Serious Discussion Best Free Antivirus in 2026 – Windows Defender, Avast, or Something Else?

[Bot]

It's November 11, 2025, and for Windows home users on a budget, free AV is more crucial than ever with AI-phishing up 442% (IRONSCALES Q3 2025) and ransomware recovery costs averaging $1.5M (Sophos 2025). Microsoft Defender is the silent default, but third-party free tools bring web shields, extras, or on-demand cleanup.

Note: True "antivirus" means real-time protection; on-demand scanners like Malwarebytes, TotalAV Free, or AdwCleaner are great boosters but not full AVs – pair them with Defender for layered defense. ClamWin is open-source but lacks real-time, so it's niche.

Here’s the most up-to-date breakdown using AV-Test (Aug 2025), AV-Comparatives (Sept 2025), SE Labs (Q3 2025), PCMag (Sept 2025), and TechRadar (Nov 2025) — all tested on Windows 11 24H2. All are lightweight (<150MB RAM idle), with <2% CPU on scans.

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Microsoft Defender​

• Labs: 100% online protection (AV-C Sept), perfect 6/6 in AV-Test Aug (0-day & prevalent), 2 false positives, 6/6 performance.
• Features: Cloud AI, SmartScreen, auto-updates, basic ransomware
• Impact: ~80MB RAM, <1% CPU during scans
• Pros: Zero install, no upsells, seamless with Windows
• Cons: No browser extension, no password manager, no rollback
• Best for: Clean, silent, “set-and-forget” users

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Avast One Basic / AVG Antivirus Free (shared engine)​

• Labs: 100% AV-C Sept, 6/6 AV-Test Aug, 99.9% phishing block (SE Labs).
• Features: Email shield, web shield, software updater, basic ransomware, game mode
• Impact: ~120MB RAM, 5–7 min full scan
• Pros: Strong web/phishing protection, low false positives (1–2)
• Cons: Mild upsells, no VPN in free
• Best for: Heavy browsers, streaming, families

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Bitdefender Antivirus Free​

• Labs: 100% AV-Test Aug, Advanced+ AV-C Sept (99.97% online), 0 false positives.
• Features: Real-time cloud scanning, anti-phishing, behavioral detection
• Impact: <100MB RAM, silent mode
• Pros: Top zero-day blocking, no ads
• Cons: Windows-only real-time, no extras
• Best for: Lightweight, high-detection, no-nonsense

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Avira Free Security​

• Labs: 100% AV-Test Aug, 99.96% AV-C, 99.8% phishing.
• Features: 500MB/month VPN, password manager, ad/tracker blocker, software updater
• Impact: ~110MB RAM
• Pros: Only free with real VPN + PW manager
• Cons: 28 false positives (AV-C), McAfee upsells, data sharing (opt-out in settings)
• Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want extras

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Kaspersky Security Cloud Free​

• Labs: 100% AV-C April/Sept, 6/6 AV-Test April/Aug, 0 false positives, 100% SE Labs Q3.
• Features: Cloud-assisted, exploit blocker, basic web/email scan
• Impact: ~80MB RAM, minimal UI
• Pros: Best-in-class exploit/ransomware block
• Cons: US sales ban (June 2024), limited availability in some regions
• Best for: Max detection, privacy-focused (where available)

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Panda Free Antivirus​

• Labs: 99.8% AV-Test Aug, Approved AV-C Sept (99.5% online), low false positives; mixed hands-on (100% PCMag 2025 malware block, but no recent SE Labs).
• Features: Real-time scanning, USB protection, rescue kit, limited VPN (150MB/day), dark web scanner, gaming mode
• Impact: ~100MB RAM, cloud-based for speed (~2% CPU full scans)
• Pros: Unique extras like rescue kit & USB vaccinator, no ads
• Cons: No phishing/web shield, occasional upsells, inconsistent ransomware (no full protection)
• Best for: USB-heavy users, basic setups with recovery tools

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Sophos Home Free​

• Labs: 100% PCMag hands-on 2025, no recent AV-Test/AV-C.
• Features: Cloud dashboard, web filter, remote management (up to 3 devices)
• Impact: ~100MB RAM
• Pros: Family remote control, no ads
• Cons: Fewer lab scores, basic extras
• Best for: Multi-PC homes, parents

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ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus​

• Labs: 99.5% AV-Test July-Aug, Standard AV-C Sept, moderate phishing block.
• Features: Real-time AV + two-way firewall, OS firewall enhancement
• Impact: ~90MB RAM
• Pros: Strong firewall for network protection
• Cons: Dated UI, some false positives (5-10)
• Best for: Firewall-focused users, basic real-time

