Top pick: Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Switching saves about $125 USD a year.
$124.99 USDa year
≈$178.20 CAD (converted from USD)
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
The editor’s first choice for most people switching.
Best for built-in protection on Windows
Free and already installed on Windows 10 and 11. It runs on Windows only, so Mac, iPhone and Android users need another option. Not the same as the paid Microsoft Defender subscription app.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for command-line scanning and mail gateways
Open-source scanner and daemon with no graphical interface of its own. Built for mail gateways and servers, not as a desktop security suite.
Best for a free second-opinion scan
The free version finds and removes malware you start a scan for. It does not replace an always-on antivirus. Free versions exist for Windows, Mac and Android. Free version: Free version scans and removes malware on demand. Always-on protection needs Premium. The iOS app blocks ads and scams.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Norton 360 for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | Microsoft Defender Antivirus | ClamAV | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | |||
| Real-time malware protection | Yes | PartialNote 1On-access scanning works on Linux only | NoNote 2Free scans on demand; ongoing protection needs Premium |
| Ransomware protection | PartialNote 3Controlled folder access exists but is off by default | No | NoNote 4Specialized ransomware protection is a Premium feature |
| Network | |||
| Firewall | YesNote 5Windows Firewall is built in | No | No |
| Privacy | |||
| VPN | No | No | NoNote 6Privacy VPN is a separate paid product |
| Password manager | No | No | No |
| Family | |||
| Parental controls | PartialNote 7Microsoft Family Safety is a separate app from the Microsoft Store | No | No |
| Parity score | 50% | 8% | 0% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Ransomware protection, VPN, Password manager, Parental controls. See all feature gaps
Switching saves about $125 USD / ≈$178 CAD (estimated from the USD price) a year. Prices checked ; ≈ means converted from USD.
Based on Norton 360 Deluxe, 5 devices, annual. Price source. USD to CAD at 1.4257 as of Oct 7, 2026.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Norton 360 is a product of Gen Digital, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Norton 360: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.