Our Pick Of The Best Free Antivirus Software In Australia 2024

Contributor,  Editor

Published: Dec 1, 2023, 10:00am

Sophie Venz
editor

Edited By

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here. Read our advice disclaimer here.

Computer viruses designed to harm or gain access to your computer are more common than ever. Each type has an end goal in mind: to make money, whether through selling your personal data or demanding money through a ransomware attack.

According to the latest data from Scamwatch, three in every four scams reported involve impersonation or “criminals pretending to be people we should trust”. As of December 1, these scams have cost Australians some $92 million.

Luckily, there are plenty of antivirus software options available to protect your device, and many of them are free. In this roundup, we’ve done the research to find the best free antivirus software.

Note: the below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research.

{{ showMobileIntroSection ? 'Read Less': 'Read More' }}

Save up to 70% on our top-rated protection!

Try our simple but powerful security for your home or business, today.


Try AVAST Now

30-day money-back guarantee

The Best Free Antivirus of 2024


Avira

Avira
4.7
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free Download

Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Free Download

Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Why We Picked It

Avira ranks high in independent tests for virus and malware protection, and it offers a wide range of features on top of that. Some of those include browser safety, a free virtual private network (VPN), password manager, tracker remover, scan optimisation and junk remover.

You can use Avira’s free antivirus software on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. The company doesn’t put any limits on how many devices you can protect with a single subscription, which is pretty generous.

Who should use it:

If you’re looking for a comprehensive security solution that can be used on multiple devices, Avira is a great option.

Pros & Cons
  • Can be used on multiple platforms
  • Comprehensive protection
  • Includes a free VPN
  • Must upgrade for a firewall
  • Aggressive upsells

Avast

Avast
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free Download

Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Free Download

Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Why We Picked It

Malware works by hiding on your computer and then either stealing your personal data or holding it ransom. Avast’s malware protection is some of the best in the business, and it offers a wide range of other features as well.

Its free antivirus software comes with a VPN, alerts when intruders access your Wi-Fi, and also includes anti-malware technology along with web and email shields. It not only blocks threats, it scans your computer for existing threats to eliminate them.

Who should use it:

Anyone who’s worried about ransomware attacks will appreciate the extra protection that Avast offers.

Read more:

Read our full Avast review.

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with a VPN
  • Includes hack alerts for online accounts
  • Available for Mac, iOS, Android and PC
  • Must upgrade for a firewall
  • Doesn’t include ransomware protection in its free plan

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Microsoft Defender Antivirus
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free Download

Yes, for Windows

Firewall

Yes

Malware Protection

Yes

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Free Download

Yes, for Windows

Firewall

Yes

Malware Protection

Yes

Why We Picked It

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is what comes preinstalled on Windows PCs. While it’s not as feature-rich as some of the other options on this list, it does offer solid protection against viruses and malware.

It’s also very easy to set up. All you need to do is turn it on and it’ll start scanning your computer for threats. It comes with a real-time protection feature that’ll block new threats as they appear, and is one of the few options on this list with a firewall included.

Who should use it:

Any Windows user who’s looking for a free and easy-to-use option for virus and malware protection.

Pros & Cons
  • One of the few free antiviruses offering a firewall for free
  • Comes preinstalled on Windows PCs
  • Real-time protection
  • Can’t use it on Androids or Macs
  • Not as feature-rich as others on this list

Bitdefender

Bitdefender
3.9
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free Download

Yes, for Windows

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Bitdefender
Learn More

On Bitdefender's Website

Free Download

Yes, for Windows

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Why We Picked It

Bitdefender offers some of the best virus and malware protection, and it’s one of the few companies that is consistently ranked at the top by independent testing organisations. In addition to that, it offers a wide range of features, including a password manager, webcam protection, file encryption and more.

The company also offers a free trial of its paid software, which includes all of the features mentioned above plus real-time scanning of websites for malicious content. What’s more, is it’ll scan and remove threats from your computer.

Who should use it:

Anyone who’s looking for comprehensive protection from viruses and malware.

Read more:

Read our full Bitdefender review.

