The Best Free Antivirus Software for 2026

In the late 1980s, when PCMag first rounded up antivirus apps for comparison, their prices ranged from $10 to $189. Within a few years, the average price settled around $90 . Currently, most antivirus companies charge from $40 to $60 to protect one computer. If you can't or don't want to pay for protection, there are plenty of free, effective options. Based on thorough testing , lab scores, and hands-on evaluations, we've identified Avast One Basic and AVG AntiVirus Free as our Editors' Choice winners in the free antivirus category. Be sure to check out the rest of our top picks below, too, as price is no object. Then, keep reading to learn more about selecting the best free antivirus for your needs.

Best for Comprehensive Free Security

Avast One Free

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Excellent antivirus lab scores on multiple platforms

• + Near-perfect score in our phishing test

• + Free protection for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows

• + Numerous privacy and performance features

• - Excellent antivirus lab scores on multiple platforms

• - Near-perfect score in our phishing test

• - Free protection for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows

• - Numerous privacy and performance features

Avast has provided antivirus protection since the industry began. With Avast One Free, you get award-winning antivirus protection for free. All five independent testing labs I follow include Avast in their reports, and it consistently scores well in almost every test. It also takes high scores in my own hands-on tests. This isn't just an antivirus; it's a free security suite, though Avast naturally reserves some features for premium users. Many free antivirus utilities are compatible only with Windows. Avast has varying degrees of free protection for macOS, Android, and iOS as well.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: While it didn't achieve any perfect scores in our hands-on tests, Avast came close in all of them. With a 97% detection rate and 9.7 points in my standard malware blocking test, it scored the same as AVG and outperformed all but a handful of competitors, both free and commercial. Its 100% score in my phishing test is perfect, though it's just one of a dozen recent products to reach that goal. Avast didn't perform quite as well when challenged with 100-odd malware-hosting URLs. With 93% protection, it's doing well, but a good handful of its competitors reached 99% or even 100%.

Independent lab test scores: Testing labs around the world put significant antivirus apps through rigorous testing, then report their findings. Avast is important enough that all five of the labs I follow include it in their latest tests, and effective enough to earn the maximum possible score in most of its tests. It has an aggregate lab score of 9.8 (out of 10), which is quite an achievement.

Ransomware protection: If your antivirus fails to detect a newly discovered Trojan or bot, chances are that an antivirus update will quickly remedy the situation. But if the missed attack was ransomware, the damage is already done. To save you from the dilemma of whether to pay the ransom, Avast adds a defensive layer against ransomware. It blocks all unauthorized changes to files in important folders such as Documents and Desktop. In testing, with all other protective layers disabled, two real-world ransomware samples completely evaded Avast's protection, while those that did trigger its detections still managed to encrypt files outside the protected folders, ranging from dozens to thousands. Remember, though, that to even perform this test, I had to turn off all protection except the ransomware layer.

Features beyond antivirus: Avast One Basic is more than just an antivirus; it's a free security suite. For starters, Avast offers a full network inspector that lists all devices on your network and flags any security problems. Paying customers can set it to notify them when a new gadget joins the network. The secure browser includes protection against ad trackers and other tracking software, as well as an isolated banking mode for your financial transactions. Its firewall component is roughly equivalent to Windows Firewall, but much easier to use. There's a set of performance-tuning tools, with some features reserved for paying customers. Other features, such as dark web monitoring and update checking, also provide additional benefits for paying customers. However, you actually get a lot for free.

Who It's For

Score trackers: To make a decision, such as choosing a free antivirus, you need hard facts. Who has the best scores? Avast holds mostly perfect scores from five independent testing labs, and its scores in my hands-on tests are almost all near the top. Score-wise, it's a winner.

Feature collectors: Even when you're not paying cash, you want the most bang for your buck. Avast isn't merely a free antivirus; it's a full-scale free security suite. With, naturally, some limitations, else nobody would buy the paid suite.

