Comparison

Malwarebytes vs DeFNCE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Malwarebytes

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
Read full description

Malwarebytes delivers mobile security and digital protection beyond your device. We help protect you against online scams, harmful websites, annoying ads, sketchy calls, identity risks, and more. From banking to personal accounts, your phone carries some of your most important information. Malwarebytes keeps you safe with simple, smart security. Malwarebytes is designed for everybody: professionals, families, and first-time smartphone users. No complicated setup. No IT expertise needed. Just easy protection that safeguards your digital life. Start your 7-day free trial to unlock all features. SCAM & CALL PROTECTION Scammers use fake calls, texts, malicious links, and websites to imitate banks, delivery services, retailers, and other trusted brands. Alongside robocall filtering, Malwarebytes helps protect against: - Suspicious text scams and phishing attempts - Malicious links and unsafe websites - Brand impersonation and social engineering attacks - Annoying spam calls SAFER BROWSING & AD BLOCKER Web Protection: Blocks phishing sites and risky links before you enter payment or personal data. Ad blocking: Reduce intrusive ads and trackers while browsing. FAST VPN FOR PRIVATE BROWSING Incognito alone does not hide all of your online activity. Malwarebytes VPN helps protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi or while traveling. Encrypt your internet connection for added privacy Shield your IP address from trackers and advertisers Browse more safely on public Wi-Fi IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION Your email addresses, passwords, and personal information may be exposed in data breaches without you knowing. Digital Footprint Scanner: Run an email scan and check where your personal information may have been leaked. Data breach insights: See where your information may have been exposed and review steps to help secure affected accounts. 24/7 monitoring: Get real-time support and up to $2 million in identity theft insurance WHY CHOOSE MALWAREBYTES? - Mobile security against scams, spam calls, sketchy websites, and more privacy risks. - Built by Malwarebytes, with 17+ years as a trusted name in antivirus and cybersecurity. - Secure VPN and digital footprint tools for added privacy - Simple protection without complicated setup - No third-party ads in the Malwarebytes app - 4 million daily threats blocked Malwarebytes for iOS FAQs: - Can Malwarebytes help protect my iPhone from scam texts and phishing links? Malwarebytes helps detect suspicious text scams, phishing attempts, malicious links, and brand impersonation. - Can Malwarebytes protect me on public Wi-Fi? Malwarebytes VPN encrypts your internet connection, protects your privacy on public Wi-Fi, and alerts you to turn on VPN whenever you join an unsecure network. - Can Malwarebytes check whether my information was exposed in a data breach? The Digital Footprint Scanner checks your email against known data breaches and shows you how to secure your accounts. - Does Malwarebytes scan iPhones for viruses? Because of iOS platform restrictions, Malwarebytes does not perform traditional malware-file scans on iPhone. Instead, it focuses on proactive protection against phishing sites, scam texts, spam calls, malicious links, and unsafe websites. TRIAL & DEVICE INFORMATION 7-day free trial: Unlock device protection features during the trial (Identity Theft Protection not included). Premium features require a subscription after the trial unless canceled. Manage your subscription in Apple ID settings. Family Sharing: Premium subscription features are not eligible for Family Sharing. Compatible with iOS 18 or later with an active internet connection. iPad users can benefit from Web Protection (Premium) and Ad Blocking (Included) for safer Safari browsing. Identity Protection features vary by region. Terms: https://www.malwarebytes.com/tos EULA: https://www.malwarebytes.com/eula

About

DeFNCE

Learn essential cyber safety habits to protect your digital identity and data. Understand emerging threats like phishing and social engineering, and assess your personal cyber risk.

Highlights
  • Assess cyber risk status
  • Secure digital identity and emails
  • Optimize device security settings
  • Learn about phishing campaigns
  • Stay updated on cybercriminal activities
Features
Read full description

DeFNCE is a mobile app to help the user acquire cyber safe habits such as knowing how to set a secure password, learn about emerging cyber threats like phishing campaigns and other social engineering lures, and understand their personal cyber risk profile. With DeFNCE you can: * Know your cyber risk status * Learn how to keep your digital identity and emails safe * Be assured your device’s settings are configured for optimum security * Be educated about the current phishing campaigns * Be cyber astute, stay updated on the latest in cybercriminal activities Download DeFNCE for free in iOS App Store. Acquire cyber safe habits to protect your data and digital identity.

Screenshots

Malwarebytes4 screens
DeFNCE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DeFNCE at 100% against Malwarebytes's 48%. DeFNCE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). Malwarebytes's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 1.0) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Malwarebytes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. DeFNCE asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Malwarebytes holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Malwarebytes has 112K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of Malwarebytes's written reviews are positive against 100% of DeFNCE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Malwarebytes ships an update every 2 weeks, DeFNCE every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Malwarebytes versus DeFNCE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMalwarebytesDeFNCE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (112K ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews47.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings112K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#36 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMalwarebytesCyfirma Holdings Pte Ltd

Customer experience

Malwarebytes

All ratings112,154 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.2%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews2,974 reviews
Positive47.7%
Neutral9.2%
Negative43.1%

DeFNCE

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Malwarebytes

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

DeFNCE

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Malwarebytes

Subscriptions6
  • Standard7 Days trial$2.491 Month
  • Standard7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Plus7 Days trial$44.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Standard (3 devices)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Plus (3 devices)7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Advanced1 Year trial$139.991 Year
None

DeFNCE

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Malwarebytes free?
Malwarebytes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DeFNCE free?
DeFNCE is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Malwarebytes or DeFNCE?
Malwarebytes is rated higher. Malwarebytes averages 4.5 out of 5 from 112K ratings, while DeFNCE averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Malwarebytes or DeFNCE have ads?
DeFNCE shows ads; Malwarebytes does not.
Which is updated more often, Malwarebytes or DeFNCE?
Malwarebytes ships an update every 2 weeks, and DeFNCE every 4 weeks. Most recently, Malwarebytes was updated on October 29, 2026 and DeFNCE on October 24, 2026.

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