Malwarebytes vs Guardio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Ad Blocking for Safari
- Text Message Filtering
- Digital Footprint Scanner
- Identity Protection
- Secure VPN
- Web Protection
- Call Protection
Read full descriptionHide 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
Guardio
This app offers comprehensive digital protection for your devices, identity, and online accounts. It detects and alerts you to threats like phishing, leaked passwords, and identity theft, providing guidance to enhance your online safety.
- Real-time personal info exposure alerts
- Phishing and scam detection
- Identity monitoring
- Suspicious message filtering (iOS)
- Cross-device security coverage
- Security status overview
- Guidance for issue resolution
Read full descriptionHide full description
Guardio protects every part of your digital life: your devices, identity, accounts, and activity, so you can browse, shop, text, and bank online with confidence. But it’s more than just alerts. Guardio gives you a clear picture of your online security, showing where your personal information is exposed, what’s already protected, and what steps you can take to stay safer. Whether it’s a scam link, leaked password, or a suspicious message, Guardio detects threats early and helps you stop them before they cause harm. What Guardio Protects You From Phishing in emails, texts, fake websites and social media Scam links, AI-generated traps, and personalized attacks Leaked personal information and account monitoring Identity theft, fraud, and financial scams Weak spots like missing 2FA or unmonitored accounts Guardio Features Included in the App Real-time alerts when your personal info is exposed Email protection to scan for phishing and scam attempts Message filtering to catch scammy texts (iOS only) Identity monitoring for up to 5 email addresses An easy-to-understand overview of your security status Guidance to fix issues and stay protected Critical Security Alerts when severe threats are detected Sync across mobile and desktop for full coverage 24/7 customer support via email VIP security specialist support available on select plans Why Guardio Guardio is built for real life, covering the way you actually live and browse. It’s protection that works quietly in the background, keeps you informed, and helps you take control of your digital safety. Guardio doesn’t just block threats, it helps you avoid them. Plans Individual: Protection for 1 person Duo: Full protection for you + 1 other Family: Covers up to 5 people, each with their own device protection VIP: Premium support and one-on-one security guidance All Guardio plans include proactive protection, identity monitoring, scam detection, and full cross-device coverage. You can cancel anytime. Your protection stays active until the end of your billing cycle. Part of Guardio’s Complete Protection Suite This mobile app is part of Guardio’s full security platform. Pair it with the Guardio browser extension on Chrome or Edge for continuous protection across desktop and mobile. Need Help? Email us at support@guard.io Privacy Policy: https://guard.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://guard.io/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Guardio at 91% against Malwarebytes's 48%. Guardio also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Malwarebytes's advantage is chart position (#38 vs #114). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Malwarebytes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month and Guardio sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Guardio holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 109K and 42K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Malwarebytes's written reviews are positive against 91% of Guardio's.
Malwarebytes ships an update every 3 weeks, Guardio weekly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Malwarebytes | Guardio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (109K ratings) | 4.8 (42K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.6% of reviews | 91.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 109K — better | 42K |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #38 — better | #114 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 128 MB | 90 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Malwarebytes | Guardio LTD |
Customer experience
Malwarebytes
Guardio
User reviews
Malwarebytes
From 109K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Keeps devices updated and protected
- 🔒 Provides security and peace of mind
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🚀 Excellent protection and performance
Room to improve
- 🐛 Activation and subscription issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent or non-functional features
- 🐛 Fails to block spam calls and texts
- 🔋 Drains battery life
- 💰 Expensive subscription
Guardio
From 42K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 Protects against malicious websites and scams
- 🚀 Blocks threats in real-time
- 💡 Provides identity theft protection
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🔒 Safeguards personal information
Room to improve
- 🐛 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🔒 Concerns about data privacy and selling user information
- 💰 Expensive subscription fees
- 🐛 Unreliable detection of data leaks
- 🐛 Glitchy and buggy app performance
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
Guardio
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes and freezes
- Authentication issues and inability to log in
- Subscription cancellation problems
- Inaccurate data leak notifications
Requested features
4 requests- Expand email protection beyond just Gmail
- Provide more detailed information on data leaks
- Improve customer support and communication
- Offer a free tier with basic features
In-app purchases
Malwarebytes
- Standard7 Days trial$2.491 Month
- Standard7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Plus7 Days trial$44.991 Year
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Standard (3 devices)7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Plus (3 devices)7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- Advanced1 Year trial$139.991 Year
Guardio
- Individual (Monthly)$12.991 Month
- Individual (Monthly)2 variants$14.991 Month
- Individual (Yearly)$119.991 Year
Questions
Is Malwarebytes free?
Is Guardio free?
Which has better reviews, Malwarebytes or Guardio?
Do Malwarebytes or Guardio have ads?
Which is updated more often, Malwarebytes or Guardio?
Which is more popular, Malwarebytes or Guardio?
Other comparisons















