflicts with other AV | ✗ Conflicts with other AV |
| Price (entry plan) | Free / $3.75/mo Premium | Free (built-in) | $19.99/yr first year | $29.99/yr first year |
All plans start with a free download and a 14-day Premium trial. No credit card required to begin.
The research team behind Malwarebytes. Analyses emerging threats, tracks ransomware gangs and publishes the State of Malware report — the industry's most cited threat intelligence publication.
From first-time PC users to IT administrators managing thousands of endpoints — Malwarebytes scales to fit.
Malwarebytes free gives you on-demand scanning and removal with zero configuration. Download, install, click Scan — that's the entire workflow. No security knowledge required.
Malwarebytes Premium covers up to 5 devices on one subscription. Protect the family PC, the kids' tablets, your iPhone and your partner's Android — all from one account dashboard.
Employees working from home are frequent targets of phishing and ransomware. Malwarebytes complements corporate security tools and catches threats that bypass traditional enterprise AV.
Scam Guard protects older users from the tech support scams and phone fraud that disproportionately target this demographic. Simple interface, automatic updates, always-on protection.
Minimal system impact (6/6 in AV-Test performance benchmarks) means Malwarebytes doesn't lag your games. Gaming Mode suspends notifications during full-screen applications.
Malwarebytes Teams provides centralised management, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and policy control for up to 100 devices — without needing a dedicated IT team.
127,000+ verified reviews across Trustpilot, Google Play and the App Store. Average rating: 4.8 stars.
"Malwarebytes found 4 trojans that Norton had completely missed on my machine. After cleaning, my PC runs noticeably faster. I now run Malwarebytes alongside Norton — they work perfectly together with no conflicts. Best decision I've made for my PC's security."
"Scam Guard blocked 3 scam calls in my first week — I've been getting them constantly since my number got leaked. The interface is clean and not overwhelming. It doesn't drain my battery. And it's free for the basic protection. Exactly what I needed."
"We deploy Malwarebytes Teams across 45 workstations in our office. It's caught things our enterprise AV missed, the management console is easy to use without needing dedicated IT staff, and the pricing is transparent. 8 years of using it and I've never looked elsewhere."
Yes. Malwarebytes is completely free to download for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. The free version provides on-demand malware scanning and manual removal. Premium adds always-on real-time protection, ransomware blocking, Scam Guard and VPN from $3.75/month.
Malwarebytes detects and removes malware, viruses, spyware, adware, ransomware, rootkits, trojans, worms, keyloggers, cryptojackers and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Its behavioral AI identifies both known threats and novel zero-day variants.
Click the Download Now button to get MBSetup.exe directly from Malwarebytes servers. Run the installer — Malwarebytes installs in under 2 minutes on Windows 10 and Windows 11 without requiring a restart.
Yes. Malwarebytes is specifically designed to complement Windows Defender without conflicts. Most security experts recommend running both — Defender as the primary antivirus and Malwarebytes as a second-opinion scanner with superior behavioural detection.
Yes. Malwarebytes Premium includes a dedicated Anti-Ransomware module that monitors file system behaviour and stops ransomware before it can encrypt your data — including unknown ransomware strains not yet in any signature database.
Scam Guard is an AI-powered feature available on iOS and Android that detects and blocks fraudulent phone calls and SMS messages in real time. It uses pattern recognition trained on millions of real scam interactions to alert you before you answer or click.
Malwarebytes Premium detects 15–30% more threats than Windows Defender in independent AV-Test evaluations. It adds Browser Guard for web threat blocking, Scam Guard for phone fraud, VPN for privacy, and Personal Data Remover — layers Defender does not offer.
Malwarebytes updates threat intelligence continuously via its cloud engine. Local signatures update multiple times daily. Malwarebytes Labs analyses over 650,000 new threat samples every single day globally.
No. Malwarebytes is consistently rated as one of the lightest security applications available. In AV-Test performance benchmarks it scores 6/6 for system impact. The real-time protection module uses minimal CPU and RAM during normal use, with resource usage only spiking during active scans.
Yes. Malwarebytes Premium covers up to 5 devices on one subscription, across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. A single account manages all devices from the Malwarebytes web console dashboard.
Yes. The free download is the genuine, full Malwarebytes installer obtained directly from official Malwarebytes servers. It is digitally signed by Malwarebytes Inc., contains no bundled adware or toolbars, and never asks for payment to remove threats it finds. Always download from the official source to avoid fake or repackaged installers distributed on third-party sites.
