{"slug":"norton-vs-malwarebytes","title":"Norton vs Malwarebytes","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes","faqCount":5,"faqs":[{"question":"Can I use Malwarebytes with another antivirus like Windows Defender?","answer":"Yes, Malwarebytes is specifically designed to work alongside other antivirus programs without conflicts. Many users run Malwarebytes as a secondary scanner with Windows Defender or another primary antivirus. Norton, however, is a full suite meant to be your primary protection and may conflict with other antivirus software running simultaneously."},{"question":"Does Norton's VPN slow down internet speed significantly?","answer":"Norton's VPN typically causes 5-15% speed reduction depending on server location and connection quality, which is moderate for VPN services. Malwarebytes does not include a VPN. If you need a dedicated VPN, Norton's inclusion saves money versus buying VPN and antivirus separately."},{"question":"Which is better for gaming - Norton or Malwarebytes?","answer":"Malwarebytes is significantly better for gaming due to its 2-3% CPU overhead versus Norton's 6-8%, meaning less performance impact on frame rates and responsiveness. For gamers with older systems or those playing demanding titles, Malwarebytes as a secondary scanner paired with lighter primary protection is ideal."},{"question":"What happens if I need to protect multiple devices?","answer":"Norton is more economical for multi-device households, covering up to 10 devices for $49.99/year. Malwarebytes charges $39.99/year per device on standard plan, or $99.99/year for unlimited devices on Premium. For 3+ devices, Norton becomes the better value."},{"question":"Is Malwarebytes enough as my only antivirus protection?","answer":"While Malwarebytes has exceptional malware detection (99.2%), it lacks some real-time behavioral protection features and doesn't include firewall or ransomware protection that full suites provide. Most cybersecurity experts recommend it as supplementary to primary antivirus like Windows Defender or Norton, not as standalone protection."}],"faqPageSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes#faq","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Norton vs Malwarebytes — FAQ","description":"Frequently asked questions about Norton vs Malwarebytes","dateModified":"2026-06-30T18:16:35.167Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"isPartOf":{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes#article"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["#faq",".faq-item"]},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I use Malwarebytes with another antivirus like Windows Defender?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Malwarebytes is specifically designed to work alongside other antivirus programs without conflicts. Many users run Malwarebytes as a secondary scanner with Windows Defender or another primary antivirus. Norton, however, is a full suite meant to be your primary protection and may conflict with other antivirus software running simultaneously.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Norton's VPN slow down internet speed significantly?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Norton's VPN typically causes 5-15% speed reduction depending on server location and connection quality, which is moderate for VPN services. Malwarebytes does not include a VPN. If you need a dedicated VPN, Norton's inclusion saves money versus buying VPN and antivirus separately.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which is better for gaming - Norton or Malwarebytes?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Malwarebytes is significantly better for gaming due to its 2-3% CPU overhead versus Norton's 6-8%, meaning less performance impact on frame rates and responsiveness. For gamers with older systems or those playing demanding titles, Malwarebytes as a secondary scanner paired with lighter primary protection is ideal.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens if I need to protect multiple devices?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Norton is more economical for multi-device households, covering up to 10 devices for $49.99/year. Malwarebytes charges $39.99/year per device on standard plan, or $99.99/year for unlimited devices on Premium. For 3+ devices, Norton becomes the better value.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Malwarebytes enough as my only antivirus protection?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"While Malwarebytes has exceptional malware detection (99.2%), it lacks some real-time behavioral protection features and doesn't include firewall or ransomware protection that full suites provide. Most cybersecurity experts recommend it as supplementary to primary antivirus like Windows Defender or Norton, not as standalone protection.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-malwarebytes"}}]}}