Free Microsoft Defender AlternativesTop Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware Apps like Microsoft Defender

The best free alternative to Microsoft Defender is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Defender and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Microsoft Defender are ClamAV, Avast Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus and Avira Antivirus.

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Alternatives list

  1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware icon

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

     862 likes

    Comprehensive protection software utilizing AI and machine learning to detect and neutralize threats. Features include RDP and Ransomware Protection. Efficiently uses minimal system resources with customizable settings for scan modes and performance adjustments.

    111 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    brta2818
    Positive
    0

    Its real-time scanner (if you've shelled out for the premium version) uses less system resources than that of Microsoft Defender.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -4

    Malwarebytes is very popular and works well.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  2. ClamAV icon

    ClamAV

     248 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...

    99 ClamAV alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    ClamAV GUI
     
  4. Avast Free Antivirus icon

    Avast Free Antivirus

     809 likes

    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.

    135 Avast Free Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Avast Free Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    21

    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...

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Avast Free Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
  5. Ad
  6. Bitdefender Antivirus icon

    Bitdefender Antivirus

     114 likes

    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
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Bitdefender Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    ImSebi
    Positive
    0

    A good alternative you can get when you need something other than Windows Security....

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Recommended by some serious geeks. Some of them use it and seem happy with it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Bitdefender Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Bitdefender Antivirus is MinimalisticMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  7. Avira Antivirus icon

    Avira Antivirus

     407 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.

    76 Avira Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 1
     
  8. AdwCleaner icon

    AdwCleaner

     181 likes

    Detects and removes adware, PUPs, toolbars, browser hijackers, and unwanted plugins with fast scanning and cleaning. Requires no installation and runs as a portable utility. Cleans files and registry traces, fixes altered browser settings, and can run from flash drives.

    52 AdwCleaner alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    AdwCleaner screenshot 1
     
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    1
    AdwCleaner vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    This was recommended by some geeks.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • AdwCleaner is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is also Free Personal and Proprietary
  10. Tron Script icon

    Tron Script

     34 likes

    Tron is a collection of programs, tools, utilities, and Windows functions that are all scripted together. Those programs and such are designed to remove malware and bloatware, repair damaged operating systems, update old versions of very common applications, free up drive space...

    166 Tron Script alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Tron Script screenshot 1
     
  11. AVG AntiVirus icon

    AVG AntiVirus

     285 likes

    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
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    ClamTk

     74 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.

    63 ClamTk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    ClamTk screenshot 1
     
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    1
    ClamTk vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    tibi97427
    Negative
    -2

    Simply because it's not available on Windows

    • ClamTk is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • ClamTk is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  14. ClamWin icon

    ClamWin

     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...

    67 ClamWin alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

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

    LoveLaceAV

     9 likes

    LoveLaceAV is a Hypatia fork, FOSS malware scanner for Android. It is powered by ClamAV style signature databases.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
     
12 of 66 Microsoft Defender alternatives