Best Microsoft Defender Antivirus Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 platforms from antivirus software ranked against Microsoft Defender Antivirus on the same published basis.
- 1Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs ClamAV
- 2Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Bitdefender Total Security
- 3Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
- 4Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Kaspersky Antivirus
- 5Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Avast One
- 6Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Norton 360
- 7Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Malwarebytes Premium
- 8Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs F-Secure Total
- 10Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Avira Free Security
- 11Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Comodo Internet Security
- 12Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs ESET HOME Security
- 13Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Avast Free Antivirus
- 14Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Avira Free Antivirus
- 15Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
- 16Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Kaspersky Plus Internet Security
- 17Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs AVG Internet Security
- 18Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs ESET Small Business Security
- 19Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Windows Security
- 20Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs Avira Prime
- 21Microsoft Defender Antivirus vs IObit Malware Fighter
Microsoft Defender Antivirus alternatives compared
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ClamAV | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows |
| 2 | Bitdefender Total Security | 7.1 | No | $5/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 3 | Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | 6.9 | No | $2.08/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 4 | Kaspersky Antivirus | 6.8 | No | $4.58/mo | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | Avast One | 6.8 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | Norton 360 | 6.8 | No | $7.92/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 7 | Malwarebytes Premium | 6.8 | No | — | Android, Browser, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 8 | F-Secure Total | 6.8 | No | $5.83/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 10 | Avira Free Security | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 11 | Comodo Internet Security | 6.8 | Free plan | — | Windows |
| 12 | ESET HOME Security | 6.7 | No | — | Android, Mac, Windows |
| 13 | Avast Free Antivirus | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 14 | Avira Free Antivirus | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 15 | Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security | 6.6 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 16 | Kaspersky Plus Internet Security | 6.6 | No | — | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 17 | AVG Internet Security | 6.6 | No | $4.99/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 18 | ESET Small Business Security | 6.5 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 19 | Windows Security | 6.5 | No | — | Windows |
| 20 | Avira Prime | 6.5 | No | $9.17/mo | Android, Browser, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 21 | IObit Malware Fighter | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
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Questions about Microsoft Defender Antivirus alternatives
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Defender Antivirus?
ClamAV, number 1 in antivirus software with a score of 7.9 out of 10. The others here: Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Kaspersky Antivirus and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Defender Antivirus?
ClamAV is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 6 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it.