Brandwave

Malwarebytes vs McAfee:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, McAfee had more branded searches than Malwarebytes among antivirus software in New Zealand. McAfee had about 3,710 branded searches, while Malwarebytes had 2,810. McAfee made up 32.2% of all antivirus software searches we track, and Malwarebytes accounted for 24.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus software, neither Malwarebytes nor McAfee appeared in any of the four answers.

Among antivirus software in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

McAfee, about 32% more searches than Malwarebytes

McAfee 3.7K searchesMalwarebytes 2.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 0 of 4 answers.

Malwarebytes in 0 of 4McAfee in 0 of 4

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Top antivirus software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, neither Malwarebytes nor McAfee showed up 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 Malwarebytes or McAfee more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Malwarebytes and McAfee 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.

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

Share of searches by month for McAfee, Malwarebytes. 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 Malwarebytes and McAfee comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Malwarebytes took it in March 2026, McAfee took it in September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McAfee’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 25.7% to 32.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.3K to 3.7K.

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

2 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%.

How are branded searches counted?

13 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Malwarebytes’ and McAfee’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

5 branded search terms

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

McAfee

8 branded search terms

  • jonathan mcafee
  • mcafee
  • mcafee av
  • mcafee protection
  • mcafee security
  • mcafee security standard
  • mcafee total protection
  • mcafee web protection

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among antivirus software

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