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The best free antivirus software: Expert tested
If you use a Windows or Mac PC, do you really need third-party antivirus software? For that matter, do you need to pay for the protection?
With how much personal information you keep on your devices -- and the constant stream of news about cybersecurity risks -- you may be thinking about all of the ways you can protect your data from threats, including malware and phishing attacks. You probably don't need to pay for antivirus software, but you should consider whether to supplement or replace your device's built-in antivirus features with a free service that can scan for threats and alert you when something's not right.
Also: The best free password managers: Expert tested
What is the best free antivirus software right now?
I tested the best free antivirus software options to find those you can trust to protect your devices from threats. My pick for the best free antivirus software overall is AVG AntiVirus Free, which scans for viruses and malware, quarantines unwanted programs, and alerts you to any suspicious activity -- all in a user-friendly app that's easy to navigate.
These are the best free antivirus software options in 2024.
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Quick scans
- Minimal extra features
AVG's Antivirus Free software manually scans your Windows or MacOS device for malware and can block suspicious downloads and email attachments. If any threats are found, the app will quarantine them. You can manually run scans of your system or specific files or folders as well as external storage devices, or you can schedule a single or recurring scan (daily, weekly, or monthly). The AVG mobile app for Android includes free virus scanning, while the free tier on iOS provides only limited email monitoring and photo storage.
AVG's app is clean and easy to navigate, and the guided setup process makes installation on your device easy. AVG is owned by the same parent company as Avast, so the interface looks very similar across both apps. However, Avast's free tier comes with more robust features than AVG Antivirus Free. If you want features like network scanning or ransomware protection, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which is around $30 per year (and AVG will try to upsell you).
Overall, AVG offers solid protection and a pleasant user experience, making it a good choice for most users looking for free antivirus software.
AVG Antivirus Free features: Scans device for viruses and malware | Multi-platform | Suspicious activity alerts | Email scanning
- Real-time and scheduled device and network scanning
- Browser extension exposes unsafe sites and web trackers
- Fast scan times
- No live customer support for free users
Avast is a multi-platform antivirus software with a free version that resembles some premium tiers on other products. There are apps for Windows and MacOS as well as a browser app for Chrome with ad blocking, identity masking, and anti-phishing features. The apps guide you through the setup process, and the interface is clean and easy to navigate. Android users get free antivirus, while those on iOS can install the Avast app for limited no-cost features like Wi-Fi scanning and a secure photo vault.
Users on Avast's free tier can run manual and scheduled device scans for malware and quarantine any potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), either across your device and backups or targeted at specific files or external storage. The software will also scan files and emails stored locally on your device, scan your network for vulnerabilities, and monitor app data usage and traffic. Web shield also protects your device from malware in real time.
The biggest features that require an upgrade to a premium account, which starts at $3 per month, are ransomware shielding and Wi-Fi security alerts. Otherwise, Avast is a solid choice for users who want extra features and granular control over their antivirus protection at no cost.
Note that Avast has come under fire for selling user data and recently reached a $16.5 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.
Avast features: Scans device for viruses and malware | Multi-platform | Scan scheduling | Option to scan entire system or specific files, folders, or external storage | Email scanning on local device | Network scanning | App traffic monitoring | Browser extension to protect web activity
- Simple, clean interface
- Easy-to-read scan reports
- 14-day premium trial
- No real-time scanning on free tier
Malwarebytes has a free tier for Windows and MacOS with basic antivirus scanning and detection. The interface is clean and user-friendly, and you can view your scan history and results as well as security recommendations right on the dashboard. Malwarebytes has some free features for Android and iOS, but you have to sign up for a 7-day trial of one of its premium tiers to use the app and then cancel the subscription to access them.
For free users, Malwarebytes scans devices for malware and PUPs manually -- scheduled and real-time scans are available on the premium tier along with ad blocking, protection against phishing and ransomware, and optional VPN service. You can have the app automatically quarantine suspicious items and adjust the software's CPU usage, as faster scanning speed may decrease system performance. The desktop dashboard also shows a security protection score, which is based on factors like automatic updates and notification permissions.
Review: Malwarebytes has solid, free protection with a user-friendly interface
If you're a new user, your download includes a 14-day premium trial. You'll be prompted during setup to upgrade -- if you opt out, those additional features will disappear once the trial period ends. If you're looking for a straightforward antivirus software that does the basics well, consider Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes features: Scans device for viruses and malware | Multi-platform
- Solid basic protection
- Live customer support
- MacOS version is less robust
- No free service on mobile
Bitdefender is one of our top picks for paid antivirus software. The company, which is known and trusted, also offers basic antivirus scanning -- built on the same technology as its premium version -- for free on Windows and MacOS.
Users on Bitdefender's free tier can manually scan their entire systems or custom locations for known malware and quarantine any threats. The company says virus signatures are updated hourly. Bitdefender also offers live customer support to customers on its free plan, and it protects Windows users from phishing attacks.
Bitdefender is Windows-based, and the app on MacOS is slower and less feature-rich and looks more outdated than some of its competitors. Plus, it has more visible ads to upsell you to their paid antivirus software. But if you need basic virus scans backed by a reputable company, Bitdefender fits the bill.
