The 5 Best Free Antiviruses in 2024

Top Antimalware and Antivirus Sites
Top Antimalware and Antivirus Sites

Dernière mise à jour: 31 mai 2024

"What is the best free antivirus This question comes up frequently in social media group discussions. Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question. If one free antivirus really did dominate all others, it would soon be known.

No free antivirus is perfect. Some do not detect all viruses, others cause false alerts. Some applications may not update properly, others may use a lot of system resources and cause crashes.

It is therefore more appropriate to ask "Which free antivirus do you need " There are different options, from Windows Defender integrated into Windows, to Avira which offers a complete security suite.

Here is a list of the best free antiviruses for Windows. Use them to protect your computer.

Avira Free Antivirus

Screenshot of the Avira Free Security software interface. Dark background with icons for security (shield with check mark), privacy (padlock) and performance (rocket). The green notification bar indicates that antivirus protection is enabled. “Smart Scan” button in the center. “Get Prime” button visible. Among the best antiviruses in 2024, Avira stands out as a first choice for free protection.
Avira is considered one of the best free, reliable and effective antiviruses on the market. It protects your computer against all forms of malware, such as Trojans, locks, rootkits and dialers, thus acting as a shield and antivirus in one.

Avira Free Antivirus also offers a new repair system that automatically cleans the registry and system files when a virus is detected and removed. This antivirus has a cloud-based real-time scanning system that scans the unknown files anonymously with data from millions of users to protect you from emerging threats in real time.

In addition to these features, Avira also includes Phantom VPN, a VPN that anonymizes and encrypts your internet browsing with a limit of 500MB per month. Moreover, it also includes a password manager to help you manage and protect your online credentials.

 

MostThe lessers
Real-time virus protectionOccasional blocking of legitimate files
Fast real-time analysisDaily advertising in the form of a pop-up
Additional features such as VPNNo email scanning in the free version
Light, fast, and won't slow down your systemTechnical Support Limitations

Download Avira Free Free Antivirus

Avast One Essential

A laptop screen showing the Avast One interface, offering options such as Home, Explore, Messages, and Account in a sidebar. The main content area says "Let's Run Your First Smart Scan" with an illustration of a dog and various technology icons. Find out why it's one of the best free antiviruses for 2024.

Avast One Essential is considered one of the best free antivirus available. Thanks to its ease of use, it offers complete protection, including features such as an anti-virus and anti-spyware engine, real-time anti-rootkit protection, and a network agent.

It also incorporates Real-Time Protection, which continuously monitors system activities to detect suspicious behavior.

Avast also comes with several other security features, such as Mail Protection, Browser Protection, Wi-Fi Security Scan, and Privacy Protection.

Additionally, Avast offers an improved password management system, a secure browser for online shopping and banking, and simplified setup.

It is important to note that the free version of Avast is only available for personal, non-commercial use.

MostThe lessers
Ransomware protection for your personal files Use of lots of system resources
Firewall to prevent attacks on your computer via Wi-Fi and the Internet.Conflicts with other software
Protection against spammers for your mailboxDetecting Clean Files as Infected (False Positives)
Real time protectionUser data collection

AVG antivirus

Screenshot of AVG AntiVirus interface showing protection status for 2024

AVG AntiVirus Free provides comprehensive protection against all forms of malware and online threats, ranging from viruses to phishing attempts and Wi-Fi intrusions. This software is designed to detect and eliminate rootkits, block spyware and protect your files with a advanced ransomware defense.

For increased online security, AVG AntiVirus Free can be combined with AVG Internet Security. With this solution, you also benefit from protection for your webcam, a firewall to secure your network and various tools to prevent hacking.

In sum, AVG AntiVirus Free offers reliable and comprehensive protection for users concerned about their online security.

MostThe lessers
Advanced Ransomware ProtectionReduced functionality in the free version
Webcam ProtectionFrequent updates
Anti-hacking toolsImpact on system performance
Has a firewall

Download AVG Free Antivirus

Windows Microsoft Defender

Security Center screenshot Windows Defender in French, showing various security options such as "Virus & Threat Protection", "Firewall & Network Protection" and "Application & Browser Control", with corresponding icons and an "Enable" button , highlighting some of the best antiviruses of 2024.

Windows Defender is free antivirus software developed by Microsoft for computers running Windows. It is integrated directly into Windows and works in the background to protect your computer from online threats.

The tool examines the registry, cookies, memory, folders and drive contents in detail. Indeed, it uses a combination of technologies such as virus signing, heuristic analysis and behavioral detection to detect and eliminate threats. If malware is detected, Windows Defender allows you to eliminate it.

Windows Defender works in the background and rarely interrupts the user. However, it also offers advanced security options to protect sensitive folders. In short, Windows Defender is a powerful solution, at no additional cost, for your IT security.

MostThe lessers
Low impact on system resourcesInsufficient protection against advanced threats
Easy to useInterference with other security software
Ransomware ProtectionManual Setup Required
Well integrated into the systemLack of advanced functions

Go to Windows Defender

Bitdefender Antivirus Free

Bitdefender Antivirus Free dashboard screen showing options like Quick Scan, System Scan, Vulnerability Scan, VPN, and Safepay.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is free antivirus software developed by Bitdefender, a Romania-based computer security company. It is designed to protect personal computers against viruses, spyware, adware and other online threats.

This software provides optimal online protection by blocking dangerous websites to prevent malware infections. It can perform a full system scan to detect hidden malware and get rid of it. The user interface is designed to be easy to use even for inexperienced users.

In addition to basic antivirus protection, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition also includes additional protection against phishing attacks by notifying you of websites that may attempt to steal your personal information. It can also detect and block spyware that seeks to monitor your online activity.

MostThe lessers
Phishing ProtectionLimited customer support for the free version
Spyware ProtectionNo VPN
Ad blockingPotential false positives
Protection against CryptojackingAbsence of advanced functions in the free version

Download Bitdefender Antivirus Free