It’s a sad fact of life that if your computer is online, it’s vulnerable to viruses and cyber-attacks. That’s why anti-virus software is important.
And while the programmes offering the best protection usually come with a price tag, there are a number of effective antivirus software solutions that don’t cost a penny.
In this article, we highlight the best free antivirus software that could help protect your connected devices from bugs.
Top 7 Best Free Antivirus Software
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Free | Windows PCs |
| 2. Avast One Essential | Free | All-Round Protection |
| 3. Avira Free Security For Windows | Free | Fast Scanning |
| 4. AVG Antivirus Free | Free | Extra Features |
| 5. Kaspersky Security Cloud | Free | VPN |
| 6. Panda Free Antivirus | Free | Infected Computers |
| 7. Sophos Home Free | Free | Macs |
1. Microsoft Defender Antivirus – Best Free Antivirus Software For Windows PCs
PRICING: Free
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows 10 PCs, which means there’s no installation needed. The software defends your computer from all kinds of malware using real-time protection (which goes on in the background while you use your PC), but you can also run scans to check and remove any harmful bugs. The software aces lab tests in terms of protection, performance and usability, and contains good parental controls in the security software’s dashboard. But it falls short in its detection of phishing scams.
KEY FEATURES:
- Built into Windows 10 PCs
- Real-time malware protection
- Parental controls
REASONS TO BUY:
- No need to install it for Windows 10 users
- Strong lab test performance
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Other software options provide better protection against fishing scams and ransomware attacks
2. Avast One Essential – Best Free Antivirus Software For All-Round Protection
PRICING: Free
Avast is known for producing some of the best free antivirus software and Avast One Essential provides good protection for Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS devices. On the plus side, it has a bright, user-friendly interface and scores consistently high results in lab testing. Avast One’s protection against Malware is very good and it provides an excellent defence against phishing attacks. A VPN feature is available, but this only has limited bandwidth.
KEY FEATURES:
- Protects Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS devices
- VPN available for free users
REASONS TO BUY:
- Highly rated all-round protection
- Provides an extra layer of security on top of in-built Windows and MacOS anti-virus software
REASONS TO AVOID:
- VPN only has limited bandwidth
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3. Avira Free Security For Windows – Best Free Antivirus Software For Fast Scanning
PRICING: Free
Avira Free is cloud-based antivirus software, so it’s lightweight and fast when it comes to detecting and acting against threats. It also comes with bonus features you don’t necessarily expect with free antivirus software, such as a safe shopping browser extension. This blocks suspicious activity and includes a price comparison feature when you’re online shopping. The software also includes a VPN feature, but this is very limited.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cloud-based antivirus software for Windows PCs
- Bonus features include a safe shopping browser extension, password manager and VPN
REASONS TO BUY:
- Lightweight; software won’t impact your computer’s performance
REASONS TO AVOID:
- You need to pay to unlock full functionality
4. AVG Antivirus Free – Best Free Antivirus Software For Extra Features
PRICING: Free
AVG Antivirus Free offers an extra layer of protection to in-built virus software. It’s trusted by millions of users worldwide and performs exceptionally well in lab tests. It’s owned by Avast and offers a similar level of protection to Avast One Essential (which, admittedly, has a more user-friendly interface). AVG Antivirus Free comes into its own with these additional features: a safe online shopping extension and a ‘Shred’ feature that lets you irreversibly delete files so fraudsters can’t recover them.
KEY FEATURES:
- Protects Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS devices
- Runs in the background while you’re using your device
- Blocks malicious websites, emails and downloads.
REASONS TO BUY:
- High performance in lab tests
- Comes with bonus features including irreversible file deletion
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Lacking password manager or access to a VPN
5. Kaspersky Security Cloud – Best Free Antivirus Software For VPN
PRICING: Free
Kaspersky is a big name in antivirus software and its free programme has high-performing protection at its core; it combats threats from files, email and websites, runs automatic updates and offers good protection against ransomware. The software performs particularly well on Windows 10 PCs. Kaspersky’s free programme also comes with added bonuses, such as a limited password protector and a VPN.
KEY FEATURES:
- Excellent protection, particularly for Windows 10 PCs
- Effective against bugs in files, emails and websites
REASONS TO BUY:
- Top of the range malware protection
- Offers the same VPN access as Kaspersky’s paid software
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Some fears over the Russian company’s use of data
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6. Panda Free Antivirus For Windows – Best Free Antivirus Software For Infected Computers
PRICING: Free
Panda Free Antivirus offers real-time virus protection against adware, spyware and ransomware files. It’s easy to use and lightweight, so it won’t drain your computer when it’s running. In terms of bonus features, Panda Free Antivirus has a ‘Gaming mode’ so it won’t interrupt your full-screen play sessions with annoying notifications and a ‘Rescue Kit’ which you can use to clean up an infected PC. It also comes with VPN access, although bandwidth is limited to 150MB per day, so you won’t be able to use it for streaming.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cloud-based antivirus software
- Provides real-time virus protection
- Works on Windows, Android and Mac devices
REASONS TO BUY:
- Won’t slow down your computer
- Comes with added features such as Rescue Kit and VPN
- Play games or watch videos uninterrupted with Gaming Mode
REASONS TO AVOID:
- VPN is low bandwidth
- You have to pay for features such as phishing protection, parental controls and a password manager
7. Sophos Home Free – Best Free Antivirus Software For Families
MacOS computers come with built-in virus protection. But if you’re looking to add a more robust layer of security (without paying for it), Sophos Home Free provides a good solution. As well as threat detection software, this antivirus software comes with parental control features, which allow users to filter what their children see online. You can manage up to three devices remotely from a single console, and the software’s lightweight, so it won’t slow your computer down.
KEY FEATURES:
- Works on multiple Windows and MacOS devices
- Includes parental controls
- Scanning-based software
REASONS TO BUY:
- Parental controls and protection for up to three devices make this a good option for families
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Lacks protection against ransomware
- No real-time monitoring
References and Links
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/broadband-and-tv/free-anti-virus-software/
https://uk.pcmag.com/antivirus/120817/the-best-free-antivirus-protection
https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/best-really-free-antivirus-for-windows/
https://www.techadvisor.com/test-centre/software/best-free-antivirus-3649231/
https://www.greengeeks.com/blog/best-free-antivirus-protection/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-free-antivirus-software/
https://cybernews.com/best-antivirus-software/free-antivirus-protection/