Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is a security tool built around on-demand scanning and cleanup: it searches a device for existing malware, ransomware, spyware, adware and trojans and removes what it finds. It works across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, and the publisher also offers a separate Browser Guard extension for blocking malicious sites, trackers and scam pages while browsing.

The free version covers manual scanning and removal only. Continuous, real-time threat prevention sits behind Malwarebytes Premium, a paid subscription that also bundles extras such as a VPN and ad/scam blocking depending on the plan. Malwarebytes also sells separate small-business tiers priced by device count (3, 10 or 20 devices), billed annually.

Worth knowing for anyone comparing options: the free tier is a cleanup tool, not an always-on antivirus. Users who want background protection against new infections, not just removal of existing ones, need to budget for the subscription. The publisher's pricing page does not display exact prices without a region/plan selection, so check current rates before buying.

Suitable for users who want a second-opinion malware scanner or an occasional cleanup tool alongside their main antivirus. Less suitable for anyone looking for a single free product that also provides real-time protection, since that functionality is paywalled.