Yes, the very best free antivirus utilities offer many more layers of protection. But Windows Defender protects everyone who can't be bothered to install a third-party antivirus tool. If you're looking for the best free anti-malware software for Windows – whether it's a whole new security package, or just an additional program to give your regular antivirus a boost – then.
One nasty virus could expose your financial information or stop your computer from working at all. What you need is the best antivirus software possible on your computer. Fortunately, some of the best are also completely free!
Many companies offer free versions of their popular antivirus programs for home users. A few of our favorites are Avast Free Antivirus and AVG Anti-Virus Free, but be sure to look through the alphabetical list below to find the best free antivirus for you.
We've included no trial or shareware antivirus programs in this list. These are the best freeware antivirus programs, and they work similarly to, or better than, expensive programs from companies like Norton and McAfee.
See these free on-demand virus scanners if you're interested in free antivirus tools without constant virus protection, or these free online virus scanners for an online-based scan of a file. If those aren't enough, try a bootable antivirus program.
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Adaware Antivirus Free
What We Like
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Protects against spyware and viruses.
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Updates definitions automatically.
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Schedule to run a quick or full scan.
What We Don't Like
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Some features require a paid version.
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Yearly registration is required.
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Doesn't scan email.
Lavasoft's Adaware Antivirus Free program is different than the 'Ad-Aware' you may already be familiar with. This program is a true, always-on, completely free antivirus program.
If our list was anything other than alphabetical, Adaware Antivirus Free probably wouldn't head up the pack, mainly because email scanning isn't supported. However, if you love Lavasoft's other free products, Adaware Antivirus Free is a pretty solid choice.
Adaware Antivirus Free supports Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.
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Amiti Antivirus
What We Like
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Intuitive interface.
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Automatic updates.
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Real-time memory shields.
What We Don't Like
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No built-in firewall.
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No USB or email scans.
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Can't exclude certain types of files from a scan.
Amiti Antivirus is a free antivirus program that includes heuristic scanning and supports 4 different scan types, including one that can check for viruses that are currently running in memory.
I really like how easy Amiti Antivirus is to use. All the settings and options are organized on the left side of the program in their respective areas without being overly cluttered.
There's also a tool included in Amiti Antivirus that can be used to quickly clean temporary system and Internet Explorer files to free up disk space.
Amiti Antivirus should be able to run on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
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Avast Free Antivirus
What We Like
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Long history of virus protection.
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Easy installation.
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Silent mode hides alerts during gaming.
What We Don't Like
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Sometimes displays ads.
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For home use only.
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May try to install unrelated (safe) software.
AVAST Software's Avast Free Antivirus most certainly deserves to be on any list of the best free antivirus programs. It has fully functioning antivirus and antispyware engines protecting your PC from threats from the internet, your files, emails, and even instant messages.
One big reason Avast Free Antivirus is included as a best free antivirus program is because of its 'heuristics engine' which can detect previously unknown viruses and other malware.
AVAST has been making this antivirus product since 1988 and is often cited as the most installed antivirus product.
Avast Free Antivirus supports Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7, excluding Starter and RT editions. You can also install Avast on a Mac.
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AVG AntiVirus Free
What We Like
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Real-time security updates.
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Stops viruses, spyware, ransomeware, and other malware.
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Blocks unsafe downloads, links, and email attachments.
What We Don't Like
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Slows computer more than other anti-virus software.
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Not many extras compared to competitors.
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Average anti-phishing performance.
AntiVirus Free from AVG is one of the best free antivirus software tools available and is probably one of our favorites.
AVG AntiVirus Free is a full-fledged antivirus and antispyware tool, includes an email scanner, link scanner, scheduled scanning options, automatic updates, and more. There is no need to pay for an antivirus program when one this good is just a download away.
The huge number of premium features, the frequency of updating, and install-it-and-forget-it aspect of AVG's AntiVirus Free really do make it one of the best of the best free antivirus programs available today.
AVG AntiVirus Free works on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. There's also a Mac version that runs on OS X 10.10 Yosemite or above.
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Avira Free Antivirus
What We Like
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Avira Protection Cloud evaluates suspicious files in real time.
