Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a privately held cybersecurity company delivering all-in-one consumer, SMB, and enterprise protection—antivirus, no-logs VPN, identity monitoring, and AI-powered scam detection—serving 49M+ users and ThreatDown B2B customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersSanta Clara, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Malwarebytes does
Malwarebytes is a privately held, founder-led cybersecurity company founded in 2008 (with origins in a 2004 malware-removal tool built by Marcin Kleczynski), headquartered in Santa Clara, California with an EMEA hub in Cork, Ireland. The company delivers an all-in-one consumer, small-business, and mid-market/enterprise protection platform spanning antivirus, no-logs Privacy VPN (WireGuard-based, built on AzireVPN infrastructure with Blind Operator mode and RAM-only servers), identity theft monitoring with up to $2M in insurance, Personal Data Remover, Browser Guard, and AI-powered Scam Guard. Core technology layers an AI-driven multi-engine (signature, heuristic, behavioral) malware and web-protection stack on top of a continuously refreshed threat intelligence database that also powers integrations inside ChatGPT and Claude. Malwarebytes makes money primarily through annual subscriptions (Individual Standard $59.99, Plus $79.99, Ultimate $139.99; Family up to $199.99; Teams SMB $119.99–$519.99; ThreatDown enterprise priced on quote), supported by a freemium acquisition funnel (free virus scanner, Browser Guard, AdwCleaner, Digital Footprint Scanner, Scam Number Check, limited Scam Guard). Distribution spans a direct e-commerce storefront, major app and browser-extension marketplaces, the ThreatDown Nexus Partner Program for MSPs and resellers (~40% of revenue, up from ~1% pre-transition), and B2B2C strategic partnerships with insurance carriers, banks, and telecom/ISPs. The ThreatDown B2B arm competes with CrowdStrike and SentinelOne in EDR/MDR/ITDR for mid-market and managed-service-provider customers.
Malwarebytes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Malwarebytes
- Legal name
- Malwarebytes
- Website
- https://malwarebytes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Malwarebytes is a privately held cybersecurity company delivering all-in-one consumer, SMB, and enterprise protection—antivirus, no-logs VPN, identity monitoring, and AI-powered scam detection—serving 49M+ users and ThreatDown B2B customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Malwarebytes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Endpoint Deception & Anti-Ransomware (HDADAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Email Phishing & BEC Protection (HDADAKAB), Bot Management & Mitigation (HDADALAB)
Keywords
Where Malwarebytes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Clara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Malwarebytes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Consumer subscriptions (Standard / Plus / Ultimate): Annual subscriptions for individual and family plans (Standard antivirus $44.99–$59.99/yr, Plus adds VPN $79.99/yr, Ultimate bundles identity $139.99/yr with $2M insurance), sold direct via malwarebytes.com with a 60-day money-back guarantee; multi-device licensing (1/3/10/20 devices).
- Malwarebytes for Teams (SMB subscriptions): Annual SMB plans for sole proprietor, boutique business, and small office (3/10/20 devices at $119.99/$399.99/$519.99/yr) bundling antivirus, VPN, and Browser Guard with priority support.
- ThreatDown enterprise and MSP (channel-led): Recurring enterprise/EDR/MDR/ITDR revenue via the ThreatDown Nexus Partner Program, where distribution channels account for ~40% of revenue. Multi-year and annual contracts typical of endpoint-security B2B.
- Identity Theft Protection subscriptions: Annual identity-protection plans (Essential $129.99/yr with $1M insurance; Ultimate $139.99/yr with $2M insurance and 3-bureau credit monitoring), including family tiers, sold as a subscription add-on.
- Privacy VPN (standalone and bundled): Annual subscription for standalone Malwarebytes Privacy VPN ($49.99/yr) and as a Plus-bundle component ($79.98/yr), monetized through WireGuard-based, no-logs infrastructure audited by X41 D-Sec.
- Personal Data Remover subscriptions: Annual subscription ($99.99/yr) for automated scanning and removal of personal information from 100+ data-broker and people-search sites, with DIY guides as a free acquisition surface.
- Freemium free tools (ad-supported acquisition): Free antivirus, Browser Guard, AdwCleaner, Digital Footprint Scan, Scam Number Check, and Scam Guard (limited) used to acquire users and upsell into paid Premium, VPN, and Identity tiers.
