Spybot vs Malwarebytes – Which one is the best?

Antivirus protection is something that everyone needs, but the majority of users don’t really know which software offers the highest level of security. Names like Spybot and Malwarebytes are very popular. However, since there are so many online threats, it is normal to wonder if even the leading antivirus solution can protect your system effectively. The first thing to consider is that antimalware software is a must-have and if you don’t have one, your system is at high risk of becoming infected. Cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to compromise your information and more sophisticated viruses are being used to target users around the world.
In spite of the dangers that lurk the internet nowadays, many users don’t use adequate protection against malware and viruses. In fact, some don’t use antimalware or antivirus software at all. It is important that you protect yourself with the right technology so if you are trying to decide between Spybot and Malwarebytes, you are in the right place as we’ll take a look at these two solutions. You may have heard about these antimalware and antivirus tools and even if you haven’t, in this article you will find information that will help you to choose which of these suits you best.
Pricing
One of the main aspects that users check when they are looking for any product or service is the price. Compared to other providers available, Spybot and Malwarebytes are solutions that are quite affordable. Both providers offer free versions with limited features and functionality. Spybot has a lifetime subscription known as the Home version and it costs just $15.99. This option includes anti-malware, anti-spyware and antivirus protection. There is also a Pro version that offers everything previously mentioned, as well as Boot CD Creator and it costs $27.99.
Malwarebytes’ Premium version costs $39.99 for one year or $59.99 for two years. Although this means that it is more expensive than Spybot, Malwarebytes is still cheaper than other options available. Plus, it offers a great selection of features that justify the higher cost. For instance, it offers remediation capabilities that help you to remove viruses from an infected device. It can also prevent spyware, malware and viruses attacks. In addition, Malwarebytes offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
Main Spybot Features
Spybot doesn’t exactly an innovative or appealing design. The website is not particularly attractive, but it is easy to navigate. There are malware removal guides and basic information about the service. As previously noted, the software is available for a low price, but what this means is that it lacks some of the functionality that you find with other options. For instance, Spybot focuses on helping you to identify and remove malware, but it doesn’t offers any extra options or addons, like other programs of its kind.
The free version only offers anti-malware and anti-spyware features and it doesn’t support any extra options. It won’t protect your social media accounts or help to secure your online transactions. This may not be a big issue since you may be able to get these added security in Internet security packages. Still, it should be noted that even when you upgrade to the Home version, there is not a significant difference when compared to the free one. The main improvement is that you can perform automated scans, which is great considering that there is no real-time threat detection available. The free version can help to remove malware or spyware, but in order to get increased protection, you would need to upgrade.
The Home version can help you to prevent a virus infection between scans and it automates the update process. This is important when it comes to anti-malware software since the service is continuously sending updates about the largest and most significant threats. If you don’t have the automatic update feature, your system will not be effectively secured against the most recent viruses and malware threats. Last, but not least, the Home version offers another advantage, which is the possibility of getting technical support. In case your system is infected by a virus, being able to contact technical support can make a big difference. They can take you through the steps needed to quarantine and destroy the virus, if you have any doubts using the software. If you want the extra option of getting a Boot CD creator, you can opt for the Pro version.
Malwarebytes Features
Malwarebytes has a higher price, but it also offers more features than Spybot. You get the main functionality and will be able to identify and remove threats including trojans, adware, spyware, viruses and keyloggers. What sets Malwarebytes ahead is the fact that it offers real-time protection. While the software runs in the background, it is protecting your computer, identifying incoming threats, stopping them and notifying you about them. This is a significant advantage that makes it a better option than Spybot, but that is not all.
With Malwarebytes, you get browser protection that allows you to stop and block web based possible infections. Some websites are used by cyber criminals to compromise the security of your information as they have malicious scripts. When you use your browser to access the website, the concealed script is downloaded and executed in your browser. The good news is that Malwarebytes can protect you against such attacks.
In addition, the software can also help to prevent phishing attempts as it makes sure that you can’t visit known malicious domains. There is a list that is constantly updated with the latest threats including malicious websites, links and fake pages. You will see a warning from Malwarebytes before you access a site that has been compromised. This is a feature that Spybot doesn’t support.
It is also worth noting that Malwarebytes has an hyper scanning mode that focuses on looking for active threats. This means that the performance of the system is not heavily affected because there is only a cursory scan in place. This can be a practical solution when you need to work on important tasks and when you need computer power for other programs. Malwarebytes is light and can run effectively in the background, without interrupting you while you play a game or watch videos.
Conclusion
Malwarebytes and Spybot are affordable solutions, particularly if you compare them to other antimalware and antivirus programs available. They are easy to use and offer the core functionality that you would expect from them, but Malwarebytes gets ahead by offering better features and increased protection. Spybot is simple and cheap, unfortunately, it lacks complete protection and the interface is disappointing. If you are looking for comprehensive protection against threats and real-time defense, we recommend you to opt for Malwarebytes.