- Free vs premium on Windows and Mac
- The catch: free doesn't protect you in real time
- Free features people don't expect
- Malwarebytes on phones
- How to use free Malwarebytes well
- When the free version is enough
- The free VPN, plan by plan
- The free Windows tools, explained
- Free vs premium: a quick decision
- Where to get it safely
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Malwarebytes has a free version, but it's a clean-up tool, not always-on protection. Malwarebytes says the free scanner finds and removes infections already on your device, while real-time protection that stops threats before they land is a premium feature.
That difference is the whole answer. If you think your computer has picked something up, free Malwarebytes can scan it and clean it. If you want something running in the background that blocks malware, ransomware and dodgy websites as they appear, the free version won't do that. Here's what's free on each device, the surprises in the list, and how to use the free version well.
Free vs premium on Windows and Mac
| Feature | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Scan and Custom Scan | Free | Free |
| Threat Scan | Premium | Premium |
| Scheduled Scan | Premium | Free once a month |
| Real-Time Protection | Premium | Premium |
| Web Protection | Premium | Premium |
| Ransomware Protection | Premium | Not listed |
| Privacy Controls, File Shredder, System Tweaks | Free | Not listed |
| Mac Firewall Tools | Not listed | Free |
| Digital Footprint Scan and Scam Guard | Free | Free |
This comes from Malwarebytes' own Help Center table, updated this month.
The catch: free doesn't protect you in real time
Malwarebytes puts it plainly on its download page: free cleans up, premium keeps threats out. The free version scans when you tell it to. It won't stop a malicious download or block a phishing site while you browse, because Real-Time Protection, Web Protection and Malware Protection are all premium features.
So don't treat free Malwarebytes as your only security. On Windows, keep the built-in protection switched on and use free Malwarebytes as a second opinion when something feels wrong.
Free features people don't expect
- A free VPN on Mac and Windows: Malwarebytes lists limited data and a limited server list with no plan at all.
- Scam Guard, free on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android.
- Digital Footprint Scan, free on Windows and Mac.
- Ad blocking on iPhone and iPad, and SMS protection on iPhone and Android, both free.
- A monthly scheduled scan on Mac, which Windows users only get on premium.
Malwarebytes on phones
| Feature | iPhone | iPad | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scanner | Not listed | Not listed | Free |
| Real-Time Protection | Not listed | Not listed | Premium |
| Web protection | Premium | Premium | Not listed |
| Call protection | Premium | Not listed | Premium |
| Ad blocking | Free | Free | Not listed |
| Scam Guard | Free | Free | Free |
How to use free Malwarebytes well
- Download Malwarebytes from the official Malwarebytes site only.
- Run a Quick Scan, or a Custom Scan on a folder you're worried about.
- Quarantine anything it finds and restart your computer.
- Run a second scan to check it's clean.
- Repeat whenever something odd happens, such as new pop-ups or a slow browser.
If you're wondering whether the app itself is trustworthy, my guide on whether Malwarebytes is safe covers that. And if you want always-on protection without starting with Malwarebytes, my pick of the best antivirus software compares the main options.
When the free version is enough
It's enough if you're careful online, keep your system updated, already have built-in protection running, and want a tool for occasional check-ups. It isn't enough if you share a computer with people who click on everything, or if you handle client files and can't afford a ransomware scare.
The free VPN, plan by plan
| Plan | iPhone and iPad | Android | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free, no plan | Not listed | Not listed | Limited data and servers | Limited data and servers |
| Standard | Not listed | Limited data and servers | Limited data and servers | Limited data and servers |
| Plus | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
So if you only want a light VPN for the odd café Wi-Fi session on a laptop, free Malwarebytes covers that. For a VPN on your phone, or one with no data cap, you need the Plus tier.
The free Windows tools, explained
Malwarebytes' table lists six extra tools as free on Windows, with no plan at all. They're easy to miss because the download page focuses on the scanner:
- Privacy Controls
- Remote Desktop Monitoring
- Windows Firewall Control
- System Tweaks
- Startup Applications
- File Shredder
On Mac, the free extras are Mac Firewall Tools and the once-a-month scheduled scan. Both platforms also get the free Digital Footprint Scan and Scam Guard.
Free vs premium: a quick decision
| Your situation | What makes sense |
|---|---|
| You think something's already on your computer | Free scan and clean-up |
| You want a second opinion alongside built-in protection | Free, run now and then |
| You want threats blocked as they arrive | Premium, for real-time protection |
| You want protection against ransomware on Windows | Premium |
| You want a VPN on your phone | The Plus tier |
That's the honest split. Free Malwarebytes is a strong clean-up tool. It just isn't a guard.
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Where to get it safely
Only download Malwarebytes from its official site or your device's official app store. Be wary of download sites that bundle it with other software. Once it's installed, run a scan, check the results, and keep the app updated so it recognises the newest threats.
If you're on a phone, remember the free features are different there. On Android you get the free scanner, SMS protection and Scam Guard. On iPhone and iPad you get ad blocking and Scam Guard, plus SMS protection on iPhone.
My verdict: Malwarebytes is free as a scanner and cleaner, and it's a good one. Just don't confuse it with protection: the free version fixes problems after they happen, and the premium version is the one that tries to stop them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malwarebytes free to use?
Yes. Malwarebytes Free scans for and removes malware already on your device. Real-time protection is a premium feature.
Does free Malwarebytes have real-time protection?
No. Malwarebytes' Help Center lists Real-Time Protection as a premium feature on Windows, Mac and Android.
Does Malwarebytes have a free VPN?
Malwarebytes lists limited data and a limited server list on Mac and Windows with no plan at all. Unlimited data and the full server list come with its higher tiers.
Is free Malwarebytes enough on its own?
Not as your only protection. The free version scans on demand and won't block threats as they arrive, so keep your built-in protection switched on too.
Is Malwarebytes free on iPhone?
Partly. Malwarebytes lists ad blocking, SMS protection and Scam Guard as free on iPhone. Web protection and call protection are premium features.
Does free Malwarebytes protect against ransomware?
No. Malwarebytes lists Ransomware Protection as a premium feature on Windows.
