Getting an antivirus is one of the most important things that business users have to take care of. However, it’s not just about getting one, but users have to choose the one that best suits their system from a wide range of options. As the technology market continues to expand, software companies are constantly coming up with new and better options every day. Given that antivirus software is the most important piece of clothing when you dress up your system, you need to be very careful when choosing it.
Many users are aware of BitDefender Antivirus or have experience using it. In this article, I’ve provided you with a list of BitDefender alternatives if you want to replace or compare this software with other existing or updated software on the market. This will help you make a more informed choice among many other options. If you’re using the free version, then you can consider the paid version, and here’s a detailed comparison of Bitdefender’s paid vs free.
Best Free Alternatives to Bitdefender Antivirus: A Collection of the Best Antiviruses
What are the commonly used antiviruses? If you’re looking for a free antivirus for your home or business, there’s an alternative to Bitdefender on the market. I’ve only listed the best and free ones with almost the same or more features compared to Bitdefender, take a look:
Avast Free Antivirus
Best Antivirus Recommendations: When you’re looking for the right antivirus for your system, this might be the first name that comes up on your search list. Avast is by far the most popular antivirus software preferred by many users around the world. Not only does Avast meet your individual small-scale needs and protect your system from multiple potential threats, but it also offers a business version that provides users with industrial-grade, high-quality protection.
Its cloud-based capabilities eliminate the need to acquire any additional hardware to optimize its performance. Avast provides its users with a browser-based console that confirms that you have full authorized monitoring of their work.
If you’re willing to spend a few dollars, then you can continue to use the paid version of Avast, and you can compare the free vs. paid versions of Avast in detail here.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- It has a very simple user interface, and the user can operate it even as a novice.
- Avast updates automatically.
- It comes with a plethora of features that provide industry-level security, including anti-spam, home network security, data shredder, network capture, smart scanning, a safe zone browser, and much more.
Shortcoming:
- Some users have complained about slowing down their systems due to the installation of Avast software.
- Some updates on the software may limit certain features on your system, which can cause problems for some people.
System support: Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Download: https ://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
Kaspersky
Top Antivirus Software Downloads: Kaspersky is another antivirus tool that is popular for its clean features. If you’re planning to save your budget and at the same time buy an expert-level security program for your system, Kaspersky is exactly what you need. Kaspersky has proven to be very helpful with small or individual businesses.
It has made a name for itself for providing very strong customer support via mail, phone, and online chat. Kaspersky’s goal is to pay attention to and document every customer complaint and work in these areas that have made the software so successful.
If you’re not sure about the relationship between Avast and Kaspersky, check out this comparison table.
The following points can be considered pros and cons:
Merit:
- Kaspersky isn’t just your PC, its services even extend to your smartphone.
- It offers mobile protection with anti-malware protection and anti-phishing, both of which are necessary for safe internet browsing.
- It comes with a virtual keyboard. This feature will help you eliminate several threats posed by certain keyloggers that can copy your confidential details such as passwords, passwords, etc.
Shortcoming:
- Users often complain about its interface. It is not considered a very easy one, and many people will find it a bit difficult to use.
- It has reportedly been observed interfering with the work of certain browsers and hindering their smooth operation.
System support: Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Download: https ://free.kaspersky.com/
AVG Antivirus
Collection of the best antiviruses: Avg Antivirus is the software that is recommended for all novice users, and it is considered a good choice if you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use program with major security features. Avg Antivirus takes up minimal space on your disk and gives you all the basic protection your system needs.
Its features may not include many of the fancy features offered by many of its competitors, and Avg Antivirus is still a great option.
Here are the pros and cons categories:
Merit:
- It is not limited to any operating system. Available for Windows, Mac, and Android.
- Its malware protection is highly rated by users.
- Avg Antivirus is a big hit in the market because of its extremely lightweight nature.
- Simple user interface.
Shortcoming:
- The anti-phishing feature is not very good.
- The free version lacks certain required features, such as password protection and a firewall.
File size: 264 KB (installation file)
System support: Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Mac, and Android
Download: https ://www.avg.com/en-gb/free-antivirus-download
Panda Antivirus
Best Antivirus Recommendation:P Anda Antivirus is a simple and uncomplicated software program that promises to provide your system with reasonable protection from external malware and other threats. Panda Antivirus is wholesome because it has all the essential features that ensure protection.
It provides you with Wi-Fi protection and can also be used on your Android system.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- Intuitive and simple user interface.
- The malware detection rate is high.
- It comes with USB protection, which means that Panda Antivirus will scan the pen drive as soon as it is connected to the system.
- It comes with a rescue toolkit to create a free system recovery.
Shortcoming:
- It affects the general performance of the system.
- During our testing, we found that sometimes the installation may not work properly. Therefore, offline installation must be used.
File size: 69 MB
System support: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Download: https ://www.pandasecurity.com/en/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/
Sophos Antivirus is free
What are the commonly used antiviruses? Sophos Antivirus has been popular in the market for a long time and is considered to be a simple and easy-to-use software program that does not require any additional hardware to run. Compared to many of its competitors, Sopho Antivirus gives you much simpler protection against most malware and external threats.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- Simple user interface.
