Microsoft Defender keeps millions of users safe as it's the default antivirus software for all Windows machines. This, however, doesn’t mean that users usually don’t reach for a third-party solution that now comes bundled with a plethora of useful tools.
We would argue that Defender is good enough for most users, though if you’re in the camp of proactive internet users, reaching for a more comprehensive solution may be needed.
We have identified the best alternative to Microsoft Defender, and we will look into why we think it's worth upgrading if you’re looking for an alternative.
Best alternative to Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender is part of the Windows operating system, which keeps your system more secure. It is basically an antivirus tool that offers real-time protection and alerts, and comes with a firewall and network protection. If that is not enough, you can reach for a third-party solution such as TotalAV that comes with a wide range of advanced protection features. With TotalAV, even with the entry plan, you get phishing scam and ransomware protection, system tune-up tools, disk cleaners, browser protection, PUA protection, and much more if you opt for a higher tier plan.
In terms of ease of use, the advantage is on the side of TotalAV, which you can test using its free version - though be warned, there are frequent pop-ups that will try to upsell you to a paid plan. Nevertheless, TotalAV has a logically laid out dashboard from which you can easily find all of the necessary functionality, from scans all the way to the ad block and VPN features. According to the latest AV-Comparatives test, Defender and TotalAV both score a respectable 99.1% protection rate, slotting both solutions at the very high end of AV products. A word of caution, though, you will experience some slowdown on your machine when using TotalAV as compared to using Defender itself, but that is true of almost all AVs that you would install on your Windows machine.
In terms of firewall protection, there is really no faulting the Windows solution. It is more than enough for a large majority of users. On the other hand, as you get a firewall with TotalAV, it's worth mentioning that its WebShield also provides solid anti-phishing protection, and the firewall itself offers solid functionality. The major difference in functionality is that TotalAV offers a VPN, which you can bundle with your firewall to ensure an additional layer of protection while you’re online. Note, the VPN comes only with higher-tiered plans.
Moreover, with TotalAV, you will also get a password manager that has 256-bit AES encryption and follows a zero-knowledge policy. You also get auto-save and fill features while protecting the app via biometrics. In addition to that, you will also get access to TotalAV’s system tune-up utilities, which are excellent. Junk cleaner will ensure all of the unnecessary files are removed, you can search for duplicate files and remove them, as well as keep your web browser and disk clean. The startup manager and uninstaller round up the offer of useful and powerful utility tools. Finally, TotalAV offers identity theft protection with a $1 million insurance policy guarantee. Mobile phone users can also rejoice as both Android and iOS have TotalAV apps that protect you on the go.
Defender is practically free (if we don’t count the license you paid for your OS), whereas TotalAV has three pricing plans. The Premium plan starts at $99 a year, covers up to three devices, and does not include VPN or the password manager. The next plan is called Internet Security and costs $129 a year, and covers 6 devices. It comes with everything from the previous plan and adds the VPN feature. The final plan is Total Security that starts at $149 a year and covers 8 devices, adds VPN and password manager to the mix. Overall, the pricing is competitive, so TotalAV won’t break the bank when it comes to an additional security suite.
Microsoft Defender’s customer support cannot be called advanced, but it is simple to use. In the sidebar menu, there are options to give feedback, get help, and access community videos. Live support is only available for business users. On the other hand, TotalAV has a dedicated 24/7 support and numerous ways to contact its support. The knowledge base is extensive, and there are even guides that allow you to experiment with DIY troubleshooting.
In conclusion, TotalAV is a more powerful overall tool. It is easy to use and comes with competitive pricing compared to its rivals. The offer is rounded out nicely with great optimization tools and even better protection tools if you opt for higher-tier pricing plans.
Take a look at our full TotalAV review.
Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives