Cobalt
Cobalt is a Pentest as a Service platform that combines SaaS efficiency with a global community of security experts to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in your applications.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes provides comprehensive cybersecurity software that protects your personal devices and business endpoints against malware, ransomware, and emerging online threats through advanced real-time scanning and remediation technology.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cobalt | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cobalt.io | malwarebytes.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Santa Clara, USA |
Overview
Cobalt
Cobalt transforms traditional penetration testing into a dynamic, tech-enabled experience through its Pentest as a Service (PtaaS) platform. You can move away from slow, static PDF reports and instead launch comprehensive security assessments in days rather than weeks. The platform connects you directly with a vetted community of on-demand security researchers who test your web applications, APIs, and cloud infrastructure in real-time.
You can manage the entire testing lifecycle from a single dashboard, allowing your developers to communicate directly with testers for faster vulnerability remediation. It integrates with your existing development workflows to ensure security keeps pace with your release cycles. Whether you need to meet compliance requirements like SOC2 or harden your external attack surface, you get actionable data and on-demand retesting to stay secure.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes offers a powerful layer of defense to keep your digital life and business operations secure. Whether you are looking to clean an infected home computer or shield an entire corporate network, the platform uses signature-less detection and anomaly-based analysis to stop threats that traditional antivirus often misses. You can deploy it across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices to ensure consistent protection regardless of your hardware.
The software is designed to work alongside other security tools or as a standalone solution, giving you the flexibility to build a defense strategy that fits your specific needs. It focuses on proactive prevention, blocking malicious websites and stopping ransomware before it can encrypt your sensitive files. With a range of plans from free cleanup tools to managed detection and response for enterprises, you can scale your security as your requirements grow.
Overview
Cobalt Features
- On-Demand Pentesting Launch a manual pentest in as little as 24 hours to meet tight production deadlines or compliance windows.
- Real-Time Reporting View vulnerabilities as testers find them so your team can start fixing critical bugs before the test even finishes.
- Direct Researcher Access Chat directly with your assigned security experts to clarify findings and get specific guidance on complex remediation steps.
- SDLC Integrations Push findings automatically to Jira, GitHub, or Slack so your developers can manage security fixes in their existing tools.
- Complimentary Retesting Request a free retest once you've applied a fix to ensure the vulnerability is fully resolved and verified.
- Compliance Reporting Generate audit-ready reports for SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS with a single click to satisfy your stakeholders and auditors.
Malwarebytes Features
- Real-Time Protection. Block malware, hacking attempts, and malicious links automatically before they can infect your device or steal your personal data.
- Ransomware Shield. Stop specialized attacks from locking your files and demanding payment by identifying and blocking unknown ransomware behavior instantly.
- Web Protection. Prevent accidental visits to malicious websites, phishing sites, and infected links while you browse the internet or check email.
- Brute Force Protection. Secure your remote desktop protocols by blocking attackers who try to guess your credentials and gain unauthorized access.
- Exploit Prevention. Shield vulnerable outdated software and operating systems from attacks that target known security holes before they are patched.
- Malware Remediation. Clean up deeply embedded infections that other security programs miss with the industry-standard scanning and removal engine.
Pricing Comparison
Cobalt Pricing
Malwarebytes Pricing
- Manual malware removal
- Spyware and rootkit detection
- Single device support
- On-demand scanning
- Threat cleanup only
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Real-time threat protection
- Ransomware blocking
- Malicious website filtering
- Brute force protection
- Automated scan scheduling
Pros & Cons
Cobalt
Pros
- Significantly faster setup time than traditional consulting firms
- Direct communication with testers speeds up remediation
- Clean dashboard replaces messy PDF report management
- High-quality, vetted researchers provide deep manual insights
Cons
- Credit-based pricing can be complex to forecast
- Platform focus is primarily on manual testing over automation
- Premium pricing reflects the high-touch expert service
Malwarebytes
Pros
- Excellent at finding and removing stubborn infections
- Lightweight system impact during background operations
- Simple interface is easy for beginners to navigate
- Reliable web protection blocks dangerous sites effectively
Cons
- Free version lacks automated real-time protection
- Full system scans can be time-consuming
- Frequent upgrade prompts in the free version