# Alternatives to Microsoft Defender

Built into Windows and genuinely good now.

Microsoft Defender ranks #5 of 9 in Antivirus software, with an Alt Score of 82. It is proprietary, free and available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender/
Category: Antivirus software

## Where Microsoft Defender stands out

- **Firewall included** — 3 of 7 apps with a verified answer have this

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Windows users and Microsoft 365 subscribers who want built-in device protection plus broader coverage for their identity and online accounts across multiple devices.
- **What you get**: Real-time antivirus and malware protection built into Windows (Microsoft Defender Antivirus), plus SmartScreen warnings for malicious sites and downloads. The Microsoft Defender app (included with Microsoft 365 Personal/Family) adds identity theft monitoring, security alerts across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, and a single dashboard for family device security. Some plans include VPN-based network protection.
- **How it works**: Antivirus protection runs automatically and continuously in the background via Windows Security, requiring no setup. The Microsoft Defender app is installed separately and signed into with a Microsoft account to link devices, view security status, and manage protections from one dashboard.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Pricing model**: Free (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Starts at**: ?
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [Bitdefender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bitdefender.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 2 | [Avast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avast.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 3 | [ESET](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/eset.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android |
| 4 | [Malwarebytes](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/malwarebytes.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 5 | [Norton](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/norton.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 6 | [AVG](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avg.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 7 | [Avira](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avira.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 8 | [ClamAV](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clamav.md) | 46 | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Antivirus software checklist | Microsoft Defender | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Malwarebytes | Norton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starts at | ? | $24.99/year | $49.99/year | ? | $59.99/year | $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) |
| License | Proprietary | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance impact | Partial | Yes | ? | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| No data selling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-platform | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Firewall included | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | ? | Yes |
| Ad-free experience | ? | Partial | Partial | ? | Partial | ? |

## Sources

Sources for Microsoft Defender. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **License**: Proprietary — <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/microsoft-365/mde-terms-windows> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “The software is licensed, not sold. Microsoft reserves all other rights.”
- **Pricing model**: Free — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Your Windows 11 device comes with Microsoft Defender Antivirus built-in. You don't have to pay extra for this antivirus protection.”
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android — <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/stay-protected-with-windows-security-2ae0363d-0ada-c064-8b56-6a39afb6a963> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Microsoft Defender, our advanced security software for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, as part of your subscription.”
- **Status**: active — <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-windows> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Microsoft releases regular updates to help ensure that your devices have the latest technology to protect against new malware and attack techniques.”
- **Independent lab scores (AV-TEST)**: Yes — <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-xdr/top-scoring-industry-tests> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Microsoft Defender Antivirus achieved a perfect Protection score of 6.0/6.0, with 100% in November and December. 18,870 malware samples were used.”
- **Real-time protection**: Yes — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “A next-generation protection solution that comes with Windows 11, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is real-time, always-on antivirus protection.”
- **Ransomware protection**: Yes — <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/controlled-folder-access-overview> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Controlled folder access (CFA) in Microsoft Defender Antivirus helps protect your valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware.”
- **Performance impact**: Partial — <https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-windows> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Microsoft Defender Antivirus, like other antivirus software, can cause performance issues on endpoint devices.”
- **Free tier**: Yes — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Your Windows 11 device comes with Microsoft Defender Antivirus built-in. You don't have to pay extra for this antivirus protection.”
- **No data selling**: Yes — <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-defender-privacy-protection-faq-65b514b4-be3f-49bb-ae15-982bfc023854> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Microsoft doesn't store your browsing data, history, personal details or your device's physical location.”
- **Web protection**: Yes — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “If a website, application, or download is potentially malicious and could harm your computer, SmartScreen will warn you.”
- **Cross-platform**: Partial — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-defender-for-individuals> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: Built-in AV is Windows-only free; the cross-platform Defender app needs a Microsoft 365 subscription.
  - Quote: “A Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium subscription is required to use Microsoft Defender.”
- **Firewall included**: Yes — <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “With Windows Firewall, unwanted traffic is blocked from entering your PC.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/