Free Windows Security AlternativesTop Anti-Virus & Anti-Malware Apps like Windows Security

The best free alternative to Windows Security is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Windows Security and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Windows Security are Clam AntiVirus, Avast Free Antivirus, Spybot - Search & Destroy and AdwCleaner.

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Windows Security alternatives are mainly Anti-Virus Apps but may also be Anti-Malware Apps or System Cleaners.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Windows Security.
Windows Security iconWindows Security
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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...

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Windows Security alternatives page was last updated Jun 26, 2023
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  1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware icon
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware icon

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

     843 likes
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    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.

    116 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware alternatives
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 1
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 2
    +8
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Process scanning
    2.  Heuristic Detection
    3.  Real-time protection
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  Multiple languages
    6.  Malware Analysis
    7.  Built-in VPN
    8.  Block Trackers
    9.  No Logs
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  No registration required
    12.  CloudAV
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware iconWindows Security Icon

    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware VS Windows Security

    Is this a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as an 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 •Dec 15, 2021
    0
    Guest

    Malwarebytes is very popular and works well.

    Positive comment •Sep 3, 2019
    -4
    Windows Security Icon
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware icon

    • Most users think Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great Windows Security alternative.

    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Windows Security.

    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the most popular free alternative to Windows Security.

    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is Freemium and ProprietaryWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is LightweightWindows Security is not according to our users
  2. Clam AntiVirus icon
    Clam AntiVirus icon

    Clam AntiVirus

     241 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...

    100 Clam AntiVirus alternatives
    ClamAV GUI

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    ClamAV for Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Graphical User Interface
    4.  Block Trackers
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Malware Analysis
    Clam AntiVirus iconWindows Security Icon

    Clam AntiVirus VS Windows Security

    Is Clam AntiVirus a good alternative to Windows Security?
     

    • Clam AntiVirus is the most popular Linux alternative to Windows Security.

    • Clam AntiVirus is the most popular Open Source alternative to Windows Security.

    • Clam AntiVirus is Free and Open SourceWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Clam AntiVirus is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows Security is not according to our users
  4. Avast Free Antivirus icon
    Avast Free Antivirus icon

    Avast Free Antivirus

     812 likes
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    Avast Free Antivirus a the free for non-commercial and home usage antivirus solution from AVAST Software.

    148 Avast Free Antivirus alternatives
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 1
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 2
    +5
    Avast Free Antivirus screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Avast Free Antivirus Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Malware Analysis
    3.  Browser Protection
    4.  Run file in a Sandbox
    5.  Zero-Day Protection
    6.  Heuristic Detection
    Avast Free Antivirus iconWindows Security Icon

    Avast Free Antivirus VS Windows Security

    Is Avast Free Antivirus a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about Avast Free Antivirus as an Alternative to Windows Security
     
    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 •Sep 3, 2019
    21
    Windows Security Icon
    Avast Free Antivirus icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Avast Free Antivirus is a great Windows Security alternative.

    • Avast Free Antivirus is Free Personal and ProprietaryWindows Security is also Free Personal and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Avast One icon

    Avast One

    Avast One is the free, all-in-one service that combines antivirus, extra privacy (VPN), and security tools to help you stay private and safe anywhere you go online and on every device.

    https://www.avast.com
    Learn More
  6. Spybot - Search & Destroy icon
    Spybot - Search & Destroy icon

    Spybot - Search & Destroy

     434 likes
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    Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications.

    102 Spybot - Search & Destroy alternatives
    Prices for Corporate Edition

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Malware Analysis
    3.  Multiple languages
    Free for private use, companies and institutions need to buy licenses for commercial versions
    Corporate Edition: Status Page
    +2
    How to exclude products from the search
    Spybot - Search & Destroy iconWindows Security Icon

    Spybot - Search & Destroy VS Windows Security

    Is this a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
  7. AdwCleaner icon
    AdwCleaner icon

    AdwCleaner

     180 likes
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    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.

