Free vs paid antivirus: What do you really need?

Should I use a free antivirus or a paid antivirus? A quick internet search shows that this question has been asked countless times – and for good reason. There’s some overlap between free antivirus programs and their paid counterparts. In both cases, you can do the basics, such as scanning for threats and removing them from your device. This will meet some people’s security requirements but may fall short of the needs of others, which is where a paid antivirus comes in.

In this post, we’ll compare and contrast everything free and paid antivirus tools have to offer, from key features to optional extras. We’ll explore the factors determining whether a free or paid antivirus is right for you, such as if you run a small business or store sensitive data you’d like to protect. This should help you narrow down the options, and to make your decision even easier, we’ll cover the best free and paid antivirus options, too.

What does antivirus software do?

Let’s start with the basics. Antivirus software, whether free or paid, is designed to protect your devices from malware. An antivirus scans your files and programs for known threats using a database of malware signatures (specific patterns identifying malware). Antivirus software quarantines the threat if malware is detected before removing it from your system. This prevents further damage from occurring, particularly if the virus were to spread.

Depending on the antivirus program in question, an antivirus may not just detect and deal with malware infections but actively prevent them in the first place. This is often referred to as real-time protection, which is common in paid antivirus solutions but can also be found in a small number of free tools.

Free antivirus: What’s included?

Free antivirus programs provide basic protection against common threats. Although they lack the advanced features of paid solutions, they still prove effective for many users.

Here’s what you can expect with a free antivirus:

• On-demand scanning: This lets you manually scan your system, files, or folders for malware. You can often choose between quick and full scans.
• Automatic updates: Regular automatic updates ensure the malware signature database stays up to date and recognizes the latest known threats.
• Quarantine and removal: This isolates and removes detected malware to prevent it from spreading and causing further damage to your device and system.

That’s all you’ll find included with many free antivirus programs. However, if you use one of the best free antivirus tools, you may find that you also have access to some of the following:

• Real-time protection: More commonly found in paid antivirus plans, antivirus protection actively monitors your system and blocks malware before it infects your device.
• Limited data VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, shielding it from prying eyes. Some free antivirus programs offer VPNs with limited data allowances.
• Web protection: This blocks access to malicious websites or downloads, including phishing sites.

Paid antivirus: What’s included?

Paid antivirus programs go beyond basic malware protection. They offer comprehensive security features to secure not only your device but also your data and online activities.

Here’s what you can expect with a paid antivirus:

• Advanced malware protection: Multi-layered protection (including real-time protection) which guards against advanced threats including ransomware, spyware, and phishing.
• Extra security features: Paid antivirus programs tend to offer far more features, such as an unlimited data VPN, password manager, file shredding, and cloud backup.
• Broader device coverage: Protect multiple devices under a single subscription, often across multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
• Customer support: Access to 24/7 customer support, typically available via live chat and email. Support is also available via phone with some providers.
• Performance optimization: Many paid options provide system cleanup tools for removing junk files and improving system performance.

Free vs paid antivirus: key factors to consider

So now you know what to expect in a free antivirus versus a paid antivirus. However, you may still be wondering which is most suitable for you. The right choice depends on a few different factors, which we’ll cover below:

How you use the internet

Your risk level is low if your online activities are limited to everyday browsing, checking emails, and using social media. However, you’re at higher risk if you frequently find yourself downloading files, visiting unfamiliar websites, or handling sensitive data such as financial information or work documents. The greater your risk, the more you need a paid antivirus for comprehensive protection.

Device type and operating system

The type of device you use, and its operating system dictates your chances of falling victim to malware. Windows devices are more vulnerable to malware, while MacOS is less often targeted. If you’re on Windows, you’ll almost certainly want an antivirus, even if it’s a free version. You may only want one on MacOS if you often download content and visit unfamiliar websites.

Number of devices

A free antivirus may suffice if you only need basic protection for one device. A paid antivirus makes this much more convenient when you have multiple devices to secure. Whether you’re a single user with multiple devices or want to provide protection for the whole family, a paid antivirus will be your best bet.

Budget

Of course, the budget may also enter the equation. Not everyone can afford to spend money on an antivirus program, so a free antivirus is better than nothing. A paid antivirus may be worthwhile, particularly if you want peace of mind. The good news is that most antivirus programs offer significant discounts for the first subscription year. Just make sure you turn off auto-renewal to avoid any nasty surprises.

Required features

Many free antivirus programs only provide basic scanning and, in some cases, real-time protection. You may be looking for a specific feature, such as an ad blocker or password manager. Few free antivirus providers offer such features, and those that do tend to be quite limited. A paid antivirus will often come bundled with these tools.

Free antivirus recommendations

Have you opted for a free antivirus for the time being? To make your decision easier, here are the best free antivirus programs we’ve tested:

1. Avast One Basic: The best free antivirus. One of the few to include ransomware protection. A lot of extra features including a free VPN. Excellent testing scores.
2. Avira Free Antivirus: Provides real-time protection from malware and includes a VPN and password manager. Scores well in lab tests and has very easy-to-use apps.
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Free: A lightweight free antivirus that can be used on three devices. Real-time protection and, unusually for a free antivirus, live customer support.
4. AVG Antivirus Free: Protects against viruses, spyware, trojan horses, and more with real-time updates to its user-friendly apps. Also comes with an email scanner.
5. Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Already available on your Windows device. Keeps you safe from a wide range of threats including ransomware. Scores well for protection.
6. Malwarebytes Free: Easy to use antivirus but lacks real-time protection. Excels at getting rid of existing malware infections. Includes a 14-day free trial of the paid version.

Paid antivirus recommendations

If you’ve decided that a paid antivirus subscription is the right choice for you, here’s our list of the best antivirus providers to help you narrow down the options:

1. Norton 360: The best paid antivirus. Strong protection without compromising on performance. Available for major operating systems with plenty of plans to choose from.
2. Surfshark Antivirus: Beginner-friendly and lightweight antivirus that comes with one of the best VPNs around. Includes identity monitoring as well as 24/7 live chat support.
3. Intego Antivirus: An antivirus that specializes in providing protection for Mac devices. Has high scores from independent testing labs and you can secure multiple devices.
4. TotalAV: Antivirus with real-time protection as well as quality customer support available 24/7 via live chat and phone. Numerous extras including a VPN and an ad blocker.
5. McAfee Total Protection: Lightweight antivirus with very impressive protection scores. Provides real-time monitoring and includes a VPN, password manager, and more.
6. VIPRE Antivirus: A near-perfect protection score in our in-house testing. Real-time scanning as well as US-based customer support. Option of an unlimited VPN too.
7. Bitdefender Internet Security: Plenty of plans to choose from and packed with features such as a password manager and VPN. 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support.

Free vs paid antivirus: FAQs