When you first install Malwarebytes you get a 14-day free trial of Premium with full real-time protection. After 14 days, if you do not purchase, the software automatically reverts to the free version — a manual on-demand scanner. The free version never expires and you can run a full scan at any time; you simply lose the always-on protection layer.
On Windows, open Settings > Apps, select Malwarebytes and click Uninstall. For a clean removal that also clears leftover settings, Malwarebytes provides a free dedicated tool called the Malwarebytes Support Tool, which removes every component and registry entry. On Mac, drag the app to Trash and run the built-in uninstaller from the Help menu.
Partly. On-demand scanning using locally stored signatures works offline, so you can still detect and remove known malware. However, cloud-based behavioural analysis, real-time web protection and live threat-intelligence updates require an internet connection to function at full strength.
Windows: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), 2 GB RAM, 250 MB free disk space. macOS: version 11 Big Sur or later, including Apple Silicon. Android: 8.0 Oreo or newer. iOS: version 16 or later. An active internet connection is recommended for real-time protection and updates.
Malwarebytes Premium is a complete antivirus replacement — it provides real-time protection, web filtering and ransomware defence on its own. The free version is best used as a second-opinion scanner alongside another antivirus. Many users run Malwarebytes Premium as their only security product.
A Threat Scan, which checks the most commonly infected areas, typically completes in 1 to 3 minutes on modern hardware. A full Custom Scan of an entire drive can take 15 to 60 minutes depending on how many files you have and your storage speed.
Yes. The free Browser Guard extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox blocks phishing pages, tech-support scam sites, malicious ads and trackers in real time. Malwarebytes Premium also blocks known malicious domains at the system level before the page can load.
Yes. Both the trial and the permanently free version can fully remove any malware they detect at no cost. Malwarebytes never holds threat removal behind a paywall — payment only unlocks ongoing real-time prevention, not the cleanup of an existing infection.
Yes. Malwarebytes has a low-impact design and a Play Mode that suppresses notifications and postpones scheduled scans while you game or run full-screen applications, so protection stays active without affecting frame rates.
Malwarebytes Premium for a single device starts at around $3.75 per month billed annually, with multi-device and family plans available at a lower per-device rate. All paid plans are backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Premium risk-free.
Traditional antivirus waits for a threat to be catalogued before it can stop it. Malwarebytes runs four detection layers at once, so brand-new malware is caught the moment it behaves badly — not days later.
Every confirmed piece of malware has a unique fingerprint. Malwarebytes maintains a continuously updated local database of these signatures so known viruses, trojans and worms are flagged instantly during a scan. This layer is fast and precise, but on its own it can only catch what has already been seen — which is why the next three layers exist.
Modern malware mutates constantly to dodge signatures. Heuristic analysis inspects a file's structure, code patterns and packing methods for traits common to malicious software — even when the exact sample has never been catalogued. This is how Malwarebytes flags repackaged and obfuscated threats that slip past signature-only scanners.
The most dangerous threats are zero-days: malware so new that no signature exists. Malwarebytes monitors how programs actually behave in real time — watching for telltale actions like mass file encryption, injection into other processes, or silent registry changes. When a process acts like ransomware, it is halted and quarantined before damage is done, regardless of whether it has ever been seen before.
The cleanest infection is the one that never lands. Malwarebytes cross-references the sites you visit and the files you download against a cloud database of millions of malicious domains and IPs, updated continuously by Malwarebytes Labs. Phishing pages, exploit kits and scam sites are blocked before the payload reaches your device.
The threats people actually face have shifted from noisy viruses to quiet, profit-driven attacks. Here is what is targeting home users right now and what to do about each one.
Criminal groups now rent ready-made ransomware kits to less-skilled attackers, dramatically increasing the volume of attacks on individuals and small businesses. A single click on a malicious attachment can encrypt every document and photo on your drive. Defence: behaviour-based anti-ransomware that stops encryption in progress, plus regular offline backups.
Scam emails, fake login pages and text-message fraud are now written by AI, making them grammatically flawless and highly convincing. Fake "your account is locked" messages and delivery-tracking scams are among the most common. Defence: real-time web and link filtering plus Scam Guard, which analyses suspicious messages and screenshots before you act on them.
