Best Bitdefender Antivirus Free Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Bitdefender Antivirus Free? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Bitdefender Antivirus Free alongside similar software solutions including Bitdefender Antivirus Free, Avast Free Antivirus, BitDefender Total Security, Norton, 360 Total Security, RAV Endpoint Protection, McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Security Scan Plus.

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 Bitdefender Antivirus Free, Avast Free Antivirus, BitDefender Total Security, Norton, 360 Total Security, RAV Endpoint Protection, McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Security Scan Plus stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Firewall Protection	Platform Support	Real-Time Protection	Additional Security Features
Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Includes firewall protection.	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.	Provides real-time protection against viruses and malware with minimal impact on system performance.	Basic antivirus protection only; no extra features like password manager or VPN in free version.
Avast Free Antivirus	Includes firewall.	Supports Windows, Mac, Android.	Offers real-time scanning and protection with minimal system impact; may show occasional ads.	Includes additional tools like anti-spam filter, sandbox environment, network security inspector; password manager available in paid versions.
BitDefender Total Security	Includes firewall and firewall rules.	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.	Provides real-time protection with advanced threat defense and multi-layer ransomware protection; low system impact.	Includes file encryption, multi-device protection (up to 5 devices), parental controls, password manager, VPN, anti-phishing and anti-fraud protections, webcam protection, Wi-Fi security advisor.
Norton	Includes firewall.	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.	Provides real-time protection with advanced algorithms and real-time threat intelligence; minimal system impact.	Comprehensive security including cloud backup, dark web monitoring, secure VPN, parental controls, password manager, anti-theft features for mobile devices.
360 Total Security	Includes firewall.	Supports Windows and Mac.	Offers real-time threat detection using multiple antivirus engines; may use significant system resources causing slower performance.	'Essential' security features plus additional tools like system cleanup and speedup tools; integrates multiple antivirus engines for enhanced detection; includes browser protection but has advertisements in free version.
RAV Endpoint Protection	Includes web filtering and endpoint security but firewall not specifically mentioned.	Supports Windows desktops, iOS devices, macOS, servers.	Real-time behavioral analysis and malware detection to protect endpoints; may impact CPU and memory usage.	'Advanced behavioral analysis techniques,' centralized management console for businesses; supports email filtering and application security; tailored for enterprise environments with recovery features.
McAfee LiveSafe	Includes firewall protection.	Supports Windows and Mac computers, Android and iOS smartphones/tablets.	Provides comprehensive real-time antivirus protection; may have high resource usage causing performance issues.	'Comprehensive security suite with cloud storage, parental controls, password management tools; multi-device support included in subscription.'
McAfee Security Scan Plus	No full firewall, utility scans for threats only.	Supports Windows XP and newer (including Vista, 7, 8) 32/64-bit.	Basic scanning tool without full real-time antivirus capabilities; mainly a scanning utility with no continuous protection.	Simple scanning utility with no additional security features or active protection capabilities beyond basic malware scan.

Firewall Protection

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Includes firewall protection.
Avast Free Antivirus	Includes firewall.
BitDefender Total Security	Includes firewall and firewall rules.
Norton	Includes firewall.
360 Total Security	Includes firewall.
RAV Endpoint Protection	Includes web filtering and endpoint security but firewall not specifically mentioned.
McAfee LiveSafe	Includes firewall protection.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	No full firewall, utility scans for threats only.

Platform Support

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.
Avast Free Antivirus	Supports Windows, Mac, Android.
BitDefender Total Security	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.
Norton	Supports Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.
360 Total Security	Supports Windows and Mac.
Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Supports Windows and Mac.
RAV Endpoint Protection	Supports Windows desktops, iOS devices, macOS, servers.
McAfee LiveSafe	Supports Windows and Mac computers, Android and iOS smartphones/tablets.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Supports Windows XP and newer (including Vista, 7, 8) 32/64-bit.

Real-Time Protection

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Provides real-time protection against viruses and malware with minimal impact on system performance.
Avast Free Antivirus	Offers real-time scanning and protection with minimal system impact; may show occasional ads.
BitDefender Total Security	Provides real-time protection with advanced threat defense and multi-layer ransomware protection; low system impact.
Norton	Provides real-time protection with advanced algorithms and real-time threat intelligence; minimal system impact.
360 Total Security	Offers real-time threat detection using multiple antivirus engines; may use significant system resources causing slower performance.
Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	Limited real-time protection in free version; primarily on-demand scanning; premium version adds real-time protection.
RAV Endpoint Protection	Real-time behavioral analysis and malware detection to protect endpoints; may impact CPU and memory usage.
McAfee LiveSafe	Provides comprehensive real-time antivirus protection; may have high resource usage causing performance issues.
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Basic scanning tool without full real-time antivirus capabilities; mainly a scanning utility with no continuous protection.

Additional Security Features

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Basic antivirus protection only; no extra features like password manager or VPN in free version.
Avast Free Antivirus	Includes additional tools like anti-spam filter, sandbox environment, network security inspector; password manager available in paid versions.
BitDefender Total Security	Includes file encryption, multi-device protection (up to 5 devices), parental controls, password manager, VPN, anti-phishing and anti-fraud protections, webcam protection, Wi-Fi security advisor.
Norton	Comprehensive security including cloud backup, dark web monitoring, secure VPN, parental controls, password manager, anti-theft features for mobile devices.
360 Total Security	'Essential' security features plus additional tools like system cleanup and speedup tools; integrates multiple antivirus engines for enhanced detection; includes browser protection but has advertisements in free version.
Malwarebytes Free Antivirus	'Free version is limited with no additional security features; premium offers enhanced malware detection and real-time protection but lacks many added features compared to other suites.
RAV Endpoint Protection	'Advanced behavioral analysis techniques,' centralized management console for businesses; supports email filtering and application security; tailored for enterprise environments with recovery features.
McAfee LiveSafe	'Comprehensive security suite with cloud storage, parental controls, password management tools; multi-device support included in subscription.'
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Simple scanning utility with no additional security features or active protection capabilities beyond basic malware scan.

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

This quick comparison shows how Bitdefender Antivirus Free stacks up against Bitdefender Antivirus Free, Avast Free Antivirus, BitDefender Total Security, Norton, 360 Total Security, RAV Endpoint Protection, McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Security Scan Plus in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License
Bitdefender Antivirus Free	9.5MB	Freeware
Avast Free Antivirus		Freeware
BitDefender Total Security	146.8MB	Commercial
Norton	1.3MB	Commercial
360 Total Security	1.3MB	Freeware
RAV Endpoint Protection		Commercial
McAfee LiveSafe		Commercial
McAfee Security Scan Plus	8.1MB	Freeware

Size

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	9.5MB
Avast Free Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security	146.8MB
Norton	1.3MB
360 Total Security	1.3MB
RAV Endpoint Protection
McAfee LiveSafe
McAfee Security Scan Plus	8.1MB

License

Bitdefender Antivirus Free	Freeware
Avast Free Antivirus	Freeware
BitDefender Total Security	Commercial
Norton	Commercial
360 Total Security	Freeware
RAV Endpoint Protection	Commercial
McAfee LiveSafe	Commercial
McAfee Security Scan Plus	Freeware

Rating

Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Avast Free Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security
Norton
360 Total Security
RAV Endpoint Protection
McAfee LiveSafe
McAfee Security Scan Plus

Popularity

Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Avast Free Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security
Norton
360 Total Security
RAV Endpoint Protection
McAfee LiveSafe
McAfee Security Scan Plus