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Repairs compromised files.
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Doesn't slow down the computer running it.
What We Don't Like
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Not for business use.
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Configuration is challenging for novices.
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No VPN or social network protection.
Avira Free Antivirus protects you from viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, adware, and various other kinds of malware, making it a fully functional anti-malware tool and one of the best free antivirus programs.
The scope of malware that Avira Free Antivirus can keep you safe from is alone enough to make it one of the best free antivirus software programs but the heuristics and ease of use add to its value, too. The only things we didn't like about Avira Free Antivirus was the configuration you have to complete after installation which might be intimidating if you're a computer novice.
Avira Free Antivirus works on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. Avira can also be used on a Mac computer.
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Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
What We Like
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Lightning-fast operation.
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Real-time threat detection.
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Detects and removes all malware.
What We Don't Like
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Initial scan is slow.
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Can't be customized.
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No scheduling options.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is on par with any of the arguably better-known free antivirus programs on this list.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is incredibly easy to setup and configure, uses very little system resources (it won't slow down your computer), and doesn't constantly suggest that you upgrade to their premium offerings.
The sheer simplicity of Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, both during installation and when in use, make it one of the better of the best free antivirus programs.
Antivirus Free Edition by Bitdefender fully supports Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. A slightly different version of the program is available for Mac systems.
Mac
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Comodo Antivirus
What We Like
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Detects viruses, spyware, rootkits, and other malware.
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Includes a game mode (silent detection).
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Disable real-time scanning for any application.
What We Don't Like
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Not for business use.
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A full scan on the computer takes a long time.
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Configuration is tricky for novice users.
Comodo Antivirus from Comodo Security Solutions is another excellent program, easily one of the best free antivirus options out there. Comodo Antivirus protects you from several threat sources, just as most of the other free antivirus programs on this list do.
Comodo Antivirus ranks as a best free antivirus solution almost solely because of its Defense+ technology that, by default, assumes unknown files are threats instead of safe. That sounds like it might cause problems but Comodo Antivirus utilizes some other technologies to make the whole process silent but still very effective.
Comodo Antivirus officially supports Mac computers as well as Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.
Mac
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FortiClient
What We Like
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Antivirus, firewall, and web filtering.
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VPN works smoothly.
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Two-factor authentication.
What We Don't Like
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The user interface feels outdated.
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Slows down the computer.
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No tutorial.
FortiClient is an antivirus, web filtering, firewall, parental control, optimization, (and then some) program that's powerful enough for a business to use. It's more accurately referred to as a 'threat management' tool.
While that might all sound really complicated, especially considering that you probably only have one computer you're worried about, FortiClient is really easy to set up, automatically updates its virus definition files, does a full system scan once per week, and much more, all without you ever having to worry about it.
FortiClient supports Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. It can also run on macOS, Linux, Chromebook, and mobile devices.
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Immunet
What We Like
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Cloud-based protection and support.
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Real-time online protection with Immunet Cloud.
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Basic scanning, detection, and removal.
What We Don't Like
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No scheduled or offline scans.
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Displays distracting ads.
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Doesn't detect viruses on USB drives.
Immunet is a unique, cloud-based antivirus program that's a bit like Panda Dome below. Immunet protects your computer from bots, worms, viruses, Trojans, keyloggers, and spyware.
I think Immunet is one of the best free antivirus programs for several reasons: you never have to update it, it has completely free telephone based support, and it can be run alongside some of the other best free antivirus tools in this list, increasing your overall protection.
Immunet can run on Windows 10 down through Windows 7, as well as Windows Server 2016/2012/2008 R2.
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Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
What We Like
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Provides constant virus, spyware, and other malware protection.
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Virus definitions are updated regularly.
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Small download size.
What We Don't Like
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No silent detection mode.
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No control over the timing of updates.
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Performs unusually slow scans.
Security Essentials from Microsoft is definitely one of the best free antivirus programs available right now. Microsoft is relatively new to the antivirus game but don't let that scare you — Security Essentials is a fantastic antivirus program that protects you from all sorts of malware, updates automatically, and is incredibly easy to use.
