8 Best Free Antivirus Software of 2026

This list is for home users who want free malware protection and want to know what a paid upgrade actually adds. We compared documented features and published prices on each vendor's US site in November 2026. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Every product here has a permanent free version; the starting price shown is the cheapest paid upgrade from the same vendor, converted to a monthly figure from the yearly bill. Two vendors did not show USD prices from our location and are marked pending.

1. 01Top value

   

   Avast Free Antivirus

   8.9/10

   Free antivirus inside the Avast One app with file, behavior and web scanning plus an AI scam assistant.

   Price

   $4.09per month, billed yearly at $49.08 for 2 devices (first year)

   Free Antivirus at no cost; Premium Security $49.08 first year for 1 PC and 1 mobile device, renews at $77.99 a year

   “Premium Security Save 37% $77.99 $49.08/first yr” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.5

   Best forhome users with a mix of PCs, Macs and phones

   Avast Free Antivirus is now part of the Avast One app and is the most complete free tier in this list. On Windows it combines File Shield, which scans files as they are added or opened, Behavior Shield, which flags apps that start acting suspiciously, Smart Scan for hidden vulnerabilities and a quarantine that isolates risky files and sends them to Avast Threat Labs. Web Guard blocks scam websites, phishing links in emails and malicious downloads, and the Avast Assistant gives AI-based guidance when you paste in a suspicious message or offer. Free apps are also offered for Mac, Android and iPhone/iPad, which matters for households that do not run only Windows. The upgrade path is clear: Premium Security is $49.08 for the first year on 1 PC and 1 mobile device and renews at $77.99. The trade-off is that the free app is also a sales channel for Avast's paid tiers and separate privacy products.

   • ✓Free tier runs on four platforms from one vendor
   • ✓Quarantine sends suspicious files to Avast Threat Labs for analysis
   • ✓Renewal price for Premium Security is printed on the store page

   • ✕Premium Security renews at $77.99, up from $49.08 in year one
   • ✕Privacy tools such as Premium VPN and AntiTrack are separate purchases
   • ✕Free app promotes paid Avast One tiers

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

   Cheapest upgrade:

   Premium Security, $49.08 first year

   Renewal:

   $77.99 a year

   Upgrade coverage:

   1 PC and 1 mobile device

   Bottom line: Avast Free Antivirus is the best choice for mixed-device homes because one free app covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS with real-time file and web scanning. Upgrade only if you want Premium Security at $49.08 for the first year.

   Visit avast.com ↗

2. 02

   

   Bitdefender Antivirus Free

   8.8/10

   Free real-time antivirus for Windows that alerts only when necessary.

   Price

   $2.50per month, billed yearly at $29.99 for 3 devices (first year)

   Antivirus Free at no cost; Antivirus Plus Multiplatform $29.99 first year for 3 devices; renewal may be higher

   “avpm/3/1 (Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Multiplatform) USD 29.99” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.3

   Features (35%)

   8.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.2

   Best forWindows users who want a quiet scanner

   Bitdefender Antivirus Free is built to stay out of the way. Bitdefender says it learns the PC's normal activity and isolates suspicious changes in real time, covering ransomware, infected downloads, phishing, zero-day exploits, rootkits, trojans and malicious websites. It alerts only when necessary, has customizable scans, and its Advanced Threat Defense view explains where a blocked threat came from. Setup needs a Bitdefender Central account but no credit card, and there is no time limit. The limits are spelled out in Bitdefender's own comparison: the free version is Windows only, has basic ransomware protection, and lacks anti-tracking, social network protection, the full-system check for outdated software and the modes that pause alerts while you work or play. Antivirus Plus adds all of that plus Windows, iOS, Android and macOS coverage, and Antivirus Plus Multiplatform costs $29.99 for 3 devices in the first year, the lowest verified upgrade price in this list.