Specs & Configurations

Protection Type: Free Antivirus

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Behavior-Based Detection: True

Ransomware Protection: True

VPN: Limited

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Vulnerability Scan: True

Firewall: True

Best for No-Frills Protection

Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Same core antivirus protection as the paid version

• + Excellent scores from independent testing labs

• + Unusually effective ransomware defense

• + Includes VPN

• + Free

• - Same core antivirus protection as the paid version

• - Excellent scores from independent testing labs

• - Unusually effective ransomware defense

• - Includes VPN

• - Free

Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows provides basic protection that closely matches the core protection of our Editors' Choice, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. In truth, it more closely resembles Bitdefender's security suite, but with many features disabled. If you spring for the commercial antivirus, you get vastly more features, more than found in some security suite products. Among these are a hardened desktop for secure browsing, a Rescue Environment to recover from malware that disables Windows, and a Wi-Fi security analyzer. None of these features is available for free, but for some, sticking to antivirus essentials is just fine.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: Challenged with hundreds of real-world phishing pages, Bitdefender earned a perfect score, detecting 100% of the fraud and replacing them with a warning page. It didn't perform as well when tested with recently discovered malware-hosting URLs, scoring just above the median of 93%. And for years, Bitdefender's scores in my malware blocking test haven't matched its impressive lab scores. Its current 8.6 of 10 points isn't anything to boast about. However, consistently near-perfect lab scores outweigh these lower hands-on scores.

Independent lab test scores: Malware coders write nasty software, antivirus apps wipe out that nasty software, and testing labs report on who's winning. The labs all use different scoring methods, but regardless of the method, there's always a top score, perfection. Of the four labs that considered Bitdefender important enough to include in their latest reports, three assigned it the maximum possible score. As for the fourth result, it came close to perfect. Bitdefender's aggregate lab score of 9.6, based on results from four labs, is among the best.

Ransomware protection: Modern malware is all about money. Stealing data to sell, renting out bot networks, cash is king. Ransomware goes straight for the prize—if you want your important files back, pay the ransom. Bitdefender offers multiple layers of ransomware protection, most notably Advanced Threat Protection and Ransomware Remediation. The latter is reserved for paying customers, but the free Bitdefender proved effective without it. With all other layers of protection disabled, Bitdefender defeated 12 real-world ransomware samples that encrypt files. In one case, the ransomware encrypted two files before Bitdefender detected its behavior; a minor blip. And unlike most behavior-based detection systems, it headed off a disk-encrypting ransomware attack.

VPN available: Your antivirus eliminates malware that could harm your PC and its data, while your VPN protects that data as it travels the wild, wild web. In addition to encrypting your communications, using a VPN masks your IP address and location. All of Bitdefender's antivirus and security suite apps, including the free version, come with a VPN component, and all but the top-tier security suites impose limitations. As with many competitors, you can't choose your VPN server location, and your bandwidth is capped at 200MB per day.  

Features beyond antivirus: With Bitdefender Antivirus Free, you get impressive lab test results and full-powered antivirus protection at no charge. It aced my ransomware protection tests. VPN protection is limited, but 200MB of bandwidth per day can be enough if you're careful. And…that's about it. The free edition looks feature-rich, offering all the features of Bitdefender Total Security rather than just a free version of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. However, most of the remaining features are locked unless you upgrade. These features include browser and social media tracking protection, safe online banking, and more.

Who It's For

Laid-back users: Security protection isn't a hobby for you; it's a chore. You'll do what you must to get a free antivirus installed, but after that, you don't want to play with it. So, install Bitdefender, make sure AutoPilot is engaged, and then ignore it.

People concerned about ransomware: The idea that some ne'er-do-well could use ransomware to turn your important files into encrypted gibberish is repugnant to you. You'd pay double for an antivirus that has extra weaponry against ransomware, as Bitdefender does. Luckily, double the price is still free.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: True

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: False

Best Bonus Features

AVG AntiVirus Free

Score: 4.5

Pros & Cons

• + Perfect scores from two testing labs

• + Very good scores in our hands-on tests

• + No-hassle background firewall

• + Performance tuneup scan

• + Useful bonus features

• + Free

• - Perfect scores from two testing labs

• - Very good scores in our hands-on tests

• - No-hassle background firewall

• - Performance tuneup scan

• - Useful bonus features

• - Free

When you install AVG AntiVirus Free, you're getting the same powerful antivirus engine you get with Avast. The two have different aggregate lab scores because not all the labs report on AVG. In the latest tests, AVG has a perfect aggregate score of 10 points across two labs, while Avast has a score of 9.8 across five labs. Like Avast, AVG protects against ransomware by banning all unauthorized changes to protected files. And like Avast, AVG's free edition will identify junk files and other performance drains but won't fix any problems unless you pay. Bonus features include a hardened browser and a simple network security inspector.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: AVG, Avast, and Norton all use the same underlying antivirus engine, so it's no surprise that all three scored the same in my main malware blocking test. With a 97% detection rate and 9.7 out of 10 points, they outperformed most of their competitors. Like Avast, AVG didn't perform as well in my malware-hosting URL test, which challenges each antivirus with a collection of fresh malware-hosting URLs; however, its 93% score is a skosh higher than the current median. As for its phishing detection prowess, AVG reached a perfect 100%, along with nearly a dozen other apps.