This is the fastest-growing category: lightweight malware designed to silently harvest saved passwords, browser cookies, crypto wallets and session tokens, then vanish. Victims often never notice until accounts are drained. Defence: real-time protection that blocks the dropper on execution, and a password manager so a single leak doesn't unlock everything.
Attackers buy search ads and build convincing fake download pages for popular software — including security tools themselves. Users searching for a free download land on a cloned site and install a trojan instead. Defence: always download from official sources, and use Browser Guard to block malicious ad networks and known fake-download domains.
Not strictly malware, but PUPs — bundled toolbars, aggressive "system cleaners", and adware — slow your machine, hijack your browser and harvest data. Many antivirus tools ignore them. Defence: Malwarebytes is well known for aggressively detecting and removing PUPs that other scanners leave behind.
The honest answer depends on how you use your device. The free version of Malwarebytes is a manual scanner: it does nothing until you open it and press Scan, but when you do, it performs the same deep, full-strength detection and removal as the paid product. If your goal is to clean up an existing infection, or to keep a powerful second-opinion scanner on hand alongside Windows Defender, the free version is genuinely all you need — and it never expires.
Malwarebytes Premium exists to prevent infections rather than clean them up afterwards. Its real-time protection runs constantly in the background, blocking malicious files the instant they appear, stopping ransomware mid-encryption, and preventing dangerous websites from loading. For anyone who shops, banks, works or games online daily — or who looks after less tech-savvy family members — that always-on layer is the difference between catching a threat before it acts and discovering it after the damage is done.
Premium also bundles tools the free version omits entirely: a dedicated Anti-Ransomware engine, the Browser Guard web-filtering extension at full strength, Scam Guard fraud detection on mobile, and an optional Privacy VPN. A single subscription protects up to five devices across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, all managed from one dashboard.
A practical rule of thumb: choose Free if you want an on-demand cleaner and already run another antivirus; choose Premium if you want Malwarebytes to be your complete, set-and-forget protection. Either way, every install begins with a 14-day Premium trial, so you can experience real-time protection before deciding — and Premium is backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Malwarebytes is engineered to run light on every modern device. Here is exactly what each platform needs and what protection it includes.
| Platform | Minimum OS | Requirements | Key protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) | 2 GB RAM, 250 MB disk, active connection recommended | Real-time protection, anti-ransomware, Browser Guard, exploit shielding |
| macOS | macOS 11 Big Sur or later | Intel & Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) native | Real-time protection, adware & PUP removal, web protection |
| Android | Android 8.0 Oreo+ | ~45 MB install, Google Play or direct APK | Malware scanning, Scam Guard, safe browsing, app audit |
| iOS / iPadOS | iOS 16 or later | Available on the App Store | Scam Guard, ad & tracker blocking, web protection |
All four platforms can be protected under a single Malwarebytes Premium subscription covering up to 5 devices, managed from one online dashboard.
In 2026, Malwarebytes free download for Windows remains the most trusted standalone malware removal tool available, with over 500 million cumulative downloads across its 18-year history. The Malwarebytes Windows 10 and 11 download installs in under 2 minutes from official Malwarebytes servers and immediately begins a free 14-day Premium trial — giving every new user access to real-time protection before making any purchase decision.
Unlike traditional antivirus software that relies primarily on signature matching, Malwarebytes antivirus download uses three distinct detection engines working simultaneously: signature scanning for known threats, heuristic analysis for suspicious file characteristics, and behavioural AI that monitors running processes for malicious activity patterns. This multi-layer approach is why Malwarebytes consistently detects 15–30% more threats than Windows Defender alone in real-world evaluations conducted by AV-Test, an independent certification organisation.
The free version of Malwarebytes provides on-demand scanning and manual removal — the complete malware remediation workflow without any subscription. Users who want continuous protection can upgrade to Malwarebytes Premium, which adds always-on real-time monitoring, automatic threat blocking before execution, a dedicated Anti-Ransomware module, malicious website blocking via the Browser Guard extension, and Scam Guard phone fraud detection on mobile.
The Malwarebytes free download is available for Windows 10/11, macOS 11 and later (including Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3), iOS 16+ and Android 8.0+. One Malwarebytes account manages up to 5 devices simultaneously, with all device protection status visible from the Malwarebytes web console dashboard accessible from any browser.
