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Best Free Antivirus Software of 2026

Avast One Free is the best free antivirus for most people, according to both PCMag and Tom’s Guide. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is the no-frills option, and Microsoft Defender is already built into Windows.

By PickedTech Editorial TeamLast updated Prices & specs checked Oct 2026

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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

Avast One Free is the best free antivirus for most people, according to both PCMag and Tom’s Guide. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is the no-frills option, and Microsoft Defender is already built into Windows. Best overall: Avast One, free tier. Best no-frills: Bitdefender Antivirus Free, free tier. Best extras: AVG AntiVirus Free, free tier. Already installed: Microsoft Defender Antivirus, free tier.

Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Oct 2026)
PickProductBest forPrice
Best overallAvast Onemost peopleFree
Best no-frillsBitdefender Antivirus Freeset-and-forget protectionFree
Best extrasAVG AntiVirus FreeextrasFree
Already installedMicrosoft Defender AntivirusWindows users who want nothing extraFree (built in)

This list draws on PCMag’s[1] free antivirus testing (updated July 2026) and Tom’s Guide’s[2] antivirus guide, checked October 2026. If you want more devices, phone support or extras, see best antivirus and Norton vs Bitdefender.

Which should you buy? Our quick picks

Best overall
Avast One
PCMag Editors’ Choice
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Windows
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Firewall and tune-up scan
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Built into Windows
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How do they compare?

Free antivirus picks (PCMag; July 2026)
AntivirusPCMag pickPlatformsBiggest drawbackBest for
Avast One FreeBest comprehensive free antivirusWindows, macOS, Android, iOSLimited on iOS; no advanced firewallMost people
Bitdefender Antivirus FreeBest no-frillsWindowsPoor hands-on malware scoreSet-and-forget protection
AVG AntiVirus FreeBest for bonus featuresWindows, MacPerformance fixes need an upgradeExtras
Microsoft DefenderBest for Windows die-hardsBuilt into WindowsPoor phishing score; failed ransomware testWindows users who want nothing extra
Avira Free SecurityBest for many componentsWindows, MacUnimpressive lab scoresA free VPN and password manager

The picks in detail

Best overall

1. Avast One

Best for: most people

PCMag’s[1] Editors’ Choice has excellent lab scores, a near-perfect phishing score and free apps for Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, plus privacy and performance features. Protection is limited on iOS, and there’s no advanced firewall. Tom’s Guide[2] also names it the best free antivirus.

Pricing (Oct 2026): Free Source

Pros

  • Excellent lab scores
  • Near-perfect phishing protection
  • Free on all four platforms

Cons

  • Limited on iOS
  • No advanced firewall
Check Avast One pricing (opens in a new tab)
Best no-frills

2. Bitdefender Antivirus Free

Best for: set-and-forget protection

Bitdefender’s free Windows app uses the same core engine as its paid suites, earned excellent lab scores and had unusually effective ransomware defense in PCMag’s[1] testing. It includes a limited VPN. It scored poorly in PCMag’s hands-on malware test.

Pricing (Oct 2026): Free Source

Pros

  • Same engine as paid Bitdefender
  • Strong ransomware defense

Cons

  • Poor hands-on malware score
  • Full VPN costs extra
Check Bitdefender Antivirus Free pricing (opens in a new tab)
Best extras

3. AVG AntiVirus Free

Best for: extras

AVG shares its engine with Avast and Norton, earned perfect scores from two labs, and adds a firewall and a tune-up scan. Fixing the performance problems it finds requires an upgrade.

Pricing (Oct 2026): Free Source

Pros

  • Perfect scores from two labs
  • Firewall included

Cons

  • Tune-up fixes need the paid version
Check AVG AntiVirus Free pricing (opens in a new tab)
Already installed

4. Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Best for: Windows users who want nothing extra

Defender is built into Windows and earned very good lab scores. PCMag[1] found a poor phishing score, ransomware protection that failed its test, a slow first scan, and SmartScreen protection only in Microsoft browsers.

Pricing (Oct 2026): Free (built in) Source

Pros

  • Already installed
  • Very good lab scores

Cons

  • Poor phishing protection
  • Failed PCMag’s ransomware test
Check Microsoft Defender Antivirus pricing (opens in a new tab)
Best for a free VPN and password manager

5. Avira Free Security

Best for: a free VPN and password manager

Avira scored perfectly in PCMag’s[1] phishing test and bundles a VPN and password manager, but its lab scores were unimpressive and the VPN has a bandwidth limit.

Pricing (Oct 2026): Free Source

Pros

  • Perfect phishing score
  • Includes a VPN and password manager

Cons

  • Unimpressive lab scores
  • VPN data limit
Check Avira Free Security pricing (opens in a new tab)

Also considered

Mac users: PCMag’s[1] free Mac picks are Avast One Free for Mac, AVG AntiVirus for Mac and Avira Free Antivirus for Mac.

Free vs paid antivirus

Free antivirus covers the basics. Paid suites add more devices, support, VPNs and identity tools. See best antivirus, and pair any antivirus with a password manager from our guide.

Is Microsoft Defender enough?

Defender earned very good lab scores, but PCMag[1] found weak phishing and ransomware protection. A free third-party option like Avast One adds stronger phishing protection.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free antivirus?
Avast One Free, according to both PCMag[1] and Tom’s Guide[2].
Is Microsoft Defender good enough?
It has very good lab scores, but PCMag[1] found poor phishing protection and a failed ransomware test.
Is there a free antivirus for Mac?
Yes. PCMag[1] recommends Avast One Free for Mac, AVG AntiVirus for Mac and Avira Free Antivirus for Mac.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. PCMag: The best free antivirus (July 2026) (pcmag.com)
  2. Tom’s Guide: The best antivirus software (2026) (tomsguide.com)
comparison

McAfee+ Premium vs Norton 360 Deluxe

Both cost $49.99 for the first year in Tom’s Guide’s deals and scored 6/6 at AV-Test. McAfee+ Premium covers unlimited devices; Norton 360 Deluxe covers five but is Tom’s Guide’s best antivirus overall.

best of

Best Antivirus Software of 2026

Norton 360 Deluxe is the best antivirus for most people at $49.99 for the first year. Avast One is the best free option, and Bitdefender is a strong alternative.

comparison

Norton 360 Deluxe vs Bitdefender Total Security

Tom’s Guide ranks Norton 360 Deluxe its best antivirus overall: it covers five devices plus 50GB of cloud backup and had the lighter system impact in AV-Comparatives testing. Bitdefender Total Security is close behind and slows games less during a full scan.

best of

Best Password Managers of 2026

1Password is the best password manager for most people. Bitwarden is the best free and cheapest paid option, and Proton Pass has the best free plan with email aliases.

best of

Best VPN

NordVPN is the best all-rounder. Surfshark is the value pick with unlimited devices, and Proton VPN is the privacy pick with a real free plan.