Want to protect your computer from viruses but have a hard time on a budget?
After a long time of searching and testing, I have found a list of the best free antivirus below. These in this article will nicely protect your computer from malicious code with a fairly easy-to-use user interface.
Go through my detailed reviews for each and make the best choice.
Let’s dig into it now!
1. Norton Security
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: Yes.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
Norton Security is compatible with many platforms, from PCs and Macs to mobile devices running Android and iOS operating systems.
For anyone, the software’s multi-layered protection is at its peak. It scans for viruses to remove malicious files, categorizes files by nature to prevent risks, and protects online privacy well.
I immensely appreciate the security feature based on artificial intelligence. State-of-the-art security technology helps prevent intrusions and online risks.
Despite its good cross-platform protection performance, Norton Security still has some drawbacks. In particular, its biggest drawback is that the software on the PC is not too intuitive and quite tricky to get used to.
Price: Free trial or $59.99/device/year.
Website Link: https://us.norton.com
Pros
- Protect online privacy.
- Scientific file classification.
- Security based on artificial intelligence.
- Scan for viruses to remove malware.
- Work effectively with many different platforms.
Cons
- The interface is not intuitive.
2. Avast Free Antivirus
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: Yes.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
I highly recommend Avast Free Antivirus capabilities. It detects all risks but doesn’t slow down my device. It also handles suspicious files quite well by sending them to the cloud and giving alerts if unusual problems are detected.
In addition to antivirus, this free software integrates many essential features.
It is a powerful tool to secure networks, helping me always confidently connect my computer to a public wifi network. It also dramatically supports my work by blocking malicious websites or unsafe emails.
Avast Free antivirus has all the features you need for advanced security. However, to use more valuable features, you will have to upgrade at a price that is not cheap. For me, this is the biggest downside of this software.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download#pc
Pros
- Versatile.
- Powerful Anti-Virus.
- Prevent network risks.
- Do not slow down the machine.
- Secure the wifi network effectively.
Cons
- Need to upgrade to use some features for free.
3. Bitdefender
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: No.
- VPN: Limited upsell.
Key Features
Bitdefender Antivirus Free is software specifically for Windows computers. It’s completely free and works pretty well on my laptop.
I’ve believed in software’s ability to protect against electronic threats. It’s pretty comprehensive protection, meeting my expectations for a powerful anti-virus.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free is easy to download. It also doesn’t take up too much space on the device. The software does not affect the machine’s processing speed. Yet, the software will scan slower than usual for my first-time use.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html
Pros
- Strong power.
- Easy to download.
- It doesn’t take up too much space
- Does not slow down the machine
- Protect devices from electronic threats
Cons
- Scanning information is a bit slow the first time.
4. AVG Secure VPN
Specifications
- Email scans: Yes.
- Scan scheduler: Yes.
- Hardened browser: No.
Key Features
AVG Secure VPN is an excellent choice if you want free software that supports data protection and online privacy.
AVG Secure VPN is quite powerful software. With the free version, the software supports effective virus blocking with six layers of protection.
In particular, I appreciate the ability to block malicious emails. The software has repeatedly helped me avoid clicking on phishing links or downloading malicious attachments.
This software also supports protection from ransomware quite well. Not many free platforms can offer quite such strong protection as above.
Some features of AVG Secure VPN still work inefficiently. And one of the biggest problems is that the VPN service is pretty bad.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.avg.com/en-ww/free-antivirus-download
Pros
- Blocks malicious emails
- Powerful data protection.
- 6 layers of solid protection
- Support protection from ransomware
- The online privacy protection is pretty good.
Cons
- Not an ideal VPN.
5. Sophos Home
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: No.
- VPN: No.
Key Features
Sophos Home is the software I always use to protect the computer system in my apartment. It provides antivirus technology, web filtering, and many security features for my PCs, Macs, and other intelligent devices.
In addition to cross-platform protection, Sophos Home also scores with monitoring and alerting. Thanks to that, I can remotely manage the security system and detect unusual problems.
Sophos Home is a free software worth considering to build a security system for all smart devices such as phones, PCs, and Macs. Yet, I noticed some compatibility issues when using it on a MacBook with an M1 chip.
Hopefully, the publisher will fix the compatibility error in the following versions to bring a smoother, more optimal experience.
Price: Free trial.
Website Link: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/free-tools
Pros
- Powerful anti-virus.
- Effective web filtering.
- Cross-platform protection.
- Manage security systems remotely.
- Warning about unusual incidents.
Cons
- Poor compatibility with the M1 chip.
6. Avira Antivirus
Specifications
- Anti-theft: Yes.
- Firewall: No.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
Avira Antivirus focuses on protecting against malware. So, it will not meet the requirements of firewall protection or block malicious mail like many of the options I introduced earlier.
But, Avira Antivirus’s ability to protect the device from malware works quite effectively. Even when installed on an old PC, the software is still quite powerful.