Pros & Cons
  • Scans and removes threats
  • Fraud prevention
  • Behavioral app detection
  • Must pay for firewall
  • Free version only for Windows

AVG

AVG
3.2
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Free Download

Yes, for iOS, Android, Windows and PC

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

AVG

Free Download

Yes, for iOS, Android, Windows and PC

Firewall

No, for a fee

Malware Protection

Yes

Why We Picked It

AVG offers excellent protection against spyware, which is a type of malware that’s designed to track your personal data and activities. In addition to that, it offers a wide range of features. It blocks viruses, unsafe links, downloads, email attachments, ransomware and malware. It’ll scan your device for performance problems and give real-time security updates.

Who should use it:

Anyone who’s worried about spyware and other types of malware.

Pros & Cons
  • Works for iOS, Android, Windows and PC
  • Updates automatically
  • Hack alerts sent to your email
  • Protects email accounts by blocking dangerous attachments and links
  • No phishing protection in its free plan

Forbes Advisor Ratings


Company Forbes Advisor Rating Free Download Firewall Malware Protection
Avira 4.7 Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS No, for a fee Yes View More
Avast 4.2 Yes, for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS No, for a fee Yes Learn More On Avast’s Website https://fave.co/3AAGRuX
Microsoft Defender Antivirus 4.0 Yes, for Windows Yes Yes View More
Bitdefender Bitdefender 3.9 Yes, for Windows No, for a fee Yes Learn More On Bitdefender’s Website
AVG 3.2 Yes, for iOS, Android, Windows and PC No, for a fee Yes Learn More On AVG’s Website

How to Choose the Right Free Antivirus Software

The most important feature of any antivirus is protection from a wide range of threats. These include viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware and phishing. Of course, the best free antivirus software will be available for all of your device-types, so you are protected whether you are using your Windows desktop or your iPhone.

It’s also worth considering the price for premium antivirus plans in case you decide you want to further increase your security in the future. Those with affordable feature-rich plans will be your best bet to easily grow with.


Methodology

When analysing the best free antivirus software options, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. We looked at dozens of data points, such as the various features each option offers, as well as how easy they are to use. Real user experiences were taken into account, too, to see if marketing promises match actual experiences.

After taking all of these factors into consideration, we came up with our top five picks for the best free antivirus software.

A Note on Star Rankings

You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are free antiviruses any good?

Free antiviruses are good at protecting your devices from a wide range of threats. However, they typically don’t include some of the more advanced features that come with paid options.

Do all of my devices need antivirus software?

All devices that connect to the internet are vulnerable to viruses and other threats. That’s why it’s important to have some form of antivirus protection on all of your devices—even Apple products.

Can I get a virus from opening an email?

Yes, you can. That’s why it’s important to be careful about which emails you open and never click on any links or attachments unless you’re absolutely sure they’re safe.

Do I need an antivirus if I have a Mac?

While Macs are less likely to be affected by viruses than PCs, they’re not immune. That’s why it’s important to have some form of antivirus protection on your Mac, in addition to other security measures.

Is antivirus software enough to protect me?

While today’s leading antivirus services offer helpful features, the truth of the matter is that it’s not enough to keep you fully protected. Human error is responsible for a large number of security breaches for both private individuals and businesses. Using common sense when it comes to password usage, deciphering phishing scams and other tools are essential when it comes to keeping your information secure.

Can antivirus software stop hackers?

No, antivirus software cannot stop hackers. However, it can detect and remove any malicious software that hackers may have installed on your computer without your knowledge. In addition, antivirus software can also help to protect your computer from being hacked in the first place by identifying and blocking any suspicious activity.

What is the best free antivirus for Australia?

There are a range of suitable antivirus software that is both free and available for Australians. These include Avira, Avast, Microsoft Defender, AVG and Bitdefender.

Is AVG completely free?

Yes, AVG does offer a completely free plan that promises to protect the users’ computer against spyware that tracks your personal data and activities. It also blocks viruses, unsafe links, downloads, email attachments, ransomware and malware. Nevertheless, the free version is less comprehensive than the paid iteration, and does not protect against phishing—a common scam affecting Australians.


Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.