   • ✓Cheapest verified upgrade here at $29.99 for 3 devices in year one
   • ✓No time limit on the free version
   • ✓Upgrade adds macOS, iOS and Android coverage

   • ✕Free version is Windows only
   • ✕Free tier has only basic ransomware protection and no anti-tracking
   • ✕Renewal price for the upgrade is not printed on the page

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows only

   Cheapest upgrade:

   Antivirus Plus Multiplatform, $29.99 first year

   Upgrade coverage:

   3 devices

   Money-back guarantee:

   30 days on Antivirus Plus

   Bottom line: Bitdefender Antivirus Free is the best choice for a single Windows PC because it scans in real time without nagging. Its upgrade, $29.99 for 3 devices in year one, is the cheapest verified paid step here.

   Visit bitdefender.com ↗

3. 03

   

   AVG AntiVirus Free

   8.7/10

   Free multi-layered antivirus with ransomware, Wi-Fi and email password alerts.

   Price

   $4.99per month, billed yearly at $59.88 for 10 devices (first year)

   AntiVirus Free at no cost; AVG Ultimate $59.88 first year for 10 devices, regular price $149.99 a year

   “$149.99 $59.88 billed at once for the first year” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.9

   Features (35%)

   8.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forfamilies who want free Wi-Fi and password breach checks

   AVG AntiVirus Free shares its roots with Avast and offers a similar multi-layered engine, but its free extras lean toward home network and account safety. AVG lists real-time protection against viruses, infected emails and scam websites, blocking of risky files and strange software activity, automatic quarantine, ransomware protection, home Wi-Fi checks and alerts when a password linked to your email address is exposed. The Windows version runs on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 and 7 with 4 GB of RAM and 2 GB of disk space, and free apps exist for Mac, Android and iOS. The free license is limited to personal and family use. AVG's paid range includes Internet Security and AVG Ultimate, which bundles Internet Security, Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack for 10 devices at $59.88 for the first year, against a regular $149.99. That is a strong first-year price per device, but the regular price is steep.

   • ✓Ransomware and email password alerts are included free
   • ✓Supports Windows 11 down to Windows 7
   • ✓AVG Ultimate covers 10 devices in one plan

   • ✕Free license is for personal and family use only
   • ✕Ultimate's regular price is $149.99 a year after the discount
   • ✕Mac app is English only

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

   Cheapest verified upgrade:

   AVG Ultimate, $59.88 first year

   Upgrade coverage:

   10 devices

   PC requirements:

   4 GB RAM, 2 GB disk

   Bottom line: AVG AntiVirus Free is the best choice for families who want more than malware scanning because the free tier adds ransomware protection, Wi-Fi checks and email password breach alerts. AVG Ultimate covers 10 devices for $59.88 in the first year.

   Visit avg.com ↗

4. 04

   

   Microsoft Defender

   8.7/10

   Antivirus built into Windows Security, with a cross-platform Defender app for Microsoft 365 subscribers.

   Price

   $8.33per month, billed yearly at $99.99 (Microsoft 365 Personal)

   Microsoft Defender Antivirus is included in Windows; Microsoft 365 Personal $99.99 a year or $9.99 a month adds the Defender app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android

   “Microsoft 365 Personal $99.99 /year” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Free trial

   30 days

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.6

   Best forWindows users who want nothing extra to install

   Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the protection every Windows PC already has. Microsoft's support page describes the Windows Security app as combining Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall and Smart App Control, with continuous scanning and real-time action on threats, and notes that it is built into Windows so the device is protected from start-up. There is nothing to install and no prompts to buy another product, which is why it scores highest for ease of use. The paid side works differently from the other vendors here: there is no security-only upgrade. Microsoft 365 Personal at $99.99 a year, or $9.99 a month, adds the Microsoft Defender app for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, a single dashboard for device security, and 30 days of alert history, along with the Office apps and 1 TB of storage. That is good value if you already want Microsoft 365, and poor value if you only want antivirus for a phone.

