Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Malwarebytes had more branded searches than Bitdefender among antivirus software in New Zealand. Malwarebytes had about 2,810 branded searches, while Bitdefender had 1,890. Malwarebytes made up 24.4% of all antivirus software searches we track, and Bitdefender accounted for 16.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus software, Bitdefender appeared in all four answers and Malwarebytes in none.
Who do people search for more?
Malwarebytes, about 49% more searches than Bitdefender
Who does AI mention more?
Bitdefender, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Bitdefender, the only one of the two named
Follow Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes 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 antivirus software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Bitdefender 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.
- Bitdefender1st
ESET2nd
Norton3rd
Microsoft Defender4th
Avast5th
McAfee–- 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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which antivirus product should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best antivirus products in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best antivirus product in New Zealand for device protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus for pc”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 Bitdefender or Malwarebytes more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bitdefender 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.
Share of searches by month for Malwarebytes, Bitdefender. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McAfee | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Norton | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.7% | 23.9% | 18.4% | 10.1% | 11.2% | 8.2% | 2.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.7% | 21.7% | 19% | 10.6% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.2% | 25.3% | 15.3% | 11% | 8.5% | 8.6% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.4% | 25% | 17.7% | 10.4% | 8.8% | 9.2% | 2.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.3% | 24.1% | 17.4% | 9.3% | 8.1% | 9.2% | 2.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.6% | 26.7% | 19.9% | 9% | 9.3% | 6.6% | 3% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.8% | 29.2% | 18.1% | 9.8% | 8.5% | 7.4% | 3.2% |
| May 2026 | 24.9% | 28.6% | 19.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% | 7.9% | 3% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.4% | 30.3% | 19.7% | 8.9% | 8% | 8.2% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 17.8% | 33.4% | 22.5% | 8.7% | 8% | 7.5% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.8% | 30.9% | 20.1% | 9.6% | 7.2% | 7.6% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.2% | 24.4% | 16.4% | 11% | 6.9% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
How has the Bitdefender and Malwarebytes comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Malwarebytes was ahead of Bitdefender in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bitdefender’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 18.4% to 16.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.3K to 1.9K.
- 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
In September 2026, McAfee overtook Malwarebytes to become the leader among antivirus software in New Zealand, with 32.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Malwarebytes lost share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 30.9% to 24.4%.
In September 2026, Bitdefender lost share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 20.1% to 16.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bitdefender’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.
Bitdefender
6 branded search terms
- bitdefender
- bitdefender antivirus plus
- bitdefender av
- bitdefender cen
- bitdefender mobile security
- bitdefender total sec
Malwarebytes
5 branded search terms
- malwarebytes
- malwarebytes anti malware
- malwarebytes os x
- malwarebytes security
- mbam malwarebytes
Other head-to-heads among antivirus 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.