If you think decent antivirus costs a lot of money, you'll be happy to learn that you can get it for free. It's also not a ruse: several security software companies give away their basic antivirus protection for free.
Of course, they keep some complex features or additional tools (such as a password manager) locked away for paying customers alone.
The majority of the software on this page is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, however iOS has less features. Windows users are the most likely to acquire it, but because it's completely free, you can put it on as many devices as you like.
Defender is included with Windows, and you might be shocked to learn that it's equally as good as (if not better than) expensive antivirus security. If you use Windows, it's the most convenient alternative, but keep in mind that it lacks some of the extra capabilities available elsewhere, such as browser add-ons that warn you about bogus websites and protect you from phishing assaults.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition used to be one of our top recommendations, but it is no longer available from the firm. You can only get a trial of Total Security right now.
Should you get free antivirus?
The problem with free antivirus is that it does not always provide comprehensive protection. It's better than having none at all, but free versions often lack some of the more comprehensive security layers found in the paid-for version.
It's for this reason that the word "antivirus" can be deceptive. Antivirus is usually just one part of a comprehensive security solution, which may also include ransomware protection, spam filtering, parental controls, password managers, VPNs, and cloud storage. That isn't to imply that those capabilities aren't available in free programs; you'd be astonished at what you can access without paying or even giving your email address.
As you'll see below, free antivirus from Avast, Kaspersky, and others all provide excellent virus protection.
If you want the comprehensive protection and assistance that only a premium version can provide, check out our best antivirus roundup.
Best Free Antivirus
Check out the best free antivirus below as will be listed.
1. Avast One Essential
Avast One is a new security suite from Avast that integrates antivirus, anti-phishing, VPN, and other security features into a single software. The 'Free download' language on the website is a little confusing, but there is a truly free version called Avast One Essential.
On all of the systems it supports, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, it offers a nice, light interface that is simple to comprehend and use. Although it works on iPad as well, it's essentially the same app as on iPhone.
However, Windows and macOS got the most features, while iOS has the fewest. Because of the way iOS operates, this is standard.
The same outstanding antivirus engine from Avast Free Antivirus is hidden beneath the new UI, and it performs incredibly well in independent lab tests. It will dependably notify you of bogus websites (where you may unintentionally type your login credentials) and will prevent ransomware from encrypting data saved in common folders by default.
There's also a decent VPN built in, with a substantial 5GB of bandwidth every week. A lot of big-name, paid-for security suites give less, so this is a wonderful deal for free. The bad news is that you can't choose from Avast One Premium's selection of 35 countries. It just connects to the fastest location available, which is usually within your own nation, and does not unblock websites or streaming services on your behalf.
Essential will scan certain email addresses and notify you if they've been compromised, but you'll need to upgrade to Premium to monitor an address and receive notifications.
However, there are bound to be limitations: Avast can't give everything away for free, and the One Essential package is quite generous. It's our new favorite free antivirus program.
2. AVG AntiVirus Free
AVG is owned by Avast, but unlike Avast's One suite, AVG's UI hasn't been updated in a long time, and the dark grey and green highlights don't exactly express the same cheerful vibe.
Regardless, AVG's free service includes antivirus, ransomware protection, and the ability to block other types of malware like spyware.
Deep Scan, USB/DVD scan, single file or folder scans, and a boot-time scan run before Windows starts up, preventing any lurking malware from starting up and protecting itself from the product.
AVG not only protects you from viruses, but it also alerts you about dangerous online connections and may block dangerous email attachments. You won't get the same amount of protection as if you paid for AVG Internet Security, as evidenced by the greyed-out tiles, but you can't really complain for free.
AVG performs admirably in independent lab tests. For example, in AV-most Test's recent assessment (Windows 10), it scored a perfect 18/18. However, it has a substantial influence on page loading speeds, with AV-Test reporting a 30 percent slower average compared to having no antivirus installed, and a 17 percent industry average.
There is no VPN, unlike Avast One Essential, so while this is still a good free antivirus solution, there are better options available these days.
AVG's free version is also available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, just as Avast's.
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3. Avira Free Security
For as long as we can remember, Avira, a German business, has provided free antivirus software.
Avira Prime is a premium version, however the free version employs the same malware detection engine that has previously gotten high ratings from two major virus testing organizations: AV-test.org and AV Comparatives. In the most current report from SE Labs in the United Kingdom, it took first place, providing the best overall protection of any antivirus.
