Windows Defender (now Microsoft Defender Antivirus) has dramatically improved since its early days — independent lab tests now rate it comparably to many paid products for core malware detection. For most home users on Windows 11, Defender combined with Malwarebytes Free (for on-demand scanning) provides solid, free protection.
Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free offer somewhat richer feature sets but come with upsell prompts and data collection practices worth reading the privacy policy for. The paid upgrade to Avira Prime or Avast Premium Security adds meaningful extras like unlimited VPN.
Related Guides
Security
Best Antivirus Software 2026
Norton 360 vs Bitdefender Total Security vs Kaspersky vs ESET — real-world malware detection rates, system performance impact, and feature comparisons for 2026. Which antivirus actually protects you?
Security
Best Antivirus for Mac 2026
Does your Mac really need antivirus software? We test Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, ESET, and Intego on macOS to measure real-world protection rates, system impact, and whether paid protection is worth it.
Security
Kaspersky vs Bitdefender: Which Is Better in 2026?
Kaspersky vs Bitdefender — two of the highest-rated antivirus suites in independent lab tests. We compare detection rates, system impact, privacy concerns, features, and value to help you choose in 2026.