- Strategic, reseller, and affiliate programs: Revenue from B2B2C co-branded deals with insurance carriers, banks, and telecom/ISPs, plus reseller (high-margin software resellers) and affiliate (commission-based referral) programs, with computer-repair (TechBench) channel as well.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard for 1 device — entry-level antivirus for a single phone/tablet/PC |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Individual — antivirus for 3 devices |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Family — antivirus for 10 devices |
| Subscription | Annual | Privacy VPN standalone |
| Subscription | Annual | Malwarebytes Plus — Premium Security + Privacy VPN + Browser Guard |
| Subscription | Annual | Plus Family — Premium Security + Privacy VPN for 10 devices |
| Subscription | Annual | Ultimate (Individual) — antivirus + VPN + identity + $2M insurance + Personal Data Remover |
| Subscription | Annual | Ultimate Family — antivirus + VPN + identity for 2 adults/10 kids + Personal Data Remover |
| Subscription | Annual | Essential Identity Theft Protection — antivirus + VPN + $1M identity insurance |
| Subscription | Annual | Personal Data Remover (standalone) |
| Subscription | Annual | Teams Sole Proprietor — antivirus + VPN for 3 devices |
| Subscription | Annual | Teams Boutique Business — antivirus + VPN for 10 devices |
| Subscription | Annual | Teams Small Office — antivirus + VPN for 20 devices |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free tools (freemium) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | ThreatDown enterprise EDR/MDR/ITDR — quote-based |
Go-to-market motion7 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels10 records
Malwarebytes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Malwarebytes develops and sells cybersecurity software for consumers, families, small businesses, and mid-market/enterprise organizations. Its core offerings include real-time antivirus (Premium Security), a no-logs WireGuard-based Privacy VPN (powered by AzireVPN infrastructure), identity theft protection with up to $2M insurance, Personal Data Remover, and free tools such as Browser Guard, AdwCleaner, Digital Footprint Scanner, Scam Guard, and Scam Number Check. The ThreatDown division delivers B2B endpoint protection, EDR, MDR, and ITDR for mid-market and managed service providers.
Product overview
Malwarebytes operates a platform-plus-modules consumer and small-business cybersecurity portfolio anchored by Malwarebytes Premium Security as the core antivirus product. Around this core, the company bundles and sells Browser Guard (free and premium browser extension for ads, trackers, scams, and phishing), Privacy VPN (no-logs WireGuard VPN powered by acquired AzireVPN infrastructure), Identity Theft Protection (dark-web and credit monitoring with up to $2M insurance), and Personal Data Remover (automated data-broker opt-out). Layered on top are AI-driven features including Scam Guard (in-app AI scam detector, also exposed as connectors inside ChatGPT and Claude), Scam Number Check, the Digital Footprint Scanner, and AdwCleaner as free tools. For small businesses the suite is repackaged as Malwarebytes for Teams, and the enterprise B2B arm is operated under the ThreatDown sub-brand (Endpoint Protection, EDR, MDR, ITDR) with a channel-first partner program. Free tools (Free Virus Scanner, AdwCleaner, Browser Guard, Digital Footprint Scanner, Scam Number Check) serve as the entry point into the paid product family.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Malwarebytes Premium Security: Flagship consumer antivirus and security suite for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard
- Malwarebytes Privacy VPN
- Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection
- Malwarebytes Personal Data Remover
- Malwarebytes AdwCleaner
- Malwarebytes Scam Guard
- Malwarebytes for Teams
- ThreatDown
- AzireVPN
Products and services
- Malwarebytes Premium Security Real-time, AI-powered antivirus and anti-malware solution for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS that protects against viruses, ransomware, Trojans, botnets, spyware, phishing, exploits, and zero-day attacks. Sold as Standard, Plus, and Ultimate plans, and bundled with Browser Guard, Privacy VPN, and Identity Theft Protection in higher tiers.
- Malwarebytes Privacy VPN No-logs VPN service using the WireGuard protocol with 256-bit ChaCha20 encryption, RAM-only diskless servers, Blind Operator mode, native IPv6, and 150+ servers across 60+ locations. Built on AzireVPN infrastructure and bundled into Plus and Ultimate consumer plans.
- Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection Identity monitoring, dark web scanning, social media monitoring, credit monitoring (single or 3-bureau), lost wallet protection, and live-agent identity recovery backed by up to $2 million in identity theft insurance underwritten by Lloyd's.
- Malwarebytes Personal Data Remover Subscription service that scans 100+ data brokers and people-search sites, then automates opt-out and removal requests for exposed personal information, with continuous monitoring for re-exposure. Available in the US only and included in single- and multi-device Ultimate plans.
- Malwarebytes Mobile Security Mobile security app for Android and iOS providing web protection, scam text/call protection, Scam Guard AI chat companion, threat scanning, high-speed Privacy VPN, Digital Footprint scanning, and identity theft protection, backed by 24/7 human support and 60-day money-back guarantee.
