Microsoft Defender Alternatives for Windows

There are many alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Windows if you are looking for a replacement. The best Windows alternative is Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Defender and loads of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows 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

     860 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.

    110 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Kindle Fire
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screenshot 1
     
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    25
    Comments about Malwarebytes Anti-Malware as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    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.
    Microsoft Defender Icon
    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware icon

    • Most users think Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

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

    • Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the most popular free alternative to Microsoft Defender.

    • 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
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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
     
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    6

    • Almost everyone thinks ClamAV is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

    • ClamAV is the most popular Linux alternative to Microsoft Defender.

    • ClamAV is the most popular Open Source alternative to Microsoft Defender.

    • ClamAV is Free and Open SourceMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • ClamAV is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  4. 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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    12
    Comments about Avast Free Antivirus as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    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.
    Microsoft Defender Icon
    Avast Free Antivirus icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Avast Free Antivirus is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

    • Avast Free Antivirus is Freemium and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Spybot - Search & Destroy icon
    Spybot - Search & Destroy

    Detects and removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, and tracking cookies, offering system immunization, real-time protection, manual or scheduled scans, quarantine and secure deletion, detailed reports, and multil...

    https://www.safer-networking.org
    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.

    61 Bitdefender Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Bitdefender Antivirus screenshot 1
     
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    6
    Comments about Bitdefender Antivirus as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    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.
    Microsoft Defender Icon
    Bitdefender Antivirus icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bitdefender Antivirus is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

    • 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
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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. Spybot - Search & Destroy icon

    Spybot - Search & Destroy

     438 likes
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    Detects and removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, and tracking cookies, offering system immunization, real-time protection, manual or scheduled scans, quarantine and secure deletion, detailed reports, and multilingual support.

    98 Spybot - Search & Destroy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Prices for Corporate Edition
     

    • Spybot - Search & Destroy is the most popular commercial alternative to Microsoft Defender.

    • Spybot - Search & Destroy is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Spybot - Search & Destroy is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  10. Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    Kaspersky AntiVirus

     173 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.

    82 Kaspersky AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Kaspersky Free
     
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    Comments about Kaspersky AntiVirus as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Nitsu29
    Positive
    0

    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

    Microsoft Defender Icon
    Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    • Most users think Kaspersky AntiVirus is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

    • Kaspersky AntiVirus is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
  11. 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
     
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    1
    Comments about ESET NOD32 Antivirus as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    This was highly recommended by a PC Tech.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Microsoft Defender Icon
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus icon
    • ESET NOD32 Antivirus is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • ESET NOD32 Antivirus is Privacy focusedMicrosoft Defender is not according to our users
  12. AdwCleaner icon

    AdwCleaner

     181 likes
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    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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    8
    Comments about AdwCleaner as an Alternative to Microsoft Defender
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    This was recommended by some geeks.

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

    • Almost everyone thinks AdwCleaner is a great Microsoft Defender alternative.

    • AdwCleaner is Free Personal and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is also Free Personal and Proprietary
  13. Tron Script icon

    Tron Script

     36 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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Tron Script screenshot 1
     
  14. 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.

    74 AVG AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • Chrome OS
    AVG AntiVirus screenshot 1
     
  15. 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
     
12 of 90 Microsoft Defender alternatives