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Comodo Free Antivirus​

• Labs: 99.5% AV-Test July-Aug, Standard AV-C Sept (99.5% online), moderate hands-on for containment; mixed reviews (PCMag notes solid zero-day but no recent SE Labs).
• Features: Real-time scanning, sandbox for unknown files, behavior analysis, cloud-based updates, basic firewall
• Impact: ~90MB RAM, ~1-2% CPU scans
• Pros: Strong sandboxing for risky downloads, free real-time protection, no major upsells
• Cons: Dated UI, higher false positives (5-10), inconsistent updates, not as feature-rich as rivals
• Best for: Tech-savvy users wanting containment & basic real-time (1 device)

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Quick Overview (Windows Home Users)​

Need	Best Free Pick
Zero hassle	Defender
Web/phishing shield	Avast / AVG
Max detection	Bitdefender or Kaspersky
VPN + PW manager	Avira
Family control	Sophos
USB/Network focus	Panda or ZoneAlarm
Sandbox/containment	Comodo Free Antivirus
Lightweight booster	Malwarebytes or TotalAV
Adware zapper	AdwCleaner
Open-source basics	ClamWin

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Windows home users in 2025: Defender enough, or free third-party for shields/updates? Must-have: Phishing block? Multi-device? Share setups! (Win 11 24H2, 16GB, kids online?)

 

[rashmi]

COMODO... is the rare gem that proves you can have it all forever—beauty, brains, and a body—putting updates and upgrades out of business!

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

MD only because it is preinstalled.
If no antivirus software were installed, I would leave no AV.
I just need a real-time Anti-Exploit.

 

[Nunzio_77]

These are my opinions:

Sophos no longer has a free version. It's only free for 30 days.
Kaspersky no longer has a free version. It's only free for 30 days.
Panda Free has no web protection and weak behavioral protection.
Avast/AVG offers excellent protection, signatures are always up-to-date, but it's a shame about some invasive ads.
Comodo AV has no web protection and its signature detection rate is very low compared to average.
Windows Defender is insufficient for protection, especially web protection and behavioral analysis.
Bitdefender Free offers excellent behavioral protection, excellent signatures, and complete basic protection. The only thing missing is advanced ransomware protection, however, with signatures and behavioral analysis, he manages to remedy this deficiency. Some complain about its heaviness, but in everyday use, in my opinion, it doesn't impact the system.
I don't consider the others among my options.

I voted for Bitdefender.

 

[TairikuOkami]

I don't consider the others among my options.

Indeed, the era of good free AVs is ending, like free firewalls did, because people just rely on Defender.

Bitdefender Free is definitely the winner, Avast/AVG offer everything, but they come at the cost, which might be too high.
Panda and 360 TSE are extremely light, great for gamers and sufficient when combined with a good DNS and default-deny.

 

[Sorrento]

As i don't use a free AV I can't really say but if I did it would be built in WD or Bitdefender?

 

[Nunzio_77]

As i don't use a free AV I can't really say but if I did it would be built in WD or Bitdefender?

I trust and recommend using Bitdefender Free, which is more comprehensive and reliable than Windows Defender in my opinion.
You install Bitdefender Free, make a few changes to the already well-defined default settings, and forget about it. It will start working silently and effectively, protecting your PC and your data. Free protection forever, professional, and without annoying pop-up ads.

 

[chetuyet.hp]

I trust and recommend using Bitdefender Free, which is more comprehensive and reliable than Windows Defender in my opinion.
You install Bitdefender Free, make a few changes to the already well-defined default settings, and forget about it. It will start working silently and effectively, protecting your PC and your data. Free protection forever, professional, and without annoying pop-up ads.

What do you change Bitdefender to better?

 

[Divergent]

I personally do not use windows anymore although I have friends that do and always ask me for advice, to check their systems and for help when they need. I have them all running nothing but Windows Defender, an ad blocker and a password manager. I taught them all good habits up to and including routinely backing up their important items, to verify anything they may want to download and that less is more when it comes to streamlining the system and keeping it fast and safe. They have all been running these systems like this the last couple years and they all have one thing in common, no infections. I check those machines periodically with my manual tools and a few on demands. I keep a flash drive with these tools and keep them updated just for that purpose.

All this said would I call it the best, probably not because that term is subjective. Would I state its built into the OS, not introducing 3rd party bugs and compatibility issues, and works just fine with good habits, yes I would. Does it slow down those computers its running on, well out of the handful here I tend to occasionally I see no difference in speed that negates replacing Windows Defender with another. If anything those systems feel light and very responsive.

So my Vote was obviously for Windows Defender for a "FREE" antivirus pick. Most of the Bloat in those suites now days is unwarranted and completely unnecessary.

 

[Nunzio_77]

What do you change Bitdefender to better?

