You’ve come to the wrong place if you’re looking for free antivirus protection. Our list here covers the very best antivirus tools, and they’re not free. On the other hand, the best free antivirus apps beat out many of their commercial counterparts. Consider Avast One Basic or AVG AntiVirus Free if your budget just doesn’t stretch to paying for antivirus protection.

There are several free antivirus software options, such as Avast, AVG and Microsoft Defender, that use similar threat lists as major paid services, meaning they’ll protect you from widespread malware and threats. Free services usually lack features such as phishing and ransomware protection, however, so it’s a good idea to pay for those features.

Avira: If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck when it comes to antivirus software, look no further than Avira. In addition to being comprehensive protection against malware, including ransomware and phishing attacks, it also includes a firewall and email security to protect your devices from being hacked.

McAfee: If you want world-class security but don’t have a team of experts, then McAfee is the program for you. This top-of-the-line software comes with a robust firewall, email protection and industry-leading ransomware defence. In addition, it has a password manager and parental controls to keep your family safe online.

Avast: Avast is an excellent program for people who frequently work from home. It comes with a firewall, email security and real-time protection against cyberattacks such as malware, phishing and ransomware.