Comparison

Malwarebytes vs Norton Private Browser

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

Norton Private Browser

Experience a secure and private browsing experience with built-in ad blocking and advanced protection against malicious websites and trackers. Encrypt your downloaded files and lock your browser for ultimate peace of mind.

Highlights
  • Built-in AdBlocker
  • Web Shield protection
  • Secure File Vault
  • Private Mode
  • Browser Lock
  • Privacy Cleaner
Read full description

Transform your everyday browsing into a fortress of security — without sacrificing speed or simplicity. Norton Private Browser is designed from the ground up for unparalleled privacy and security to help keep you safe online. It comes with a built-in AdBlocker, complete data encryption, tracking protection, Secure File Vault, and more. BUILT IN ADBLOCK Automatically blocks annoying ads and trackers, improves browsing speed, and performance while protecting your privacy. WEB SHIELD Real-time protection against malicious websites and phishing attempts, keeping your browsing secure 24/7. SECURE FILE VAULT Downloaded files are automatically encrypted and safely stored, giving you complete control over your sensitive data. PRIVATE MODE Stay incognito and leave no trace of your browsing activity with automatic history, cookie, and cache clearing. BROWSER LOCK Feel comfortable sharing your mobile device knowing your browser is encrypted and locked with a passcode or biometric lock. SEARCH ENGINES Choose your preferred search engine from popular providers directly from the address bar. DARK MODE Reduce eye strain with a less bright interface, perfect for night-time when you’re surfing the internet. PRIVACY CLEANER Clears your browsing history, cache, cookies and other data stored in your browsers, such as cached images and cookies. ABOUT NORTON Millions around the world trust Norton for security, privacy, and identity protection. Our mission is to make digital safety easy, so you and your family can live worry-free online.

Screenshots

Malwarebytes4 screens
Norton Private Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Norton Private Browser at none against Malwarebytes's 6. Norton Private Browser also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). Malwarebytes's advantage is ratings volume (109K vs 152) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Norton Private Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Malwarebytes holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Malwarebytes has 109K ratings behind it against 152, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Malwarebytes's written reviews are positive against 38% of Norton Private Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Malwarebytes ships an update every 3 weeks, Norton Private Browser every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Malwarebytes versus Norton Private Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMalwarebytesNorton Private Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (109K ratings) — better4.2 (152 ratings)
Positive reviews47.6% of reviews — better38.5% of reviews
Number of ratings109K — better152
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#35 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB87 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMalwarebytesGen Digital Inc.

Customer experience

Malwarebytes

All ratings109,165 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.2%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews2,825 reviews
Positive47.6%
Neutral9.2%
Negative43.2%

Norton Private Browser

All ratings152 ratings
Positive80.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.5%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral21.2%
Negative40.4%

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

Norton Private Browser

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

Norton Private Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Malwarebytes free?
Malwarebytes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Norton Private Browser free?
Norton Private Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Malwarebytes or Norton Private Browser?
Malwarebytes is rated higher. Malwarebytes averages 4.5 out of 5 from 109K ratings, while Norton Private Browser averages 4.2 from 152 ratings.
Do Malwarebytes or Norton Private Browser have ads?
Neither Malwarebytes nor Norton Private Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Malwarebytes or Norton Private Browser?
Malwarebytes ships an update every 3 weeks, and Norton Private Browser every 5 weeks. Most recently, Malwarebytes was updated on September 24, 2026 and Norton Private Browser on September 21, 2026.

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