   • ✓Nothing to download on a Windows PC
   • ✓No upsell prompts inside Windows Security
   • ✓Paid upgrade also includes Microsoft 365 apps and 1 TB of cloud storage

   • ✕Free protection covers Windows only
   • ✕Cheapest paid upgrade is the most expensive here at $99.99 a year
   • ✕No standalone security-only plan

   Free version:

   Built into Windows

   Cheapest upgrade:

   Microsoft 365 Personal, $99.99 a year

   Monthly option:

   $9.99 a month

   Trial:

   1 month free on Microsoft 365

   Bottom line: Microsoft Defender is the best choice for Windows users who want no extra software because Defender Antivirus is built into Windows Security and runs in real time. Pay for Microsoft 365 only if you also want its apps and storage.

   Visit microsoft.com ↗

5. 05

   

   Avira Free Security

   8.6/10

   Free security bundle with antivirus, a 500 MB monthly VPN and a password manager.

   Price

   Free plan

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   8.7

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.3

   Best forusers who want a free VPN and password manager alongside antivirus

   Avira Free Security bundles more than antivirus into its free tier. Alongside real-time protection, Avira includes Secure VPN with 500 MB of data per month, a password manager, hacked account detection and basic junk clean-up tools, and the Android app adds a VPN with 100 MB per day. The Mac version is built on Apple's current technology stack, and apps are offered for Windows and iOS as well. Avira Prime is the step up: on Avira's own comparison it moves the VPN to unlimited, adds full clean-up, a tracker remover, premium mobile apps, 5-device protection and VIP customer support on a yearly subscription. We could not verify Prime's USD price because the pricing page loads prices with scripts and did not show dollars from our location, so it is marked pending. Avira also warns that it no longer supports outdated Windows versions and recommends Windows 10 or 11.

   • ✓Free VPN and password manager in the same app
   • ✓Avira Antivirus Security for Android adds a 100 MB daily VPN
   • ✓Avira Prime covers 5 devices with unlimited VPN

   • ✕Free VPN is capped at 500 MB a month on desktop
   • ✕USD prices did not load from our location
   • ✕Avira warns that outdated Windows versions are no longer supported

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

   Free VPN:

   500 MB per month

   Paid tier:

   Avira Prime, 5 devices

   Prime adds:

   Unlimited VPN, full clean-up, VIP support

   Bottom line: Avira Free Security is the best choice for people who want a free VPN and password manager next to their antivirus, with 500 MB of VPN data a month. Check the Avira Prime price in your region before upgrading.

   Visit avira.com ↗

6. 06

   

   Panda Dome Free

   8.0/10

   Free antivirus for Windows and Android with a 150 MB daily VPN.

   Price

   Free plan

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   Yes

   Free trial

   30 days

   Value (40%)

   8.2

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.4

   Best forWindows and Android users who want a small free VPN allowance

   Panda Dome Free is a simple free antivirus for Windows and Android that Panda describes as install and forget, with automatic updates and no complicated settings. Its standout free extra is a VPN with 150 MB per day, which is enough for checking email or banking on public Wi-Fi but not for streaming. The paid ladder is clearly laid out on Panda's page: the next tiers add a firewall, secure shopping and browsing and Wi-Fi protection, then parental control, then encryption of confidential data, a password manager and cleanup, and the top tier adds Dark Web Monitor, an unlimited Premium VPN, an update manager and 24/7 premium support. Many of those extras, including the firewall and parental control, work only on Windows. Paid plans start with a free month and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Panda showed prices in Polish zloty from our location, so the USD price is pending.

   • ✓Daily VPN allowance is included free
   • ✓Paid plans start with 1 month free
   • ✓30-day money-back guarantee on paid plans

   • ✕No free version for Mac or iOS
   • ✕Firewall and parental control are Windows only, even on paid plans
   • ✕USD prices did not show from our location

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows and Android

   Free VPN:

   150 MB per day

   Paid tiers:

   Essential, Advanced, Complete, Premium

   Money-back guarantee:

   30 days

   Bottom line: Panda Dome Free is the best choice for Windows and Android users who want a free daily VPN allowance because it includes 150 MB per day. Mac and iPhone users should look at Avast or Avira instead.

   Visit pandasecurity.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Comodo Internet Security

   7.9/10

   Free Windows security suite with antivirus, firewall and automatic sandboxing.

