Microsoft Defender Antivirus, earlier known as Windows Defender is an inbuilt antivirus program for Windows 10 or it can be said that it is an anti-malware component of Microsoft Windows. The Microsoft Defender is controlled in Windows Defender Security Center and works well with a Windows PC by showing pop-up notifications to announce the scan results. It even gives a notification if no viruses are found. Microsoft Defender is pretty safe to protect your system from a lot of infectious threats including cybercrimes.

Is Windows Defender a complete tool to meet all your operating system’s security  needs? If you too think it is not an efficient tool, you can look for some of the best antivirus software for Windows 10. Read this article further to know the best alternatives you can adapt to ditch Windows Defender/ Microsoft Defender.

Best Free/Paid Antivirus Software Windows 10

Comparing The Best Antivirus Software For Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 PC (2024)

Top 10 Antivirus (2024)	Price	Compatibility	Major Highlights	Current Version	File Size
Systweak Antivirus	Starting at $39.95	Windows 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 SP1+	Solid protection for zero-day threats. Ensures a safe browsing experience. Comes with a Startup Manager.	1.0.1000.11255	21 MB
AVG Antivirus Free	Free/Starting at $33.87	Windows 10, 8, 7 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Scan web, Twitter & Facebook links. Comes with a File Shredder. Security updates & new features are pushed automatically.	21.9.3208 Beta	219 KB
Avira Free Security Suite	Free/Starting at $39.95	Windows 10, 8, 7 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Tools like file shredder, browser safety, cookie cleaner, etc. Selection of free tune-up tools. Comes with a VPN.	1.1.53.21795	5.5 MB
Sophos Free Antivirus	Free Antivirus Tool	Windows 10, 8, 7	Simple UI. Tools for Remote Management. Top-notch protection against malicious content.	2.1.10	–
Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Free/Starting at $19.99	Windows 10, 8, 7 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Continuous scanning protection for your system. Comes with real-time protection. Simple & straightforward UI.	1.0.21.265	12.9 MB
Norton Antivirus Plus	Free/Starting at $19.99	Windows 10, 8, 7 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Setting up the tool is a fast & easy task. Multiple scanning modes. Low resource consumption.	22.20.5.39	182 MB
Kaspersky Antivirus	Free/Starting at $29.99	Windows 10, 8, 7 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Accessible & user-friendly antivirus. Multiple scan modes and in-depth configuration Can be optimized to preserve battery life.	21.2.16.590	2.8 MB
McAfee Antivirus Plus	Free/Starting at $54.55	Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Blocks dangerous emails & risky web content. Comes with Two-way Firewall. Exclusive Anti-bot Protection.	19.0.4016	5.3 MB
360 Total Security	Free/Starting at $22.68	Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Check the overall condition of your PC’s health. Has cleanup tools & a startup booster. Remove junk files from your PC & free disk space.	10.8.0.1382	87.9 MB
Panda Security	Free/Starting at $20.99	Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP (Both 32-bit & 64-bit)	Uses cloud assistance to remove infected files. Ransomware protection. Centralized platform to manage all the Panda products.	21.00.00	72.3 MB

Check out the list of amazing antivirus software for Windows 10 to protect your computer from malicious content and threats.

1. Systweak Antivirus

Systweak Antivirus Platforms: Windows Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $35.50

Click Here To Download Systweak Antivirus One of the best antivirus software available for Windows, Systweak Antivirus comes with robust protection against any kind of virus attacks. It acts as a shield and offers protection against malware, spyware, adware, and Trojans as well. This amazing antivirus software allows you to scan for threats on Windows PC for free, although to remove the threats, you must have its premium version. With its quick, deep, and custom scanning, the antivirus secures your PC efficiently.

Reasons To Buy: Systweak Antivirus Protection against zero-day threats, adware, spyware, virus, worms, etc. Ensures a safe browsing experience and protects your PC from PUP as well. Detects & removes malicious startup items to protect your system.

2. AVG Antivirus Free

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AVG Antivirus Free Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: No

AVG antivirus is another top security tool for Windows 10 that can be used for excellent protection against cyber and phishing attacks. You can use this tool to scan and search for hidden malware including sneaky malicious content such as spyware and ransomware. With AVG, you can protect your system against zero-day threats by preventing opening and responding unknown files. Furthermore, this amazing tool also includes a free file shredder that securely deletes sensitive files and prevents your personal data from getting exposed.

Reasons To Buy: AVG Antivirus Free Provides real-time protection & thoroughly scans the web, Twitter & Facebook links. Comes with a File Shredder utility to permanently delete sensitive files. Security updates & new features are also pushed automatically.

3. Avira Free Security Suite

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Avira Free Security Suite Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $20.88

If you are looking for a complete, user-friendly and free security suite for your Windows 10 PC, Avira Free antivirus is all you need. It has been creating amazing antivirus applications for a long time with a good score in their malware blocking test. It gives its users a VPN that encrypts all your online data and finds outdated software making your online experience more worthy. You can also use its password manager to keep your credentials shielded and secured.

Reasons To Buy: Avira Free Security Suite The suite is built around a tripod of security, privacy, and performance. Comes with real-time protection against all types of malware and online threats. Various privacy features like file shredder, browser safety, cookie cleaner, etc.

4. Sophos Free Antivirus

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Sophos Free Antivirus Platforms: Windows, Mac Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $25.58

While looking for the best free Antivirus for Windows 10, Sophos is one of popular tools in the list offering its users zero-day threat detection. It learns and understands the characteristics of the malware and other threats and comes out with a solution to prevent your PC and important data. The only limitation I encountered while using Sophos is that it is not an easy tool to figure out. It shows you a few tabs and links to its features that are not available in its free version.

