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Updated: Feb 8, 2024, 7:34am
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
Computer viruses designed to harm or gain access to your computer are more common than ever. Each type has an end goal in mind: To make money, whether through selling your personal data or demanding money through a ransomware attack. Luckily, there are plenty of antivirus software options available to protect your device, and many of them are free. In this roundup, we’ve done the research to find the best free antivirus software.
1
Avast
On Avast’s Website
Starting price
Free; $50.08 USD ($68.06 CAD) per year for up to 10 devices
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
2
McAfee
On McAfee’s Website
Starting price
$39.99 CAD per year
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
3
Surfshark
On Surfshark’s Website
Starting Price:
55.62 CAD per year
Inclusions:
Unlimited VPN; emails, credit cards, and personal IDs automatic monitoring
Moneyback guarantee:
30 days
4
AVG
On AVG’s Website
Starting price
Free; $50.99 CAD per device per year
Inclusions
Email security, ransomware protection and phishing protection
Money-back guarantee
30
Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
No, for a fee
Yes
Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
No, for a fee
Yes
Avira ranks high in independent tests for virus and malware protection, and it offers a wide range of features on top of that. Some of those include browser safety, a free virtual private network (VPN), password manager, tracker remover, scan optimization and junk remover.
You can use Avira’s free antivirus software on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. The company doesn’t put any limits on how many devices you can protect with a single subscription, which is pretty generous.
Who should use it:
If you’re looking for a comprehensive security solution that can be used on multiple devices, Avira is a great option.
Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
No, for a fee
Yes
Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
No, for a fee
Yes
Malware works by hiding on your computer and then either stealing your personal data or holding it ransom. Avast’s malware protection is some of the best in the business, and it offers a wide range of other features as well.
Its free antivirus software comes with a VPN, alerts when intruders access your Wi-Fi, anti-malware technology, and web and email shields. It not only blocks threats, but it also scans your computer for existing threats to eliminate them.
Who should use it:
Anyone who’s worried about ransomware attacks will appreciate the extra protection that Avast offers.
Read more:
Read our full Avast review.
Yes, for Windows
Yes
Yes
Yes, for Windows
Yes
Yes
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is what comes preinstalled on Windows PCs. While it’s not as feature-rich as some of the other options on this list, it does offer solid protection against viruses and malware.
Plus, it’s free to use and easy to set up. All you need to do is turn it on and it’ll start scanning your computer for threats. It comes with a real-time protection feature that’ll block new threats as they appear, and is one of the few options on this list with a firewall included.
Who should use it:
Any Windows user who’s looking for a free and easy-to-use option for virus and malware protection.
Yes, for Windows
No, for a fee
Yes
Yes, for Windows
No, for a fee
Yes
Bitdefender offers some of the best virus and malware protection, and it’s one of the few companies that is consistently ranked at the top by independent testing organizations. In addition to that, it offers a wide range of features, including a password manager, webcam protection, file encryption and more.
The company also offers a free trial of its paid software, which includes all of the features mentioned above plus real-time scanning of websites for malicious content. What’s more, it’ll scan and remove threats from your computer.
Who should use it:
Anyone who’s looking for comprehensive protection from viruses and malware.
Read more:
Read our full Bitdefender review.
Yes, for iOS, Android, Windows and PC
No, for a fee
Yes
Yes, for iOS, Android, Windows and PC
No, for a fee
Yes
AVG offers excellent protection against spyware, which is a type of malware that’s designed to track your personal data and activities. In addition to that, it offers a wide range of features. It blocks viruses, unsafe links, downloads, email attachments, ransomware and malware. It’ll scan your device for performance problems and give real-time security updates.
Who should use it:
Anyone who’s worried about spyware and other types of malware.
The most important feature of any antivirus is protection from a wide range of threats. These include viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware and phishing. Of course, the best free antivirus software will be available for all of your device types, so you are protected whether you are using your Windows desktop or your iPhone. Additionally, it’s also worth considering the price for premium antivirus plans in case you decide you want to further increase your security in the future. Those with affordable feature-rich plans will be your best bet to easily grow with.
When analyzing the best free antivirus software options, Forbes Advisor Canada considered many factors. We looked at dozens of data points, such as the various features each option offers, as well as how easy they are to use. Real user experiences were taken into account, too, to see if marketing promises match actual experiences.
After taking all of these factors into consideration, we came up with our top five picks for the best free antivirus software.
1
Avast
On Avast’s Website
Starting price
Free; $50.08 USD ($68.06 CAD) per year for up to 10 devices
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
2
McAfee
On McAfee’s Website
Starting price
$39.99 CAD per year
Inclusions
Firewall, email security and ransomware protection
Moneyback guarantee
30 days
3
Surfshark
On Surfshark’s Website
Starting Price:
55.62 CAD per year
Inclusions:
Unlimited VPN; emails, credit cards, and personal IDs automatic monitoring
Moneyback guarantee:
30 days
4
AVG
On AVG’s Website
Starting price
Free; $50.99 CAD per device per year
Inclusions
Email security, ransomware protection and phishing protection
Money-back guarantee
30
Free antiviruses are good at protecting your devices from a wide range of threats. However, they typically don’t include some of the more advanced features that come with paid options.
All devices that connect to the internet are vulnerable to viruses and other threats. That’s why it’s important to have some form of antivirus protection on all of your devices—even Apple products.
Yes, you can. That’s why it’s important to be careful about which emails you open and never click on any links or attachments unless you’re sure they’re safe.
While Macs are less likely to be affected by viruses than PCs, they’re not immune. That’s why it’s important to have some form of antivirus protection on your Mac, in addition to other security measures.
While today’s leading antivirus services offer helpful features, the truth of the matter is that it’s not enough to keep you fully protected. Human error is responsible for a large number of security breaches for both private individuals and businesses. Using common sense when it comes to password usage, deciphering phishing scams and other tools are essential when it comes to keeping your information secure.
No, antivirus software cannot stop hackers. However, it can detect and remove any malicious software that hackers may have installed on your computer without your knowledge. In addition, antivirus software can also help to protect your computer from being hacked in the first place by identifying and blocking any suspicious activity.
Kathy Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.
Kelly is an SMB Editor specializing in starting and marketing new ventures. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she manages a column at Inc. Magazine.
