Theyre also very light on additional tools and only offer basic versions of their extras.
They can pose privacy risks, too.
Some tools collect user data for targeted ads or to sell it to third parties.
Some of the free antiviruses listed here, such as Bitdefender, dont include real-time protection.
It also prevents malicious websites from collecting your personal information which is excellent if youre concerned about privacy.
Norton never shares your data with third parties.
I really like the Privacy Guard and Web Shield, which serve as barriers against ads and malicious sites.
However, the Extension Guard left me unimpressed, blocking nearly every extension I tested it with.
None of the free antiviruses listed here, including Bitdefender, include a free firewall.
There are a range of Norton premium plans to choose from.
All plans come with a risk-free 60-day money-back guarantee.
During my tests, Bitdefender removed every piece of malware from my system.
Whats more, because its scanner is cloud-based, it didnt slow my computer down at all.
During full system scans, I could still play online games without any noticeable drop in performance.
With BitdefenderFree, you also get basic ransomware protection.
Bitdefender offers a basic free forever plan for PCs, which provides Bitdefenders excellent malware protection and anti-phishing protection.
I recommend choosing one of Bitdefenders affordable premium plans.
That said, Norton360 Deluxeprovides better value with an unlimited-data VPN, 50 GB cloud storage, and more.
Bitdefender offers excellent malware removal and tons of useful extra features.
Its scanner is cloud-based, so it wont slow down your machine.
Bitdefender also has great anti-phishing protection, parental controls, a password manager, and much more.
Theres a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money back guarantee on all premium plans.
It uses machine learning to keep up with new threats, plus a large directory of known malware.
Pandas free plan includes real-time protection (but only for Windows).
Panda also allows you to scan and eradicate malware on external devices.
The free plan also includes a VPN with a 150 MB daily data limit.
All premium Panda plans come with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Panda offers a decent free plan with a better-than-average malware removal tool and a unique Rescue Kit for PCs.
The free version also offers external drive scans and a limited VPN.
Theres a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Although this isnt quite as flawless a rate asNortonorBitdefender, its still really impressive.
Real-time protection and extras like the full-featured ad blocker are also not available for free.
That said, TotalAV does check your email for data breaches for free.
Its also very easy to use, with a simple and well-designed layout.
If youre a beginner looking for a well-rounded cybersecurity package, TotalAVs paid plans are a wise investment.
All TotalAVs plans come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
I like the Smart Scan it uncovered several privacy tweaks that could jeopardize my data security.
This included unnecessary location sharing and excessive permissions that allowed apps to access my data.
Hitting the Fix issues button fixed all these options for me, keeping my data safe.
I was also happy to see that Avira doesnt share any data with third parties.
It blocked more phishing sites than Chrome or Firefox in my tests.
However, the overall web protection isnt quite as good asNortonsorBitdefenders.
Aviras forever-free plan is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
While its not the most feature-richfree plan on the market, Aviras premium plans offer considerably more features.
It costs IDR1,017,090 / year and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Aviras free plan offers a flawless malware removal tool and more security features than any other free antivirus.
Malwarebytes uses machine learning and a virus database to detect and remove any malware it finds on your gear.
It also lacks real-time protection, which both Avira andPandaoffer on their free plans.
Malwarebytes has a free net online gate extension, net online gate Guard, that blocks suspicious websites.
While its anti-phishing isnt quite as good asTotalAVs, its particularly good at identifying and blocking tech support scams.
Plus, its ad blocking was pretty effective in my tests.
However, it does prioritize your privacy.
While it does collect usage data, it provides configs to control what is shared, which I appreciate.
MalwarebytessPlusplan comes with an unlimited-data VPN thats better than Pandas.
It offers decent speeds and torrenting support (its not much good for streaming, though).
It features a strict no-logs policy and WireGuard protocol for enhanced security and performance.
But honestly, Norton360offers so much more value at a similar price point.
All paid plans come with a 14-day free trial period and a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Malwarebytes offers an extremely lightweight malware removal tool with a high detection rate.
It also has a free online window extension with good anti-phishing.
Some even make a run at install bloatware or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) onto your unit.
Even legitimate companies limit their free cybersecurity tools.
Overall, Id always recommend investing in a premium antivirus if youre able to.
Free Antivirus vs.
Paid Antivirus
Free malware removal tools likeBitdefenderFreeandAviraFreecan offer decent basic protection.
However, they lack the advanced features necessary for complete online security.
Premium malware removal tools provide a comprehensive solution.
They also offer unlimited VPN access, full-featured password managers, and substantial cloud storage.
Free tools often limit support to FAQs and community forums.
(Regularly updated and fully integrated.)
(Comprehensive and included in a unified package.)
(Unlimited data with extensive features and server options.)
(Full-featured with minimal restrictions.)
(Strong privacy protections, minimal data collection, and transparency.)
(Up to 500 GB of secure storage.)
(Extensive support options including live chat, email, and phone.)
Some free antivirus programs can harm your rig or harvest your data.
These programs offer reliable basic protection without compromising your privacy or system performance.
Yes, as long as youre using a reliable tool developed by a trustworthy antivirus provider.
Because of that, I made surethe malware removal tools on this list were all from reputable companies.
Many cybersecurity companies, likeNorton, have even gone through independent audits to prove their products are safe.
Do I need a free malware removal tool if I have an antivirus?
No, you dont need one.
How do antivirus programs handle data privacy while maintaining protection?
This balance ensures robust protection without compromising your privacy.
What is the best truly free malware removal tool for mobile?
There are several decent free antiviruses forAndroidandiOSthat provide excellent malware removal.
Should I use a free antivirus if I have Microsoft Defender?
Yes, you should.