   Price

   $2.50per month, billed yearly at $29.99

   Free Internet Security at no cost; paid Comodo Antivirus $29.99 for a year; 3 licenses $39.99

   “No other Internet Security product or Antivirus solution packs the number of features found in Comodo Antivirus for $29.99, for a whole year of protection” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.4

   Features (35%)

   8.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   6.8

   Best forexperienced Windows users who want a free firewall and sandbox

   Comodo Internet Security takes a different approach from the other free tools here. Instead of relying only on detection, it runs unknown files in a sandbox with limited privileges, writing to a virtual file system and registry, while its Valkyrie system tests their behavior; files later found malicious are added to Comodo's signatures. The free version also includes a packet filtering firewall, host intrusion prevention, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit and bot protection, and Comodo says it is free for business users too. CIS Pro adds GeekBuddy, live chat with a Comodo support engineer. Comodo prices its paid antivirus at $29.99 for a year and 3 licenses at $39.99. The weak points are age and complexity: the product page lists compatibility with Windows 10, 8 and 7 without naming Windows 11, still compares itself with older suites, and a firewall plus sandbox produces decisions that less technical users may find confusing.

   • ✓Free version includes a two-way firewall
   • ✓Unknown programs run in a sandbox instead of on the real system
   • ✓Paid version is $29.99 a year, 3 licenses for $39.99

   • ✕Product page lists Windows 10, 8 and 7, with no mention of Windows 11
   • ✕Windows only
   • ✕Firewall and sandbox prompts suit experienced users more than beginners

   Free version:

   Yes, Windows

   Paid price:

   $29.99 a year

   3 licenses:

   $39.99

   Pro adds:

   GeekBuddy live support

   Bottom line: Comodo Internet Security is the best choice for experienced Windows users who want a free firewall because the free version adds a packet filtering firewall and automatic sandboxing. Confirm Windows 11 support before installing.

   Visit comodo.com ↗

8. 08

   

   Malwarebytes Free

   7.4/10

   Free on-demand scanner that finds and removes infections already on a device.

   Price

   $5per month, billed yearly at $59.99 for 3 devices

   Free scanner at no cost; Standard $59.99 a year for 3 devices; Plus with VPN $79.99; Standard Family $119.99 a year for 10 devices

   “Standard Device security Starts from $59.99/yr. Protects 3 devices” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   7.6

   Features (35%)

   6.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forcleaning up an infected PC as a second opinion

   Malwarebytes Free is a cleanup tool rather than a full free antivirus, and Malwarebytes says so plainly: free cleans up, Premium keeps threats out. The free scanner finds and removes infections already on a device, including viruses, ransomware, spyware and adware, which makes it a useful second opinion next to Microsoft Defender or another real-time product. Malwarebytes' own comparison lists real-time antivirus protection, ransomware protection, phishing and malicious site blocking, exploit protection, brute force attack prevention and uninstall protection as Premium only. The free Browser Guard extension adds some in-browser scam blocking. Premium Standard starts at $59.99 a year for 3 devices, Plus with VPN at $79.99, and Standard Family at $119.99 for 10 devices, with 24/7 human support and a 60-day money-back guarantee. It ranks last here because the free version alone does not stop threats before they run.

   • ✓Runs alongside another antivirus as a second scanner
   • ✓Premium has a 60-day money-back guarantee
   • ✓Family plan covers 10 devices for $119.99 a year

   • ✕Free version has no real-time protection
   • ✕No ransomware or phishing blocking without Premium
   • ✕Cheapest paid plan is $59.99 a year

   Free version:

   On-demand scanner only

   Cheapest upgrade:

   Standard, $59.99 a year

   Upgrade coverage:

   3 devices

   Money-back guarantee:

   60 days on Premium

   Bottom line: Malwarebytes Free is the best choice as a second-opinion cleanup scanner because it removes existing infections on demand. Do not rely on it alone, since real-time protection requires Premium at $59.99 a year.

   Visit malwarebytes.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.