Microsoft Defender Alternatives

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

filter to find the best alternatives

Microsoft Defender alternatives are mainly Anti-Virus Apps, but if you're looking for Anti-Malware Apps or Firewalls you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Microsoft Defender.
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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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Microsoft Defender alternatives page was last updated May 16, 2025
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  1. Avast One icon
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    All-in-one solution combining antivirus defense, built-in VPN with 5 GB weekly for free users or unlimited for paid, data breach monitoring, web shield for unsafe sites, privacy tools, phishing protection, and multi-device security for browsing and online accounts.

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Avast One Features

    1.  Data Breach Reporting
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  Built-in VPN
    4.  Disk Maintenance
    5.  Fingerprinting protection
    6.  Change fingerprint
    7.  Ransomware Protection

    Avast One VS Microsoft Defender

     
  2. VIPRE icon
     8 likes
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    VIPRE safeguards your private information and personal data with top-rated, award-winning antivirus protection against today’s most prevalent threats, including those that evade traditional antivirus for PCs and Macs.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    VIPRE VS Microsoft Defender

     
  3. ClamXav icon
     26 likes
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    ClamXav is a virus scanner for Mac OS X. It uses the very popular ClamvAV open source antivirus engine as a back end and has the ability to detect both Windows and Mac threats.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Mac

    ClamXav VS Microsoft Defender

     
  4. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    The Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus provides a fast cloud-based virus protection for both PCs and Macs. This lightweight product has an outgoing Firewall integrated and can be run next to another AV or another Firewall.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Malware Analysis

    Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus VS Microsoft Defender

     
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Trend Micro AntiVirus is the essential security you need so you can email and share files with confidence. You can rest easy knowing you have ongoing, easy-to-use protection against the latest malicious viruses, worms, Trojan horse programs, and spyware.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows

    Trend Micro AntiVirus VS Microsoft Defender

     
  6. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Trend Micro Internet Security protects you and your family against cybercriminals and inappropriate content without slowing down your computer.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Trend Micro Internet Security VS Microsoft Defender

     
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    This is a fork of the original (and discontinued) app, which is still looking for maintainers. Please consider to apply to keep this app maintained !

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid

    Hypatia (by MaintainTeam) Features

    Hypatia (by MaintainTeam) VS Microsoft Defender

     
  8. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    INLYSE Malware.AI is a cutting-edge AI-based IT security platform which identifies malware and cyber-attacks within seconds.

    22 INLYSE Malware.AI alternatives

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Firefox

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Malware Analysis

    INLYSE Malware.AI VS Microsoft Defender

     
    • INLYSE Malware.AI is the most popular Web-based & SaaS alternative to Microsoft Defender.

    • INLYSE Malware.AI is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • INLYSE Malware.AI is Privacy focused and LightweightMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  9. PC Matic icon
     3 likes
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    PC Matic is a security software solution that has been offering its services for a quarter of a century. It aims to shield your home devices from contemporary threats such as ransomware, viruses, and identity theft among others.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Malware Analysis

    PC Matic VS Microsoft Defender

     
  10. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Best-in-class endpoint protection against ransomware & zero-day threats. Cross-platform solution with easy-to-use cloud or on-prem management, server security, advanced threat defense and full disk encryption.

    52 ESET PROTECT Advanced alternatives

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • SK flagSlovakia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Online

    ESET PROTECT Advanced Features

    1.  Ransomware Protection

    ESET PROTECT Advanced VS Microsoft Defender

     
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