Microsoft Security Essentials AlternativesAnti-Virus Apps like Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is described as '(MSE) is an antivirus software product that provides real-time protection against different types of malicious software such as viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojan horses' and is a leading Anti-Virus app in the security & privacy category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Microsoft Security Essentials for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and Linux apps. The best Microsoft Security Essentials alternative is ClamAV, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Microsoft Security Essentials are Avast Free Antivirus, Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender Antivirus and Avira Antivirus.

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Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. ClamAV icon

    ClamAV

     248 likes
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    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...

    98 ClamAV alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    ClamAV GUI
     

    • ClamAV is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials.

    • ClamAV is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials.

    • ClamAV is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
    • ClamAV is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Security Essentials is not according to our users
  2. Avast Free Antivirus icon

    Avast Free Antivirus

     810 likes
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    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.

    136 Avast Free Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 1
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 2
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 3
     
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    Comments about Avast Free Antivirus as an Alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    more features, more customisable

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Security Essentials Icon
    Avast Free Antivirus icon

    • Most users think Avast Free Antivirus is a great Microsoft Security Essentials alternative.

    • Avast Free Antivirus is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials.

    • Avast Free Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
  4. Microsoft Defender icon

    Microsoft Defender

     161 likes
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    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.

    105 Microsoft Defender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Microsoft Defender screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Microsoft Defender as an Alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Windows Defender antivirus is same as Microsoft Security Essentials,but more protection,scan more new viruses,new engine,but only available in Windows 10

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Security Essentials Icon
    Microsoft Defender icon

    • Most users think Microsoft Defender is a great Microsoft Security Essentials alternative.

    • Microsoft Defender is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Avast Free Antivirus icon
    Avast Free Antivirus

    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...

    https://www.avast.com
    Learn More
  6. Bitdefender Antivirus icon

    Bitdefender Antivirus

     114 likes
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    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.

    62 Bitdefender Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 1
     
  7. Avira Antivirus icon

    Avira Antivirus

     407 likes
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    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.

    76 Avira Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 1
     
  8. Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    Kaspersky AntiVirus

     174 likes
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    Kaspersky AntiVirus offers protection from a range of IT threats and provides the basic tools needed to keep your PC secure.

    83 Kaspersky AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Kaspersky Free
     

    • Kaspersky AntiVirus is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Security Essentials.

    • Kaspersky AntiVirus is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Security Essentials is Free and Proprietary
  10. ESET NOD32 Antivirus icon

    ESET NOD32 Antivirus

     258 likes
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    Experience a fast, efficient antivirus with ESET's AI-powered defense against viruses, ransomware, and phishing. Enjoy features like cloud-powered scanning, Enhanced Exploit Blocker, Device Control, and Gamer Mode for uninterrupted use. Optimize your security and maintain speed.

    72 ESET NOD32 Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus screenshot 1
     
  11. AVG AntiVirus icon

    AVG AntiVirus

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

    75 AVG AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    AVG AntiVirus screenshot 1
     
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  12. ClamTk icon

    ClamTk

     73 likes
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    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.

    61 ClamTk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    ClamTk screenshot 1
     
  13. Comodo Internet Security icon

    Comodo Internet Security

     236 likes
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    Comodo Internet Security is a free, very voluminous and multi-layered security application that keeps hackers out and personal information in.

    80 Comodo Internet Security alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Comodo Internet Security screenshot 1
     
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  14. ClamWin icon

    ClamWin

     122 likes
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    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...

    65 ClamWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Configuration Screen
     
  15. HitmanPro icon

    HitmanPro

     67 likes
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    Performs fast, cloud-based malware scans without real-time protection by uploading suspicious files for analysis using Bitdefender and Kaspersky engines, featuring signature comparison, behavioral scanning, free unlimited scans, and a 30-day removal trial.

    109 HitmanPro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    HitmanPro screenshot 1
     
12 of 43 Microsoft Security Essentials alternatives