When it comes to protecting your computer from malicious software, the first line of protection is an antivirus program. Antivirus software can help catch and remove viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware from your computer. With so many options available, it can be hard to determine which antivirus program is the best fit for your requirements. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the top free antivirus software for Windows.
What is the best free anti-virus software?
To determine which the best free anti-virus software is for your requirements, we suggest reading the features and advantages of the different options available.
Some solutions are feature-rich but they may not be that comfortable to use. Others have straightforward user interfaces that make operating them straight, but they may not show as many features.
Reading reviews online and watching videos that show how to use various free anti-virus software will help you make an informed choice about the best solution for you. Some vendors let you to trial the product, to make sure that it’s right for you.
Advantages of buying anti-virus software
With so many free anti-virus options unrestricted, why would you spend for anti-virus software? Despite the cost, paying for anti-virus software has several advantages.
Free anti-virus solutions deliver basic protection against common viruses whereas paid anti-virus software delivers more advanced protection.
Paying for anti-virus software tends to let you secure all your devices (your PC, your Mac, and your mobile) whereas free options may be device-specific.
Paid anti-virus options offer you greater control over your personal data and increase protection around exposed online activity like banking. In addition, paid solutions are more likely to deliver extended functions, such as anti-spam, a personal firewall, and parental control features to keep your kids safe online. Plus, paid options also tend to offer you the option to store passwords and save precious files like photos and music.
Of course, the distinct advantages and features of paid anti-virus software vary between brands.
Top Free Antivirus Software For Window
1. Norton 360
Norton 360 is another top-tier free antivirus software concentrating on all-around online security. Unlike TotalAV, it doesn’t contain a completely free virus security version. However, there’s a free 7-day trial and an extended 60-day money-back guarantee that confirms 100% protection against viruses.
Free features. With the 7-day free test, you get access to all Norton antivirus components. This software delivers AI-powered real-time protection that controls viruses, spyware, malware, and ransomware from harming your gadgets. It also includes fast and full system scans to determine whether there are any safety problems on your device. When we tested these scanning options, we discovered them to be easy on your device and very straightforward to navigate. Better yet, the trustworthiness of the results was impressive.
Test results. Norton scored 100% in malware detection and removal during independent tests performed by AV-TEST. These effects are even higher than TotalAV’s. Additionally, during our in-house testing, Norton was confirmed to be efficient, successfully determining and blocking all viruses and malware from the 10 negative files provided, which puts it on the same level as TotalAV. In our Norton review, you can find more detailed testing information.
Ease of use. Norton antivirus is available on all the main OS, so you can operate it on Windows, iOS, Mac OS, and Android without any problems. However, just like with Bitdefender, some of the features need additional apps to be downloaded, which can be confusing for beginner users.
Pros
- AI-powered real-time protection
- 100% malware detection rate
- Low-cost premium plans
- 7-day free trial
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- No unlimited free version
2. Surfshark Antivirus
Surfshark Antivirus is a progressive online security provider that concentrates on protecting you from malware, data breaches, adware, and other dangers. While there’s no unlimited free version, you do get a 7-day free test with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 100% malware security rate.
Free features. Surfshark offers requirements, such as quick, file, full, and folder scans. Furthermore, it contains real-time protection to monitor your device constantly for threats. With the Surfshark One bundle, you get an ideal VPN, an ad-free search engine that focuses on user privacy. We’ve tried this VPN multiple times, and it’s one of the best you can earn – it’s speedy, and secure, and bypasses diverse geo-restrictions. However, unlike Bitdefender or TotalAV, Surfshark Antivirus is not feature-rich. It doesn’t have a vulnerability scanner or a firewall for extra malware security.
Test results. Our in-house tests indicate that Surfshark can catch 9 out of 10 malicious files that we inquired it with. However, the full system scan took us a totally long – 25 minutes, while TotalAV finished the full scan in 6 minutes. Thus, a long wait can be quite annoying. In our Surfshark Antivirus review, you can discover a more detailed overview of the testing procedure and results.
Ease of use. Surfshark Antivirus presents a neat and minimalistic interface across supported working systems. However, the main disadvantage is that this antivirus does not have a reliable app for iOS users.
Surfshark antivirus is excellent for users looking for a lightweight antivirus option. While it lacks some antivirus-specific features, this basic protection will cost you $47.85/year and will cover up to 5 devices.
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial
- Comes with a top-notch VPN
- Real-time protection
- Full and quick device scans
Cons
- No forever free version
- Doesn’t have an app for iOS
3. Windows Defender
If you’re operating Windows 10, you already have a built-in antivirus program called Windows Defender. This program is designed to run in the background, scanning your computer for viruses and other malware in real-time. Windows Defender is regularly updated with the latest virus definitions, so you can be sure that your computer is always protected against the latest threats.