Two of the biggest reasons we added Microsoft Security Essentials to this list of the best free antivirus software is because it's available directly from Microsoft and because it's very easy to see if your computer is secure from threats: if the icon next to your clock is green, you're good; if it's red, something is wrong.
Microsoft Security Essentials supports Windows 7 and Windows Vista. The anti-malware protection in MSE is part of the built-in Windows Defender tool in Windows 8 and 10, while Windows XP is no longer supported.
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Panda Dome
What We Like
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Cloud-based, real-time protection.
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Silent mode for gaming or watching multimedia.
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Automatic USB protection.
What We Don't Like
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Free version contains ads.
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Customization options aren't novice-friendly.
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Offers to load unnecessary third-party apps during installation.
Panda Dome (previously called Panda Free Antivirus) protects you from several kinds of malware threats — viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, and more — just like all the other free antivirus programs in this list.
What makes Panda Dome one of the best free antivirus programs is that it does its job from 'the cloud' meaning the hard antivirus work that typically slows down a computer is done on computers elsewhere on the Internet, freeing up your computer to work like it should and protecting you from malware even better.
Panda Dome supports Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000 Professional SP4.
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ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall
What We Like
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Built-in powerful firewall.
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Silent gamer mode.
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Real-time security updates.
What We Don't Like
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Not all features included in free edition.
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Interface has too many options.
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Uses a lot of system memory.
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall is just that — a combination free antivirus and firewall tool.
Check Point Software, the makers of ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall, have been in the firewall business for a long time. They make good software and this program is no exception. While we didn't notice anything spectacular about the antivirus portion of this program, having an antivirus and firewall tightly integrated has its benefits.
ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall should work with all recent versions of Windows, from Windows 10 down through Windows 7.
Which Free Antivirus Program Is the 'Best of the Best'?
As you can see from our list above, there are several fantastic free antivirus choices, but which one really does the best job at preventing your computer from becoming infected?
Fortunately, a company by the name of AV-TEST independently examines a number of free and paid antivirus programs and ranks them for protection, performance, and usability.
See their Detailed Test Reports for rankings. Antivirus makers regularly update their programs, so AV-TEST routinely publishes updated test results.
Windows 10 is the most common operating system, meaning more malware is coded with Windows users in mind. But despite persistent perception to the contrary, MacOS is just as susceptible to malware as Windows 10. Apple’s operating system is far from invulnerable, and new Mac threats appear regularly. That’s why it’s important to keep up on software updates and basic security.
Further reading
Fortunately, there are many fantastic anti-malware platforms designed to give your Mac a booster shot against the latest viruses, adware, and ransomware, as well as historic threats. Many of them are made by the same companies that produce the best Windows antivirus solutions.
The best free antivirus for Mac
Avast Security for Mac
Avast Security for Mac is one of the most popular security suites available, and it’s easy to see why. It’s effective and free for non-commercial use, providing on-demand tools for quickly performing full-system malware scans, as well as sifting through specific email threads, attachments, and various web activities like web pages, downloads, and JavaScripts. Furthermore, it offers drag-and-drop scanning for individual files and phishing protection, along with the ability to scan external drives and attached volumes for potential infections. You can also initiate scans for connected devices like external hard drives.
The application’s interface is straightforward and self-explanatory, and features a navigational pane on the left that consists of five primary buttons and a real-time graph that aggregates shield activity and allows users to quickly check the overall stats of their computer. The free version also offers to install two other programs during installation: Avast Internet Security ($30 per year) and Avast SecureLine VPN ($60 per year). Neither are necessary for detecting and removing malware, however, so pay attention during installation if you don’t want them.
The rest
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac
Windows users have long turned to Malwarebytes’ free version, affectionately known as MBAM, as a backup for always-on malware software. The Mac Malwarebytes version started as an adware removal tool, but as of today, it’s also a full-fledged tool for protecting your machine against other forms of malware. Plus, it’s just as effective in MacOS as it is in Windows, a fact that’s aided by the Malwarebytes team’s constant research on current threats — the company identified the first Mac malware threat in 2017.
