Download a free antivirus for your Windows PC, Mac, or laptop to help detect and isolate potential cyberthreats while optimizing your home Wi-Fi security and more.
Also available for Mac, Android, and iOS
Also available for PC, Android, and iOS
Also available for PC, Mac, and iOS
Also available for PC, Mac, and Android
2024 Best Protection
2024 Top Rated
Trustpilot
Download free antivirus
2024 Top Rated
Get it for free!
Free downloadFree downloadFree downloadFree downloadMillions of people chose Avast Free Antivirus to get:
Safer browsing and emailing
Home Wi-Fi network security
Easy to install, effortless to use
30+ years of cybersecurity experience
Avast Free Antivirus
Virus protection for any device
30+ years of experience helped us create easy-to-use antivirus software that features one of the industry’s most advanced threat-detection networks, machine-learning virus protection, and home network security that won’t slow down your Windows PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone.
Looking for Avast One instead?
Avast One gives you our award-winning antivirus software, plus some of our best privacy and clean-up tools, together in one handy download.
6 layers of antivirus security
Scans files and apps for potential malware vulnerabilities. Plus, send suspicious files for analysis in the cloud, get threat alerts, and more.
Smart Scan
Scans your device for hard-to-find vulnerabilities in hidden places.
CyberCapture
Automatically sends suspicious files for analysis in the Cloud, then pushes a cure to Avast users if needed.
Behavior Shield
Alerts you immediately if any of your apps start behaving suspiciously.
File Shield
Scans any file added to or opened on the user’s PC for threats.
Rescue Disk
Rescue Disk allows a user to boot their PC from an external device (CD, USB drive).
Quarantine
Isolates potentially harmful files from your operating system and sends to Avast Threat Labs for further analysis if you want.
Avast Free Antivirus offers you even more
Get more than just free antivirus software, thanks to these extra privacy and security features:
Connect more safely to Wi-Fi networks and help keep cyber criminals and malicious intruders out of your network and far away your sensitive, personal files.
Network Inspector
Connect more safely, even on unsecured Wi-Fi networks, block hackers and intruders from piggybacking on your network more easily, and help keep them away from your sensitive, personal files.
Firewall
Our intelligent firewall monitors all network traffic between your PC and the outside world and helps block malicious intrusions.
Stay safer when browsing, emailing, or working online. Help block malicious websites and unsafe downloads, and help stop your device from being hijacked and made part of a botnet.
Web Shield
Web Shield blocks websites if it detects malicious code or malware, plus it blocks links on emails potentially linked to phishing.
Mail Shield
Mail Shield alerts you to potentially malicious email attachment before you click on them.
Helps stop hackers from accessing, changing, or locking your personal files then holding you to ransom.
Ransomware Shield
Keep your information safer. Don't let your personal photos, files, and documents become hostage to ransomware — help prevent untrusted applications from modifying, deleting, or encrypting them.
Get an alert if a password linked to your email account has been compromised.
Hack Alerts
Help keep your email accounts and their passwords secure. If we detect that your email passwords have been part of a leak or hack, you’ll get an alert, allowing you to re-secure your account immediately.
Hundreds of millions of users trust us with their digital lives
I have used Avast for a few years. The protection is the best for the money. I also cover my phones with Avast and I haven’t had any problems yet.
Carol J.
2023-09-12
5
I have used Avast for many years. The reason is very simple: you offer a great free version that actually works. This lets me afford the other amazing services you offer when needed, like Avast Cleanup.
James M.
2023-08-29
5
I've used Avast Free Antivirus on my computers, tablets, and smart phones for many years. It updates frequently and automatically. It automatically scans and protects me from malicious web sites. It does what I need. What more could I ask?
OB
2023-06-10
5
“The well-known security specialist Avast received a total of three awards for its outstanding performance...shows how reliably and securely the security software renders its service...”
Awarded Top‑Rated Product 2022 by AV‑Comparatives
Avast Free Antivirus
Easy to install, effortless to use
Our antivirus software scans for security and performance issues and helps you to fix them instantly. It also protects you in real time by analyzing unknown files before they reach your desktop PC or laptop — all for free.
Also available for Mac, Android, and iOS
Also available for PC, Android, and iOS
Also available for PC, Mac, and iOS
Also available for PC, Mac, and Android
You may still be wondering...
