Emsisoft Anti-Malware vs MalwareFox (2026): which should you pick?

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 MalwareFox if

• Fits if you want a low-priced Windows antivirus billed yearly
• Works for a household with a few Windows PCs and an Android phone

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use a Mac or an iPhone, as neither is listed
• Not for you if you want real-time protection free, as it needs a paid plan
• Watch out: the page says new-customer prices go up on December 1
• Watch out: the Android app is a separate purchase at $1.25 a month
• Tight if you want one Windows device only, since the Single Device plan has no Android

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.

MalwareFox

• No macOS or iOS app is listed; the Single Device plan is Windows only.
• The page says prices for new customers go up on December 1 and shows a countdown.
• The Android app is a separate purchase at $1.25 per month, per the pricing page.
• The free version's exact scope is not spelled out on the pages read.

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.

MalwareFox

Real-time protection

Stops malware as it appears, with ransomware lockdown that blocks unauthorized file encryption.

Zero-day and fileless defense

Behavior-based blocking aimed at unknown and fileless attacks, according to the vendor.

Browser cleaner

Removes hijackers, adware and unwanted toolbars from the browser.

Privacy and cleanup tools

Includes a privacy cleaner, secure file delete, backup and a firewall, as listed on the homepage.

Android app

Scans apps, blocks phishing pages and offers remote locate, lock and wipe if a phone is lost.

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.

MalwareFox

• Single Device$2

  per month for 1 device, billed annually ($24 a year)

  Windows only: real-time protection, ransomware shield, zero-day defense, browser cleaner and privacy tools.

• Three Devices$3

  per month for 3 devices, billed annually ($36 a year)

  Windows and Android; adds cloud management, Android app privacy audit and anti-theft.

• Five Devices$4

  per month for 5 devices, billed annually ($48 a year)

  Same features as the three-device plan, for five devices.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware

No public discounts listed.

MalwareFox

• Other savings

  60-day money-back guarantee

  The pricing page promises a full refund if you email within 60 days of buying.