Alternatives to Microsoft Defender
Microsoft's security app for individuals and families, part of a Microsoft 365 subscription. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Microsoft Defender
Microsoft's security app for individuals and families, part of a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Microsoft Defender.
Norton 360
A paid security suite combining antivirus, a VPN, identity protection and scam detection.
Norton 360 bundles antivirus, VPN and identity protection without needing a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Bitdefender Total Security
A paid consumer antivirus suite with malware scanning, ransomware protection and a firewall.
Bitdefender Total Security is a paid multi-device suite with malware scanning, ransomware protection and a firewall.
Malwarebytes
An anti-malware scanner with real-time protection, VPN and scam detection for computers and phones.
Malwarebytes offers malware scanning, VPN and scam detection across devices with a free scanner tier.
McAfee Total Protection
A commercial antivirus and online protection suite with firewall, web protection and identity features.
McAfee Total Protection combines antivirus, firewall and web protection with basic identity features on Windows.
Kaspersky Premium
A commercial antivirus and internet security suite for home users, sold by Kaspersky.
Kaspersky Premium is a paid consumer security suite with a range including VPN and password manager products.
ESET HOME Security
A commercial antivirus and internet security suite for home computers and phones.
ESET HOME Security is a paid antivirus suite with anti-phishing across Windows, Mac, Android and Linux.
F-Secure Total
Consumer security suite bundling antivirus, VPN and a password manager.
F-Secure Total bundles antivirus, VPN and a password manager across desktop and mobile.
Avast Free Antivirus
A free antivirus for Windows, Mac and Android from Avast, alongside optional paid products.
Avast Free Antivirus is a free scanner for Windows, macOS and Android without a subscription.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Microsoft Defender as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Aura
Paid subscription service that protects individuals and families from identity theft, scams and online threats.
Microsoft Defender adds dark web monitoring for personal information and is included with a Microsoft 365 subscription rather than a standalone identity service.
AVG AntiVirus Free
A free antivirus that scans files and downloads and blocks scam websites on computers and phones.
Microsoft Defender manages protection for several devices with dark web monitoring, included in a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Avira Free Security
Free security suite with real-time malware protection and privacy and optimization tools.
Microsoft Defender protects several family members and devices but requires a Microsoft account and a paid Microsoft 365 subscription rather than a free suite.
ClamAV
An open source antivirus engine, used mostly for scanning mail servers and file shares rather than desktops.
Microsoft Defender covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS from a family dashboard, but requires a Microsoft 365 subscription and is closed source.
Identity Guard
Paid identity theft protection service with fraud monitoring, credit monitoring and insurance coverage.
Microsoft Defender adds dark web monitoring and device protection within a Microsoft 365 subscription, but lacks the credit monitoring and insurance of Identity Guard.
Sophos Home
Antivirus for Windows and macOS home users, with protection managed remotely for the whole family.
Microsoft Defender manages several family devices from one dashboard and adds dark web monitoring, but requires a Microsoft account and a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Have I Been Pwned
A service that checks whether your email address or password appeared in known data breaches.
Mozilla Monitor
Free web service from Mozilla that checks whether your email appears in known data breaches.
