Malwarebytes: antivirus, VPN and identity protection plans compared

Shopping at Malwarebytes? See all current Malwarebytes promo codes and deals, checked regularly.

Malwarebytes has been making security software since 2004, and many people first met it as the free tool that cleaned up malware their antivirus missed. Today it's a full suite for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, sold as yearly plans. It suits households that want simple, set-and-forget protection, and people who'd like a VPN or identity theft cover from the same company without juggling several subscriptions.

Everything is a download, so there's nothing to ship. Prices are in US dollars and don't include sales tax, which is added at checkout. Every annual plan comes with a 60-day money back guarantee, and customer support is free.

What's worth a look

Here are six plans from the current US pricing, from basic device security to the full family bundle.

For most people the choice comes down to two plans. Standard, at $59.99 a year for three devices, covers antivirus, ransomware and phishing protection plus Browser Guard's scam and ad blocking. Plus, at $79.99, adds the Privacy VPN, which is built on WireGuard and doesn't log your activity. The identity theft protection plans add dark web alerts, identity insurance and recovery specialists. Ultimate is the one to look at while it's half price, at $139.99 instead of $279.99, as it includes $2 million of cover, three-bureau credit monitoring and a personal data remover.

The family plans work the same way but stretch to 10 devices, which is handy if you're covering children's phones and tablets too. Standard Family is $119.99 a year. Ultimate Family, now $199.99, covers two adults and up to 10 children for identity protection. Malwarebytes also has free tools worth knowing about, including Scam Guard, a scam link checker and a digital footprint scanner, so you can see what it does before paying anything.

Current offers

• Ultimate is 50% off: $139.99 a year for one adult and three devices, or $199.99 for Ultimate Family (was $399.99).
• Pay for two years up front and the special offers page lists 25% off the second year of Standard and 15% off Plus.
• Students and teachers get 50% off Standard and Plus, and military members, veterans and public sector workers get 40% off, all verified through proxi.id.

How to save more

• Try before you pay. The free download includes a 14-day Premium trial, and the malware remover and Browser Guard stay free.
• Don't pay for cover you won't use. If you already have identity monitoring through your bank or insurer, Standard or Plus may be enough.
• Check for a discount before you buy. The education, military and public sector discounts carry on at renewal, so they're worth setting up from the start.

Products, prices and offers checked on the store's own website on 5 Nov 2026. Prices and stock can change.

Ad: affiliate links. If you buy through links in this article we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Malwarebytes didn't pay for this article or check it before we published it. How we make money.