DuckDuckGo vs Malwarebytes
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
DuckDuckGo is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.0. DuckDuckGo wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Malwarebytes on 0.
Anyone who wants better privacy without changing how they browse
Windows and Mac users who want a trusted cleanup tool and extra scam protection
Score by score
The details
| Feature | DuckDuckGo | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Privacy & Security | Privacy & Security |
| Category rank | #6 of 10 | #10 of 10 |
| Developer | DuckDuckGo | Malwarebytes |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is DuckDuckGo better than Malwarebytes?
DuckDuckGo is the better app overall, scoring 8.9 to 8.0. DuckDuckGo wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Malwarebytes on 0.
Which is cheaper, DuckDuckGo or Malwarebytes?
DuckDuckGo: Free browser; optional subscription from $9.99 a month adds a VPN and more. Malwarebytes: Free cleanup scanner; Standard from $59.99/year for 3 devices. On value for money, DuckDuckGo scores higher.
Do DuckDuckGo and Malwarebytes work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows.
Which is more private, DuckDuckGo or Malwarebytes?
DuckDuckGo scores higher on privacy (9.3/10). App Store label: contact info, usage and diagnostics may be collected but are not linked to you. No tracking. Google Play lists no data shared with third parties.
Strengths and weaknesses
DuckDuckGo
- Strong protection with zero setup
- Blocks YouTube ads and cookie pop-ups
- Free, with no data linked to you
- VPN and data removal need a paid subscription
- No Linux version
DuckDuckGo is the easiest privacy upgrade you can make. Its browser blocks most third-party trackers before they load, hides cookie pop-ups, blocks YouTube ads and searches without building a profile of you. The Fire Button wipes tabs and data in one tap, and Email Protection strips trackers from newsletters. Duck.ai chat is there if you want it. The paid subscription adds a VPN, personal data removal and identity theft help.
Full DuckDuckGo review
Malwarebytes
- Free scanner is great for cleaning up infections
- Light enough to run alongside built-in antivirus
- Simple, clear interface
- Real-time protection requires a subscription
- Frequent upgrade prompts and in-app offers
Malwarebytes is a strong second line of defense. The free version is a handy on-demand scanner for cleaning up an infected PC or Mac, and paid plans add real-time protection plus web and scam blocking. On iPhone it focuses on scam texts, risky links and sketchy Wi-Fi, and Scam Guard can now check anything you share to it. The downsides are frequent upgrade prompts and overlap with protection already built into your system.
Full Malwarebytes review
