Malwarebytes Free vs Premium
The two tiers differ in one dimension that matters: whether protection runs before an infection or only after.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Manual scanning and removal | Yes | Yes |
| Threat-database updates | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time malware protection | No | Yes |
| Web and scam-site blocking | No | Yes |
| Ransomware behavior protection | No | Yes |
| Exploit protection | No | Yes |
| Scheduled scans | No | Yes |
Choose Free if
- Windows Security is your resident antivirus and you keep it enabled
- You want an occasional second opinion
- One careful person uses the PC for a narrow set of tasks
Choose Premium if
- Several people, including children, share the PC
- You handle work documents, client data or online banking on it
- You have been infected before
- You would rather not remember to run scans
The honest middle ground
Windows Security plus the free scanner is a reasonable, no-cost setup for a well-maintained PC. Paying makes sense when you want scam-site blocking and ransomware behavior monitoring, which the built-in tools cover less thoroughly. See Premium features and pricing structure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch back to Free after Premium expires?
Yes. The application reverts to the free scanner automatically when the licence lapses.
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