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If you want to protect your computers (and even smartphones) from viruses and other cyber threats, antivirus software is your best defence. While many free programs provide some level of protection, paid software offers the most advanced and automated defence against malware, ransomware and more advanced attacks.
Two popular contenders in the antivirus software space are Malwarebytes and Avast. Both offer basic protection for free as well as more robust paid plans that do all of the work for you in the background to keep your devices safe from a variety of security threats.
We rated and compared these services on price, security and other features to help you choose which antivirus software is the best for your home or business.
Combat viruses right away with Avast.
On Avast’s Website
Featured Partner Offer
1
Avast
Starting price
Free; $50.08 USD ($68.06 CAD) per year for up to 10 devices
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
2
McAfee
Starting price
$39.99 CAD per year
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
3
Surfshark
Starting Price:
55.62 CAD per year
Inclusions:
Unlimited VPN; emails, credit cards, and personal IDs automatic monitoring
Moneyback guarantee:
30 days
Malwarebytes Vs. Avast: At a Glance
Despite its name, Malwarebytes offers consumers and businesses protection from viruses, ransomware and phishing attacks as well as malware. In addition to its paid plans, the company also offers a freemium version that will detect and remove malware and other threats with a manually run scan.
Malwarebytes’ free download also comes with a 14-day free trial of its Premium plan, which features automatic virus and malware protection, scheduled scans, monthly reports and a browser extension with ad and tracking blockers and malicious website protection. The Premium Plan costs $44.99 USD ($59.89 CAD) per year for one device or $99.99 USD ($133.37 CAD) per year for up to five devices.
Malwarebytes also offers a Plusplan that includes everything in the Premium plan plus a VPN from over 400 servers in more than 30 countries to improve your online privacy and encrypted Wi-Fi security. Malwarebytes Pluscosts $79.99 USD ($106.69 CAD) per year for up to three devices and $99.99 USD ($133.37 CAD) per year for up to five devices.
Avast offers many of the same features as Malwarebytes, including a freemium version that protects against viruses, malware and ransomware. However, whereas Malwarebytes requires you to manually run a scan, Avast’s free version runs discreetly in the background protecting you from these threats as they come up.
Avast’s paid Premium plan adds Wi-Fi network security verification, advanced protection from fake and unsafe websites and stops hackers from remotely taking over your computer or device. Avast Premium costs $37.80 CAD per year for one device or $49.08 CAD per year for up to 10 devices.
Avast One plan offers a VPN, or virtual private network, that uses bank-grade encryption from servers around the world and a smart mode that automatically activates the VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. You also get a suite of tools that clean your computer of junk files and optimize its performance with custom maintenance schedules.
Finally, Avast One offers robust ad and data tracking protection by hiding your online identity and activity. Avast One costs $38.28 CAD per year for five devices or $55.80 CAD per year for up to 30 devices.
Compare Malwarebytes with Avast
Malwarebytes
Price
$44.99 USD ($59.89 CAD) per year to $99.99 USD ($133.37 CAD) per year
Firewall
Yes
Email security
No
Price
$44.99 USD ($59.89 CAD) per year to $99.99 USD ($133.37 CAD) per year
Firewall
Yes
Email security
No
- Works with other antivirus software
- Automatic updates
- 60-day, money-back guarantee
- Manual scan only on free plan
- Expensive
- Limited to 5 devices
Avast
Price
$37.80 CAD per year to $55.80 CAD per year
Firewall
Yes
Email security
Yes
Price
$37.80 CAD per year to $55.80 CAD per year
Firewall
Yes
Email security
Yes
- Free real-time scan
- 30-day free trial
- Protects up to 30 devices
- Conflicts with other antivirus software
- VPN only offered in highest tier
- No native Chromebook support
Both Malwarebytes and Avast offer the defences you need to protect yourself from today’s sophisticated cyberattacks. While both offer a freemium version that scans for active attacks, Avast comes ahead with real-time scanning versus Malwarebytes’ manual scan.
Both platforms also offer advanced security through paid plans, including a one-click VPN and Wi-Fi security validation, as well as protection for smart devices and computers. However, Avast also throws in computer cleaning and performance optimization tools in its highest-priced plan which still comes in at $78 CAD less than Malwarebytes’ top plan.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best set of security features for the money, Avast is our top choice of antivirus software. Not only do you get more features than Malwarebytes, you can also protect up to 30 devices rather than just five and enjoy a generous 30-day free trial of its Premium plan.
Avast is easier to use and more intuitive than Malwarebytes, offering a highly visual and simplified dashboard. The software also offers real-time threat protection and removal with its free plan rather than forcing you to perform a manual scan. Avast also ranked high on our list for the overall best antivirus software on the market.
Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.
Featured Partner Offer
1
Avast
Starting price
Free; $50.08 USD ($68.06 CAD) per year for up to 10 devices
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
2
McAfee
Starting price
$39.99 CAD per year
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
3
Surfshark
Starting Price:
55.62 CAD per year
Inclusions:
Unlimited VPN; emails, credit cards, and personal IDs automatic monitoring
Moneyback guarantee:
30 days
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Avast better than Malwarebytes?
Every user has their own unique needs that will impact what the best solution is for them. That said, Avast did score higher in our analysis due in part to its lower cost and extra features.
Are Avast and Malwarebytes free?
You can install a “freemium” version of each platform that will give you basic protections, but they will encourage you to install a paid version for improved features.
Can I install Avast and Malwarebytes on the same device?
Technically, yes, but not without some potential issues. As each platform scans your device, it may see the other as a threat. They are also likely to use a lot of RAM if they are running simultaneously. Since each platform offers strong security features, you are not likely to require both at the same time.
What are some features that antivirus software should have?
Some essential features that you want the antivirus software you install on your computers to have include real-time scanning and the ability to schedule scans, automatic virus and program updates, quick access to an on-demand scanner and specific scanners like those for webmail, POP3 email, instant messaging, compressed files, scripts and other threats.
