Described herein are multifunctional polymers comprising a first repeating unit having at least one pseudo-cationic moiety, a second repeating unit having at least a hydrophobic moiety, and a third repeating unit, where the weight-average molecular weight is less than about 10,000 Da. In one embodiment the polymers exhibit antimicrobial activity. Also provided are compositions formulated with the multifunctional polymers, and a method of providing antimicrobial activity.