Best Malwarebytes Free Antivirus Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Malwarebytes Free Antivirus? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Malwarebytes Free Antivirus alongside similar software solutions including Malwarebytes Free Antivirus, Spybot Search and Destroy, ESET Security, Avast Free Antivirus, Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung, ESET NOD32 Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, AntiRansomware, McAfee Security Scan Plus, AVG Internet Security and Microsoft Security Essentials.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Malwarebytes Free Antivirus, Spybot Search and Destroy, ESET Security, Avast Free Antivirus, Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung, ESET NOD32 Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, AntiRansomware, McAfee Security Scan Plus, AVG Internet Security and Microsoft Security Essentials stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Operating System Compatibility	Protection Features	Pricing Model & Versions
Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Supports both Windows and Mac operating systems.	Provides scans for malware detection and removal without real-time protection.	Free version with limited functionality; premium version offers more comprehensive features.
Spybot Search and Destroy	Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems.	Offers anti-malware and spyware removal with a TeaTimer real-time protection feature; basic functionalities in free version.	Free and open-source version available; paid version includes additional features and real-time protection.
ESET Security	Supports Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.	Includes antivirus, anti-malware, anti-theft protection, firewall protection, phishing protection, ransomware protection, real-time protection with advanced scanning.	Offers free trial; requires purchase for full suite with advanced features; multiple license options available.
Avast Free Antivirus	Supports Windows, Mac, and Android devices.	Basic antivirus and malware protection with firewall and anti-spam filter but limited advanced features.	Free version with basic protection; additional tools/features available in paid premium versions.
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems.	Performs system integrity checks to detect security threats; basic level of antivirus capabilities.	Included as a built-in security feature in Windows OS; no separate cost.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.	Comprehensive security solution with antivirus, firewall protection, anti-spam features and real-time scanning.	Free trial period available; full product requires purchase.
Avast Premium Security	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.	Comprehensive antivirus program including firewall, anti-phishing, ransomware shield, VPN (Virtual Private Network), password manager, real-time protection.	Paid subscription-based software offering comprehensive features beyond the free version.
AntiRansomware	Supports Windows 7 and later versions.	Focused specifically on ransomware prevention with an advanced algorithm providing an extra layer of defense; not a standalone antivirus.	Offers a free trial version; requires one-time fee for lifetime updates; not a standalone antivirus solution.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (32 and 64 bit).	Utility tool that scans for threats but does not provide full antivirus protection or removal capabilities.	Free utility only; full protection requires other McAfee paid products.
AVG Internet Security	Supports Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as Android devices.	Comprehensive online security suite with firewall, real-time protection, ransomware protection, webcam protection, file shredder, app lock.	'Free trial available; full suite requires purchase with higher price tag than basic options.'
Microsoft Security Essentials	Supports Windows XP, Vista, and 7.	Basic antivirus and anti-malware software with real-time scanning providing robust but limited protection suited for basic needs.	'Free software designed for basic antivirus needs on older Windows versions.'

Operating System Compatibility

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Supports both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Spybot Search and Destroy	Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems.
ESET Security	Supports Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android.
Avast Free Antivirus	Supports Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Avast Premium Security	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
AntiRansomware	Supports Windows 7 and later versions.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (32 and 64 bit).
AVG Internet Security	Supports Windows and Mac operating systems, as well as Android devices.
Microsoft Security Essentials	Supports Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

Protection Features

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Provides scans for malware detection and removal without real-time protection.
Spybot Search and Destroy	Offers anti-malware and spyware removal with a TeaTimer real-time protection feature; basic functionalities in free version.
ESET Security	Includes antivirus, anti-malware, anti-theft protection, firewall protection, phishing protection, ransomware protection, real-time protection with advanced scanning.
Avast Free Antivirus	Basic antivirus and malware protection with firewall and anti-spam filter but limited advanced features.
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	Performs system integrity checks to detect security threats; basic level of antivirus capabilities.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	Comprehensive security solution with antivirus, firewall protection, anti-spam features and real-time scanning.
Avast Premium Security	Comprehensive antivirus program including firewall, anti-phishing, ransomware shield, VPN (Virtual Private Network), password manager, real-time protection.
AntiRansomware	Focused specifically on ransomware prevention with an advanced algorithm providing an extra layer of defense; not a standalone antivirus.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Utility tool that scans for threats but does not provide full antivirus protection or removal capabilities.
AVG Internet Security	Comprehensive online security suite with firewall, real-time protection, ransomware protection, webcam protection, file shredder, app lock.
Microsoft Security Essentials	Basic antivirus and anti-malware software with real-time scanning providing robust but limited protection suited for basic needs.

Pricing Model & Versions

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Free version with limited functionality; premium version offers more comprehensive features.
Spybot Search and Destroy	Free and open-source version available; paid version includes additional features and real-time protection.
ESET Security	Offers free trial; requires purchase for full suite with advanced features; multiple license options available.
Avast Free Antivirus	Free version with basic protection; additional tools/features available in paid premium versions.
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	Included as a built-in security feature in Windows OS; no separate cost.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	Free trial period available; full product requires purchase.
Avast Premium Security	Paid subscription-based software offering comprehensive features beyond the free version.
AntiRansomware	Offers a free trial version; requires one-time fee for lifetime updates; not a standalone antivirus solution.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Free utility only; full protection requires other McAfee paid products.
AVG Internet Security	'Free trial available; full suite requires purchase with higher price tag than basic options.'
Microsoft Security Essentials	'Free software designed for basic antivirus needs on older Windows versions.'

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Malwarebytes Free Antivirus stacks up against Malwarebytes Free Antivirus, Spybot Search and Destroy, ESET Security, Avast Free Antivirus, Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung, ESET NOD32 Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, AntiRansomware, McAfee Security Scan Plus, AVG Internet Security and Microsoft Security Essentials in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License
Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	21.8MB	Freeware
Spybot Search and Destroy	44.4MB	Freeware
ESET Security	77.3MB	Shareware
Avast Free Antivirus		Freeware
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	13.6MB	Commercial
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	37MB	Demo
Avast Premium Security		Shareware
AntiRansomware	12MB	Shareware
McAfee Security Scan Plus	8.1MB	Freeware
AVG Internet Security	147.5MB	Commercial
Microsoft Security Essentials		Freeware

Size

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	21.8MB
Spybot Search and Destroy	44.4MB
ESET Security	77.3MB
Avast Free Antivirus
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	13.6MB
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	37MB
Avast Premium Security
AntiRansomware	12MB
McAfee Security Scan Plus	8.1MB
AVG Internet Security	147.5MB
Microsoft Security Essentials

License

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Freeware
Spybot Search and Destroy	Freeware
ESET Security	Shareware
Avast Free Antivirus	Freeware
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung	Commercial
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	Demo
Avast Premium Security	Shareware
AntiRansomware	Shareware
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Freeware
AVG Internet Security	Commercial
Microsoft Security Essentials	Freeware

Rating

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus
Spybot Search and Destroy
ESET Security
Avast Free Antivirus
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Avast Premium Security
AntiRansomware
McAfee Security Scan Plus
AVG Internet Security
Microsoft Security Essentials

Popularity

Malwarebytes Free Antivirus
Spybot Search and Destroy
ESET Security
Avast Free Antivirus
Windows-PC-Integritätsprüfung
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Avast Premium Security
AntiRansomware
McAfee Security Scan Plus
AVG Internet Security
Microsoft Security Essentials