Pros:
- Already included in Windows 10, so no need for additional installation
- Lightweight and doesn’t slow down your computer
- Regularly updated with the latest virus definitions
Cons:
- Limited features compared to other antivirus programs
- Some users have reported false positives
4. Avast Free Antivirus
Avast One Essential is fairly wide for a free Windows antivirus. It’s one of two free antiviruses offered by Avast — the other, Avast Free Antivirus, is similar to AVG’s free antivirus. Avast One Essential comes from the company’s unique product line and delivers more free features, including a VPN and PC speedup tools. I discovered it was easy to use and was happy to see that it detected 100% of the malware instances I tested it on.
I like that it enables users to check their overall online security through the Privacy Advisor. After I conducted my first scan, the app automatically suggested I check my privacy settings on different websites and provided links and clear instructions on how to do so.
Avast One Essential comes with a built-in VPN, but it isn’t excellent. You can’t change servers on the free version, and the provider doesn’t have a no-logs guideline. Still, it’s nice that it works within the same app as the antivirus and lets you use up to 5 GB of data each week (which is more than the other free VPNs on this list).
There’s also a robust firewall that monitors inbound and outbound traffic and blocks negative connections. Other security features include useful web protections (it blocked almost every nasty site I visited) and Network Inspector, a tool that scans for exposures in your Wi-Fi connection. I did discover the interface a bit cluttered though, and somewhat less intuitive than competitors like TotalAV.
Pros:
- Presents a range of additional features
- Easy-to-use interface
- Regularly updated with the latest virus definitions
Cons:
- Some features need a paid upgrade
- May slow down your computer during scans
5. AVG AntiVirus Free
AVG AntiVirus Free is another famous antivirus program that delivers real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. The program also contains additional features like a firewall and anti-spam protection, as well as the capacity to scan your computer for performance problems. AVG AntiVirus Free is regularly updated with the latest virus definitions, so you can be confident that your computer is always shielded.
Pros:
- Regularly updated with the latest virus definitions
- Easy-to-use interface
- Offers a range of additional features
Cons:
- Some features demand a paid upgrade
- May slow down your computer during scans
6. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows is one of the finest free antiviruses out there — its malware scanner scored a 100% detection rate during my tests. Moreover, Bitdefender uses a cloud-based scanner, which means most of the detection and analysis doesn’t take place on your PC, reducing its system effect. I didn’t notice any slowdowns on my computer even during full system scans.
Bitdefender also delivers superior anti-phishing protection. During testing, it stopped many fake websites that had escaped detection from the built-in protections on the Chrome and Firefox browsers, as well as the anti-phishing tools of other antiviruses. Out of all the brands on this list, only Bitdefender and Norton had excellent anti-phishing results.
One downside of the free version of Bitdefender is its lack of additional features. It shows some of the most effective malware, web, and real-time protections on the market, but that’s about it. Bitdefender’s premium plans are where you’ll discover all of the extra features, including multi-layer ransomware security, online banking protection, a password manager, parental controls, and much more.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Regularly updated with the latest virus definitions
- Lightweight and doesn’t slow down your computer
Cons:
- Limited features reached to other antivirus programs
- Some users have reported inaccurate positives
7. Avira Free Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus is a popular antivirus program that offers real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware. The program also includes additional features like a firewall and anti-spam protection, as well as the ability to scan your computer for performance issues. Avira Free Antivirus is regularly updated with the latest virus definitions, so you can be sure that your computer is always protected.
Pros:
- Offers a range of additional features
- Regularly updated with the latest virus definitions
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Some features require a paid upgrade
- May slow down your computer during scans
Risks of free anti-virus software
Free anti-virus solutions will save you against common, known computer viruses. However, they may leave you powerless to yet unknown dangers.
It is also essential to think that you may be less secure when making online payments with free anti-virus solutions.
Another disadvantage of free anti-virus software is that it often comes without direct technological support. In contrast, paid options provide you access to technical support over the phone, through instant messages, or email.
Conclusion
Selecting an antivirus program is a crucial decision, as Selecting an antivirus program is an essential decision, as it can affect the overall security of your computer. While paid antivirus programs deliver more advanced features and protection, there are still many useful free antivirus options available for Windows users.
Ultimately, the best antivirus program for you will rely on your specific needs and choices. Consider elements like the level of protection you require, the additional features you require, and how much effect the program will have on your computer’s performance.
