The Malwarebytes free trial is a 14-day trial of Malwarebytes Premium that comes with the free download. Malwarebytes says your download includes a 14-day free trial of Premium, which gives you real-time protection that stops threats before they reach your files. Malwarebytes Free, by contrast, is an on-demand scanner that finds and removes infections already on your device.
That difference is the whole story of the trial. For two weeks you get protection that runs all the time. After that, unless you buy, you're relying on a cleanup tool you run yourself, which is a very different level of cover.
Free versus Premium in plain terms
| Malwarebytes Free | Malwarebytes Premium Security (and the trial) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Finds and removes infections already on your device | Stops scams, malware, ransomware and phishing in real time |
| When it works | When you run a scan | All the time, in the background |
| Devices | Scans the device it's installed on | PCs, Macs, Androids and iPhones |
| Human support | Not listed | 24/7 human support |
| Refund | Not applicable | 60-day refund guarantee on annual plans |
Malwarebytes describes Free as a cleanup tool for cyberattacks that have already damaged a device, and Premium Security as the product that stops those attacks happening in the first place.
How the trial works
- Download Malwarebytes from its website.
- Install it. Malwarebytes says the download includes a 14-day free trial of Premium.
- Run a first scan to clear anything already on the device.
- Use your computer normally for two weeks with real-time protection running.
- Before day 14, decide whether to buy Premium or carry on with the free scanner.
When the trial ends
Because the free version is a scanner rather than real-time protection, the practical change on day 15 is that nothing is watching in the background any more unless you buy or install other protection. If you decide not to pay, put another real-time option in place before the trial runs out. My guide to free antivirus options covers what's available.
If you decide to buy
Malwarebytes offers a 60-day refund guarantee on all annual plans. So if you buy and change your mind, you have two months to ask for a refund. Keep your order confirmation somewhere easy to find, because you'll need it if you ask. Malwarebytes' home plans differ by how many people and devices they cover, with some plans protecting one adult on three devices and family plans covering more.
| Stage | What you risk |
|---|---|
| Trial, days 1 to 14 | Nothing; it comes with the free download |
| Trial ends, no purchase | You lose real-time protection; the free scanner remains |
| Annual plan bought | 60-day refund guarantee |
A deal for US students
Malwarebytes' special offers page says students at US educational institutions in its Student Protection Program can get two years of its Standard plan for free. If you're a student, check that before paying for anything.
Is the free version enough?
For a second opinion scan on a computer that already has other protection, Malwarebytes Free is a handy tool. As your only protection, it isn't designed for the job. If you want the full breakdown of what the free version does and doesn't do, read my guide to whether Malwarebytes is free, and if you're comparing products, my roundup of Malwarebytes alternatives is a good next step.
Signs you need a scan right now
If you're starting the trial because something feels wrong, Malwarebytes lists telltale signs of an infection:
- Your computer slows down significantly.
- You start seeing a lot of unexpected pop-ups.
- Your system crashes, freezes or shows a blue screen.
- Device or browser settings change without you changing them.
In that case, run a full scan as soon as you install, before you judge anything else about the trial. Malwarebytes also says all its plans include Browser Guard, its ad and scam blocker extension, so add that to your browser during the trial too.
Home plans by household
Malwarebytes sells home plans by people and devices. Its home page lists plans that protect one adult on 3 devices up to family plans for 2 adults, 10 kids and 10 devices, plus separate options for small business devices.
Options for small businesses
Malwarebytes' home page also lists plans for business use, from security for your personal and business devices, to protection for your team's most critical devices, up to security for every device in the office, including personal devices. If you're a sole trader using one laptop for everything, a home plan may be enough. If you've got staff, it's worth looking at the business tiers before you buy after the trial.
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Whichever you pick, it's the real-time protection you're paying for. If the free scanner is all you'll keep, you'll want another product doing that job. Malwarebytes says Premium Security also comes with 24/7 human support, which matters most when you can't afford a day without a working computer.
My advice
Use the 14 days to see whether Premium slows your machine down and whether its alerts are useful or noisy. If you decide not to pay, have another real-time product installed before the trial ends, and keep Malwarebytes Free as a backup scanner. If you do buy an annual plan, note the 60-day guarantee, because it's a generous window to change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Malwarebytes free trial?
14 days. Malwarebytes says your download includes a 14-day free trial of Malwarebytes Premium.
What's the difference between Malwarebytes Free and Premium?
Malwarebytes says Free is a cleanup tool for attacks that have already damaged a device, while Premium Security stops attacks in real time before they do damage.
Does Malwarebytes Free give real-time protection?
No. Malwarebytes describes Free as an on-demand scanner that finds and removes infections already on your device; real-time protection is part of Premium Security.
Does Malwarebytes offer a refund?
Malwarebytes offers a 60-day refund guarantee on all annual plans.
Can students get Malwarebytes free?
Malwarebytes says students at US educational institutions in its Student Protection Program can get two years of Standard for free.
What are the signs my computer has malware?
Malwarebytes lists a computer slowing down significantly, lots of unexpected pop-ups, system crashes or blue screens, and device or browser settings changing without you changing them.
Does Malwarebytes include a browser extension?
Yes. Malwarebytes says all its plans include Browser Guard, its ad and scam blocker extension.
