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

[monkeylove]

I got Premium for three dollars (one device/year).

 

[anirbandutta01]

I like Avast free.

 

[annaegorov]

I forgot to add, there is one exception that is from current testing here at MWT and that is that Eset and especially McAfee are very much relevant and top contenders... Eset has given some problems in my past use (can't remember what it was right now) but McAfee is smooth as silk.

I remember now, the problem with Eset was "failed to update, and failed to create file" something to that effect. It would not update on a clean install Image

 

[RansomwareRemediation]

Avast

 

[simmerskool]

I see Bitdefender free is 2d place in the votes behind No. 1 MS Defender -- does BD free have pop ups to buy their paid AV...

 

[Parkinsond]

I see Bitdefender free is 2d place in the votes behind No. 1 MS Defender -- does BD free have pop ups to buy their paid AV...

No, if you deselect to show in settings, but personally I prefer Avast free.

 

[Jonny Quest]

I see Bitdefender free is 2d place in the votes behind No. 1 MS Defender -- does BD free have pop ups to buy their paid AV...

I think they use upsell for the options that aren't enabled but active (as posted here, but I would also consider SeriousHoax findings above that post) as seen in @Shadowra latest test here @ :15

There are also settings that can be disabled in Settings/General/Special offers and Recommendation notifications.