If your business is particularly small and doesn’t handle sensitive data or rely on computers for critical operations, free antivirus software may offer a sufficient layer of protection. However, it’s important to be aware that free antivirus programs often lack advanced features such as ransomware protection. Furthermore, paid solutions tend to have support and features that are more suitable for businesses, be it centralized management or multi-device protection.

Another problem with free antivirus programs is that they’re generally for personal or individual use and won’t scale with your business. You may find the lack of customer support to be a problem if your small business does face an attack and you require immediate assistance. In contrast, paid antiviruses tend to offer protection for multiple devices and have 24/7 support, typically by live chat, email, and even by phone.

Although you may not consider your small business to be a prime target for a cyberattack, you still need antivirus software. After all, small businesses often handle sensitive customer information, be it addresses or payment details. Antivirus software protects this data from threats including viruses and ransomware. This ensures it doesn’t become compromised or lost entirely. Such an attack can grind operations to a halt, losing productivity as well as revenue.

In many countries, businesses are legally required to protect personal and financial data, regardless of the size of their business. Antivirus software is a basic yet essential tool to comply with data protection laws. If a small business is breached, it can negatively impact its reputation. The loss of customer trust can in turn have financial implications which, in some cases, can be difficult to recover from, particularly for a small business with finite resources.

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.