Malwarebytes Premium Security vs Microsoft Defender Antivirus Comparison

• Standard for 3 devices, 1 year: $59.99 a year; the store cart lists the same amount for the next billing
• Standard for 1 device, 1 year: $44.99 a year
• Plus for 3 devices, 1 year: $79.98 a year
• Total for 1 adult and 3 devices, first year: Intro: $89.99 for the first year, a 50% discount
• Total for 1 adult and 3 devices, renewal: $179.99 a year after the first year; the page says the discount is first year only

• Included in Windows: Built into Windows; not sold separately

The privacy policy lists, among the data its software collects, 'artifacts detected as malware, PUPs, or suspicious files' and, for blocked exploits, the exploit payload files and possibly a copy of the exploit executable. It says the content analysis of files, photos and messages runs on the device and the company does not receive the content, 'unless we describe otherwise for a specific feature'; one such feature is text message protection on mobile, which sends the sender and the body of texts from senders not in your contacts and keeps the malicious ones for analysis. It does not say whether the upload of detected files can be switched off separately; the opt-out covers 'threat statistics', which include detection samples.

Cloud-delivered protection is on by default. When the app cannot decide about a file on the device, it sends the file's metadata to Microsoft: hashes, file name and size, signer, the process that touched it, the download address and IP, the hashed file path, and the device's OS version, locale and geographical location. If that is not enough, Microsoft can request the file itself. The default setting sends 'safe samples' such as .exe, .dll and .bat files automatically and asks you before sending a file likely to contain personal data. You can switch off sample submission or cloud-delivered protection in Windows Security; Microsoft's documentation says detection metadata is still sent when sample submission is off.

The privacy policy says Malwarebytes does not sell personal data for money, but that it may share limited information with advertising partners such as Meta to measure ads: a hashed email address, online identifiers, ad click identifiers and IP address. Meta and Malwarebytes are joint controllers for data sent through Meta's business tools. The policy offers an opt-out through 'Your Privacy Choices' on the website or Global Privacy Control. It also says the product collects usage and threat statistics, a machine identifier created at install, and IP-based location, but that it does not store the IP address of client requests.

Microsoft's privacy statement says Defender Antivirus automatically sends reports about suspected malware and unwanted software and may send files for inspection, asking first if a report may contain personal data. Windows required diagnostic data, which includes a Defender health event with a Defender machine ID, is stored with unique identifiers and used to keep Windows secure and to improve Windows. If you turn on the Windows setting Personalized offers, Windows diagnostic data is also used for tips, ads and recommendations. The statement also says Microsoft discloses personal data for digital advertising, and in response to valid legal process from law enforcement and government agencies.

Malwarebytes is based in Santa Clara, California, and its privacy policy gives that address and says Malwarebytes Inc. takes part in the EU–US, UK and Swiss data privacy frameworks. The policy says the company may disclose personal data to government agencies in response to lawful requests, including subpoenas and warrants.

Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, is the data controller; for the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland it is Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited in Dublin. Microsoft takes part in the EU–US, UK and Swiss data privacy frameworks.

Founded in 2008; co-founder Marcin Kleczynski is still chief executive. In December 2022 the private equity firm Vector Capital closed a $100 million minority investment and two of its managing directors joined the board.

Microsoft was founded in 1975 and trades on the stock market as MSFT. Its antivirus began in 2009 as Microsoft Security Essentials, became Windows Defender in Windows 8 and 10, and was renamed Microsoft Defender Antivirus in 2020.