Updated November 6, 2026
Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Free antivirus built into Windows. People look for alternatives when they need a lower price, a free plan or a better fit for a specific job.
These 6 tools cover similar ground. Each entry explains who it suits, how pricing works and what to watch out for.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avast | Home users wanting free protection | Freemium | Yes |
| Bitdefender | Users who want top protection without slowing their computer | Freemium | Yes |
| ESET | Users and businesses wanting efficient, low-impact protection | Free trial | No |
| Malwarebytes | Cleaning infected computers and adding a second layer of protection | Freemium | Yes |
| McAfee Total Protection | Families protecting many devices | Free trial | No |
| Norton 360 | Households that want an all-in-one security bundle | Free trial | No |
Popular free antivirus with paid upgrades.
Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.
Who it suits: Home users wanting free protection.
Highly rated antivirus with light system impact.
Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.
Who it suits: Users who want top protection without slowing their computer.
Lightweight antivirus and security for homes and businesses.
Paid plans with a free trial.
Who it suits: Users and businesses wanting efficient, low-impact protection.
Malware removal and real-time protection.
Free plan available. Paid plans add more features and limits.
Who it suits: Cleaning infected computers and adding a second layer of protection.
Security suite with antivirus, VPN and identity protection.
Paid plans with a free trial.
Who it suits: Families protecting many devices.
Security suite with antivirus, VPN, password manager and backup.
Paid plans with a free trial.
Who it suits: Households that want an all-in-one security bundle.
Antivirus software detects and removes malware, blocks dangerous sites and downloads, and often bundles extras such as a VPN or password manager. Windows already includes Microsoft Defender, so paid suites must justify their extras.
Prices and features change often. Check each vendor’s website for current plans before you buy.
