Windows Security Alternatives

Windows Security is described as '(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' and is a very popular Anti-Malware app in the security & privacy category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Windows Security for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, Android Tablet and Linux. The best alternative is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which is free. Other great apps like Windows Security are Clam AntiVirus, Avast Free Antivirus, Spybot - Search & Destroy and ClamTk.

Windows Security alternatives are mainly Anti-Virus Apps but may also be Anti-Malware Apps or Firewalls. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows Security.

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Windows Security

145

Free Personal • Proprietary
Anti-Malware App

Windows
Android
Android Tablet
iPhone
iPad

Windows Security (known as Windows Defender Antivirus before Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Windows Defender before Windows 10...

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Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
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Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Anti-Malware App
Anti-Virus App
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
iPad
Kindle Fire
118 alternatives to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Premium is smarter, faster, and lighter than ever before. Go beyond antivirus and stop worrying about online threats.
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Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Features
1. Ad-freeMalwarebytes Anti-Malware doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. LightweightMalwarebytes Anti-Malware consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Malware AnalysisMalwarebytes Anti-Malware can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
4. Built-in VPNMalwarebytes Anti-Malware has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
5. Block TrackersMalwarebytes Anti-Malware has a feature to block trackers from tracking you.
Process scanning
Heuristic Detection
Real-time protection
Multiple languages
Ransomware Protection
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware vs Windows Security opinions
Most users think Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great alternative to Windows Security.
brta2818
Its real-time scanner (if you've shelled out for the premium version) uses less system resources than that of Microsoft Defender.
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Malwarebytes is very popular and works well.
Positive comment•
-4
Clam AntiVirus
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
107 alternatives to Clam AntiVirus
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...
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Clam AntiVirus Features
1. Ad-freeClam AntiVirus doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Privacy focusedClam AntiVirus is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. LightweightClam AntiVirus consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. No TrackingClam AntiVirus will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Malware AnalysisClam AntiVirus can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
Graphical User Interface
Avast Free Antivirus
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Anti-Malware App
Anti-Virus App
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
iPad
Android Tablet
158 alternatives to Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus a the free for non-commercial and home usage antivirus solution from AVAST Software.
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Avast Free Antivirus Features
1. No TrackingAvast Free Antivirus will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Malware AnalysisAvast Free Antivirus can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
Browser Protection
Run file in a Sandbox
Heuristic Detection
Zero-Day Protection
Avast Free Antivirus vs Windows Security opinions
This alternative is disputed. Avast Free Antivirus is still a legitimate alternative to Windows Security, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Guest
Don't trust these big-name security suites, they're crap and full of bloatware. Same goes for AVG, Avira, Comodo. When they get on your system they just take over and nag you to buy whatever...
Negative comment•
21
Spybot - Search & Destroy
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Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Anti-Malware App
Windows
Symbian S60
PortableApps.com
106 alternatives to Spybot - Search & Destroy
Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications.
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Spybot - Search & Destroy Features
1. PortableSpybot - Search & Destroy can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Multiple languages
ClamTk
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Linux
72 alternatives to ClamTk
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.
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ClamTk Features
1. LightweightClamTk consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeClamTk doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Malware AnalysisClamTk can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
4. Privacy focusedClamTk is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Kaspersky AntiVirus
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Windows
92 alternatives to Kaspersky AntiVirus
Kaspersky AntiVirus offers protection from a range of IT threats and provides the basic tools needed to keep your PC secure.
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Kaspersky AntiVirus Features
Built-in Firewall
On-screen Keyboard
Kaspersky AntiVirus vs Windows Security opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Nitsu29
Very good signature database and probably the best protection against Malware and Ransomware. Worth the money if you usually visit sites that can easily screw you over
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free Blocks non-dangerous Web Sites. It blocked Push Pay Web Site my church uses to make donations. It blocked my AT&T Digital Home phone site as well. Whitelisting did not help. November, 2020
Negative comment•
0
AdwCleaner
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Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Anti-Malware App
Windows
62 alternatives to AdwCleaner
AdwCleaner is an easy-to-use OS security utility that allows you to get rid of adware on your computer in seconds, by quickly scanning the system.
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AdwCleaner Features
1. PortableAdwCleaner can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. LightweightAdwCleaner consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Malware AnalysisAdwCleaner can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
4. Ad-freeAdwCleaner doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Standalone
Multiple languages
AdwCleaner vs Windows Security opinions
Guest
This was recommended by some geeks.
Positive comment•
0
Avira Antivirus
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Mac
Windows
86 alternatives to Avira Antivirus
Avira Free Antivirus offers basic protection for your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, spy-ware, trojans and costly dialers.
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Avira Antivirus Features
1. Built-in VPNAvira Antivirus has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
Real-time protection
Built-in Antivirus
Avira Antivirus vs Windows Security opinions
Bitdefender Antivirus
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Mac
Windows
Android
Android Tablet
57 alternatives to Bitdefender Antivirus
Bitdefender comes with real time scanning that is called Virus Shield and an auto-scan mode that checks your system when the computer is idle. Game mode is fully automated and will be enabled when it detects a full screen application running.
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Bitdefender Antivirus Features
1. LightweightBitdefender Antivirus consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Minimalistic
Built-in Antivirus
Auto Update
Bitdefender Antivirus vs Windows Security opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
imsebi
A good alternative you can get when you need something other than Windows Security....
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Recommended by some serious geeks. Some of them use it and seem happy with it.
Positive comment•
-1
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
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Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Anti-Virus App
Anti-Malware App
Mac
Windows
82 alternatives to ESET NOD32 Antivirus
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is an innovative host-based intrusion prevention system that offers a comprehensive scanning solution. Most importantly, it will not slow down your PC, it's easy to use, and easy to install.
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ESET NOD32 Antivirus Features
1. Malware AnalysisESET NOD32 Antivirus can inspect a suspicious file or URL to detect potential threats.
2. Ad-freeESET NOD32 Antivirus doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. LightweightESET NOD32 Antivirus consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Build-in Firewall
ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Windows Security opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
This was highly recommended by a PC Tech.
Positive comment•
1