Malwarebytes vs Microsoft Defender:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Malwarebytes had more branded searches than Microsoft Defender among endpoint security software worldwide. Malwarebytes had about 1 million branded searches, while Microsoft Defender had 181,000. Malwarebytes made up 37.1% of all endpoint security software searches we track, and Microsoft Defender accounted for 6.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about endpoint security software, Microsoft Defender appeared in all five answers and Malwarebytes in none.
Who do people search for more?
Malwarebytes, about 6 searches for every 1 for Microsoft Defender
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft Defender, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Defender, the only one of the two named
Follow Malwarebytes vs Microsoft Defender and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top endpoint security software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Defender appeared in all five answers. Malwarebytes did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
CrowdStrike1st- Microsoft Defender2nd
SentinelOne3rd
Sophos4th
Bitdefender5th
ESET6th- Malwarebytes–
Trellix–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- CrowdStrike5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Defender5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- SentinelOne5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sophos4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Bitdefender2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- ESET2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Malwarebytes0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Trellix0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about endpoint security software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which endpoint security software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best endpoint security software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best endpoint security software for business devices?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“endpoint security software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“endpoint protection software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Malwarebytes or Microsoft Defender more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight endpoint security software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Malwarebytes, Microsoft Defender. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender | CrowdStrike | ESET | Sophos | Microsoft Defender | SentinelOne | Trellix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29.8% | 23.2% | 11.4% | 13.1% | 8.5% | 8.6% | 4% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.1% | 22.7% | 9.4% | 12.9% | 7.1% | 7% | 3.3% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.6% | 25.3% | 8.7% | 12% | 7.5% | 7.9% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.5% | 22.3% | 9.4% | 12.8% | 7% | 7.6% | 3.3% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.6% | 21.2% | 10.8% | 12.3% | 8% | 8% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.4% | 22.3% | 11.3% | 10.8% | 7% | 6.9% | 3.9% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.1% | 20% | 10% | 11.3% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 3.5% | 1.5% |
| May 2026 | 35.8% | 20.8% | 11% | 10.4% | 7.8% | 8% | 3.8% | 2.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 36.7% | 21.3% | 11.2% | 10.6% | 8.2% | 6.8% | 3.9% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 35.8% | 23.2% | 10.9% | 10.4% | 8% | 6.6% | 3.8% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.9% | 21.8% | 11.2% | 10.7% | 7.8% | 7.5% | 3.9% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.1% | 23.6% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 7.1% | 6.5% | 3.4% | 1.2% |
How has the Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Malwarebytes was ahead of Microsoft Defender in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Malwarebytes’ share of searches among endpoint security software worldwide moved from 29.8% to 37.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 853K to 1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Defender’s share of searches among endpoint security software worldwide moved from 8.6% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 245K to 181K.
How did search popularity change for endpoint security software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Malwarebytes gained share of searches among endpoint security software worldwide, from 35.9% to 37.1%.
In September 2026, Microsoft Defender lost share of searches among endpoint security software worldwide, from 7.5% to 6.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
9 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Malwarebytes’ and Microsoft Defender’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Malwarebytes
7 branded search terms
- antivirus malwarebytes
- endpoint security malwarebytes
- malwarebytes
- malwarebytes app
- malwarebytes com
- malwarebytes endpoint security
- malwarebytes software
Microsoft Defender
2 branded search terms
- microsoft defender
- windows defender
Other head-to-heads among endpoint security software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.