Brandwave

ESET vs Malwarebytes:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Malwarebytes had more branded searches than ESET among antivirus software in New Zealand. Malwarebytes had about 2,810 branded searches, while ESET had 790. Malwarebytes made up 24.4% of all antivirus software searches we track, and ESET accounted for 6.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus software, ESET appeared in all four answers and Malwarebytes in none.

Among antivirus software in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Malwarebytes, about 4 searches for every 1 for ESET

Malwarebytes 2.8K searchesESET 790 searches

Who does AI mention more?

ESET, mentioned in every answer we collected

ESET in 4 of 4Malwarebytes in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

ESET, the only one of the two named

ESET first in 4Malwarebytes never named

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Top antivirus software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, ESET appeared in all four answers. Malwarebytes did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Bitdefender1st
  2. ESET2nd
  3. Norton3rd
  4. Microsoft Defender4th
  5. Avast5th
  6. McAfee–
  7. Malwarebytes–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Bitdefender4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • ESET4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Norton4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Microsoft Defender3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Avast1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • McAfee0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Malwarebytes0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about antivirus software

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Is ESET or Malwarebytes more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for ESET and Malwarebytes by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven antivirus software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

ESET and Malwarebytes among antivirus software in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Malwarebytes, ESET. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMcAfeeMalwarebytesBitdefenderAvastESETNortonMicrosoft Defender
Oct 202525.7%23.9%18.4%10.1%11.2%8.2%2.5%
Nov 202527.7%21.7%19%10.6%10.9%7.3%2.7%
Dec 202529.2%25.3%15.3%11%8.5%8.6%2.2%
Jan 202626.4%25%17.7%10.4%8.8%9.2%2.5%
Feb 202629.3%24.1%17.4%9.3%8.1%9.2%2.7%
Mar 202625.6%26.7%19.9%9%9.3%6.6%3%
Apr 202623.8%29.2%18.1%9.8%8.5%7.4%3.2%
May 202624.9%28.6%19.1%8.8%7.8%7.9%3%
Jun 202622.4%30.3%19.7%8.9%8%8.2%2.4%
Jul 202617.8%33.4%22.5%8.7%8%7.5%2.2%
Aug 202621.8%30.9%20.1%9.6%7.2%7.6%2.7%
Sep 202632.2%24.4%16.4%11%6.9%6.3%2.8%

How has the ESET and Malwarebytes comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Malwarebytes was ahead of ESET in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ESET’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 11.2% to 6.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 790.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Malwarebytes’ share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 23.9% to 24.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 2.8K.

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

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, McAfee overtook Malwarebytes to become the leader among antivirus software in New Zealand, with 32.2% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Malwarebytes lost share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 30.9% to 24.4%.

  3. ESET’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 8% to 6.9% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

9 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ESET’s and Malwarebytes’ 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.

ESET

4 branded search terms

  • eset
  • eset antivirus
  • eset internet security
  • eset security

Malwarebytes

5 branded search terms

  • malwarebytes
  • malwarebytes anti malware
  • malwarebytes os x
  • malwarebytes security
  • mbam malwarebytes

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among antivirus software

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