    59 AdwCleaner alternatives
    AdwCleaner screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    AdwCleaner screenshot 1
    AdwCleaner screenshot 2
    +2
    AdwCleaner screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Malware Analysis
    3.  Standalone
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Multiple languages
    AdwCleaner iconWindows Security Icon

    AdwCleaner VS Windows Security

    Is AdwCleaner a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about AdwCleaner as an Alternative to Windows Security
     
    Guest

    This was recommended by some geeks.

    Positive comment •Sep 3, 2019
    0
    Windows Security Icon
    AdwCleaner icon

    • Almost everyone thinks AdwCleaner is a great Windows Security alternative.

    • AdwCleaner is Free and ProprietaryWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • AdwCleaner is LightweightWindows Security is not according to our users
  8. Bitdefender Antivirus icon
    Bitdefender Antivirus icon

    Bitdefender Antivirus

     105 likes
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    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.

    56 Bitdefender Antivirus alternatives
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 1
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Built-in Antivirus
    2.  Auto Update
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Malware Analysis
    5.  Dark Mode
    Bitdefender Antivirus iconWindows Security Icon

    Bitdefender Antivirus VS Windows Security

    Is this a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about Bitdefender Antivirus as an Alternative to Windows Security
     
    ImSebi

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

    Positive comment •Sep 21, 2022
    0
    Guest

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

    Positive comment •Sep 3, 2019
    -1
    Windows Security Icon
    Bitdefender Antivirus icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bitdefender Antivirus is a great Windows Security alternative.

    • Bitdefender Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Bitdefender Antivirus is LightweightWindows Security is not according to our users
  10. Kaspersky AntiVirus icon
    Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    Kaspersky AntiVirus

     169 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.

    85 Kaspersky AntiVirus alternatives
    Kaspersky Free

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Kaspersky AntiVirus Features

    1.  Built-in Firewall
    2.  On-screen Keyboard
    Kaspersky Free - Settings
    Kaspersky Antivirus - Main window
    +3
    Kaspersky Antivirus - More tools
    Kaspersky AntiVirus iconWindows Security Icon

    Kaspersky AntiVirus VS Windows Security

    Is Kaspersky AntiVirus a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about Kaspersky AntiVirus as an Alternative to Windows Security
     
    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 •Nov 17, 2020
    0
    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 •Dec 20, 2021
    0
    Windows Security Icon
    Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    • Most users think Kaspersky AntiVirus is a great Windows Security alternative.

    • Kaspersky AntiVirus is Freemium and ProprietaryWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
  11. Avira Antivirus icon
    Avira Antivirus icon

    Avira Antivirus

     403 likes
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    Avira Antivirus is a security software that protects your computer from online threats like malware, ransomware, and spyware. It includes features like browser safety, software updates, VPN, and PC optimization tools.

    79 Avira Antivirus alternatives
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Built-in VPN
    2.  Real-time protection
    3.  Ransomware Protection
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 1
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 2
    +4
    Avira Antivirus screenshot 3
    Avira Antivirus iconWindows Security Icon

    Avira Antivirus VS Windows Security

    Is Avira Antivirus a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
  12. Tron Script icon
    Tron Script icon

    Tron Script

     31 likes
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    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...

    167 Tron Script alternatives
    Tron Script screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Tron Script Features

    1.  Malware Analysis
    2.  Bloatware Remover
    Tron Script screenshot 1
    Tron Script screenshot 2
    +1
    Tron Script screenshot 3
    Tron Script iconWindows Security Icon

    Tron Script VS Windows Security

    Is Tron Script a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
  13. ClamTk icon
    ClamTk icon

    ClamTk

     70 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.

    64 ClamTk alternatives
    ClamTk screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Malware Analysis
    Discontinued

    This program is no longer maintained. https://github.com/dave-theunsub/clamtk/issues/163

    ClamTk iconWindows Security Icon

    ClamTk VS Windows Security

    Is ClamTk a good alternative to Windows Security?
     
    Comments about ClamTk as an Alternative to Windows Security
     
    tibi97427

    Simply because it's not available on Windows

    Negative comment •Jun 26, 2023
    -1
    Windows Security Icon
    ClamTk icon
    • ClamTk is Free and Open SourceWindows Security is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • ClamTk is Lightweight and Privacy focusedWindows Security is not according to our users
10 of 72 Windows Security alternatives