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NMalwarebytes vs Surfshark
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
M
Choose Malwarebytes if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you're in its core audience: home users, families
S
Choose Surfshark if…
- you want the lower entry price ($2.49/mo vs $5/mo)
- you work on Linux
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, families
Side by side
Feature Malwarebytes Surfshark
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Starting price$5/mo$2.49/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Data retention—Does not log online activity; servers RAM-only, wiped on restart
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome
CategoryAntivirusVPN
CompanyMalwarebytes · since 2004Surfshark B.V.
Full feature lists
M Malwarebytes
- Real-time protection against malware, ransomware and exploits
- Free malware scanner and AdwCleaner
- Browser Guard scam, ad and tracker blocker
- WireGuard VPN with no logging and unmetered data
- Scam Guard checks for suspicious links and screenshots
- Dark web, breach and 3-bureau credit monitoring
- Identity theft insurance up to $2 million
- Online personal data remover
S Surfshark
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries at 10 Gbps
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Split tunneling, rotating IP and double VPN
- Ad and cookie pop-up blocker
- Antivirus with real-time scans and webcam protection
- Scam text detection and AI email scam checker
- Data leak alerts for email, ID and credit cards
- Masked email and persona generator
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Malwarebytes · malwarebytes.com
Surfshark · surfshark.comWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
| Team size | Malwarebytes | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $5 Standard | $2.99 Surfshark Starter |
| 5 people | $10 Standard Family | $2.99 Surfshark Starter |
| 20 people | $10 Standard Family | $2.99 Surfshark Starter |
Work it out for your team
- SurfsharkSurfshark Starter$2.99/mo
- MalwarebytesStandard$5/mo
The cheapest paid plan with a published price that fits. Custom and sales-quoted plans aren't included.
All plans and prices
Malwarebytes
Standard$59.99/yr
Plus$79.99/yr
Ultimate$139.99/yr (discounted from $279.99)
Standard Family$119.99/yr
Plus Family$149.99/yr
Ultimate Family$199.99/yr (discounted from $399.99)
Surfshark
Surfshark Starter$2.49/mo ($67.23 for first 27 months), or $2.99/mo on 12-month plan ($44.85 for first 15 months), or $18.95/mo billed monthly
Surfshark One$2.49/mo ($67.23 for first 27 months), or $3.09/mo on 12-month plan ($46.35 for first 15 months), or $19.95/mo billed monthly
Surfshark One+$3.99/mo ($107.73 for first 27 months), or $6.99/mo on 12-month plan ($104.85 for first 15 months), or $22.85/mo billed monthly
Price changes we've recorded
We re-read each pricing page every month and log what changed.
Malwarebytes
No changes since we started tracking.
Surfshark
- Nov 7, 2026Starting price: none → $2.49/mo; Surfshark Starter: £1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months) → $2.49; Surfshark One: £1.79/mo (£48.33 for first 27 months) → $2.49; Surfshark One+: £2.89/mo (£78.03 for first 27 months) → $3.99
Strengths and limitations
Malwarebytes
- Free malware remover, AdwCleaner and Browser Guard
- Scam Guard included in all plans
- 60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans
- 24/7 human support
- VPN requires the Plus tier or higher
- Ultimate prices shown are promotional 50% discounts off higher list prices
- Plans are billed annually
Surfshark
- Unlimited devices on one account
- 4500+ servers in 100 countries with RAM-only, audited no-logs setup
- Antivirus certified by AV-Test
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support
- No free plan
- Identity theft coverage limited to US residents, excluding New York State
- Incogni data removal only for US, UK, EU, Swiss and Canadian residents
- Scam call protection not yet available
More comparisons
Other options to consider
NN
From $1.67/mo
B
BB
Freemium
B
Antivirus and security suites for homes, small businesses and enterprises
AntivirusFree plan
M
M
See site
A
AA
Freemium
E
EE
Paid
N
NN
Free trial
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 7, 2026. Editorial policy