# Best Antivirus Software in 2026 Source: https://listme.name/best/antivirus-software Antivirus software ranges from built-in protection to paid suites and open-source engines. This ranking weighs what each product covers first, then free-version access, platform reach and the extra tools bundled with it. ## 1. Bitdefender (score 90.5) A free Antivirus version and paid suites that cover five devices per account, with VPN and identity tools bundled. Its many product tiers make the right plan harder to pick. - Best for: Multi-device protection with a free starter - Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - Website: https://www.bitdefender.com/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/bitdefender ## 2. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (score 89.0) Built into Windows Security at no extra cost and needs no setup. It covers Windows only, and tools such as a VPN come from third-party suites like the ones in this list. - Best for: Windows PCs that need no extra software - Free | Windows - Website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security - Page: https://listme.name/software/microsoft-defender ## 3. Malwarebytes (score 87.0) A free malware scanner and device cleaners, with paid Premium Security for ongoing protection, a VPN and a browser guard. It covers PCs, Macs, Android and iPhone with a 60-day money-back guarantee. - Best for: Free malware scans and paid ongoing protection - Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - Website: https://www.malwarebytes.com/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/malwarebytes ## 4. ESET (score 85.5) Antivirus for Windows, macOS, Android and Linux with anti-phishing and Wi-Fi protection, sold as subscriptions after a 30-day trial. It has no free version after the trial and lists no iOS app. - Best for: Subscription antivirus for Windows and Mac - Subscription | Windows, macOS, Android, Linux - Website: https://www.eset.com/us/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/eset ## 5. Avast (score 82.5) Its free tier covers PC, Mac and mobile, which Avira's free download does not, and the paid tiers add a VPN and identity tools. Norton and ESET offer no free antivirus after their trials. - Best for: Free protection on PC and Mac with an upgrade path - Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - Website: https://www.avast.com/en-us/index - Page: https://listme.name/software/avast ## 6. Norton (score 81.0) Antivirus bundled with a VPN, scam protection and LifeLock identity options, with mobile apps for Android and iOS. It has no free antivirus, and first-year discounts renew at a higher price. - Best for: Antivirus bundled with VPN and identity tools - Subscription | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - Website: https://us.norton.com/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/norton ## 7. Avira (score 80.0) Free Avira Free Security for Windows, with paid Prime plans that include Prime Mobile apps for iOS and Android. The free download is listed for Windows only. - Best for: Free Windows antivirus with paid mobile plans - Free plan, paid upgrades | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - Website: https://www.avira.com/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/avira ## 8. Trend Micro (score 79.5) Covers Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook, and its top suite includes a password manager. Unlike Norton, which bundles a VPN, Trend Micro sells its VPN as a separate product and has no free antivirus. - Best for: Households with several platforms and a paid suite - Subscription | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS - Website: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome.html - Page: https://listme.name/software/trend-micro ## 9. ClamAV (score 78.5) An open-source GPL-2.0 antivirus engine for Windows, macOS and Linux, suited to administrators, mail gateways and developers. It has no interface of its own and is not a consumer app. - Best for: Open-source scanning for servers and mail - Free and open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | open source (GPL-2.0) - Website: https://www.clamav.net/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/clamav ## 10. F-Secure (score 77.5) Covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android with a free trial, and its VPN and identity tools are separate products. It has no free antivirus after the trial, and its platform list is shorter than Trend Micro's. - Best for: Subscription buyers who want a free trial first - Subscription | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android - Website: https://www.f-secure.com/en - Page: https://listme.name/software/f-secure ## 11. Webroot (score 75.5) Cloud-based antivirus for PCs, Macs, phones and Chromebooks, with identity, VPN and password tools in its bundles. Free trials are offered, but there is no free antivirus, and some features work only on iOS and Android. - Best for: Families who want one subscription across devices - Subscription | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS - Website: https://www.webroot.com/ - Page: https://listme.name/software/webroot ## How to choose - **Already on Windows:** Microsoft Defender is built into Windows Security and needs no extra install, so it is the baseline to compare against. - **Free versus paid:** Bitdefender and Malwarebytes have free versions; Avira's free download is Windows only; ESET and Norton are paid after a trial. - **Devices per account:** Bitdefender's suites cover up to five devices, so check the device count on any paid plan before you buy. - **Extra tools:** VPNs, scam protection and identity tools come with paid suites from Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Norton and ESET, not with the built-in or free versions. ## Criteria - Malware protection coverage - Free version and price - Platform coverage - Extra tools such as VPN and identity - Open source and transparency ## FAQ **Do I need extra antivirus if Defender is on?** Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows and is a free baseline. The third-party suites here add VPNs, scam protection and identity tools, which the built-in version does not include. **Which antivirus has a free version?** Avast offers Free Antivirus for PC, Bitdefender offers a free Antivirus version, Malwarebytes has a free malware scan and cleaners, and Avira offers Avira Free Security for Windows. Norton and ESET have trials but no free antivirus. **Which antivirus is open source?** ClamAV is open source under GPL-2.0 and is an engine for mail servers, Linux and developers. The other products here do not describe their software as open source on their sites. **Which antivirus covers the most platforms?** Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Avira and Norton each list Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Avast, Trend Micro, F-Secure and Webroot also cover Windows, Mac and phones. ESET lists Windows, macOS, Android and Linux, and Microsoft Defender covers Windows only.