Independent lab test scores: Avast bought AVG years ago, and the two have long relied on the same antivirus engine. Only two of the labs I follow, AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, test AVG separately from Avast. On the plus side, it reached perfect scores in the latest tests from those two, achieving a 10-point aggregate lab score.

Ransomware protection:The consequences of a successful ransomware attack are dire enough that AVG, like many competitors, includes special protection in case a brand-new ransomware campaign gets past regular antivirus defenses. Like many competitors, AVG's ransomware layer works by preventing unauthorized access to files of specified types, residing in specified folders. In a test with all other protective components turned off, AVG performed so-so. Challenged with a dozen real-world ransomware samples, it detected most of them and successfully protected the specified files and locations, but allowed encryption of many files outside protected locations. And a couple of the samples got their dirty work done without being caught by the unaccompanied ransomware protection component.

Features beyond antivirus: I've already mentioned that this free antivirus includes ransomware protection. If you encounter any trouble removing malware, you can run a boot-time scan or go a step further with a bootable rescue disk. It includes a full two-way firewall that protects against network attacks and manages network permissions for your programs. File shredding is a surprise bonus, buried in the right-click menu for files and folders. Like Avast, AVG comes with a secure browser and the option to block web activity trackers, but there are some differences. You don't get the isolated bank mode in AVG, and while it checks your email against known data breaches, it offers no help in dealing with them. As with Avast, you get a lot for free, but not everything.

Who It's For

Score trackers: You like to make choices based on facts and figures, not subjective elements. Fact: Two independent labs put AVG to the test and awarded it perfect scores. It also earned impressive scores in my hands-on tests, including a perfect 100% against phishing fraud. Numbers don't lie.

Feature collectors: You're happy to get antivirus protection for your computers at no cost. You're even happier to get more than just antivirus protection. AVG includes a broad collection of security and privacy features, though naturally, you don't get everything that premium users do.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: True

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: True

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: True

Best for Windows Die-Hards

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Built into Windows

• + Very good lab scores

• + Always on if no other antivirus is present

• - Built into Windows

• - Very good lab scores

• - Always on if no other antivirus is present

No discussion of free antivirus software would be complete without Microsoft Defender Antivirus, formerly known as Windows Defender. If you don't have a third-party antivirus, or if your antivirus subscription lapses, Defender takes up the banner of your protection. If you do add or reinstall another antivirus, Defender quietly retreats to the sidelines. That's not to say we're super-enthusiastic about using Defender for your protection. It gets good scores on some lab tests but just manages a passing score on others.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: The charm of Microsoft Defender lies in its ubiquity, not its test scores. While it made a lot of noise and generated notifications during my malware-blocking test, it only detected 90% of the samples and scored 8.9 points. When I tested it against 100-plus malware-hosting URLs, it blocked just 88% of downloads, significantly lower than the competition. As for phishing, Defender's Smart Screen starts at a disadvantage because it only protects Edge. In testing with real-world phishing pages, it scored a dismal 75% detection rate, while the other free antivirus apps mentioned here all scored at least 99%.

Independent lab test scores: Microsoft Defender is built into every Windows installation and takes over antivirus protection if no other antivirus app is active. All five independent testing labs that I track regularly include it in their reporting. Years ago, Defender performed so poorly in these tests that it scored below zero. It's much better now, with quite a few perfect scores. Its 9.3 point aggregate lab score isn't up there with the best, but it's still quite good.

Ransomware protection:A ransomware attack can cause serious problems for your personal or business life, so you might expect Windows Defender to mount a defense. If you search the settings for "ransomware," you won't find it, but the "Controlled folder access" feature does the job. Like many competitors, it simply prevents unauthorized programs from modifying protected folders, such as Documents and Pictures. Such authorization-based systems typically allow the encryption of dozens to thousands of files outside the protected folders, even when the system is otherwise successful. Indeed, that's what happened with Defender in every case but one. Yes, one of my real-world samples totally evaded Windows Defender, encrypting tens of thousands of files and displaying its ransom note.

