ESET vs Malwarebytes:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Malwarebytes had more branded searches than ESET among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand. Malwarebytes had about 2,780 branded searches, while ESET had 510. Malwarebytes made up 44.9% of all endpoint protection brand searches we track, and ESET accounted for 8.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about endpoint protection brands, ESET appeared in two of the five answers and Malwarebytes in none.
Who do people search for more?
Malwarebytes, about 5 searches for every 1 for ESET
Who does AI mention more?
ESET, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Malwarebytes in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
ESET, the only one of the two named
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Top endpoint protection brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, ESET was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 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.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Microsoft Defender for Business4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
CrowdStrike3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SentinelOne3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sophos Intercept X3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- ESET2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Acronis1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Malwarebytes0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Fortinet0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about endpoint protection brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which endpoint protection brand should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best endpoint protection brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best endpoint protection brand in New Zealand for a small business?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“endpoint protection software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best endpoint protection”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 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 nine endpoint protection brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Malwarebytes, ESET. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Malwarebytes | Fortinet | CrowdStrike | ESET | SentinelOne | Acronis | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Defender for Business | Sophos Intercept X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.4% | 19.9% | 14.3% | 14% | 3.5% | 5.7% | 1.5% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.1% | 21.6% | 14.4% | 13.9% | 3.9% | 5.3% | 1.8% | 0.45% | 0.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.1% | 17.6% | 10.6% | 12.3% | 3.5% | 4.1% | 1.2% | 0.33% | 0.33% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.9% | 18.2% | 10.2% | 12.1% | 3.3% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.48% | 0.32% |
| Feb 2026 | 45% | 18.7% | 14.9% | 11.8% | 4.1% | 3.1% | 1.6% | 0.63% | 0.31% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.9% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 12% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.3% | 15% | 11.9% | 11.3% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 1.4% | 0.6% | 0.15% |
| May 2026 | 49.5% | 18.7% | 12.7% | 10.2% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.27% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.8% | 22.3% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 3.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.49% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.2% | 15.3% | 14.3% | 8.5% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 0.41% | 0.14% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.5% | 17% | 14.1% | 7.6% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.58% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.9% | 19.2% | 17.6% | 8.2% | 4.2% | 3.7% | 1.5% | 0.48% | 0.16% |
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 endpoint protection brands in New Zealand moved from 14% to 8.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.1K to 510.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Malwarebytes’ share of searches among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand moved from 40.4% to 44.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 2.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand endpoint protection brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, ESET gained share of searches among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand, from 7.6% to 8.2%.
In September 2026, Malwarebytes lost share of searches among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand, from 52.5% to 44.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 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
2 branded search terms
- eset
- eset protect
Malwarebytes
3 branded search terms
- malwarebytes
- malwarebytes os x
- mbam malwarebytes
Other head-to-heads among endpoint protection brands
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