Emsisoft Anti-Malware vs GridinSoft Anti-Malware (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Emsisoft Anti-Malware grades higher than GridinSoft Anti-Malware: 2.4 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Emsisoft Anti-Malware grades higher on features and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
Dual-engine malware scanner for home PCs, with a web console
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
Windows malware remover that runs beside Microsoft Defender
Which one is for you
Pick Emsisoft Anti-Malware if
- Fits if you want a Windows antivirus with anti-ransomware and no extras
- Works for a Mac or Windows owner who wants a 30-day look before paying
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want a free edition, as there's only the 30-day trial
- Not for you if you need a VPN or password manager, as the Home plan lists neither
- Too light for phones, since there's no Android or iOS app listed
- Watch out: the pricing page shows regional prices, so the $39.95 US price may differ where you are
Pick GridinSoft Anti-Malware if
- Fits if you want a cleaner that runs beside Microsoft Defender
- Works for 2 home PCs on one licence
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac or a phone, as only Windows is covered
- Not for you if you want a free plan, since you get 6 days and then pay
- Watch out: no renewal price is stated, only a 15% renewal discount link
- Tight if you run a business with several PCs, as Standard counts 1 business PC
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAEmsisoft Anti-MalwareFair | 2.0GPAGridinSoft Anti-MalwareFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C$39.95 a year for 1 PC, about $3.33 a month, between the cheaper quarter ($2.92) and the middle ($4.50) of antivirus tools. The pricing page shows regional prices. | C$39.95 a year, shown as $3.33 a month, for 1 business PC or 2 home PCs. That is the middle of this category and the renewal price is not stated. |
| Free plan and trial | C30-day free trial, and the page doesn't say whether it needs a card. No free edition. | CA 6-day full trial with no credit card. There is no free plan. |
| Features | BDual-engine scanning, real-time file guard, web protection, behavior blocker and anti-ransomware, with a management console. No VPN or password manager. | CReal-time protection and cleanup, positioned to work beside Microsoft Defender rather than replace it. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record. You install it and scan, with nothing to set up. | BNo store rating on record, but it is a Windows program you install and run. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWindows and Mac, which are computers only. No phone apps listed. | DWindows only: the page lists Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7. |
| Best for | Windows antivirus with two engines | a Windows cleanup tool that runs beside Defender |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and GridinSoft Anti-Malware. How we grade
Price against what you get
Emsisoft Anti-Malware starts at $3.33 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. GridinSoft Anti-Malware starts at $3.33 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.0.
Emsisoft Anti-Malware scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other antivirus apps on the chart, 4 score higher than Emsisoft Anti-Malware for less, and 8 score higher than GridinSoft Anti-Malware for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Emsisoft Anti-Malware also covers dashboards.
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware also covers system monitor.
At a glance
| Emsisoft Anti-Malware | GridinSoft Anti-Malware | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free trial |
| Starts at | $39.95 per year for 1 PC | $39.95 per 12 months for 2 home PCs (shown as $3.33 a month; renewal price not stated) |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial | 6-day full trial with all features, no credit card required. |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Emsisoft | Gridinsoft |
| Price read from | emsisoft.com | anti-malware.gridinsoft.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
- The pricing page shows regional prices to some visitors; the $39.95 figure is the US price in the product page's own data and should be re-checked.
- The product page lists Windows 10 (64 bit) and later and macOS 11 and later; the pricing page describes the Home plan as for Windows PCs.
- Business Security and Enterprise Security (with EDR) are separate per-endpoint products; no VPN or password manager is listed for the Home plan.
- Sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
- Windows only: the page lists Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7.
- The vendor positions the product as working alongside Microsoft Defender.
- Prices are shown as a monthly figure with a 12-month total, and the pricing cards load by script; no renewal price is stated, only a 15% renewal discount link.
- The Standard license counts 1 business PC or 2 home PCs.
Key features
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
- Dual-engine scanning
- Finds and cleans viruses, spyware and potentially unwanted programs with two scan engines.
- Real-time File Guard
- Checks downloaded and modified files as they appear, including with AI-supported detection.
- Web protection and browser security
- Blocks connections to malicious and phishing websites.
- Behavior Blocker and anti-ransomware
- Watches running processes for suspicious actions, including file encryption typical of ransomware, and steps in when it sees them.
- Management console
- A web console and Android and iOS apps show alerts and protection settings for the home devices on the account.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
- Malware scanning and removal
- Quick, Standard and Advanced Removal options; detected items show threat level and a recommended action, and can be quarantined or restored.
- Real-time protection
- The vendor describes three protection layers that can be switched on, with PUP detection as a toggle.
- Browser Reset
- Restores default browser settings and removes unwanted extensions after a hijack.
- Webcam Protection
- Blocks unauthorized camera access by unknown apps.
- Scheduled scans
- Scans can run daily, weekly or every two weeks.
Plans
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
Anti-Malware Home$39.95
per year for 1 PC
Dual-engine scanner, real-time protection, web protection, anti-ransomware and the management console. Priced for 1, 3 or 5 devices and for 1, 2 or 3 year terms.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
Standard$39.95
per 12 months for 1 business PC or 2 home PCs; no renewal price
Real-time protection and cleanup. The page shows $3.33 a month and a $19.95 saving; a 6-month term toggle also exists.
Family$49.95
per 12 months for up to 3 home PCs; renewal price not stated
Standard features for 3 home PCs, shown as $4.16 a month with a $25.05 saving.
Extended$59.95
per 12 months for up to 5 home PCs; renewal price not stated
Standard features for 5 home PCs, shown as $5.00 a month with a $29.95 saving.
Ways to pay less
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
No public discounts listed.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware
- Other savings
15% off license renewal
The pricing page links to a renewal route for existing customers with a 15% discount.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Emsisoft Anti-Malware or GridinSoft Anti-Malware?
As of Nov 13, 2026, they start at the same price. Emsisoft Anti-Malware starts at $39.95 per year for 1 PC, and GridinSoft Anti-Malware starts at $39.95 per 12 months for 2 home PCs (shown as $3.33 a month; renewal price not stated).
Which has a free plan, Emsisoft Anti-Malware or GridinSoft Anti-Malware?
As of Nov 13, 2026, neither Emsisoft Anti-Malware nor GridinSoft Anti-Malware has a free plan. Both have a free trial.
Which platforms do Emsisoft Anti-Malware and GridinSoft Anti-Malware run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Emsisoft Anti-Malware lists a macOS app. Both list a Windows app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
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- Emsisoft Anti-Malware vs Bitdefender
- Emsisoft Anti-Malware vs Avira
- Emsisoft Anti-Malware vs Kaspersky
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware vs Malwarebytes
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware vs SUPERAntiSpyware
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware vs Spybot Search & Destroy
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware vs Zemana AntiMalware
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.