Features beyond antivirus: As noted, Microsoft Defender only activates on PCs without an active third-party antivirus. In addition to the expected antivirus and related components, it configures the built-in Windows Firewall. It also provides access to Microsoft's built-in parental control system. Beyond that, there's not a lot. This makes sense, given that Microsoft Defender is the last line of defense.

Who It's For

Laid-back users: Hey, you! The one who's falling asleep reading this article. The one who doesn't care about antivirus software. This one's for you! To take advantage of its protection, you have to do exactly nothing. For the right person, that's an ideal solution.

Old-school enthusiasts: Even before Windows, Microsoft included antivirus software in its operating systems. You figure that's where the task belongs, handled by the OS, not by some third-party company.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: False

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: True

Best for Many Security Components

Avira Free Security

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Excellent lab test scores

• + Perfect scores against malicious and fraudulent websites

• + Many security components beyond antivirus

• + Includes VPN and password manager

• + Free

• - Excellent lab test scores

• - Perfect scores against malicious and fraudulent websites

• - Many security components beyond antivirus

• - Includes VPN and password manager

• - Free

Like Avast One Basic, Avira Free Security is a free version of a full security suite. All the features are visible, but many are locked away. It didn't shine in the latest collection of lab tests, but in our hands-on testing, its handling of malicious and fraudulent websites proved stellar. Avira scans for apps that are vulnerable due to missing security patches, but leaves it up to you to fix any issues it finds. Other features include a simple password manager, a shopping deal finder, active ad-tracking prevention, a bandwidth-limited VPN, and a comprehensive privacy settings checker.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: Detecting and removing malware infestations is important, but keeping attacks from reaching the PC is just as essential. I test each antivirus app's ability to detect fraudulent and malicious URLs and to block them in the browser. In both my anti-phishing test and my malicious URL blocking test, Avira achieved a perfect 100%. As for my standard malware-blocking test, it detected 97% of the samples (a sample set from earlier than the one used in my tests of AVG and Avast). The imperfect blocking of detected threats lowered its overall score to 9.3, which is still a respectable result.

Independent lab test scores: Two of the five independent testing labs that I follow included Avira in their latest grueling tests. It usually earns a perfect score from AV-Test, and it came close this time, earning 17.5 out of 18 possible points. It failed one of three tests by AV-Comparatives and only scored Standard certification in another. Its aggregate lab score is 7.2 out of 10, a dismal mark we hope is just a fluke.

Ransomware protection:Many features in Avira Free Security are visibly locked, indicating that you only gain access to them by upgrading to Avira Prime. Ransomware protection is one such. In testing, Avira's regular antivirus components successfully wiped out all my ransomware samples; however, there is no free-level protection available to supplement these components in the event of a zero-day ransomware attack.

VPN available: When you connect to the internet via an unknown Wi-Fi network, you risk a shady network owner (or a hacker sharing the network) intercepting your communications. Connecting through a VPN eliminates that problem, as your data is encrypted from your device to the VPN server. As a bonus, using a VPN masks your actual IP address and spoofs your physical location. Avira includes VPN protection integrated into the antivirus, as well as the ability to launch Avira's standalone Phantom VPN. Whichever you choose, you're limited. You can only use the server the VPN app selects for you, and your traffic is limited to 500MB per month . To remove those limits, you pay $78 per year, or, better yet, just upgrade to the decidedly not-free Avira Prime.

Features beyond antivirus: Like Avast's free app, Avira Free Security is a stripped-down version of a security suite, not just a free antivirus. It includes a secure browser, like what you get with Avast and AVG. It includes a system for blocking ad trackers but lacks a few features, such as bank mode. Its network inspector just warns if you connect to an insecure network; it doesn't report on all connected devices the way Avast does. You do get a simple password manager and a simple file shredder. Performance features abound—startup management, system tune-up, software updater, vulnerability scan, and more—but in almost every case, they're subject to limitations unless you upgrade to a commercial version.

Who It's For

Feature collectors: When you pay for an antivirus app, you look for one that goes beyond the basics. Even when the price is zero dollars, you still want to maximize your benefits. As a free, feature-limited security suite, Avira is just what you need.

