---
title: "Antivirus software in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?"
description: "Compare the antivirus and internet security products New Zealanders protect their devices with. Share of Search among Malwarebytes, McAfee, Bitdefender, Norton, Avast and ESET, the antivirus software Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-antivirus-software"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Antivirus software in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?

Compare the antivirus and internet security products New Zealanders protect their devices with. Share of Search among Malwarebytes, McAfee, Bitdefender, Norton, Avast and ESET, the antivirus software Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Antivirus software
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 6
- **Month measured**: Aug 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Malwarebytes, 30%

## Which brand is most popular in search among antivirus software in New Zealand?

- In August 2026, Malwarebytes was the most searched among antivirus software in New Zealand, with an estimated 4.3K branded searches and 30% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- McAfee is in 2nd place, 10.1 percentage points behind at 19.9% Share of Search.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Malwarebytes’ estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand increased from 23.1% to 30%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, McAfee’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand decreased from 22.2% to 19.9%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Bitdefender’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand increased from 17.6% to 19%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Norton’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand decreased from 13.3% to 12.4%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Avast’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand decreased from 11.1% to 10.1%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, ESET’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand decreased from 12.7% to 8.7%.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Malwarebytes’ estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 32.1% in July 2026 and was lowest at 21.3% in November 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, McAfee’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 25.6% in December 2025 and was lowest at 16.5% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Bitdefender’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 21% in July 2026 and was lowest at 15.1% in December 2025.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Norton’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 14.1% in January 2026 and was lowest at 11.5% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Avast’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 12.1% in December 2025 and was lowest at 9.6% in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, ESET’s estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand peaked at 12.7% in October 2025 and was lowest at 8.6% in May 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Avast rose from 6th to 5th among antivirus software in New Zealand.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, ESET fell from 5th to 6th among antivirus software in New Zealand.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Malwarebytes vs McAfee: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/malwarebytes-vs-mcafee): 30% against 19.9% Share of Search.
- [Malwarebytes vs Bitdefender: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bitdefender-vs-malwarebytes): 30% against 19% Share of Search.
- [Malwarebytes vs Norton: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/malwarebytes-vs-norton): 30% against 12.4% Share of Search.
- [Malwarebytes vs Avast: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/avast-vs-malwarebytes): 30% against 10.1% Share of Search.
- [McAfee vs Bitdefender: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bitdefender-vs-mcafee): 19.9% against 19% Share of Search.
- [McAfee vs Norton: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/mcafee-vs-norton): 19.9% against 12.4% Share of Search.
- [McAfee vs Avast: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/avast-vs-mcafee): 19.9% against 10.1% Share of Search.
- [Bitdefender vs Norton: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/bitdefender-vs-norton): 19% against 12.4% Share of Search.
- [Bitdefender vs Avast: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/avast-vs-bitdefender): 19% against 10.1% Share of Search.
- [Norton vs Avast: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/avast-vs-norton): 12.4% against 10.1% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand antivirus software in August 2026?