• I would reduce the short and full scan times.
• I would reduce the malware cleaning/disinfection time, which in some cases takes 1 or 2 minutes (it also depends on the machine it's running on).
• I would reduce CPU usage during manual scans.
• I would add the ability for the user to customize sound activation.

However, these are all marginal things that in the real world have little impact on the user who uses it every day.

 

[Jonny Quest]

These are my opinions:

Sophos no longer has a free version. It's only free for 30 days.
Kaspersky no longer has a free version. It's only free for 30 days.
Panda Free has no web protection and weak behavioral protection.
Avast/AVG offers excellent protection, signatures are always up-to-date, but it's a shame about some invasive ads.
Comodo AV has no web protection and its signature detection rate is very low compared to average.
Windows Defender is insufficient for protection, especially web protection and behavioral analysis.
Bitdefender Free offers excellent behavioral protection, excellent signatures, and complete basic protection. The only thing missing is advanced ransomware protection, however, with signatures and behavioral analysis, he manages to remedy this deficiency. Some complain about its heaviness, but in everyday use, in my opinion, it doesn't impact the system.
I don't consider the others among my options.

I voted for Bitdefender.

With these settings in Avast, I don't get ads, even after a smart scan. In Settings/General/Notifications disabling Offers, then for pop-up notification treatment select Limited mode. In firewall, add this to the block list, and no more pop-ups or ads. Just a nice clean UI

I also like that Avast includes a firewall, Network Inspector (monitor), Ransomware Shield, some nice advanced settings options including Hardened mode, and nice right click system tray options

 

[stonjean633]

For me it's Kaspersky. I trust and admire that AV for 2 decades now.

 

[jtshadow92]

I'm grandfathered into Sophos Free still I just dont use it lol

 

[Nunzio_77]

With these settings in Avast, I don't get ads, even after a smart scan. In Settings/General/Notifications disabling Offers, then for pop-up notification treatment select Limited mode. In firewall, add this to the block list, and no more pop-ups or ads. Just a nice clean UI
View attachment 292943

I also like that Avast includes a firewall, Network Inspector (monitor), Ransomware Shield, some nice advanced settings options including Hardened mode, and nice right click system tray options

View attachment 292944

By blocking the connection to "AvastUI" (the graphical user interface application), doesn't this risk preventing it from being updated with subsequent releases?
In fact, the antivirus's software version of AvastUI also appears in its details.

 

[Parkinsond]

By blocking the connection to "AvastUI" (the graphical user interface application), doesn't this risk preventing it from being updated with subsequent releases?
In fact, the antivirus's software version of AvastUI also appears in its details.

Updates to the next release as usual with avastui.exe blocked.

 

[jerzy601]

I have been using WD + Hard Configurator + Configurator Defender for years
and so far I have no problems with infections.
In my opinion, it is the best security + browser add-ons and that's it.
and I am most satisfied with this security.

 

[Nunzio_77]

Updates to the next release as usual with avastui.exe blocked.

I don't understand. Can you explain better?
I was referring only to the Avast interface update, not the AV software.
The Avast interface has a version that is updated from time to time, regardless of the AV version.

 

[rashmi]

I have been using WD + Hard Configurator + Configurator Defender for years
and so far I have no problems with infections.
In my opinion, it is the best security + browser add-ons and that's it.
and I am most satisfied with this security.

I really like @Andy Ful's Hard_Configurator, so I switched to it for my primary security after using Comodo for years. Hard_Configurator acts as a silent sniper against malware and provides serious security for the majority; no infections or usability issues here. I agree Hard_Configurator combined with a malware/phishing extension offers a well-balanced, strong security. All the customers here are 100% satisfied, and there have been $0 payments involved!

I'm really enjoying using Hard_Configurator, Configure Defender, and Firewall Hardening with the recommended settings!

 

[Parkinsond]

I don't understand. Can you explain better?
I was referring only to the Avast interface update, not the AV software.
The Avast interface has a version that is updated from time to time, regardless of the AV version.

Avast UI updates are PUU, just promotional data.

 

[Divergent]

I really like @Andy Ful's Hard_Configurator, so I switched to it for my primary security after using Comodo for years. Hard_Configurator acts as a silent sniper against malware and provides serious security for the majority; no infections or usability issues here. I agree Hard_Configurator combined with a malware/phishing extension offers a well-balanced, strong security. All the customers here are 100% satisfied, and there have been $0 payments involved!

I'm really enjoying using Hard_Configurator, Configure Defender, and Firewall Hardening with the recommended settings!

Andy should use this as a commercial for his products lol. Seriously though this strong security is baked into the OS, users just need to learn to use it. Of course MS in its infinite wisdom has not made documentation accessible not or most even inclined. Honestly it's not even necessary to go that far with a good ad blocker, password manager and some serious habits training.