People concerned with password management: You've learned the lesson that every secure website needs its own unique, strong password. You know you need a password manager. And you're ever so happy to find that your free antivirus bundles in a free password manager, so you don't have to seek one separately.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: True

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: True

Vulnerability Scan: True

Firewall: False

Best for Comprehensive Mac Protection

Avast One Free for Mac

Score: 4.0

Pros & Cons

• + Free

• + Perfect scores from antivirus labs

• + Excellent score on our phishing protection test

• + Includes security and privacy features

• + Speedy scan for malware

• - Free

• - Perfect scores from antivirus labs

• - Excellent score on our phishing protection test

• - Includes security and privacy features

• - Speedy scan for malware

We know Avast One Free for Mac does its job well because two independent labs rigorously tested it and gave it perfect scores. It also aced our hands-on phishing protection test with a 99% detection rate. It recognized and eliminated almost every one of our current Windows malware samples. But this app doesn't stop there. It includes a network inspector, ransomware protection, a data breach monitor, and more. With its latest update, this app switches from its previous light, airy, cartoonish user interface to something a bit more solid, but still featuring happy cartoon people.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: My hands-on testing for Mac antivirus apps is limited compared with my Windows testing, as I just don't have the same expertise and experience on the Mac. Still, I can manage some tests. Phishing is completely platform-agnostic. You can share your credentials on any device with a browser. And, like its Windows counterpart, Avast on the Mac scored 99% in my antiphishing test. It also earned an excellent score against Windows-centric malware, detecting and eliminating 97% of my samples. Yes, a Windows program can't infest a Mac, but getting rid of those files ensures they won't somehow migrate to one of your Windows boxes.

Independent lab test scores: I don't have the resources to torture-test Mac antivirus the way I do for Windows, so I'm always happy to reference test results from independent labs. Both labs that test macOS antivirus software include Avast as a subject. In their latest test reports, both gave it their highest possible score. You can't ask for better than that. In a separate lab test using Windows malware, Avast scored 100%, another win.

Ransomware protection:A ransomware attack encrypts your important documents and demands an untraceable cash payment to restore them. Antivirus software should quash such an attack, just as it does any other malware attack. However, with the latest shakeup in the Avast product line, there's no longer any ransomware component in the free edition, not even a limited version.

Features beyond antivirus: Like the free Windows version of Avast One, this Mac-specific app is a stripped-down security suite. It scans the dark web to check whether your email has been compromised in a breach and scans your email for malicious attachments and other threats. (Paying customers get ongoing dark web monitoring along with the option to scan webmail at the source.) Its network inspector lists all devices connected to your home network and flags any security issues. Upgrading to the commercial edition adds the option to get notified when a new device connects. While the free edition includes some performance tune-up features, many others are locked and require a paid upgrade. Still, you get quite a lot more than just a simple antivirus.

Who It's For

Score trackers: You can line up multiple free antivirus programs for your Mac, but how do you know which is the best? Hard evidence, that's how. Two independent testing labs put Avast through their torture tests, and it came out with a perfect score from both.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: False

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: False

Best for Basic Mac Protection

AVG AntiVirus for Mac

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Perfect scores from two antivirus testing labs

• + Excellent phishing detection

• + Clear, simple user interface

• + Free

• - Perfect scores from two antivirus testing labs

• - Excellent phishing detection

• - Clear, simple user interface

• - Free

AVG and Avast share the same antivirus engine, so it's not surprising that AVG AntiVirus for Mac scores just as high with the independent labs as Avast does. Both received perfect scores in the last reports from two labs, a feat few competitors can claim. And AVG aced our hands-on phishing-detection test with 100% accuracy. Where Avast wields doodles and dabs of color, AVG sticks to a simpler, familiar interface. It doesn't pile on features; it focuses on doing its core task well.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: My coding skills are all Windows-based, so I can't perform the same degree of hands-on testing for Mac antivirus products like this one. I do get some use out of my extensive collection of Windows malware because almost all Mac antivirus apps also claim to remove threats aimed at Windows (and sometimes Linux). AVG detected and quarantined 72% of the Windows malware samples, ensuring that those samples have zero chance of making their way across the network to a vulnerable Windows PC. As it did on Windows, AVG excelled in my phishing protection test, detecting every single fraudulent web page from a collection of hundreds of very recent samples.

Independent lab test scores: I follow five labs that put Windows antivirus utilities to the test, and two of them also examine antivirus apps for macOS. Both labs include AVG's Mac antivirus in their latest reports, and both give it a perfect score. Malware coded for the Windows platform can't run on a Mac, but the Mac could theoretically serve as a carrier, so AV-Comparatives runs a side test using Windows malware. AVG, like Avast, scored 100% in this test.