- In August 2026, McAfee overtook Bitdefender to rank 2nd among antivirus software in New Zealand, at 19.9%.
- In August 2026, Norton gained estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 11.5% to 12.4%.
- In August 2026, Avast gained estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 9.6% to 10.1%.
- In August 2026, Malwarebytes lost estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 32.1% to 30%.
- In August 2026, Bitdefender lost estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 21% to 19%.
- In August 2026, ESET lost estimated Share of Search among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 9.4% to 8.7%.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Malwarebytes | 30% | 4.3K | -8.1% | Malwarebytes |
| 2 | McAfee | 19.9% | 2.8K | +18.3% | McAfee |
| 3 | Bitdefender | 19% | 2.7K | -11.1% | Bitdefender |
| 4 | Norton | 12.4% | 1.8K | +6.6% | Norton |
| 5 | Avast | 10.1% | 1.4K | +3.6% | Avast |
| 6 | ESET | 8.7% | 1.2K | -9.5% | ESET |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Malwarebytes | 3.6K | 23.1% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | McAfee | 3.5K | 22.2% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Bitdefender | 2.8K | 17.6% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Norton | 2.1K | 13.3% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | ESET | 2K | 12.7% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Avast | 1.8K | 11.1% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | McAfee | 3.4K | 23.8% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Malwarebytes | 3.1K | 21.3% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Bitdefender | 2.7K | 18.6% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | ESET | 1.8K | 12.3% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Norton | 1.8K | 12.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Avast | 1.7K | 11.9% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | McAfee | 3.8K | 25.6% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Malwarebytes | 3.6K | 24.8% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Bitdefender | 2.2K | 15.1% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Norton | 1.9K | 13% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Avast | 1.8K | 12.1% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | ESET | 1.4K | 9.3% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Malwarebytes | 3.8K | 23.9% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | McAfee | 3.6K | 23.1% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.7K | 17.4% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Norton | 2.2K | 14.1% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Avast | 1.9K | 12% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | ESET | 1.5K | 9.6% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | McAfee | 3.7K | 25.4% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Malwarebytes | 3.5K | 23.8% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.5K | 16.7% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Norton | 2.1K | 14.1% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Avast | 1.6K | 11% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | ESET | 1.3K | 9% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.1K | 26% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | McAfee | 3.6K | 22.4% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Bitdefender | 3K | 18.8% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Norton | 1.9K | 11.9% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Avast | 1.7K | 10.6% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | ESET | 1.6K | 10.3% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.2K | 28.3% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | McAfee | 3.1K | 20.9% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.5K | 17.3% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Norton | 1.9K | 12.6% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Avast | 1.7K | 11.3% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | ESET | 1.4K | 9.7% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.5K | 28.5% | 1 |
| May 2026 | McAfee | 3.5K | 22% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.9K | 18.2% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Norton | 2.1K | 13% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Avast | 1.5K | 9.7% | 5 |
| May 2026 | ESET | 1.4K | 8.6% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.8K | 29.7% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | McAfee | 3.2K | 20% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.9K | 18.4% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Norton | 2.1K | 13% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Avast | 1.6K | 9.8% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | ESET | 1.4K | 9.1% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.7K | 32.1% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Bitdefender | 3K | 21% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | McAfee | 2.4K | 16.5% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Norton | 1.7K | 11.5% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Avast | 1.4K | 9.6% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | ESET | 1.4K | 9.4% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Malwarebytes | 4.3K | 30% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | McAfee | 2.8K | 19.9% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Bitdefender | 2.7K | 19% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Norton | 1.8K | 12.4% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Avast | 1.4K | 10.1% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | ESET | 1.2K | 8.7% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Avast | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Bitdefender | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | ESET | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Malwarebytes | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | McAfee | — | — | — |
| Sep 2026 | Norton | — | — | — |

## What is being compared

- **Avast**: Measured on the search terms “avast”, “avast av”, “avast free”, “avast free antivirus”, “avast mobile security”, “avast nz”, “avast one”, “avast online”, “avast premier security”, “avast secure browser”, “avast secureline” and “avast security”, summed into one figure.
- **Bitdefender**: Measured on the search terms “bitdefender”, “bitdefender antivirus for mac”, “bitdefender antivirus plus”, “bitdefender av”, “bitdefender cen”, “bitdefender com”, “bitdefender free”, “bitdefender mobile security”, “bitdefender near me”, “bitdefender new zealand”, “bitdefender nz”, “bitdefender online” and “bitdefender total sec”, summed into one figure.
- **ESET**: Measured on the search terms “eset”, “eset 32 antivirus”, “eset 32 download”, “eset antivirus”, “eset com”, “eset download”, “eset free”, “eset internet security”, “eset near me”, “eset nod 32”, “eset nz”, “eset online”, “eset protect”, “eset security” and “eset security download”, summed into one figure.
- **Malwarebytes**: Measured on the search terms “malwarebytes”, “malwarebytes anti malware”, “malwarebytes com”, “malwarebytes downloads”, “malwarebytes free”, “malwarebytes free downloads”, “malwarebytes nz”, “malwarebytes online”, “malwarebytes os x”, “malwarebytes security” and “mbam malwarebytes”, summed into one figure.
- **McAfee**: Measured on the search terms “jonathan mcafee”, “mcafee”, “mcafee av”, “mcafee com”, “mcafee free”, “mcafee is it good”, “mcafee near me”, “mcafee nz”, “mcafee online”, “mcafee protection”, “mcafee security”, “mcafee security standard”, “mcafee total protection” and “mcafee web protection”, summed into one figure.
- **Norton**: Measured on the search terms “norton 360”, “norton 360 advanced”, “norton 360 antivirus”, “norton 360 deluxe”, “norton 360 download”, “norton 360 premium”, “norton 360 standard”, “norton antivirus”, “norton antivirus plus”, “norton free”, “norton mobile security” and “norton security”, summed into one figure.

- [Avast](/demand/nz/brands/avast)
- [Bitdefender](/demand/nz/brands/bitdefender)
- [ESET](/demand/nz/brands/eset)
- [Malwarebytes](/demand/nz/brands/malwarebytes)
- [McAfee](/demand/nz/brands/mcafee)
- [Norton](/demand/nz/brands/norton)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among antivirus software in New Zealand?

In August 2026, Malwarebytes was the most searched among antivirus software in New Zealand, with an estimated 4.3K branded searches and 30% estimated Share of Search within this set.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Antivirus software in New Zealand: Which brands are most popular in search?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-antivirus-software

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-antivirus-software. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.