It manages passwords well and blocks all malicious websites and risky links. It also has decent anti-phishing and ransomware protection, which few free options can offer.
Because it only focuses on protecting your computer from malware, Avira Antivirus won’t have too many features for you to explore. Especially if you look for absolute security in this software, you will probably be disappointed.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus-windows
Pros
- It works great on older PCs
- Good password manager.
- Protect your device from malware.
- Protection against fraud.
- Ransomware protection.
Cons
- It does not provide security tools
7. AVG Antivirus
Specifications
- Anti-theft: Yes.
- Firewall: Yes.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
My favorite feature of AVG AntiVirus Free is blocking unsafe websites. Since installing the software, I have hardly been bothered by risky links and websites.
Besides blocking malicious websites, AVG AntiVirus Free is a powerful anti-malware or dangerous email tool. The software is perfect for protecting data and devices from phishing and nasty viruses.
I appreciate AVG AntiVirus Free’s protection from risky websites. My only complaint about this freeware is its poor compatibility with iPhone and Mac.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download#pc
Pros
- Protect data from viruses
- Block malicious websites.
- Against malware.
- Eliminate dangerous emails.
- Time scan to continuously remove malware.
Cons
- Not compatible with Mac or iPhone.
8. Avira Free Security
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: Yes.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
Like every other user, I worry about privacy when accessing websites or saving passwords. And Avira Free Security is one of the few free options that can solve my worries well.
The software supports quite a few privacy protection solutions. My favorite tools are anonymizing website traffic and remembering secure passwords. In particular, the software also supports up to 200 settings, helping to protect my privacy better.
In addition to being a practical choice to increase security, Avira Free Security is also quite powerful when blocking unsafe websites. It is also quite resistant to network attacks or malware.
However, like every other free option, Avira Free Security also has some disadvantages. Its biggest drawback is that to experience the full range of functions; you will have to pay a small fee.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.avira.com/en/free-security
Pros
- Support 200 privacy settings
- Block most unsafe websites.
- Resist cyber attacks and malware
- Anonymize website traffic.
- Remember secure passwords.
Cons
- Some features require a fee to use.
9. Windows Security
Specifications
- Anti-theft: No.
- Firewall: Yes.
- VPN: Unlimited.
Key Features
Windows Security is part of the Windows operating system. Therefore, if you don’t want to download complicated software, taking advantage of the impressive features of this built-in security tool is the ideal choice.
Windows Security includes 7 small security tools. The tool I appreciate the most is virus & threat protection. With this part, Microsoft did a lot better than I expected. It has four types of scans, ensuring strong antivirus performance.
Windows Security account protection is also quite helpful. But, because they are built into the machine, it is difficult for me to assess the actual effectiveness.
Price: Free.
Website Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security
Pros
- Integrated with the device.
- Effective firewall protection.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Four different types of virus scans.
- There are many improvements.
Cons
- The effect cannot be accurately assessed.
Buying Guides
You will get quite a few results when you search for the term free anti-virus engine. Yet, to get the best results, you need to refer to some guidelines below.
Display
Previously, anti-virus software would be in box form and sold at software stores. However, you can purchase software online or subscribe to the software monthly or annually.
Efficiency
The performance of the software will depend on your usage needs.
If you need a comprehensive security solution, software with full anti-theft and anti-virus features will be the best choice.
Meanwhile, if your family has young children, you’ll likely love options that offer parental control.
Protection ability
You are now virtually unlimited in the protection capabilities of free software.
Free software often protects a single device. But, quite a few other options cover multi-device and cross-platform in the long run. Some of the paid versions even offer protection for an unlimited number of devices.
Extra features
Additional features will enhance the security and anti-virus capabilities of the software. Some other features you might consider are scheduled device scans, behavior-based anomaly detection, and the removal of phishing sites.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about free antivirus software. If you have the same question, don’t skip any answers.
What is the best free antivirus now?
Windows Security is a free, built-in Windows anti-virus that you should take advantage of.
Is there a 100% free antivirus?
The names on the list are all free. However, you will have to pay to experience some software’s advanced features.
How do I choose an antivirus software?
The first thing to consider is the malware detection rate and the software’s ability to block phishing links.
Also, thanks to intelligent tools, you need to look for other features, such as automatic updates and anomaly detection.
What are 3 anti-virus softwares?
Norton Security, Bitdefender Antivirus Free, and Sophos Home are anti-virus software worth trying.
Is it safe to use Kaspersky?
Kaspersky offers pretty good security software. This software even earned high rankings in the list of best options.
Conclusion
I recommend Sophos Home and Norton Security for cross-device and cross-platform security needs. These two freeware works quite well on many devices, supporting notifications, remote control, and many valuable features.
Meanwhile, if you are simply looking for an antivirus solution for your personal computer, Bitdefender Antivirus Free is the right choice because it is compatible with Windows for fast and powerful processing.
In addition to the suggestions, you also have much other software worth considering. Carefully refer to the top antivirus and make yourself a suitable choice. Thank you for reading!