- Malwarebytes for Teams All-in-one small business cybersecurity suite (Sole Proprietor 3 devices, Boutique Business 10 devices, Small Office 20 devices) that bundles antivirus, Privacy VPN, Browser Guard, enhanced Windows Firewall Control, and priority 24/7 support, with no IT skills required.
- Malwarebytes Browser Guard Free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari that blocks ads, trackers, phishing sites, credit card skimmers, cryptojackers, tech support scams, and other malicious or unwanted content. Premium-tier features are unlocked with a Malwarebytes subscription.
- Malwarebytes AdwCleaner Free standalone adware, PUP, browser hijacker, and junkware detection and removal tool for Windows, designed for both home users and technicians.
- Malwarebytes Free Virus Scanner Free on-demand virus and malware scanner and remover for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS that cleans up existing infections; ongoing real-time protection is provided by the paid Premium Security product.
- Malwarebytes Digital Footprint Scanner Free web-based scan that checks whether a user's email has appeared in known data breaches, dark-web exposures, or other public leaks, and provides protection guidance based on the exposure profile.
- ThreatDown (powered by Malwarebytes) Malwarebytes' B2B arm for mid-market and enterprise customers, offering Endpoint Protection, EDR, MDR, and ITDR via a channel-first model with the Nexus Partner Program for resellers and MSPs. Operates independently while remaining under Malwarebytes ownership.
- AzireVPN Sweden-based privacy-focused VPN provider acquired by Malwarebytes in November 2024. Its 100% self-owned diskless server infrastructure, Blind Operator mode, and warrant-canary / transparency-report practices now power the Malwarebytes Privacy VPN offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- In 15% of interactions since the mobile launch, Malwarebytes Scam Guard prevented users from losing $1,000+ or facing severe personal risk.
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Malwarebytes
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Malwarebytes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability11 records
Feature6 records
Malwarebytes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Anthropic (Claude)coreMalwarebytes launched a free connector for Anthropic's Claude AI in April 2026, enabling users to paste suspicious links, phone numbers, emails, or screenshots for instant Malicious/Suspicious/Safe/Unknown verdicts powered by Malwarebytes threat intelligence, with no Malwarebytes account required.
- OpenAI (ChatGPT)coreMalwarebytes integrated its threat intelligence into OpenAI's ChatGPT, letting users invoke Malwarebytes to scan links, emails, phone numbers, and messages for scams and phishing. Available across ChatGPT Free, Plus, Team, and Enterprise tiers without a Malwarebytes subscription.
- ThreatDown Nexus Partner Program members (MSPs, resellers, distributors)coreThreatDown (Malwarebytes' B2B arm) launched the Nexus Partner Program in November 2025 to strengthen collaboration with global resellers, distributors, and MSPs. Channel now accounts for ~40% of ThreatDown revenue, up from ~1% pre-transition, with bundle adoption up 14% in H2 2025.
- AzireVPNcoreMalwarebytes acquired AzireVPN, a Sweden-based, 100% self-owned VPN provider, to power its Privacy VPN product. AzireVPN infrastructure underpins Malwarebytes Privacy VPN's Blind Operator mode, RAM-only/diskless servers, native IPv6, and independently audited no-logs policy.
- Cyrus (Cyrus Labs)coreMalwarebytes acquired Cyrus (also called Cyrus Labs) in August 2023 to enhance mobile privacy, identity protection, online threat detection, and analysis of cyber kill chains using social-media, dark-web, and online-presence signals. Deal terms were not disclosed.
- Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)minorMalwarebytes is a supporting member of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, aligning with organizations focused on reducing online scams. The membership is positioned alongside tools like Scam Guard to support scam research and consumer protection.
- Strategic B2B2C partners (insurance carriers, banks, telecom/ISPs)coreMalwarebytes' strategic-partnership program enables insurance carriers, banks, and telecom/ISPs to deliver co-branded cybersecurity, identity, and privacy protection as part of their own customer offerings.
- ThreatDown (Malwarebytes B2B arm)coreThreatDown is Malwarebytes' B2B/EDR/MDR/ITDR arm, operating under Malwarebytes ownership with a restructured, channel-first GTM and an independent product roadmap targeting mid-market and enterprise customers in competition with CrowdStrike and SentinelOne.
- Malwarebytes Affiliate PartnersminorCommission-based affiliate program lets individuals and partners earn commissions by referring customers to Malwarebytes consumer products.
