Malwarebytes vs Webroot
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Best for: Households that want one subscription covering up to 10 devices, People more worried about scam links and phishing than classic viruses
Read the full Malwarebytes reviewBest for: Households with a mix of Windows, Mac, and mobile devices that want one security provider and one renewal across all of them, Owners of older or lower-spec computers who need protection that will not tax system resources
Read the full Webroot reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
Malwarebytes vs Webroot: features compared
Compare key features side by side
Feature Comparison Summary
Which should you choose?
Choose Malwarebytes if
- You prioritize malware detection and removal.
- You want a free device scan before subscribing.
Choose Webroot if
- You need coverage for up to 10 devices and identities.
- You want VPN, parental controls, or backup in one plan.
Malwarebytes vs Webroot: pros and cons
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes bundles antivirus, scam checking, a VPN (from Plus), and identity protection with up to $2M insurance (Ultimate) into one annual subscription, backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. That's broad coverage, but billing is annual-only and lower tiers skip key features. Overall, it's a solid, recommendable pick for households and multi-device users who don't need monthly billing.
Pros
- Scam Guard is included in every plan, letting you paste a suspicious link or screenshot for a verdict before you click—plus Browser Guard is billed as the world's first browser extension built specifically to detect and stop tech support scams.
- Ultimate tiers bundle full identity protection — dark web scanning, credit monitoring, live agent-supported recovery, an online personal data remover, and up to $2 million in identity theft insurance.
- Family Ultimate covers 2 adults, 10 kids, and 10 devices under a single $199.99/year subscription, which is unusually broad coverage for one annual plan.
Cons
- There is no monthly billing option—all nine plans are billed annually, and the pricing page doesn't spell out cancellation steps, so you should review the terms of service before checkout.
- Core tiers leave gaps — the VPN requires Plus or above, while identity protection, the $2M insurance, and the personal data remover are locked to Ultimate ($139.99+/yr), so the $59.99 Standard plan is antivirus and browsing protection only.
- Individual Ultimate covers just one adult; households or couples wanting identity protection for two adults must step up to the Family Ultimate plan.
Webroot
Webroot keeps its security client tiny by doing most detection work in the cloud, and its tiered plans cover Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Identity and privacy features sit in higher tiers, though, and the $1-to-$1,920 price spread makes comparison shopping essential. Overall, it's a sensible pick for mixed-device households willing to study the plan details before checkout.
Pros
- Cloud-assisted scanning keeps the installed client lightweight, so real-time protection does not noticeably slow everyday use or boot times.
- Coverage extends beyond malware to identity, privacy, and personal data, reducing the need to buy separate security tools for each threat type.
- Tiered plans let you match protection to your actual device count and budget, from a single machine up to a full household.
Cons
- The published price range spans $1 to $1,920, which makes it hard to tell what a realistic plan costs without studying the comparison page in detail.
- Entry-level plans focus on core device protection; identity recovery and premium extras are reserved for higher tiers, so the cheapest option may feel thin.
- Independent lab certifications and aggregate user-review scores were not available for this review, so third-party validation should be confirmed before purchase.
Malwarebytes and Webroot in detail
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is an all-in-one cybersecurity suite for individuals, families, and small businesses. It combines real-time antivirus, safe web browsing with scam and ad blocking, a privacy VPN, and identity theft protection with up to $2 million in insurance. It runs on PCs, Macs, Androids, and iPhones, and a free virus and malware scan is available before you buy.
Standout features
- Real-time antivirus that catches what others miss
- Scam Guard: check before you click
- Cleaner, faster browsing with Browser Guard
- Privacy and identity protection built in
Use cases
- One subscription for the whole family
- Safer browsing on public Wi-Fi
- Double-check shady links before you click
- Protect devices at a small business
Webroot
Webroot is a consumer antivirus and internet security suite. Its core engine scans for and blocks malware, while higher tiers add protection for personal data, online privacy, and identity. Threat detection is delivered largely through the cloud, which keeps the software's footprint on your machine small. Plans scale by device count and feature depth, so the same provider can cover a single PC or an entire household.
Standout features
- Cloud-Based Threat Detection
- Identity and Privacy Protection
- Multi-Device, Multi-Platform Coverage
- Tailored, Tiered Plans
Use cases
- Securing a Family's Mixed Device Lineup
- Protecting an Older or Low-Spec Computer
- Guarding Personal and Financial Identity Online
- Scaling Protection as Needs Grow
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | Malwarebytes | Webroot |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | $5/mo Standard (Individual) | $4.17/mo Antivirus Protection Essentials 1 Device |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Not stated |
| Money-back guarantee | 60 days | Not stated |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Flat price |
| Cost for 1 user | $5/mo Standard (Individual) plan, billed annually | $4.17/moCheaper Antivirus Protection Essentials 1 Device plan, billed annually |
| Cost for 5 users | $5/mo Standard (Individual) plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | $4.17/mo Antivirus Protection Essentials 1 Device plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 10 users | $5/mo Standard (Individual) plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | $4.17/mo Antivirus Protection Essentials 1 Device plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Cost for 25 users | $5/mo Standard (Individual) plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | $4.17/mo Antivirus Protection Essentials 1 Device plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) |
| Plans | 9 | 7 |
| Prices checked | Checked Sep 28, 2026 | Vendor page checked Oct 13, 2026 |
| Price history | Tracking prices since Sep 7, 2026. No price change detected yet. | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed annually), Webroot costs $4.17/mo vs Malwarebytes at $5/mo.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool offers more advanced protection features?
Webroot includes identity monitoring, VPN, parental controls, and backup on higher tiers. Malwarebytes offers identity alerts, restoration support, and plan-dependent insurance.