Cyber threats haven’t slowed down in 2026 and neither should your defences.
Whether you’re using a brand-new Windows 11 laptop or an older machine, free antivirus software is one of the easiest ways to stay protected without spending a penny.
The right tools can block viruses, spyware, ransomware, and phishing attempts before they get near your personal files.
In this updated guide, you’ll find the best free antivirus tools available right now, extra privacy tips, and safe-browsing habits that keep you one step ahead of hackers.
Why antivirus still matters in 2026
Some people think antivirus is “built in” and enough on its own. While Windows ships with Microsoft Defender, which is a solid start, free third-party antivirus tools often add extras like advanced malware detection, VPNs, password managers and breach alerts.
They can also catch threats that slip past the default protection.
As cybercriminals get smarter, using tactics like fake QR codes, AI-generated phishing emails, and malicious browser extensions, layered protection is more important than ever.
Layered security: More than just antivirus
Antivirus is only one part of a strong defence. Ideally, you would use defence in depth to fully protect your data.
Add these layers for better protection:
- Firewall – Use the built-in Microsoft Defender firewall or Apple Firewall or try a free third-party option like ZoneAlarm or TinyWall for extra control.
- Software updates – Out-of-date apps and operating systems are prime targets. Enable automatic updates where possible.
- Browser safety – Stick to official extensions, block pop-ups, and enable phishing protection in your browser.
- Backups – Keep copies of important files on an external drive or cloud storage, in case ransomware locks you out.
Smart digital habits that cost nothing
As well as security software, there are also some simple behaviours that can keep you safe online.
- Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders even if they look “urgent” or “official”.
- Be wary of QR codes in public spaces; criminals sometimes replace legitimate codes with malicious ones.
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account (a free password manager can help).
- Avoid downloading software from unofficial sites.
- Check the sender’s email address carefully before responding to messages.
Secure your Windows computer for free
If you’re a Windows user, you get Windows Defender as part of the operating system. That is now good enough to trust with most of your computer security.
AV-Test, the one company I trust to compare security, says Windows Defender 4.18 and upwards delivers very similar levels of security to the biggest (and most expensive) security applications out there.
Windows Defender comes with antivirus and firewall and delivers competent protection.
The same couldn’t be said for older versions of Windows security but it’s certainly true of this current version.
If your router has a firewall, Window Defender is more than enough to protect most computers.
Secure your Mac for free
Mac is inherently more secure than Windows but is still frequently targeted by malware. That means you do need extra security software to protect what’s yours.
Macs have XProtect and the Mac Malware Removal Tool, but they are not currently as effective at protecting your computer as third-party options.
So, while that’s your version of Windows Defender, it isn’t quite as good. This means I would recommend using one of the free options I’m going to share below.
Free vs premium security software
Before I get into the actual products, I think it’s important to dispel a common myth we see online.
Premium security software does not provide better security than free security software.
The quality and effectiveness of the protection is exactly the same.
What differs is the number of features you get with that protection. For example, VPN software, browsing protection, 24/7 support and so on.
The actual antivirus or malware scanning part is exactly the same.
Many so-called review sites neglect to mention this. Or, like Security.org, are deliberately misleading about it with phrases like ‘we think it’s well worth the small monthly fee to ensure you have the best protection for threats against Macs.’
That is simply not true.
Comments like that are a sure sign the website is promoting paid options for affiliate income instead of providing unbiased information to users.
The free software business model
The free software business model is very simple. Developers create effective security software and make it available for free.
You try that software and like it so much you decide to stick with it. As the company has given something for free, you now feel a slight obligation to go to them first if you want to upgrade.
That company will also market premium products to you as part of the free offer in the hope you’ll buy.
Now think logically.
If a company provided inferior protection in their free product, how likely would you be to buy the premium version?
If you’re anything like me, that’s not very likely.
Then factor in reviews, organisations like AV-test who impartially test all antivirus and word of mouth into that.
If a free security product wasn’t secure, the company wouldn’t last five minutes.
That’s why you can be sure the quality of the protection you get with free software is plenty good enough.
Just be aware when installing free antivirus products. Some vendors include the option to install premium extras or unwanted browser addons along with the core product.
Don’t skim the installation options like we all usually do.
Take your time, deselect options you don’t need and just install the core product and you’ll be fine.
4 Free antivirus for Windows
There are a number of free antivirus for Windows. They are typically free options of premium products but provide adequate protection for most needs.
They include:
Avast
Avast is a well-established antivirus company that has been around for many years. It delivers a solid piece of protection software that scores well with AV-Test and with users.
It’s relatively easy to use, sits in the background doing its thing and doesn’t noticeably slow things down.
I think it’s well worth trying.
AVG
AVG is another viable free antivirus product for Windows owned by Avast. It is well-established and has Mac, Android and iOS versions too.
