For more information about these programs and answers to frequently asked questions, check out our complete article below!
The 5 Best Free Antivirus Programs in 2023
Below are our picks for the five best free antivirus scanners to use in 2023. We’ve listed these antivirus software packages in order, starting with the highest-quality, best free antivirus program first — Avast Free Antivirus. However, any of these providers will help keep your devices safe without charging you a subscription.
1. Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus has numerous useful features that’ll keep your computer free from viruses and other malware. In addition to antivirus scans and protection, you also get a network security inspector that helps you detect vulnerabilities in your home network. Other useful features include browser protection and security against dangerous URLs. These benefits are why we’ve decided to award Avast Free Antivirus the top spot in our best free antivirus list. Avast and its subsidiary, AVG, were caught selling customer data last year, causing a major privacy controversy for the company and its users. However, since this scandal came to light, Avast issued a public statement and canceled Jumpshot, the company it sold the data through. This, however, doesn’t mean that Avast no longer collects user data from its software; it just means that they no longer sell data to other companies. Avast Free Antivirus includes a password manager, which is a nice-to-have for a free virus scanner and not something we see too often. The reason this feature is listed as a con is that it has limited features and no master password protection. So, to be truly safe with your passwords, you might want to consider a stronger password manager instead. The other main limitation of this antivirus software is that a lot of the advanced features are only available with a paid account. The free version of this antivirus is also only available for personal use and can’t be used by businesses. That said, Avast Free Antivirus is the best personal antivirus around because of the range of basic features and protection offered. The included browser and URL protection is also an important addition to the free version of this antivirus. If you’re interested in the paid version of this antivirus, check out this link. You can also read our full review to learn more about Avast!
2. Sophos Home Free
Sophos Home Free is the best choice for you if you need to manage the antivirus protection for people who don’t live in the same home as you. Thanks to their remote management feature, you can install a local agent on the person’s computer and manage the settings from your primary account. Of course, you’re also getting excellent virus protection with Sophos Home Free. The downside to using Sophos Home Free is that their phishing protection isn’t as comprehensive as what you’ll find with the other options on this list. Also, their parent content filter doesn’t work well enough to rely on. Lastly, if you want to manage more than three remote installations you’ll have to upgrade your account. The lackluster parental content filter and low phishing protection score are why we’ve put this scanner in the second position on our list of the best free antivirus options. Sophos Home Free is the best option if you’re interested in providing remote antivirus protection management to other computers. If you live in a house with more than one computer, this is a great choice because you can manage up to three computers with a free account. To download the paid version of this antivirus, click this link.
3. AVG AntiVirus Free
AVG AntiVirus Free is a comprehensive antivirus program that will protect your computer against any threats that it might come across while you’re online. Some of the notable benefits of using AVG AntiVirus Free are its above-average security rating, excellent malware protection, and amazing phishing protection. You should be aware that as a subsidiary of Avast, AVG was also involved in the scandal involving customer data being sold to companies. This practice of selling data was stopped last year when the company shut down Jumpstart, the name of the business they were selling the information through. However, this doesn’t mean that Avast no longer collects the data they receive through their software. One of the limitations of this antivirus program is the fact that the initial scan takes longer than average to complete. AVG AntiVirus Free is the best option for Windows users. It’s excellent security ratings, above-average phishing protection, and unmatched malware protection make it perfect for anyone who uses Windows as the operating system on their PC. If you’re interested in the paid subscription for this antivirus, you can subscribe here. To learn what you can expect from this antivirus, check out our extensive review.
4. Avira Free Security
Avira is a strong contender for best free antivirus, especially as it protects you against ransomware, a particularly nasty variant of malware. From testing and user reports, Avira’s software is also good at avoiding false positives – that is, it won’t send you into a panic when you don’t actually have a virus. It’s also not too hard on your computer, so it shouldn’t slow down other processes when running routine scans. In addition to virus protection, you’ll also be safeguarded against spyware, phishing attacks, and more. What’s more, a built-in heuristic engine is capable of picking up on viruses that the software hasn’t seen before. This is impressive for a free antivirus, as the best features are typically locked behind a paywall. Which brings us onto one of the main drawbacks of Avira, though it’s a complaint shared with most free software. For access to features like email attachment protection and individual file scanning, you’d need to upgrade to a paid version. The free version is also supported by advertisements, which is a little disappointing, as that’s not the case with many other free antivirus. These points aside, Avira’s free service is still excellent and will help to keep your devices secure. At the time of writing, it’s available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks! If you’re interested in the paid version, click here. There are other antivirus software programs with built-in VPN functionality too.
5. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
Kaspersky Security Cloud Free provides you with complete ransomware protection and great phishing protection. This includes a strong malware-blocking solution for your device with this free antivirus program. What’s more, the interface is easy to navigate, and a scan scheduling feature makes protecting your device easier than ever. The limitations of Kaspersky Security Cloud Free come in the form of no tech support for the free version and limited protection for the iOS version of the antivirus when compared to the Android application. The initial start-up scan also takes longer than average to complete. The iOS shortcoming is why we’ve listed this virus scanner as number five in our list. We recommend Kaspersky for your Android devices because the program’s app has an intuitive interface that’s easy to understand and use. Also, the protection the antivirus offers Android devices should cover your needs when it comes to keeping your phone or tablet running smoothly. If you’d like to purchase the paid version of this antivirus software, check out this page. You can also read our full review of the program if you’d like more information.
Why Antivirus Programs are Important
Antivirus software protects your device from potentially dangerous programs and files that can make their way onto your computer or phone while browsing online. Some of the things a good antivirus program will protect you from include viruses and malware such as Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware, and adware. A reliable antivirus program will also safeguard your personal data against identity theft. This is especially important if you store personal information such as banking details or address data on your device. Some of the possible consequences of not using reliable antivirus software include dealing with annoying pop-ups and error messages, having your files or device taken hostage, and potentially having your money taken from your online accounts. Another reason that antivirus scanners are so important is that they help to extend the lifespan of your device. By protecting your computer, smartphone, or tablet from viruses and malware, the antivirus program is ensuring that your device will operate properly for a longer period of time than if it wasn’t protected.
Is it Safe to Use a Free Antivirus Program?
Using free antivirus software to protect your computer can be risky if you aren’t familiar with the company behind the antivirus. In fact, the biggest risk is when you use a product that looks like an antivirus program, but it’s actually malware in disguise that’s been created to steal your personal information. That’s why it’s important to download your antivirus software from the official website of a reputable company. The other potential issue with some free antivirus programs is that they will sometimes sell your user data to advertisers and third-party companies. Even some of the most reputable companies have been caught selling their users’ data (like Avast), which is why reading reviews and doing your research is so important. The top 5 free antivirus programs you’ve read about in this list are all options that we trust and recommend to you to try for yourself.
Paid vs Free Antivirus Programs
In most cases, the biggest difference between paid and free antivirus scanners is the features that you have available to make the program more effective or convenient. This is especially true when you’re considering a free version of an otherwise paid antivirus program. Some of the most common features that are only available to paid accounts are:
Extra layers of anti-ransomware protection Additional web protection Parental controls No advertising Level of support
When it comes to choosing between paid and free options, you need to think about your budget and what features you actually need. While paid antivirus programs are important for a lot of people because they need those extra services, you may be okay with a free version of the program on your device. To see which antivirus software options we picked as the best, check out this link.
How We Picked the Best Antivirus Programs
When it came to picking the best free antivirus software we looked at a number of different factors. These included the following:
How well the free program did when it came to blocking threats How easy the software was to navigate and run for new users The number of useful features included with the free version How the antivirus software deals with privacy and safety
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping your device safe while browsing the internet and downloading files doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. The programs we’ve outlined in this guide are designed to protect your computer from malware and other dangerous and unwanted attacks. As a result, any of the options we’ve reviewed are perfect for keeping you protected while you’re online. If you’re interested in the paid version of this plugin, visit the download page. If you’d like to learn more about what you can expect with this antivirus, check out our full review. Read our complete review of this antivirus to learn what you can expect. If you’d like to know more about the paid version of AVG Antivirus, read our full AVG Antivirus review here.
