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 Spybot - Search & Destroy.

More about Microsoft Defender
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Microsoft Defender alternatives page was last updated

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
     
    |
    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
     
    |
    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
     
    |
    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. Spybot - Search & Destroy icon

    Spybot - Search & Destroy

     439 likes

    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.

    99 Spybot - Search & Destroy alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Prices for Corporate Edition
     
  8. Kaspersky AntiVirus icon

    Kaspersky AntiVirus

     176 likes

    Kaspersky AntiVirus offers protection from a range of IT threats and provides the basic tools needed to keep your PC secure.

    83 Kaspersky AntiVirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Kaspersky Free
     
    |
    2
    Kaspersky AntiVirus vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    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

    • Kaspersky AntiVirus is Paid and ProprietaryMicrosoft Defender is Free Personal and Proprietary
  10. 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
     
  11. ESET NOD32 Antivirus icon

    ESET NOD32 Antivirus

     258 likes

    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.

    73 ESET NOD32 Antivirus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    This was highly recommended by a PC Tech.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • 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

    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
     
    |
    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
  13. 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
     
  14. 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 of 90 Microsoft Defender alternatives