Norton vs Malwarebytes
Norton leads Malwarebytes by 0.4 points overall (8.1 vs 7.7).
8.1/10, Very good
7.7/10, Very good
Criterion by criterion
Where each one wins
Norton9.0
Strong results in AV-TEST's consumer test series.
Protection record
35% weight
Malwarebytes7.5
Good cleanup ability; we could not confirm a full set of recent lab results.
Norton7.5
Moderate footprint given the size of the suite.
System impact
15% weight
Malwarebytes8.5
Lightweight scanner that runs alongside other antivirus.
Norton6.5
Renewal pricing is high, offset by a 60-day refund window.
Value for money
20% weight
Malwarebytes7.5
Free scanner is genuinely useful; Premium is mid-priced.
Norton9.5
VPN, password manager, cloud backup and identity tools bundled.
Extra features
15% weight
Malwarebytes6.5
Fewer extras than full suites.
Norton7.5
Covers all platforms, but the suite has many prompts and add-ons.
Ease of use & platforms
15% weight
Malwarebytes9.0
Very simple apps across many platforms, including ChromeOS.
Published facts
Side by side
| Fact | Norton | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | No | Yes |
| Money-back window | 60 days | Not published |
| Free trial | Not published | 14-day Premium trial |
| In AV-TEST or AV-Comparatives tests | Yes | Not published |
| Main platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS |
| Company base | United States | United States |
Verdict
Which should you pick?
Choose Norton if…
You want something best for households wanting an all-in-one suite.
- + 60-day money-back guarantee
- + Very broad feature bundle
- + Strong lab protection results
Choose Malwarebytes if…
You want something best for cleaning up an infected PC or getting a second opinion.
- + Useful free on-demand scanner
- + Simple, uncluttered apps
- + Works alongside other antivirus
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
Questions
Norton vs Malwarebytes: quick answers
Is Norton better than Malwarebytes?
Norton leads Malwarebytes by 0.4 points overall (8.1 vs 7.7). Norton scores higher on protection record, extra features. Malwarebytes scores higher on system impact, value for money, ease of use & platforms.
Who should choose Malwarebytes over Norton?
Malwarebytes is best for cleaning up an infected PC or getting a second opinion. Norton is best for households wanting an all-in-one suite.
How were Norton and Malwarebytes scored?
Both were scored on the same 5 weighted criteria for antivirus software, using public information such as published plans and terms. We do not lab-test products.