The Best Free Antivirus in 2020

Few operating systems are free of vulnerabilities, especially those of more widespread use, such as Windows and Android.

In this post, we will try to avoid keeping your Windows computer away from threats at zero cost, or at least offer a second security layer for your PC. Here, it is important to explain that we are talking about a business model that is different from the paid version, but that can also offer benefits to users.

Kaspersky Free

One of the best antiviruses today, and despite some controversies with the United States (which banned its use in government departments), it is open and transparent software, and has the same detection engine as the paid version in the free version.

It also has adware protection, password protection, and storage and data encryption via a VPN. The account check lets you know if your password has been compromised, and it has a mobile version.

Windows Defender

If you use Windows 10, by default, you already have Windows Defender installed on your PC. It is not so intrusive, with some users not even knowing it exists. But it does its job well. It is one of the 15 best antiviruses in the world.

Its strong point is its great integration with the operating system. It does not include advertising and is updated automatically. Automatically detects and places threats in quarantine, in addition to having its own firewall, parental control, and other resources.

Malwarebytes Free

A little different from traditional antivirus, it is a tool that eliminates malware with more basic functions, that is, without constant active protection. Threat tracking is manual. It can be a good complement to another antivirus, acting as an additional security layer.

Avast Free

Another one full of controversies (remembering: if it's free, who pays the bill is you), it can be another interesting alternative in the free version, with a powerful malware analysis engine, detection of intruders on the WiFi network, a do not disturb mode for entertainment and constant computer analysis.

AVG Free

An Avast property, therefore, shares the malware search engine with it. It is lighter and less intrusive, but it also has a download and link blocker, automatic analysis, and web protection. It is another one that has a mobile version.

Panda Free

Its free version is available for Windows and Android and has active protection against malware and spyware. It differs from the others in that it has protection for USB ports, multimedia and game modes, a threat recovery system, and VPN (with a limit of 150 MB daily) for anonymous browsing.

Bitdefender Free

Available for macOS, Windows, and Android, it occupies a good position in the AV-TEST ranking, working in the background when scanning the computer, and without displaying ads. It is a very basic program, which allows the scheduling of scans or manual verification. However, it has a good fast scanning system and is reliable in basic protection.

Avira Free

It has the basis of the Pro version but shows advertising for other company products. One of its biggest advantages is the low impact on PC performance since it is very light. It has real-time protection on applications, files, navigation, ad blocker, and a system that prevents the tracking of our web activity. Available for PC and Android.

Protegent Free Antivirus

Protegent Free Antivirus has been developed with two-tier security that allows it to protect computers against the latest novel viruses, malware, worms, Trojans, and other viruses. It has been designed to deliver great protection and doesn’t slow down system performance as it gets unnoticed while running in the background. It comes with an inbuilt proactive data recovery module that provides a powerful solution to the user recovering any accidentally deleted data in no time.

360 Total Security

It is a very simple antivirus, with a pleasant interface and the most basic functions, such as real-time protection of programs, files and web browsing, automatic backups of documents, protection for online purchases, among others.

ZoneAlarm Free

It is not so well known, but it is quite interesting. It is a very complete antivirus, which has features like game mode or protection for the wireless network via a firewall.

Bonus: Online Antivirus

If the alternatives above did not convince you, online antivirus could be the solution to your problems. Proposals like   VirusTotal,  Metadefender, or  VirsCan can help when it comes to suffocation. On the other hand, you waive protection in real-time, and you are the one who will upload the files to the web to check their status.