Free Microsoft Security Essentials AlternativesAnti-Virus Apps like Microsoft Security Essentials

The best free alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials is Avast Free Antivirus. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials and many of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials are ClamAV, Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender Antivirus and Avira Antivirus.

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Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Provides free real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware, with secure HTTPS scanning, customizable scans, password management, home network security, antiphishing, Smart Scan, rescue disk creation, and software updating.

    140 Avast Free Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    1
  2. ClamAV icon
     251 likes

    Clam AntiVirus is an open source (GPL) anti-virus toolkit for UNIX, designed especially for e-mail scanning on mail gateways. It provides a number of utilities including a flexible and scalable multi-threaded daemon, a command line scanner and advanced tool for automatic...

    103 ClamAV alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  3. Windows Security (known as Windows Defender Antivirus before Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Windows Defender before Windows 10 Creators Update, or Microsoft Defender Antivirus before Windows 11) is an anti-malware component of Microsoft Windows.

    112 Microsoft Defender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
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    1
  4. Free antivirus offering comprehensive protection with real-time threat detection, AI-powered security, lightweight performance, Game mode, user-friendly interface, and auto updates. Supports multiple platforms and provides live customer support. Ideal for all users.

    66 Bitdefender Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
  5. Avira Antivirus icon
     408 likes

    Offers real-time protection from malware, ransomware, viruses, and spyware, with advanced repair, browser safety, software updates, VPN, PC optimization tools, cloud-based updates, and system clean-up. Available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices.

    79 Avira Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
     
  6. ClamTk icon
     79 likes

    ClamTk is a graphical front-end for ClamAV, an open source antivirus engine for detecting trojans, viruses, malware & other malicious threats. It is designed to be an easy-to-use, lightweight, on-demand antivirus scanner for Linux systems.

    64 ClamTk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. AVG AntiVirus icon
     286 likes

    AVG AntiVirus Free provides basic antivirus and antispyware protection for home users. Virus database updated every day. Includes innovative LinkScanner for web-protection.

    77 AVG AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
     
  8. ClamWin icon
     122 likes

    ClamWin is a free, open-source antivirus software for Microsoft Windows, using the ClamAV engine. It has an easy-to-use installer and its source code is publicly available. It features high detection rates for viruses and spyware, a scanning scheduler, and automatic updates of...

    68 ClamWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
     
  9. Panda Dome icon
     71 likes

    Panda Antivirus protects you while you work, play, or browse online.

    Antivirus Protection Real-time protection against all types of malware and spyware. Schedule periodic scans and/or scan your computer on demand.

    USB protection Protect your PC by preventing the automatic execu.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
     
  10. Comodo Antivirus eliminates viruses, spyware, and other malware from desktops and networks.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Bundleware

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  11. NANO Antivirus and NANO Antivirus Pro provide protection from all types of malware and include real-time file and network protection and remediation, regular 24/7 updates from the NANO Security antivirus laboratory, an intuitive interface and well-balanced settings for casual users.

    61 NANO AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
12 of 25 Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives