We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links. Learn More

Smart security choices for small businesses.

Best Free Antivirus

A good free antivirus should provide solid malware detection without costing a cent. While free tiers often lack advanced features like firewalls and real-time protection, they can still offer meaningful security for basic use.

Our Top Picks for Best Free Antivirus

1.

Norton Antivirus

The Best Cross-Platform Antivirus Software

SecurityScore: 9.7 /10
View Plans Links To Norton

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall Yes
Full, quick, and scheduled scans Yes
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring Yes

Who Norton Antivirus Is Best For

Norton 360 works across multiple platforms, and also has feature-rich apps. We recommend installing and using antivirus software on all your devices, from computers to smartphones. For that, you'll need an antivirus with great cross-platform support, which is exactly what we saw from Norton. We had no trouble using its apps across a variety of devices and operating systems.

Pros

  • Affordable introductory prices
  • 24/7 phone and live chat support
  • Intuitive apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
  • Lots of extras (cloud backup, parental control features, etc.)

Cons

  • Prices can double or more after the first year
  • The password manager is a separate app
  • Offers device optimization, but as a separate service

Malware Detection – Excellent

Norton Antivirus Plus has excellent malware detection and protection rates. It detected all the malware test files we threw at it. It also maintains a nearly 100 percent detection and protection rate on AV-TEST's platform, with a perfect protection score since 2014. Norton really shines when it comes to zero-day threat protection. These are attacks that exploit vulnerabilities before they're patched—typically within 24 to 48 hours of discovery. Norton addresses this through a combination of signature-based scanning, behavioral analysis, and cloud-based threat intelligence, along with firewall protection.

User Experience – Excellent

Norton 360 is simple to navigate and use, whether you're on mobile or desktop. Norton Antivirus Plus offers protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. You can even install it on ten devices with the highest-tier subscription. All Norton apps offer simple interfaces with helpful explanations of settings and features for newcomers.

Price – Very Good

Families should consider the "Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus" subscription. It covers up to 10 devices and provides a decent level of identity theft protection. If you only need to protect a couple of devices and don't need identity theft protection, the "Norton 360 Deluxe" subscription is a great pick. There isn't a free version, but you can try it free for seven days with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

View Plans Links To Norton
2.

Aura Antivirus

The Best Antivirus with Identity Protection

SecurityScore: 9.5 /10
Select a Plan Links To Aura.com

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall No
Full, quick, and scheduled scans No scheduled scans
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring No

Who Aura Antivirus Is Best For

Aura antivirus plans start at $3 per month and include a VPN for up to three devices. Step up to a higher tier and you also get identity theft protection and insurance coverage — a solid combo for comprehensive coverage. After testing Aura's identity theft protection service, we learned why it's one of the best around.

Pros

  • Affordable plans that offer a lot of value
  • Long 60-day money-back guarantee
  • Comprehensive malware scanning and automatic malware quarantining
  • Credit monitoring and identity protections included in premium plan

Cons

  • Only available in annual plans
  • Real-time threat detection is only available for Windows devices
  • Basic plan only covers three devices

Malware Detection – Excellent

Aura uses AI-powered detection algorithms that caught 99.6 percent of malware samples in our testing — on par with industry leaders. Aura blocked every EICAR malware test file download attempt. Our team also ran Anti-Malware Standards Testing Organization's malware detection tests, which Aura aced.

User Experience – Excellent

All Aura apps were straightforward to install. We also found it easy to schedule scans, so we didn't have to constantly run them manually. You won't find as many customization options as Norton Antivirus, but that doesn't make Aura any less reliable.

Price – Very Good

Aura offers a 14-day free trial you can use to test out their full lineup of protections and services. Aura's starting price of $3 per month is already one of the most cost-effective antivirus plans out there. For an extra dollar a month, you can use Aura's antivirus, VPN, and password manager on five devices and gain basic identity theft protection.

Select a Plan Links To Aura.com
3.

TotalAV Antivirus

The Best Antivirus for Malware Protection

SecurityScore: 9.3 /10
Get TotalAV Links To TotalAV

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall No
Full, quick, and scheduled scans Yes
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring No

Who TotalAV Antivirus Is Best For

TotalAV nailed our malware detection tests and scored well in antivirus tests from independent security firms. We like that TotalAV automatically updates its malware definition database and offers real-time protection. Our team even tried out the clean-up tool and was impressed how much faster our devices run now.

Pros

  • Real-time protection and manual scans
  • Has a very good system clean-up tool
  • Automatic malware definition database updates
  • Smart Scan goes beyond just scanning for malware

Cons

  • Lacks a firewall
  • Has a free version, but it's pretty limited
  • Prices increase after the first year

Malware Detection – Excellent

We used the EICAR malware test file to test TotalAV. We tried downloading this file a total of 10 times, and TotalAV blocked it every time. It also detected the test files we tried to sneak in via a USB flash drive and LAN file transfers. TotalAV also performed very well in tests run by AV-TEST, maintaining a near-perfect malware detection and protection rate across Windows, macOS, and Android devices.

User Experience – Excellent

TotalAV has apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. TotalAV is easy to set up. The apps don't take up a lot of space, which means you likely won't notice any performance issues while running full scans in the background. The Windows and Android apps even include a system clean-up tool.

Price – Very Good

TotalAV offers several tier-based subscriptions, including bundles with additional security services such as a VPN and password manager. The "TotalAV Total Security" subscription is priced at $49 for the first year — about $4 per month. You get a 30-day refund if you change your mind.

Get TotalAV Links To TotalAV
4.

Guardio

The Best Antivirus Browser Extension

SecurityScore: 8.9 /10
Get Guardio Links to Guardio

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall No
Full, quick, and scheduled scans No
Real-time protection Yes (browser-based)
Behavior-based monitoring Yes

Who Guardio Is Best For

If you spend most of your computer time in a browser, Guardio offers targeted protection where threats are most likely to originate. It's a browser extension that defends against the place where viruses are likely to come from: the internet. It's currently available for Chrome and Microsoft Edge, plus a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Pros

  • Easy to install in Chrome
  • Includes data breach monitoring for emails and phone numbers
  • Phishing protection for Gmail
  • Doesn't take up a lot of hard drive space

Cons

  • Only works with Chrome and Chromium-based browsers
  • Doesn't perform total system scans
  • Can't remove viruses or malware

Malware Detection – Excellent

Since Guardio doesn't scan desktops, we put it through its paces by visiting websites flagged by CERT. Guardio caught about 80 percent of them. The mobile app offers complete device protection. Guardio blocked all our attempts to download viruses onto our Pixel, but it wasn't as successful with zipped files.

User Experience – Excellent

We installed Guardio like any other browser extension. When we opened it for the first time, we signed up for a subscription. That was the last time we had to interact with it. Guardio ran in the background and notified us if it detected something malicious.

Price – Very Good

Guardio offers a free plan that includes basic browser protection and a manual security scan. Paid options start at $9.99 per month on a yearly subscription. Guardio also has a package for couples and one for five people.

Get Guardio Links to Guardio
5.

Surfshark Antivirus

The Best Antivirus For All-Around Digital Security

SecurityScore: 8.9 /10
Get Surfshark Links to Surfshark.com

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall No
Full, quick, and scheduled scans Yes
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring Yes

Who Surfshark Antivirus Is Best For

Surfshark is fast, effective, and user-friendly. A Surfshark One subscription doesn't just remove malware and viruses. You'll get comprehensive digital security with one of the best VPNs and dark web monitoring.

Pros

  • Built-in access to an antivirus, a VPN, data breach monitoring, and more
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Scheduled, quick, and full scans
  • Regular automatic updates of virus database

Cons

  • The antivirus isn't available on iOS devices
  • Doesn't have a firewall
  • Doesn't provide access to system clean-up tools

Malware Detection – Excellent

Surfshark successfully blocked our attempt to download the EICAR malware test file and prevented access to unsafe links. We ran manual scans on our Windows laptop, and Surfshark found most of our malware test files. It only missed the one hidden in a .zip file.

User Experience – Excellent

Surfshark Antivirus has apps for Windows, macOS, and Android, and we like that it uses the same app for all its security services. We found the app easy to navigate. With tabs along the left margin dedicated to each service, we always found it easy to navigate to the features we need.

Price – Very Good

We recommend Surfshark One. This option bundles the antivirus, a VPN, and Alternative ID. It also includes real-time data breach monitoring and a privacy-focused search engine. As of March 2026, it starts at $2.49 per month on a two-year plan.

Get Surfshark Links to Surfshark.com
6.

McAfee Antivirus

The Best Antivirus for Families

SecurityScore: 8.8 /10
View Plans Links To McAfee

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall Yes
Full, quick, and scheduled scans Yes
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring Yes

Who McAfee Antivirus Is Best For

McAfee is an excellent choice for families who need to protect multiple devices across different platforms. With unlimited device coverage on premium plans, it offers one of the best values for large households. The centralized dashboard makes it easy to monitor security across all family devices.

Pros

  • Covers unlimited devices on premium plans
  • Includes identity theft protection and VPN
  • Cross-platform support including ChromeOS
  • Easy-to-use dashboard for managing family devices

Cons

  • Can be resource-heavy during scans
  • Prices increase significantly after first year
  • Some features require additional setup

Malware Detection – Excellent

McAfee consistently scores high marks in independent lab tests for malware detection. Its real-time protection engine catches threats as they emerge, and the automatic updates ensure you're always protected against the latest malware variants.

User Experience – Excellent

McAfee provides a clean, intuitive interface across all platforms. The centralized web dashboard gives you a complete view of your family's security status. Installation is straightforward, and the software runs quietly in the background without frequent pop-ups.

Price – Very Good

McAfee offers several tiers. The basic plan covers one device, while the premium plans cover unlimited devices. The family plan provides excellent value for households with multiple computers and mobile devices.

View Plans Links To McAfee
7.

Bitdefender

The Best Lightweight Antivirus Software

SecurityScore: 8.7 /10
View Plans Links To Bitdefender

Product Specs

Virus Detection Yes
Malware Detection Yes
Firewall Yes
Full, quick, and scheduled scans Yes
Real-time protection Yes
Behavior-based monitoring Yes

Who Bitdefender Is Best For

Bitdefender is ideal for users who want powerful antivirus protection without slowing down their computer. Its minimal performance footprint makes it perfect for older machines or users who run resource-intensive applications alongside their security software.

Pros

  • Very lightweight — minimal impact on system performance
  • Excellent malware detection rates from independent labs
  • Advanced anti-ransomware protection
  • Includes a free version with solid protection

Cons

  • Interface can be complex for beginners
  • Some advanced features only in premium versions
  • Customer support could be better

Malware Detection – Excellent

Bitdefender consistently achieves top scores in independent lab tests from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. Its multi-layer detection system combines signature-based, behavioral, and machine learning techniques to catch both known and emerging threats.

User Experience – Excellent

Bitdefender offers a feature-rich interface that provides granular control over security settings. While the interface can feel complex to newcomers, the default settings provide excellent protection out of the box without requiring any configuration.

Price – Very Good

Bitdefender offers a competitive free version that provides solid basic protection. Premium plans start at an affordable price point and include additional features like VPN, parental controls, and anti-tracker technology.

View Plans Links To Bitdefender