Ransomware protection:Any malware infestation is bad news, but ransomware is the worst. If a ransomware attack slips past your antivirus, you're hosed. Even if an update quickly eliminates the attack itself, your files remain encrypted. AVG's free Mac antivirus does include an icon for Ransomware Shield, but clicking it reveals that this feature requires an upgrade to the paid version. Free users don't get any ransomware-specific protection.

Features beyond antivirus: In analyzing these free antivirus apps, I checked off a list of almost 20 bonus security features. AVG Antivirus for Mac features exactly none of those extras. It focuses solely on antivirus essentials.

Who It's For

Laid-back users: Sure, you know you need antivirus protection even for your Macs, but you don't want to get involved. If you have basic protection, such as what AVG offers, you're likely satisfied. No need to worry about a flurry of additional features beyond defending against malware.

Score trackers: Any company can claim their free Mac antivirus is the best, but if they don't back up those claims with hard facts, they're just making noise. As it happens, AVG has the numbers. Of the two independent antivirus labs that have tested it recently, both gave it a perfect score.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: False

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: False

Best for Thrifty Mac Users

Avira Free Antivirus for Mac

Score: 3.5

Pros & Cons

• + Excellent scores from an independent testing lab

• + Perfect phishing protection score in our testing

• + Eliminated Windows malware in hands-on tests

• + Privacy and performance features

• + Free

• - Excellent scores from an independent testing lab

• - Perfect phishing protection score in our testing

• - Eliminated Windows malware in hands-on tests

• - Privacy and performance features

• - Free

Like its Windows counterpart, Avira Free Antivirus for Mac achieved 100% detection in our hands-on phishing protection test. Two independent labs considered it important enough to test, though it didn't reach a perfect score with either. Avira doesn't stop at foiling malware attacks. Its Browser Safety extension fends off fraudulent and malicious sites and also blocks ads. It features a VPN, a password manager, a system cleanup tool, and more. Do note that getting full access to some of these features requires a premium upgrade. For example, the system cleanup tool will find junk on your system for free, but automatic removal is reserved for paying customers.

Why We Picked It

Scores in hands-on tests: When comparing antivirus apps, having some hard numbers to work with is convenient. My main malware-blocking test gives me those numbers for Windows antivirus tools, but it doesn't carry over to macOS at all. I did find that Avira correctly identified and quarantined 73% of my Windows malware samples. Yes, those threats can't run on macOS at all, but wiping them out ensures they're gone from your network. And my phishing protection test, which challenges each antivirus with hundreds of real-world fraudulent websites, is independent of any specific operating system. Like its Windows cousin, Avira scored 100% in the anti-phishing test.

Independent lab test scores: Avira, AVG, and Avast all appear in the latest Mac antivirus test reports from both AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. AVG and Avast earned two perfect scores, but Avira is a different story. In a test by AV-Comparatives, it detected 99.3% of macOS-focused malware, while half of the competition reached 100%. AV-Test scored it just 3.5 out of 6 points in the essential malware protection category, for an overall score of 15.5, where most competitors earned a perfect 18 points.

Ransomware protection:Picture this. You go to work on your Great American Novel, but instead of opening to Chapter Two, it displays a ransom note. Your work is gone, unless you pony up untraceable cash for a ransom. Or worse—you've lost the entire payroll history for your business. Given the drastic results possible, many antivirus companies develop specialized protective layers solely to protect against ransomware. Not Avira. On both Windows and macOS, its free antivirus apps don't include additional defenses against ransomware.

VPN available: If a hacker tries to infiltrate a Trojan or bot into your Mac, your antivirus software should spring into action. But if that hacker aims at the data stream from your Mac to the internet, an antivirus won't help. You need a VPN to encrypt your web traffic and, as a bonus, hide your location from the sites you visit. Avira's Mac antivirus includes the free edition of Avira Phantom VPN, but its limitations are strict. As with most limited VPN apps, you can't choose a VPN server location; you just take what the app gives. More importantly, you're limited to 500MB of bandwidth per month. That's pretty stingy compared with Avast's 5GB per week. Still, it may be sufficient.

Features beyond antivirus: This app's main window breaks down its functionality into Security, Privacy, and Performance. You get all the antivirus features under Security at no charge, but many features in the other two categories require an upgrade to be fully functional. Even free users get full access to the simple password manager, but the less valuable Cookie Cleaner is premium-only. Similarly, under performance, the Junk Cleaner is free, but the uninstaller and startup manager components are not.