Reasons To Buy: Sophos Free Antivirus Comes with business-grade protection for consumers. Sophos watches network traffic to cut off access to malware-hosting websites. Provides features like ransomware protection, privacy protection & malicious traffic detection.

5. Bitdefender Antivirus Free

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Bitdefender Antivirus Free Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $19.65

Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the best antivirus software for Windows 10 if you are looking for a free tool that can give your system basic security. This tool is a good to go option as it is reliable and does not let users experience any slowdown or drag while it is running in the background. This one gives an award-winning protection against existing or new e-threats. What else do you need from an antivirus program that is quick to install and light on your system be it Windows, Mac or Android.

Reasons To Buy: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Completely automatic interface, truly no muss and no fuss. Reveals the security status of your computer & allows you to initiate a new scan. Has an active shielding feature that detects any abnormalities on your system.

6. Norton Antivirus Plus

Norton Antivirus Plus Platforms: Windows, Mac Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $12.27

Norton is one such popular name that cannot be missed out while talking about the best antivirus Windows 10. This Antivirus is a product that gives efficient protection to your operating system against ransomware and other malicious threats. Moreover, Norton is known for its protection that won’t let your Windows PC slow down. This top rated antivirus program gives you top-notch browsing protection, parental control, password manager, a secure VPN and much more.

Reasons To Buy: Norton Antivirus Plus Data Protector defends against ransomware. Protection against viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malware types. Features like online backup, firewall, exploit protection, password manager, etc.

7. Kaspersky Antivirus

Kaspersky Antivirus Platforms: Windows  Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $6.54

The list is very long when it comes to antivirus software and Kaspersky Antivirus is yet another powerful software that is user-friendly and efficiently protects user privacy. With its self-protection routine, Kaspersky gives you a faster scanning against ransomware and other malicious threats. Install Kaspersky on your Windows PC and get real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and more similar threats. Kaspersky antivirus program cleans your system and optimizes its performance by blocking the latest viruses, ransomware, spyware, cryptolockers & more.

Reasons To Buy: Kaspersky Antivirus Tons of additional utilities to scan the OS & third-party apps for vulnerabilities. Clean up the HDD by eliminating unnecessary files. Feature-rich, customizable and fast anti-malware application.

8. McAfee Antivirus Plus

McAfee Antivirus Plus Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $13.63

If you are looking for a top antivirus software or program that is compatible with all the devices you use, McAfee is one of the best options. It comes with a great deal wherein you can protect your Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS devices using a single subscription. Isn’t it great? Get McAfee Antivirus Plus to clean and secure your device from any ransomware, virus, spyware, and whatnot? In addition to cross platform access and multi-device protection, it also offers features like File Shredder, and Firewall etc. McAfee comes in licensed version only.

Reasons To Buy: McAfee Antivirus Plus Complete Anti-virus, Anti-spyware, and Anti-malware protection. Remove unnecessary clutter from your computer to boost performance. The comprehensive application suite features a real-time scanner and firewall.

9. 360 Total Security

360 Total Security Platforms: Windows, Mac Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $11.37

360 Total Security is a powerful protection provider for Windows and is available in a free version. It offers a unified solution for PC security and utility. Further, 360 Total Security is equipped with 5 antivirus engines and multiple layers for real-time protection. Moreover, its Sandbox feature isolates risky programs for your PC. Icing on the cake is it is available on all devices be in Windows, Mac, or mobile devices. It has an Anti-Ransomware Arsenal offering the best real-time protection, intelligent blocking, and document protection. Once you download this amazing antivirus software, your web browser will automatically get its extension.

Reasons To Buy: 360 Total Security Comes with a cleanup tool and a startup booster, all wrapped in an intuitive GUI. Improve the boot speed and disable unnecessary startup items. Four different modes – Performance/Balanced/Security and Custom.

10. Panda Security

Panda Security Platforms: Windows, Android Free Version Available?: Yes Paid Version: US $3.38

Panda Security is a strong antivirus software that ensures preventing your PC and its data from privacy breaches and malicious threats to you. This freemium antivirus software is able to safeguard your PC from all types of malware and spyware, offers periodic scans, prevention against use of USB drives, and a rescue kit to clean and boot infected computers. The no-subscription version of this ransomware protection tool offers the best antivirus protection for Windows 10 devices, free VPN with limited 150MB/day and allows you to browse anonymously from a single virtual location, and scans external/USB devices and keeps them safe from any kind of threats.

Reasons To Buy: Panda Security Uses cloud assistance to prevent, detect and eliminate infected files. Protect your photos and personal data against ransomware. Provides a centralized platform to manage all the Panda products associated with your

Which Antivirus Software Is The Best For Windows 10?

That’s all folks! We have compiled a list of the best antivirus for Windows 10 that offers full prevention against malicious threats. Although Windows has an inbuilt security tool i.e. Microsoft Defender, it is always good to have another tool to protect your system from threats like spyware, adware and malware, etc. more efficiently. If you do not like Microsoft Defender, check these top alternate antivirus software for Windows 10 and ensure strong protection of your PC from malicious threats.

FAQs for Best Antivirus Software for Windows 10:

Our Recommendation:

We recommend you to use Systweak Antivirus for your Windows 10 as it offers robust protection including malware and exploit protection against all kinds of malicious threats. Systweak Antivirus software is relatively new in the market but offers a comprehensive and overall system protection with high usability for both all kinds of users. It is worth giving a try.

Let us know in the comments section below, which tool you find best.

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