The truth is, free antivirus software cant always protect your deviceagainst cyber attacks.
While most of them were pretty bad, I found a few that actually worked pretty well.
And I didnt notice any impact on my computer at all, even during full scans.
BitdefenderAntivirus Freealso offers:
Bitdefender is way better thanWindows Defender its easier to use and offers more effective protections.
I also love Bitdefenders layout and ease of use.
Its very intuitive and perfect for non-tech-savvy users.
Im a big fan of Bitdefenders free anti-phishing protection.
Bitdefender was able to block every single site.
Whats more, Bitdefender offers high-quality real-time protection for free.
Most free antivirus software requires users to upgrade to access real-time protection.
Bitdefenders Windows-only paid plans are super affordable.
For a complete cybersecurity solution, I suggest upgrading to BitdefenderTotal Security, which costs IDR932,320 / year.
While not officially supported, it also works on Chromebooks.
BitdefenderMobile Securityfor iOS has a free and premium version.
It also checks if any updates are available for your version of iOS.
Web protection blocks phishing websites in search results and dangerous links in other apps.
When I tested ClamAV, it detected every single piece of malware I added to my rig.
While ClamAV is a bit tricky to use, its worth doing the work to get to know it.
If youre a beginner, you’re free to start with ClamTk.
Its a user-friendly version of ClamAV with a simple Graphic User Interface (GUI) and on-demand scanning.
However, if youre a more advanced Linux user, I recommend trying ClamAVs command-line scanner.
Overall, I really like ClamAV.
Its a great tool if youre willing to do the work to learn the ropes.
ClamAV is the best free antivirus scanner for Linux.
Its open-source with a massive malware directory thats constantly being updated by users across the world.
But for more advanced users, ClamAV offers a lot of control.
Best of all, its plans are pretty reasonably priced.
There are many reasons why I use Nortons paid antivirus:
Nortons range of additional features is impressive.
Norton is without question the best antivirus for most people, especially those with PCs.
Norton offers the best protection of any antivirus on the market in 2025.
I ran various tests to check security, speed, ease of use, and more.
Many free antivirus tools either underperform or compromise user data.
Thats why I think its better to considerpremium antivirus solutions.
Even worse, some free antiviruses can be dangerous.
Some hackers package their malware as free antiviruses to get more victims.
Instead of protecting you, a free antivirus could harm your rig.
Not all paid antiviruses are great, but there arent many that are actually malware in disguise.
My list featuresthe top free antiviruses available.
Free vs. Whats more, some free antiviruses are downright dangerous.
Some contain malware while others are designed for the sole purpose of stealing your personal information.
Premium antiviruses tend to have better malware scanners because theyre constantly updated.
Some free antiviruses were made years ago and havent been modernized to deal with contemporary threats.
The free versions of paid products are usually an exception to this trend.
Every free product on this list receives regular and comprehensive updates.
Most free products dont offer real-time protection either.
Without real-time protection, you still need to be extra cautious online and run scans regularly.
A scanner can remove threats, but real-time protection will stop malware before it can infect your equipment.
Free antiviruses dont usually come with VPNs either or if they do, they offer very limited data.
Unfortunately, free products dont get you anything like that level of broad-based protection.
Alongside VPNs, password managers are great tools that are often bundled with premium antiviruses.
Norton also has great parental controls.
Here are a few reputable antiviruses that just fell short of making it my list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a free antivirus going to keep me protected from malware?
All thefree antivirus software listed herewill give you a good basic level of security, including malware protection.
Are there any free antiviruses without ads?
Yes, my favorite free antivirus with no ads isBitdefender.
Which is the best free antivirus for me?
Its true that theres a lot of free antivirus software out there.
But the majority are ineffective, and some may actually be malware disguised as legitimate antivirus software!
The first thing you gotta do is choose an antivirus that has beenoptimized for your operating systeme.g.
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux.
Some offer a VPN, while others offer phishing protection, ransomware protection, or optimization tools.
How do I know which free antiviruses are good?
Personally, I look at things likefeatures, effectiveness, and ease of use.
Bitdefender has real-time protection on Windows and Android, adding a critical level of defense.
That said, free antiviruses can only go so far in protecting your gear.
For optimum security, consider a premium antivirus likeNorton.
Do I need a free antivirus if I have Windows Defender?
Yes, using a free antivirus program instead of Windows Defender is a good idea.
Free antivirus software has superior detection rates and is more frequently updated against the latest threats.
While Windows Defender provides basic security,a dedicated free antivirusoften delivers more comprehensive protection.
Which free antivirus is best for Windows?
After testing a bunch, Id have to go withBitdefender.
It has a fast and flawless malware detection engine and even comes with real-time protection.
This means it can stop viruses before they infect your rig.
Very few free products come with this feature, so its a huge plus for Bitdefender.
On top of that, Bitdefender has great premium plans if youre ever ready to upgrade.
Are free antiviruses as good as paid ones?
Objectively, premium antiviruses bring lots to the table that free products dont.
you might get extra cybersecurity and privacy tools bundled in like password managers and VPNs.
At the end of the day,Nortonis better than any free antivirus out there.
