Regular soap removes germs mechanically — it lifts them, along with oil and dirt, off your skin so they rinse away with water. That mechanical action is doing most of the real work in everyday handwashing, which is why public health guidance has long focused on thorough washing technique and duration over which specific soap is in the dispenser.
What "antibacterial" actually adds
Antibacterial soaps include an added ingredient intended to kill bacteria directly, on top of the mechanical removal that any soap provides. For most everyday household use — regular handwashing before meals, after using the bathroom, after handling raw food — the mechanical removal from thorough washing with plain soap and water is the main driver of effectiveness, not the antibacterial additive.
Where it might matter more
Environments with higher exposure to pathogens (healthcare settings, food service) sometimes have specific antimicrobial handwashing protocols in place, but those are typically governed by industry-specific guidance rather than a general recommendation to swap your home hand soap. If you have a specific health concern, that's a better question for a doctor than a product label.
What matters more than the soap type
Washing for a full 20 seconds, getting between fingers and under nails, and rinsing thoroughly makes a bigger practical difference than which bottle is by the sink. A quick 3-second rinse with antibacterial soap is generally less effective than a full 20-second wash with plain soap.
The bottom line
For typical household use, either type works when you wash thoroughly and for long enough — pick based on skin sensitivity, scent preference, and price rather than assuming "antibacterial" is automatically the safer choice.