Built-in tools like Windows Defender have improved enormously and provide a solid first line of defence. But independent testing consistently shows that layered protection catches more — particularly the newer categories of threat that dominate 2026, such as information stealers, AI-crafted phishing and potentially unwanted programs. Downloading Malwarebytes free adds a second, behaviour-focused engine that specialises in exactly the threats signature-based scanners tend to miss, with no conflict between the two products running side by side.
Yes — provided you obtain it from the official source. The genuine installer is digitally signed by Malwarebytes Inc., contains no bundled adware, and will never demand payment to remove a threat it has already found. The single most important safety step is to avoid third-party "mirror" sites and cracked versions, which are a common vehicle for the very malware you are trying to remove. Every download button on this page links directly to the official Malwarebytes servers.
After your first scan, a few habits dramatically improve your protection. Run a Threat Scan weekly even with real-time protection active, keep the program set to update automatically, and install the free Browser Guard extension in every browser you use. If you manage devices for family members, link them all to one account so you can confirm at a glance that everyone is protected. And remember that no security tool replaces good backups — pair Malwarebytes with regular offline or cloud backups so that even a worst-case ransomware event can be undone.
Whether you need a one-time malware cleanup or permanent always-on protection across your household, downloading Malwarebytes free is the fastest way to know your devices are clean. The scan is free, the removal is free, and the 14-day Premium trial lets you experience full real-time protection before you ever decide whether to upgrade.
To install Malwarebytes free, click the download button to get the official installer, then double-click it to begin. This Malwarebytes installation guide takes under two minutes: the Malwarebytes download and install process runs automatically, and a 14-day Premium trial starts on first launch. Wondering how to install Malwarebytes without hassle? No restart or technical skill is needed on Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. Our Malwarebytes setup tutorial is simple — accept the prompts, let the app open, and run your first free scan. If you only want to install Malwarebytes as a second-opinion scanner, it runs safely alongside Windows Defender. Always install Malwarebytes from the official source to avoid fake installers, and you will have full malware protection ready in minutes.
Looking for step by step Malwarebytes installation across your devices? To install Malwarebytes on Windows or Mac, download the official installer, run it, and let the app open automatically — no restart required. To install Malwarebytes on Linux, note that there is no dedicated desktop app; Linux users protect their systems through ThreatDown business endpoints or by scanning shared files from a Windows or Mac machine. Learning how to install Malwarebytes on Android or iOS is even simpler: get the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, open it, and tap to grant the permissions it needs to scan. Once the app is running, Malwarebytes setup after installation takes seconds — sign in or create a free account, enable real-time protection, and turn on the Browser Guard extension on desktop. Finally, here is how to start using Malwarebytes: run your first Threat Scan, review and quarantine anything it finds, then schedule weekly scans so protection stays effortless. The 14-day Premium trial begins on first launch, so you can test full real-time protection before deciding whether to upgrade or continue with the permanently free version.
Here is how to install Malwarebytes on Windows 11 step by step: download the official MBSetup file, double-click it, approve the User Account Control prompt, and let the installer finish — it takes under two minutes with no restart. To install Malwarebytes on Mac without App Store, simply download the .pkg installer directly from the official Malwarebytes site and open it; the Mac version is distributed straight from Malwarebytes, not the App Store, so no store account is needed. Searching for how to install Malwarebytes on Linux Ubuntu terminal? There is no native Linux desktop client, so there is no terminal command to install one; Ubuntu users rely on ThreatDown for endpoints or scan files from a Windows or Mac device instead. Note that there is no official Malwarebytes install portable version for Windows — the standard product installs normally, and only the legacy Chameleon rescue tool runs without a full setup. Likewise, you cannot install Malwarebytes without admin rights on Windows, because real-time protection needs system-level access; ask an administrator to install it, after which any standard user account stays protected.
Want to download Malwarebytes for PC free? The Malwarebytes desktop app free download installs in minutes and gives you full malware scanning at no cost. Whether you need the Malwarebytes app for laptop free or a Malwarebytes for Mac free download, the same official installer covers every modern computer. Here is how to install Malwarebytes on Windows 11: click download, run the installer, approve the prompt, and open the app. This Malwarebytes desktop installation tutorial works the same way to install Malwarebytes on computer step by step on Windows 10, Windows 11 and macOS — no technical skill required. As a true desktop application, Malwarebytes also functions as an offline desktop app for on-demand scanning: once installed, it can detect and remove known threats using locally stored signatures even without a connection, though real-time web protection and live updates need internet access. Download the free desktop app today and run your first scan in under five minutes.
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