# Bitdefender Mobile Security vs Malwarebytes

The clearest difference is rating: Bitdefender Mobile Security at 4.7 against Malwarebytes's 4.5. Bitdefender Mobile Security also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). Malwarebytes's advantage is chart position (#38 vs #188). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bitdefender Mobile Security sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Malwarebytes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bitdefender Mobile Security holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37K and 109K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Bitdefender Mobile Security's written reviews are positive against 48% of Malwarebytes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Bitdefender Mobile Security ships an update weekly, Malwarebytes every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bitdefender Mobile Security | Malwarebytes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (37K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitdefender-mobile-security/id1255893012/reviews)** | [4.5 (109K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 37K | **109K** |
| Positive reviews | 46.3% of reviews | **47.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #188 | **#38** |
| Size | 184 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bitdefender SRL](https://appshunter.io/developer/384899757) | [Malwarebytes](https://appshunter.io/developer/610302098) |

## What reviewers say

### Bitdefender Mobile Security

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitdefender-mobile-security/id1255893012)

**Currently charting:** #188 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

Safeguard your iPhone from phishing, malicious websites, and data breaches. This app offers real-time threat monitoring, security scans, and account privacy checks to protect your personal information and online identity.

**Highlights:** Scam Alert for phishing, Web Protection against dangerous sites, Security Scan for vulnerabilities, Account Privacy breach checks, Essential VPN Protection, Real-time threat monitoring

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mobile Security Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium VPN | $6.99 | per month |
| Total Security Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Mobile Security Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Mobile Security Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium VPN | $69.99 | per year |
| Total Security Yearly | $109.99 | per year |
| Ultimate Security Individual Yearly | $159.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great security
- 🔒 Protects against scams and malware
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Reliable VPN connection
- 🔒 Keeps devices safe

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections of VPN and web protection
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🐛 Interferes with other apps and services
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 💰 Expensive for limited features

**Reported bugs**

- Web protection randomly turning off
- VPN connection issues and errors
- Compatibility problems with iOS devices
- Subscription and billing problems

**Requested features**

- Automatic web protection and VPN connection
- Better integration with other apps
- More transparent pricing and subscription model
- Improved customer support


### Malwarebytes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431)

**Currently charting:** #38 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers comprehensive mobile security and privacy protection for Apple devices. It includes features like ad blocking, scam text filtering, and identity protection. A free trial is available, with ongoing free protection and optional premium subscription features.

**Highlights:** Ad Blocking for Safari, Text Message Filtering, Digital Footprint Scanner, Identity Protection, Secure VPN, Web Protection, Call Protection

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard | $2.49 | per month |
| Standard | $19.99 | per year |
| Plus | $44.99 | per year |
| Standard (3 devices) | $59.99 | per year |
| Plus (3 devices) | $79.99 | per year |
| Advanced | $139.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Keeps devices updated and protected
- 🔒 Provides security and peace of mind
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🚀 Excellent protection and performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Activation and subscription issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent or non-functional features
- 🐛 Fails to block spam calls and texts
- 🔋 Drains battery life
- 💰 Expensive subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Activation and subscription problems
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Inability to scan or detect malware on devices

**Requested features**

- Add bulk reporting of scam numbers
- Improve text message filtering
- Implement automatic updates
- Provide more comprehensive dashboard and scanning capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bitdefender Mobile Security free?

Bitdefender Mobile Security is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Malwarebytes free?

Malwarebytes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bitdefender Mobile Security or Malwarebytes?

Bitdefender Mobile Security is rated higher. Bitdefender Mobile Security averages 4.7 out of 5 from 37K ratings, while Malwarebytes averages 4.5 from 109K ratings.

### Do Bitdefender Mobile Security or Malwarebytes have ads?

Neither Bitdefender Mobile Security nor Malwarebytes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bitdefender Mobile Security or Malwarebytes?

Bitdefender Mobile Security ships an update weekly, and Malwarebytes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Bitdefender Mobile Security was updated on September 24, 2026 and Malwarebytes on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Bitdefender Mobile Security or Malwarebytes?

Bitdefender Mobile Security currently peaks at #188 in the App Store charts, and Malwarebytes at #38. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*