Bitdefender features: Scans device for viruses and malware | Multi-platform
- Real-time and scheduled scanning
- Comes with additional privacy features
- Junk cleaner for unneeded files
- Slow scans
Avira's Free Security software offers no-cost antivirus protection along with a suite of useful products for users on Windows and MacOS. Like the other programs listed here, Avira scans your devices for threats by searching your whole system or specific files or folders, which you can customize. Free users can enable real-time monitoring, manual and scheduled scans, and download protection.
One of Avira's unique features is the junk cleaner, which identifies and helps you delete unneeded files taking up space on your device. The free tier also comes with access to a password manager and a VPN service (up to 500 MB of data per month). The app has a cookie cleaner and app uninstaller, both of which are paid features that require an upgrade to Avira Prime ($110 per year).
Avira's initial scan took longer than most of the other apps I tested (only Malwarebytes was similarly slow), but its overall performance makes it a solid choice for users attracted to the bonus features.
Avira Free Security features: Scans device for viruses and malware | Multi-platform | Real-time, scheduled, and manual scans | Password manager | VPN | File cleaner
What is the best free antivirus software?
AVG AntiVirus Free is my pick for the best overall free antivirus software because of its user-friendly interface, quick and comprehensive scans, and extra features like suspicious activity alerts and email scanning. The other four antivirus options on our list also offer solid protection and are worth considering if their features better meet your needs.
Best free antivirus software | Malware protection | Scheduled scans | Notable feature |
AVG AntiVirus Free | ✓ | ✓ | Suspicious activity alerts |
Avast Security | ✓ | ✓ | Network scanning |
Malwarebytes | ✓ | x | App auditing on mobile |
Bitdefender Antivirus Free | ✓ | x | Live customer support |
Avira Free Security | ✓ | ✓ | File cleaner |
Which free antivirus software is right for you?
To help you decide which free antivirus software would be best for your needs, consider this chart:
Choose this free antivirus software… | If you want… |
AVG AntiVirus Free | The best no-frills protection with a user-friendly app. |
Avast Security | Antivirus protection with premium features like email and network scanning. |
Malwarebytes | Simple antivirus scanning with an intuitive interface. |
Bitdefender Antivirus Free | Basic protection from a reputable company with the option for live customer support. |
Avira Free Security | Antivirus with additional cybersecurity features like password management and VPN service built in. |
Factors to consider when choosing a free antivirus software
When selecting a free antivirus software, consider the following factors:
- Scan frequency: Some free antivirus software will run only when you manually prompt it to scan your device. Other options do real-time monitoring and/or scheduled scans at a frequency you set.
- Scan speed: Several software options listed here can scan your device in under a minute, while others take 10 minutes or more to complete a full scan. Faster scans can impact system performance.
- Protection level: Good antivirus software protects your device from malware based on known threats, but you should also consider those that go a step further with extras like email and network scanning.
- Extra features: The most basic antivirus software does virus scanning well, but some free tiers include premium features like VPN access, file cleaning, and live customer support.
How we test antivirus software
To build this list of the best free antivirus software, I first identified reputable antivirus providers that offer free versions of their software. I then looked at independent test results and did hands-on comparisons of product features, considering scan frequency, speed, protection level, and extra features.
Free antivirus software FAQs
Is free antivirus software safe?
Free antivirus software from reputable companies, such as those included here, is generally safe to use. However, you shouldn't rely on antivirus as your only protection from bad actors. Traditional antivirus software can only detect malware strains with known signatures -- some malware can also hide from detection -- so it's important to follow other security best practices even if you have antivirus installed on your devices.
Is free antivirus better than paid antivirus?
Free antivirus isn't necessarily better or worse than paid alternatives. Paid antivirus software may offer broader protection and/or include additional features, such as ad blocking, VPN service, or dark web monitoring. It's up to you to determine whether you truly need these extras and if you can get them elsewhere -- such as through your password manager -- for free.
Do independent antivirus test results matter?
Independent antivirus tests offer data about software protection and performance, but the results don't necessarily help distinguish one product from another. These analyses are also point-in-time, and a high score or rating doesn't guarantee 100% protection.
What about Kaspersky?
Kaspersky has historically been recommended for antivirus protection. However, the company is no longer providing antivirus software and other cybersecurity products to new US customers and will end all updates to existing customers on Sept. 30, 2024.
Should I pay for antivirus software?
Most individual consumers do not need to pay for antivirus software. In fact, Windows users can reasonably rely on Microsoft Defender, while those on Mac also have built-in antivirus protections, reducing the need for both paid and free third-party apps.
Plus, many security experts agree that malware is no longer the biggest security threat users face on fully updated devices, as major operating systems and software providers push frequent updates and security patches automatically.
Are there any alternative free antivirus software options to consider?
Other well-known companies like Norton and McAfee offer free trials of their software, but "free forever" antivirus software is largely limited to the recommendations on our list. That said, Microsoft Defender is a great alternative for Windows and Microsoft 365 customers.