- It has real-time protection.
- It has parental controls. This means that parents can control the type of content that is visible to their children.
- Enable security management remotely.
- Comes with ransomware security (30 days)
- Allows for secure banking and webcam protection.
Shortcoming:
- Phishing protection isn’t that good.
- The scanning process takes time.
File size:
System support: Windows and Mac
Download: https ://home.sophos.com/en-us/free-anti-virus-windows.aspx
Avira
Top Antivirus Software Downloads: Avira is a simple software program that provides users with highly satisfied malware protection for their systems. If you’re not looking for an antivirus tool for professional needs, it’s always recommended as a good option. It fulfills all the requirements of your PC and protects it from external threats.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- It doesn’t require much technical knowledge from the user.
- It can be easily installed.
- It blocks spyware
- Comes with anti-ransomware
Shortcoming:
- It slows down the general functioning of the PC.
File size: 5.9 MB (installation file)
System support: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
Download: https ://www.avira.com/en/free-antivirus-windows
ZoneAlarm antivirus
It is a cloud-based security program that can prove to be very effective in securing systems in the field of small-scale commerce. It provides users with two-way firewall protection and allows users to practice PC monitoring. ZoneAlarm is also highly recommended for personal use. It ensures safe use of the internet and data privacy.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- It provides users with an advanced two-way firewall.
- It has the function of protecting the user’s identity.
- Good anti-spyware
Shortcoming:
- It doesn’t offer anti-phishing.
- It doesn’t have an anti-keylogger.
System support: Windows 10, 8, 7
Download: https ://www.zonealarm.com/software/free-antivirus
360 Total Security
A collection of the best antivirus software — Created by the Chinese company Qihoo, 360 Total Security is a healthy antivirus software tool that gives you a complete package with several features and a high standard of protection for free.
It has a unique feature called Sandbox, which lets you put all your other applications and software programs in an isolated environment.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- It offers a variety of internet security in multiple devices.
- The app is updated frequently.
- The software integrates perfectly with all operating systems.
- The free version has anti-ransomware.
- Secure online shopping
Shortcoming:
- Too many ads can be annoying at times.
File size: 1.5 MB (installation file)
System support: Windows and Mac
Download: https ://www.360totalsecurity.com/en/
Windows Defender
Windows Defender integrates with Windows and is another great option for antivirus software programs. The software may lack some of the features of BitDefender and other software, but it can prove to be satisfactory enough. The app runs in absolute silence in the background and doesn’t affect most of the system’s performance.
Here are the pros and cons:
Merit:
- Provides protection for ransomware files and allows controlled folder access.
- It does not affect the functionality of the system.
Shortcoming:
- The scanning process is slow.
- It’s a long update.
- Malware detection rates are not up to par.
System support: Windows 10
Download: https ://www.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/comprehensive-security
HitmanPro
Best Antivirus Recommendation: Changing from one software program to another on your system is always a reckless process. If you want to solve system security issues, HitmanPro can be your best choice. HipmanPro Antivirus cleans your system as soon as it is installed, and then protects it from future threats.
It protects the system from all kinds of malware, spyware, Trojans, worms, rootkits, adware, and more.
Here are the pros and cons of using HitmanPro:
Merit:
- It provides you with high-speed scanning.
- Users can install this software on the infected system as it cleans first and then protects.
- Users can bypass the installation process as it can also be booted from a USB carrier.
Shortcoming:
- It identifies and protects your system from external threats only through an internet connection.
- It only scans the drive on which it has been installed.
System support: Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Windows Server 2003, 2008, and 2010 (32-bit and 64-bit)
Download: https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/downloads.aspx
CLAM antivirus
What are the commonly used antiviruses? Clam Antivirus is an open-source antivirus engine that is loved by a large number of users and is becoming more and more popular in the market. It supports almost all Windows devices, including Microsoft 7, 8, 10, XP, Vista, and 2000. This list can even be extended to Windows Server 2003, 2008, and 2012. Clam Antivirus is widely used worldwide, with as many as 600,000 users on its list.
If you’re just getting into the tech world, Clam AV may be the best option for you, as it gives you the basic protection you need to build your system. It will protect the system from all kinds of malware and spyware very effectively and for free. However, once you get the hang of the technicalities, you may choose other options with more complex and inclusive conservation commitments.
The pros and cons are listed below:
Merit:
- It gives you the option to schedule regular scans at your convenience.
- This antivirus comes with a simple user interface.
- Users also have the option to selectively scan the appropriate files.
Shortcoming:
- It doesn’t have an automatic file scanner, so users have to select individual files and open them to scan.
- Its processing speed may not be up to the expectations of many users.
- The software doesn’t offer new upgrades very often.
File size: 164 MB
System support: Windows, macOS X, Linux, and BSD
Popular Antivirus Software Downloads: http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/18/46/
conclusion
No matter which antivirus you’re going to use instead of BitDefender, make sure it has all the features and shouldn’t slow down your PC.