Endpoint protection platforms can get very expensive, but they don’t have to be. In this guide, I’ve rounded up five free endpoint protection platforms from reputable companies that are the leading names in antivirus protection. I discuss the features, pros and cons of each platform and explore the tradeoffs that you can expect for the free versus paid versions.
Here are some factors you should consider when comparing free endpoint protection platforms:
| Our rating (out of 5) | Starting price | On-demand scans | Scheduled scans | Continuous real-time protection | |
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| Bitdefender | 4.0 | $189.99 per year for three members and six devices | Yes | No | No |
| Avast | 3.7 | $139.99 per year for 10 devices | Yes | Yes | No |
| ESET | 3.9 | $211 per year for five devices | Yes | No | No |
| Malwarebytes | N/A | $69 per endpoint | Yes | No | No |
| Trend Micro | 3.9 | Contact for pricing | Yes | No | No |
Our rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Bitdefender offers free endpoint protection and antivirus software for PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices — and the Windows version even includes live customer support. The paid Ultimate Small Business Security bundles in other helpful tools like an unlimited VPN and password managers. If you need even more security features, the Bitdefender GravityZone plans provide a set-it-and-forget all-in-one solution for small business owners.
I chose Bitdefender because of its many free antivirus software downloads and excellent reputation. I also appreciate that it offers so many transparent pricing plans that are geared to the needs of small business owners, whether they just need a password manager and VPN or they want more advanced security protocols.
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Our rating: 3.7 out of 5
Avast’s antivirus downloads are totally free for PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices, though you do have to purchase a license if you want to run it on Linux machines. I really like that the Avast team frequently issues updates and that the free version allows users to schedule scans in advance (a rarity among free antivirus software). If you need additional security features, the affordable Avast Businesses plans bundle together tools like personal VPNs and USB protections — and you can extensively test them thanks to a generous 30-day free trial.
SEE: How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)
One thing to know about Avast’s free software before you download it: The Federal Trade Commission ruled that Avast unfairly collected consumers’ browsing information through the company’s browser extensions and antivirus software, stored it indefinitely and sold it through its subsidiary Jumpshot without adequately notifying consumers. The FTC has now banned Avast from selling, disclosing or licensing any web browsing data for advertising purposes. For more information, see the press release on the FTC website. If this concerns you, then go for Bitdefender over Avast.
I chose Avast because of its many free endpoint protection options as well as its frequent updates. The free version was extremely easy to download to both my phone and laptop, and the set-up screen walked me through enabling permissions step by step. I’m confident that most small business owners will be able to set up this free endpoint software without much hassle, even if they’ve never used endpoint protection on their work devices before.
Avast Business pricing is subscription-based. A 30-day free trial is available for the Avast Ultimate Business Security plan.
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Our rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
If you just need an easy way to do one-off scans of your computers, then ESET’s forever free tool is a great option to explore. The tool will scan your devices for viruses, Trojans, spyware, phishing and other threats, then remove them. If you need more robust protection, ESET offers many different pricing plans to choose from, most of which come with a 30-day free trial so you can test it out before committing.
SEE: Organisations Have Endpoint Security Tools But Are Still Falling Short on the Basics (TechRepublic)
I chose ESET because the endpoint protection can cover both mobile and desktop devices, including Macs and Linux (although the latter is somewhat limited). The free online scanner is quick and convenient to use, and ESET offers numerous pricing plans to choose from so you can select the best one for your business’ budget.
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Malwarebytes offers free malware scanning for Macs, PCs, iOS and Android devices, but the setup is a little different than other software on this list. After I downloaded Malwarebytes, I was immediately signed up for a 14-day free trial of the Premium version. There is no way to skip the trial. You have to let it expire before you’ll be downgraded to the free version, which doesn’t offer real-time threat protection. To make the most of Malwarebytes, you’ll need to sign up for one of the paid plans, which gives you access to a complete endpoint security platform.
SEE: The 5 Best VPNs With Free Trials in 2024 (TechRepublic)
I chose Malwarebytes because it’s a complete endpoint security solution that combines easy deployment and a transparent pricing structure. While the free version can help with detecting existing viruses, you’ll need to opt for one of the paid plans if you want real-time protection.
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When choosing the best free endpoint protection platform for your business, consider how many endpoints and what types of devices you need to protect. Some free antivirus software only works on desktops or Windows and Android devices, for example. Don’t forget that you’ll need to install it individually on each device.
Keep in mind that most free endpoint protection platforms require you to initiate a scan manually — they don’t proactively scan and block potential threats in real-time. That’s because most endpoint protection platforms paywall this feature to incentivize users to upgrade from free to paid plans. This means you won’t be able to set and forget your free endpoint protection platform.
SEE: 5 Best Free Password Managers for 2024 (TechRepublic)
Once you’re ready to move up to a paid plan, take advantage of all the free trials to thoroughly test out the premium features and determine which endpoint protection platform provides the best combination of price and features for your needs. Most of these services offer trials that range between seven and 30 days, so you can extensively test the software before committing.
To choose the best free endpoint protection platforms, I assembled a list of trusted antivirus software that offers a forever free scan in some capacity. I tested these platforms out by downloading their apps on my Mac and iPhone. To make my final selection, I considered factors such as ease of use, speed, accuracy and the types of devices supported. I also considered what additional security tools were offered by each platform and what pricing plans they offered.