Who It's For

Password maven: It's all very well to keep malicious software out of your Mac, but you're thoroughly aware of other dangers, like using easily guessed passwords. Having a full-scale password manager built right into your free antivirus? That's an occasion for a happy dance.

Specs & Configurations

On-Demand Malware Scan: True

On-Access Malware Scan: True

Website Rating: False

Malicious URL Blocking: True

Phishing Protection: True

Behavior-Based Detection: False

Vulnerability Scan: False

Firewall: False

Free Antivirus vs. Paid Antivirus

If free antivirus tools are so good at protecting internet security, why should anybody pay? For one thing, many of these are free only for noncommercial use. If you have a business or a lot of computers to protect, you need to invest in the paid edition. You should probably consider upgrading to a full security suite at that point. After all, it's your business's security on the line.

Even for personal use, most paid antivirus tools offer more than their free counterparts—sometimes a lot more. For example, ZoneAlarm's paid edition protects against malicious and fraudulent websites, which the free version does not. Panda reserves several features for paying customers, including firewall protection, application control, cross-platform support, and detection of insecure Wi-Fi connections.

Additionally, many companies don't offer comprehensive tech support for users of their free editions. The first time you need extra help digging a particularly stubborn malware out of your system, you might regret the lack of support.

Which Free Antivirus Has the Best Lab Scores?

Around the world, researchers at independent antivirus testing labs spend their days testing antivirus tools. Some of these labs regularly release public reports on their findings. We follow Windows antivirus test results from five labs: AV-Comparatives , AVLab Cybersecurity Foundation , MRG-Effitas , SE Labs , and AV-Test Institute . AV-Test and AV-Comparatives also test Mac-specific antivirus apps.

Security companies typically pay to be included in testing. In return, the labs supply detailed reports that can help improve their antiviruses. The number of labs that include a particular vendor indicates significance. In each case, the lab considered the program important enough to test, and the vendor believed the price was worth it. The labs don't necessarily test a vendor's free edition, but most vendors pack full protection into the free offering, adding premium features to the premium versions.

The Best Free Malware Protection

In addition to carefully perusing results from the independent labs, we also run our own hands-on malware protection tests. We expose each antivirus to a collection of malware samples from various types and note its response. Typically, the antivirus will eliminate most samples on sight and detect the remaining ones when we attempt to launch them. Based on how thoroughly the antivirus protects the test system against these samples, we assign a malware-blocking score of 0 to 10 points.

Since we use the same samples month after month, the malware-blocking test doesn't measure an antivirus tool's ability to detect brand-new threats. In a separate test, we attempt to download malware from a collection of malicious URLs supplied by the London-based testing lab MRG-Effitas, which are typically no more than a few days old. We note whether the antivirus blocked all access to the URL, removed the malicious payload during download, or took no action. Once we have approximately 100 valid samples, we calculate a score.

If you're interested in learning more about our testing techniques, you're welcome to read more about how we test security software .

What Else Can Free Antivirus Do?

Almost every antivirus scans files on access to prevent malware from launching, and also scans the entire system on demand or on a schedule you set. Once cleaning and scheduling are complete, blocking all access to malware-hosting URLs is another effective way to prevent trouble. Many extend that protection to steer users away from phishing sites, which are fraudulent websites that attempt to steal login credentials for financial and other sensitive sites. A few rate links in search results, flagging any dangerous or iffy ones.

Behavior-based detection, a feature of some antiviruses, is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it can detect viruses that have never been seen before. On the other hand, if it's not done right, it can baffle the user with messages about perfectly legitimate programs.

Any antivirus software should eliminate spyware and other types of malware, but some also include features specifically designed for spyware protection . Features like encryption to protect sensitive data and webcam control to prevent remote spying are available in commercial editions, not free ones. However, some free editions include features such as a secure deletion file shredder or a password manager.

Installing all security updates for Windows, your web browsers, and other popular applications is one easy way to keep your PC protected. Windows 11 makes it easier than ever to stay up to date, but there are still numerous security holes in older Windows versions, popular apps, and add-ons. Scanning for vulnerabilities by checking for missing updates is a feature most often found in commercial antivirus tools, but it can also be found in some free ones. In the list below, you can see which programs include these useful features.

Editors' Note: Given that the US government has banned new sales of Kaspersky security products, we  no longer recommend  them.

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