The free version is very highly rated and the interface is simple to get to grips with and very easy to use. While scans can take a little time, there are no other noticeable impact to system performance.
Avira
Avira is another security suite well worth checking out. Protection is credible, although like other premium options, some useful features are locked away.
Otherwise, the protection is top class with some other useful features included such as vulnerability scanning, VPN and others.
Bitdefender
Bitdefender is another solid free antivirus that delivers credible protection. There are a couple of features restricted to premium, like vulnerability scanning, but otherwise the protection is worth using.
The developer of Bitdefender is highly regarded in security circles so you get good protection. It’s also highly rated by AV-Test, which is all the reassurance I need to recommend it.
4 Free antivirus for Mac
There are also a number of free antivirus options for Mac.
Avast
Avast also produces a free antivirus for Mac with the same tools and features as for Windows. It’s a highly regarded product with good ratings from AV-Test.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner
Bitdefender Virus Scanner is a simple, no-nonsense antivirus that keeps features to a minimum but delivers decent protection.
It’s a manual program so won’t automatically scan and remove viruses. You’ll need to prompt a scan and select to remove any suspicious files, but that’s true for most of these options.
Avira Free Security
Avira Free Security also has a Mac version worth trying. It has a similar look and feel as the Windows variant with a simple interface and controls.
Protection is decent and it’s highly rated by AV-Test which is good enough for me. Unlike Bitdefender, you can automate scans with Avira and have it remove files. Scanning can be slow though.
Sophos Home
Sophos Home initially installs with a 30 day trial and will default to the free version once ended. You’ll lose some features but retain solid protection from a wide range of threats.
Sophos can protect you from ransomware, malware, viruses, trojans, worms, bots, and more and scores well in independent tests. It’s relatively easy to use to, which is to its credit.
So those are 4 free antivirus for Windows and 4 for Mac.
There are a number of other antivirus products I don’t include here. That’s not because they don’t work but because they either require accounts, are complicated to use or contain too many nags to upgrade.
At the end of the day, use whatever you’re happy with. As long as it’s highly rated on AV-Test, you’re going to be fine.
Do you use something else not mentioned here? Have any other free antivirus to suggest? Tell me about it here if you do!
Secure your computer FAQs
Do I still need antivirus if I have Windows 11?
Yes. While Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Defender pre-installed, which offers strong real-time protection, built-in firewalls, ransomware protection, and phishing filters, it’s still worth adding an extra layer. Defender’s detection rates are high, but third-party free antivirus tools can provide additional benefits, such as quicker scanning engines, better zero-day malware protection, breach monitoring, and features like password vaults or VPNs.
Think of Defender as a solid lock on your front door, but adding another layer, like a security chain or alarm, reduces your risk even further. For most users, running Defender alongside a free secondary scanner like Malwarebytes can give excellent all-round coverage without slowing your PC.
Which free antivirus is best for everyday UK home use?
If you want “set it and forget it”, Microsoft Defender or Bitdefender Free are great picks. For extra features like Wi-Fi scanning and password storage, try Avast Free. If you want a strong all-rounder for multiple devices, TotalAV Free is worth a look.
Can I run two antivirus programs at the same time?
You can, but only in certain combinations. Running two real-time antivirus programs at once can cause conflicts, false positives, and slow your computer to a crawl. The better approach is to use one real-time antivirus (e.g., Microsoft Defender or Bitdefender) and one on-demand scanner (e.g., Malwarebytes Free) that you run manually when you want to double-check your system.
This setup avoids performance issues while still giving you extra detection capabilities. In the UK, most home users won’t need more than this two-layer approach.
Is a free firewall enough for home internet security?
Yes, in most cases. The built-in Microsoft Defender firewall is robust enough for typical home users, blocking unauthorised incoming connections and giving you control over which applications can access the internet. If you want more advanced control, such as detailed traffic monitoring or stealth mode, you could try ZoneAlarm Free or TinyWall. Both are lightweight, easy to set up, and work well alongside Microsoft Defender.
However, remember that a firewall is only part of your defence. It won’t block malicious files you choose to download, which is why you still need antivirus software.
How can I tell if an antivirus program is trustworthy?
Follow these steps to avoid downloading unsafe or fake antivirus programs:
- Source: Only download from the official developer’s website or trusted app stores like Microsoft Store or Apple App Store.
- Independent test results: Check results from AV-Test or AV-Comparatives, which independently rate antivirus tools for detection rates, usability, and performance.
- Privacy policy: Read it carefully. Some free antivirus products make money by collecting and selling anonymised user data. Avast, for example, faced a £13m-equivalent fine in 2024 for such practices.
- Reputation: Look for long-standing companies with a history of good security practices and transparent policies.
- Updates: A trustworthy antivirus is updated frequently to protect against new threats. If the last update was months ago, avoid it.