FAQs
Antivirus software is a type of software designed to detect, prevent, and remove dangerous software or malware from your computer — including viruses, trojans, ransomware, adware, spyware, and more. It starts by scanning a computer’s files, programs, and disks for any hidden malware or other sophisticated threats. If threats are detected, antivirus software can quarantine infected files to prevent them from taking over your whole device.
It’s essential to have antivirus software installed on your computer because it adds a layer of cybersecurity protection and strengthens your online privacy and security. Choosing the right antivirus software can help can prevent threats that could cause data loss, system corruption, financial loss, identity theft, and privacy breaches.
Yes, there are various free antivirus software, although not all of them will provide you with full protection. Avast Free Antivirus is completely free and offers all the security you need.
Avast’s free antivirus software detects and blocks all types of malware in real time to prevent them from infecting your computer. At the same time, it scans your PC to remove viruses and other malware automatically before they can do real damage.
The basic level of virus protection, like Windows Defender (Windows built-in security), may not offer the same comprehensive features, updates, and support as advanced antivirus software.
Technology is always changing which means cybercriminals can develop new tactics. Windows Defender can serve as basic protection for your computer but may not be enough to protect you from new emerging threats. It's important to consider a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity for optimal protection in the long run and you can start by trying out a free virus protection software, like Avast Free Antivirus.
Trusted by hundreds of millions of users around the world, Avast uses advanced machine learning techniques to protect against ransomware attacks and other emerging threats. Avast Free Antivirus software detects, blocks, and removes all types of malware: viruses, adware, spyware, Trojans, and more. You’ll also get security for your Wi-Fi network and real-time defense against phishing attacks, unsafe websites, and other threats to your devices.
Avast’s free antivirus software combines cutting-edge, AI-driven cybersecurity with a massive threat-detection network of over 435 million users that lets us protect our entire community in real time against online threats whenever they appear.
Our industry-leading antivirus engine is just one of the many reasons why Avast Free Antivirus consistently earns high praise and top awards from PCMag, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, and other independent experts. We have one of the best antivirus software solutions available, because we have the right antivirus protection for all your needs.
In 2021, Avast released a new and enhanced product called Avast One, which is now available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, France, and Germany.
Now known as Microsoft Defender, Windows Defender isn’t enough to match leading third-party PC antivirus programs. While it’ll keep your computer relatively safe against most types of malware, its anti-phishing protection is limited to Microsoft Edge — so you’ll need Avast Free Antivirus to protect you on other browsers like Chrome and Firefox. Microsoft Defender also doesn’t score quite as highly with independent testing labs like AV-Comparatives. For comprehensive threat protection on your PC, go with Avast — the world’s most trusted antivirus.
You can use our free antivirus for as long as you want once you activate it. After 12 months, our app might prompt you to reactivate your free subscription so that you can keeping using it. If you decide to change device, you’ll need to download our free antivirus app again on that specific Windows PC. Upgrading to a paid subscription for Avast Premium Security (Multi-Device) allows you to use our paid app on up to 10 devices at once across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Upgrading to the (Single-Device) or (Multi-Device) versions of Avast Premium Security also gives you access to more advanced in-app features. If you already have Avast Free Antivirus installed, right-click on the Avast icon in your Windows taskbar, and then click Registration information. After this, click on Upgrade now on the My subscriptions screen and choose Avast Premium Security within the comparison table. This will allow you to upgrade to paid subscription.
Visit our Support Center for more FAQs
How to install
Get protected right away by following these 3 easy steps:
Step 1
1. Download
Click here to download.
Step 1
1. Download
Click here to download.
Step 1
1. Download
Click here to download.
Step 1
1. Download
Click here to download.
Step 2
2. Open the file
Open the downloaded file and approve the installation.
Step 3
3. Install the file
Run the installer and follow the simple instructions.
System requirements
All devices require an internet connection for automatic security and program updates.
PC with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, or 7 (both the 32 and 64-bit versions, excluding Starter and RT editions), 1 GB RAM and 2 GB of hard disk space.
Mac running macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later
Android phone or tablet running operating system Google Android 6.0 (Marshmallow, API 23) or higher.
iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.0 or higher.
You might be also interested in...
Learn more about some of our specialized security and privacy solutions, below.
Get security tips for your device, straight from the experts
You already have Avast antivirus on this device
Download antivirus again
Add another layer of security and privacy with Avast Secure Browser
Free downloadBack
Newsletter