This is undoubtedly a remarkable feat. However, after you start using Free Security, you'll see why it's not higher on this list. It appears to be created purely to persuade you to upgrade to Avira Prime, with features that appear to be available but are simply advertisements for Prime when you click on them.
If you can live with that, and many people can (it's not like you use your antivirus program every day), it's good that you don't have to give out any personal information at all - not even an email address, which is unusual in this day and age. Avira explicitly declares on its website that it does not and will never sell data.
4. Microsoft Defender
Many individuals believe Defender is incapable of handling the situation. It's included in Windows 10 (and 11) and is activated by default if no other antivirus software is installed. But it couldn't possibly be as good as the pricey, paid-for security software, can it?
Wrong. Windows Defender came in second position overall in the current SE Labs survey, beating out eight paid-for antivirus applications. AV-Test also discovered that it identifies and protects against practically all assaults as well as Kaspersky and other security software. Any antivirus software's performance varies from month to month, but Defender has a solid track record.
It's also incredibly useful that it protects your Windows devices even if you haven't installed any other security software.
Wrong. Windows Defender came in second position overall in the current SE Labs survey, beating out eight paid-for antivirus applications. AV-Test also discovered that it identifies and protects against practically all assaults as well as Kaspersky and other security software. Any antivirus software's performance varies from month to month, but Defender has a solid track record.
It's also incredibly useful that it protects your Windows devices even if you haven't installed any other security software.
There's also a built-in Windows firewall, powerful exploit protection, and security against malware injecting code into legitimate processes.
Secure Boot prevents rootkits and other malicious software from launching and hiding before other software, such as antivirus software, has a chance to load. One of the scanning functions is an offline scan that runs before Windows starts, denying rootkits and other sneaky malware a hiding place.
5. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
Kaspersky is a well-known antivirus company that offers a free PC version. This is a stripped-down version of Security Cloud, the company's flagship product, rather than just a free antivirus app.
This is a positive thing in some ways, because you get the same VPN as the paid-for version. Other capabilities include a file shredder and a Windows security analysis for any weak security settings. Other menus, although their existence, are kept behind a paywall unless you pay to upgrade to the full edition of Security Cloud. Either that, or they're severely limited: Kaspersky's password manager has a basic edition that only allows you to store 15 items.
Similarly, the VPN is limited, with only 200MB of data per day available. However, you get the same thing with the commercial edition of Security Cloud.
In any event, you can get amazing free VPNs and password managers, and having them as distinct apps isn't inconvenient.
Kaspersky's superb core antivirus protection, which includes file, email, and web-based threats, automated updates, quarantine, and more, is the big lure here. It's really encouraging to see excellent ransomware security.
Kaspersky received near-perfect marks for security (on Windows systems) in the latest independent SE Labs analysis, which is extremely reassuring.
There's also an Android version with antivirus protection, which received perfect scores in the most current AV-Test testing. However, this isn't real-time protection: you must manually run scans. Only the premium version will continuously scan for threats.
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Is free antivirus really free?
When you download and use a free product, some companies may record, use, or even sell information about you.
During the installation of these items, you may be prompted if you want to opt in to data collecting. This is why it's critical to read what you're agreeing to when you install an app and be very cautious about opting out of any data sharing.
Otherwise, you're giving the software permission to share some of your (anonymized) data with third parties, such as advertising and other businesses.
The risk is that a firm will figure out how to de-anonymize this data, which is a risk you should avoid.
Android versions. You can learn whether or not it's worth installing antivirus on Android and whether or not iPhones require malware protection.
Take the time to read the privacy policy before installing a product if any of this concerns or disturbs you. This also applies to paid-for items, although they do not, on the whole, take liberties with your personal information.
Antivirus software must now comply with the GDPR in Europe as well as with privacy requirements in other nations.
Does free antivirus software work?
Depending on your perspective, privacy may or may not be the most crucial element. Antivirus software protects your PC and laptop, as well as your phone and tablet, from dangerous code that can create problems ranging from annoying pop-ups to stealing your personal information to erasing or encrypting your files.
Antivirus software's efficiency varies over time, thus a program that eliminates all infections today may not do so tomorrow or in a month. Although no antivirus software can promise that it will detect and remove 100 percent of malware, several do. And it's practically the same virus protection as the paid-for edition of the software.
So, yes. It works. It's not an excuse to start downloading cracked software or visiting dodgy sites though. Security requires a multi-layered approach, and that includes being careful and sensible about the sites you use, the links you click on and the stuff you download.
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