- Malwarebytes Reseller Partners (IT service providers, tech resellers, digital software distributors)coreHigh-margin software reseller program for IT service providers, tech resellers, and digital software distributors, alongside a separate computer-repair (TechBench) channel for IT support shops.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Malwarebytes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CrowdStrike: CrowdStrike's Falcon platform is the leading cloud-native endpoint security and EDR/MDR solution. ThreatDown competes explicitly with CrowdStrike for mid-market and enterprise endpoint deals, and the two are positioned as direct competitors in Malwarebytes' enterprise go-to-market.
- SentinelOne: SentinelOne's Singularity platform provides AI-powered endpoint security, EDR, and MDR. Like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne is named as a direct enterprise competitor to ThreatDown's EDR/MDR/ITDR offerings for mid-market and enterprise customers.
- Gen Digital (Norton / Avast / LifeLock): Gen Digital owns the Norton, Avast, AVG, and LifeLock consumer cybersecurity and identity-protection brands. It is the closest large-scale competitor to Malwarebytes' Premium Security, Privacy VPN, and Identity Theft Protection consumer bundle.
- McAfee: McAfee sells consumer antivirus, VPN, identity, and privacy protection — directly overlapping Malwarebytes' consumer bundle. Both companies sell through direct e-commerce, retail, and ISP/telco partnerships.
- Bitdefender: Bitdefender offers consumer antivirus (Bitdefender Premium Security), VPN, and identity protection, plus an enterprise/B2B endpoint platform. Its consumer bundle is the most directly comparable offering to Malwarebytes Premium + VPN + Identity.
- ESET: ESET sells consumer antivirus/Internet Security and an enterprise endpoint protection platform widely used in EMEA. ESET competes with Malwarebytes on both consumer antivirus benchmarks (AVLab, AV-Comparatives) and on SMB endpoint deals.
- Sophos: Sophos provides endpoint protection, EDR, MDR, and MSP-delivered security — competing head-on with ThreatDown in the channel-led, MSP-focused SMB and mid-market segments. Sophos' Intercept X and MDR Complete overlap ThreatDown's portfolio.
- Trend Micro: Trend Micro sells consumer antivirus (Trend Micro Maximum Security) and enterprise endpoint/EDR/XDR. It competes with Malwarebytes Premium in consumer tests and with ThreatDown in mid-market enterprise deals.
- Kaspersky: Kaspersky offers consumer antivirus, VPN, and identity protection products plus enterprise endpoint security, with comparable feature bundles to Malwarebytes Premium Security, Privacy VPN, and Identity Theft Protection.
Emerging players
- Aura: Aura is a fast-growing all-in-one digital security and identity-protection subscription combining antivirus, VPN, identity monitoring, and parental controls. It is the most direct emerging competitor to Malwarebytes' Ultimate bundle and competes heavily on ARPU and lifetime value.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Malwarebytes social profiles
Digital presenceMalwarebytes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Malwarebytes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Malwarebytes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Malwarebytes subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Malwarebytes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Malwarebytes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A7 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Malwarebytes
What does Malwarebytes do?
Malwarebytes develops and sells cybersecurity software for consumers, families, small businesses, and mid-market/enterprise organizations. Its core offerings include real-time antivirus (Premium Security), a no-logs WireGuard-based Privacy VPN (powered by AzireVPN infrastructure), identity theft protection with up to $2M insurance, Personal Data Remover, and free tools such as Browser Guard, AdwCleaner, Digital Footprint Scanner, Scam Guard, and Scam Number Check. The ThreatDown division delivers B2B endpoint protection, EDR, MDR, and ITDR for mid-market and managed service providers.
Is Malwarebytes a public or private company?
Malwarebytes is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Malwarebytes founded?
Malwarebytes was founded in 2008. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Malwarebytes based?
Malwarebytes is headquartered in Santa Clara, United States, in the North America region.
How does Malwarebytes make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Consumer subscriptions (Standard / Plus / Ultimate) is the primary driver. The others are malwarebytes for Teams (SMB subscriptions), threatDown enterprise and MSP (channel-led), identity Theft Protection subscriptions, privacy VPN (standalone and bundled), personal Data Remover subscriptions, freemium free tools (ad-supported acquisition) and strategic, reseller, and affiliate programs.
Who are Malwarebytes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Gen Digital (Norton / Avast / LifeLock), McAfee, Bitdefender, ESET, Sophos, Trend Micro and Kaspersky. Aura is listed as an emerging player.
Does Malwarebytes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Malwarebytes.
What industry is Malwarebytes in?
Malwarebytes's product category is Cybersecurity Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADAEAL, Endpoint Deception & Anti-Ransomware, with a secondary code of HDADAKAB, Email Phishing & BEC Protection. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.