Looking for the best Windows Defender alternatives for Windows? In this article, you’ll discover antivirus software that offers robust protection features for Windows users. With this malware protection software, you’ll be able to protect your Windows PC from virus infection.
When it comes to virus protection on Windows, Windows Defender is the primary antivirus protection tool and it comes by default. Looking back on the era of Windows Vista and Windows 7, Windows Defender has been present even on modern versions of Windows like Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11. While Windows Defender performs an excellent job of protecting one’s PC, it does lack some features. Well, other alternatives will do an excellent job better than Windows Defender and there are plenty of them online.
In this article on NaijaKnowHow, we’ve curated the best Windows Windows Defender alternatives for Windows users. Whether you’re looking for better performance or enhanced protection from malware and phishing scripts. The Antivirus software listed below will offer you all these features better than ever.
List of The Best Windows Defender Alternatives for Windows
Windows Defender does an excellent job and at the same time, there’s nothing bad in trying something else. You might need web protection from malicious websites, but Windows Defender doesn’t have such features. So it’s better to go for an antivirus app that’ll give you an all-round package.
1. Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is one of the best Windows Defender alternatives and it is an antivirus tool that offers advanced protection features. As a powerful Windows Defender alternative, Malwarebytes offers comprehensive protection against various types of malware, including viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware. Aside from protection, Malwarebytes is also a very powerful cleaner, it is one of the best registry cleaners for Windows. It offers some of the best cleaning features, despite being an alternative to Windows Defender. You can also use Malwarebytes and Windows Defender on a single PC. It can be used as a second layer of defence to target and remove any potential malware that might have bypassed your primary antivirus. The lightweight nature of Malwarebytes makes it a great choice, it is one of the known lightweight antivirus for Windows.
There are a lot of differences to point out between Malwarebytes and Windows Defender. Malwarebytes offers both free and paid versions, the free version can only last for 14 days. Once you’ve exhausted the free trial for 14 days, your premium access will be revoked. Well, there are a few benefits to premium access, it does come with real-time protection, automatic updates, and scheduled scanning. Additionally, Malwarebytes offers internet protection on different web browsers.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
If you’re looking for an alternative to Windows Defender that can handle viruses, Trojans, worms, and ransomware. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus should be on your top list, it offers exceptional malware detection and protection capabilities. Bitdefender offers robust real-time protection against a wide range of threats. It used advanced behavioural analysis and machine learning algorithms to detect threats and sort them within seconds. One of the standout features of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is its minimal impact on system performance. It is quite different from most antivirus software that causes lag or affects system settings.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus also includes a secure browsing feature that provides additional protection while you browse the web. It automatically blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts, safeguarding your personal and financial information from online threats. Furthermore, Bitdefender’s anti-fraud and anti-phishing features will protect you from fraudulent websites. Using this antivirus puts your Windows PC in a better position of being protected from all sorts of threats.
3. Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security is one of the best Antivirus for PCs and Laptops. It has been protecting almost all Windows OS right from day one and it makes sense as an alternative to Windows Defender. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution to keep your Windows PC safe from threats, Kaspersky is a great choice. As an excellent Windows Defender alternative, Kaspersky Total Security offers comprehensive protection against various threats, including malware, viruses, spyware, and phishing attacks. Its multi-layered security approach combines signature-based scanning with behavioural analysis and cloud-based threat intelligence to detect and block both known and emerging threats.
While most antivirus software offers simple protection that actually works, Kaspersky Total Security offers something different. This tool comes with an advanced firewall and this firewall makes sure no malicious files come in through your network. You can download Kaspersky Total Security for free and enjoy its free features. But the best way to feel the full capacity of this antivirus software is by upgrading to premium. The premium version comes with a free VPN, you won’t need NordVPN, ExpressVPN or any alternatives like TurboVPN and so on.
4. Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable alternative to Windows Defender. With essential protection against malware, viruses and all sorts of threats, this is one of the best options out there. The fact that it’s free makes it even more reputable and also available for Windows users. As one of the most widely used antivirus programs globally, Avast has earned a reputation for its strong malware detection capabilities and efficient performance. With Avast Free Antivirus, you’ll get all the core protection you need to stay protected from threats. An advantage it has includes compatibility with Windows Defender.
You can use both Windows Defender and Avast Free Antivirus together. In terms of network security, Avast Free Antivirus has a Wi-Fi inspector that’ll scan your network for potential threats. Another notable feature is the Avasts Behaviour Shield, which monitors the behaviour of all apps and games on your PC. If there’s suspicious activity in one, it’ll terminate the software and put it in quarantine. Additionally, you can have your login credentials protected with Avast Free Antivirus, which has a password manager. With this, you won’t need any third-party password manager app to keep your login credentials.
5. Norton 360
Norton 360 offers a wide range of features, including antivirus and malware protection, a firewall, a secure VPN, a password manager, and cloud backup. The robust nature of Norton 360 has made it a top Windows Defender alternative. You’re looking at antivirus software that has a powerful engine that detects and removes different threats. Whether you want to get rid of viruses, malware, ransomware and phishing scripts, this is the right tool for you. One of the standout features of Norton 360 is its secure VPN. Which encrypts your internet connection and provides anonymous browsing.
The VPN offered by Norton 360 also allows users to access blocked websites while enhancing their browsing security. You’ll love Norton 360 for its advanced firewall, it has an engine that can identify any form of threat. In addition to privacy, Norton 360 also offers a password manager, web protection and cloud backup features. There are a lot of antivirus on the internet but if you’re looking for a recommended one as one of the best Windows Defender alternatives. You should just make Norton 360 your preferred choice, it offers top-notch protection.
6. Avira Antivirus Pro
When looking at the hierarchy of advanced antivirus software for Windows, Avira Antivirus Pro always appears in the top 10. It is one of the best antivirus solutions that offer advanced protection for Windows users. This antivirus has a track record of 100% protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, and other online threats. Avira Antivirus Pro employs powerful scanning engines and cloud-based technology to detect and block both known and emerging threats in real-time.
One of the key features of Avira Antivirus Pro is its web protection, which blocks malicious websites and prevents phishing attempts. Once installed on your PC, you can integrate the web protection on different browsers. With available browsers like Chrome, Firefox, UC Browser, Brave Browser and other lightweight web browsers. Your online activity will surely have its maximum protection with Avira Antivirus Pro. It’s one of the best Windows Defender alternatives and it works perfectly.
7. AVG Free Antivirus
In addition to the list of Windows Defender alternatives, AVG Free Antivirus is another amazing antivirus application on the list. From its user-friendly features to advanced malware protection, it is a great option for Windows users. With AVG Free Antivirus, you’ll get essential protection against malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. The malware detection and protection capabilities of this software are top-notch. AVG Free Antivirus offers a wide range of features for basic security needs, including real-time scanning, behaviour-based detection, and regular virus definition updates. As you update the software, you’ll receive the latest machine commands to detect any unknown threats.
The software’s user-friendly interface and easy setup make it suitable for users of all experience levels. In addition to its antivirus protection, AVG Free Antivirus includes features such as email protection to scan attachments and links in emails for potential threats. Being protected is the least of the features you can explore from AVG Free Antivirus. For gaming, it has also proven to be an amazing game booster software. The free version of AVG Antivirus can help you stay protected from malware and online threats.
Conclusion
Windows Defender will always be the default antivirus software on Windows for decades. It offers excellent performance and sometimes it doesn’t bring the need for an extra security client. But if you doubt the potential of Windows Defender, you can explore the best Windows Defender Alternatives we’ve provided above.