Using the program couldn’t be easier. Just launch it, hit scan, and the software will quickly let you know if you’re infected with any Mac-specific malware — oftentimes when other software has missed something. Like the Windows iteration of the free version, though, this is not an always-on solution and is thus more suited for performing deep scans and ridding yourself of particularly pernicious MacOS threats like the fake Adobe Zii malware.
There are scheduling and proactive blocks, but these features expire after two weeks if you are using the free version. To get live protection you’d need to pay for the premium version, which starts at $40 for a year.
Sophos Antivirus Mac Home Edition
Straddling the line somewhere between necessity and excess, Sophos offers all the basic utilities you’ve come to expect from quality antivirus software, and a whole lot more. It has the custom, on-demand, and scheduled scans for specified files, folders, and drives, along with additional tools for deleting and quarantining any software Sophos deems a potential threat.
The software even incorporates real-time protection features that will quarantine unknown files that are exhibiting suspicious behavior. Although the program has a tendency to scan slower than most, it’s fairly lightweight and non-obtrusively performs vital background tasks while barely leeching or exhausting your system’s resources.
Despite its robust feature set, Sophos manages to cram all this functionality into a compact interface. Initiating a full-system scan can be done directly from the top of the main menu, and you can configure exemptions quickly from easily navigable menus. The malware definitions also are constantly being updated, ensuring the program is never without the latest knowledge of potential threats. It’s one of the most hands-off antivirus programs on the market, and as such, sits among the best.
The free version of Sophos also includes ransomware monitoring, webcam protection, and live support options, but all of these expire after thirty days, and you will need to get the premium version for $60 for the year to keep them.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner
Built upon Bitdefender’s award-winning antivirus engine, Bitdefender Virus Scanner features a host of scan options, allowing you to quickly perform deep scans of your entire system, or those targeting specific locations. If you grant it access, the streamlined program even provides an option for scanning critical locations — such as your Mac’s launch agents and the entirety of your system library — thus allowing you to bypass lengthier scans when pressed for time. Moreover, it automatically updates with Bitdefender’s hourly malware definitions prior to scanning, while providing a quick means for blacklisting specific locations from system scans.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner automatically tries to disinfect and quarantine suspicious files it comes across, and though the feature is not unique to Bitdefender’s offering, the software can also quickly search for malware within various archives and file types (PDF, PKG, ZIP, RAR, etc.). From the homescreen, you can choose four different scanning options, in addition to an update button and a “view quarantine” button. It’s all very easy to understand and use.
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac
Avira strikes a nice balance between ease of use and quick access to advanced utilities, ultimately rendering basic system scans just as simple to execute as those that are scheduled and file-specific. The software is equipped with standard spyware and adware protection, along with the ability to intercept harmful websites and block tracking. If the software finds an infected file or folder, it can repair/delete the problem so you don’t have to worry about it again. The software can also scan USB devices for any potential dangers.
Unlike most of the software in our roundup, Avira is coupled with a moderately lengthy installation and an update process that goes hand in hand with the software’s heavy use of system resources. It’s certainly not a dealbreaker when you consider the nonexistent price tag and its thorough antivirus engine, but it’s an unfortunate downside.
Avira’s full-feature interface uses a left-hand navigational bar for viewing the status of your system, scheduling tasks, and viewing past quarantine history, among other options. Virus definitions are updated in a timely fashion, too, regardless of how long the initial updates might take to finish. It’s resource heavy, but capable enough if you’re looking for automation, scan history, and other advanced features.
Bonus option for a little extra: Antivirus Zap
If you don’t mind spending a few bucks on affordable software, Zap is also a worthy download. This Mac security app offers a quick scan that searches likely places for viruses, and a full scan that takes longer, but checks out your whole system. Zap also offers a customized scan that can check specific folders or locations if you have a strong reason to believe something is infected.
But the extra options are where Zap really becomes handy. It offers a “browser restore” option that will automatically remove your extensions, cookies and caches, essentially cleaning out your browser to help remove any problems and speed things up. It can also scan Windows bootcamp, external networks, and other systems that you may use on your Mac — and want to protect as a result. Plus, the interface is extra simple and easy to understand even if you don’t have much experience!