The Best Free Malware Removal Tools of 2026

The best free malware removal tools don’t just prevent threats. They can help detect and remove active infections already on your device. We evaluated each malware removal tool using real-world detection tests, performance impact measurements, and hands-on usability reviews and found that Avast's free tier is best overall for removing malware.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free is one of our recommended products for Windows and Android users, specifically because it includes options like Autopilot, which scans your mobile device for Android threats. If you're looking for alternatives, TotalAV is chock-full of features like real-time protection, defense against phishing, and performance optimization tools.

We’ll explore the specifics of the best malware removal tools so you can get the protection you need, whether you have an infection now or want to guard against a future threat.

The best free malware removal tools

Compare the best free malware removal tools

Free AV	Best Overall
Best for	Overall	Windows and Android	Value
Star rating	5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Paid plans start at	$35.88/first yr	$34.99/first yr	$19.00/first yr
Max number of protected devices	10	25	8
Malware protection score	99.93%	99.8%	99.98%
Performance impact score (lower is better)	7.4	19.9	16.2
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Malware removal
Ransomware protection
Phishing protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, Android, macOS, iOS	Windows, Android, macOS	Windows, Android, macOS, iOS
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review

Avast Free Antivirus: Best overall

What we liked

Real-time protection: There’s a lot to like about the free malware removal tool Avast offers, like real-time protection. This feature works in the background while you work and isn’t noticeable, so you can get on with what you need to do. We also found that Avast doesn’t cause performance issues, which sometimes happens with antivirus software.

Network protection: In addition to protecting against viruses, adware, spyware, Trojans, and other malware, Avast Free Antivirus scans websites to keep you safe from malware threats and to secure your online credentials. The network inspection tool will check any new networks you access for security vulnerabilities. You get Wi-Fi network security plus real-time phishing protection. 

What we didn’t like

No firewall for Mac: Avast's firewall is available only for Windows, so if you use a Mac, you’ll have to rely on Apple's built-in firewall.

Paid upgrades: Although we think the Stay Safe Virus Guarantee is a great feature to include, we don’t think you should have to auto-renew to get it. With that feature, if you auto-renew your plan, Avast refunds your money in the event you contract a virus the software cannot remove or fix. This guarantee shouldn’t worry you, though, since Avast has excellent malware detection rates.

Test results

Star rating summary

Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Best for Windows and Android

What we liked

Ease of use: Bitdefender Antivirus Free is easy to install and launch without any fuss. It takes mere minutes, and you’re ready to start using Bitdefender. You also get anti-fraud technology, SafePay, and a VPN to help keep you safe from online scammers.

Security: The free plan protects against the all-too-familiar rootkits, Trojans, and ransomware, as well as newer types of threats like cryptojacking and AI-powered phishing attacks. This is key since malware is ever-evolving and even a free anti-malware tool needs to keep up in order to protect your devices.

Upgrades available: Like most antivirus programs, Bitdefender’s paid versions offer more features, such as Network Threat Prevention, Rescue Environment, and a secure VPN.

What we didn’t like

Lackluster Mac performance: Bitdefender may be the best antivirus software for Windows, but if you use a Mac, you’ll need to get the free Virus Scanner for Mac from the App Store.

Although we’re accustomed to most antivirus products catering more to Windows users, it’s disappointing when so many features aren’t available for macOS. As the name suggests, the Virus Scanner for Mac tool focuses primarily on scanning your device. Even so, we aren’t sure why Bitdefender left out scheduled scanning and a file shredder for macOS.

Extra steps: We also didn’t like that Bitdefender comes in two parts. You have the antivirus app and the Bitdefender Central browser hub. You must be logged into the browser hub to set up parental controls, and we found that extra step made the whole process less user-friendly.

Test results

Star rating summary

TotalAV Free: Best value

What we liked

Extras: As antivirus software goes, we were happy that TotalAV Antivirus Free was easy to use and provided a no-nonsense way to have more online security. It includes the necessities like spyware, adware, and ransomware protection, but the real magic lies in the extras you get with TotalAV’s free plan.

The data breach scanner alerts you if your email or passwords are compromised. This gives you a heads-up to change your login info before it’s too late. We also like the Advanced WebShield feature, which protects you against malicious websites that try to steal your info or infect your device with malware.

Additionally, you’ll get optimization and privacy tools like the tracking cookie remover and browser cleaner.

Paid upgrades: With TotalAV’s paid plans, you get options like phishing protection, a VPN, and TotalAV’s ad blocker, Total Adblock. You can even view your hard drive summary with the Disk Usage Results feature.

What we didn’t like

Buggy: We had a few issues with the main dashboard. When returning there after using some of the features, we received a notification that the protection was disabled. Even after enabling the software again, we were instructed to go through the same steps to give TotalAV full disk access. The repetitive process was a bit annoying, to say the least.

Confusing labels: TotalAV doesn’t seem to make a clear distinction between the WebShield feature and real-time protection. That can become confusing when navigating through the software options.

Test results

Star rating summary

Honorable mentions

Sometimes the best free malware removal tool for one person may not be the best one for you. If that's the case, check out some of our other tested products that we liked:

• McAfee: McAfee offers a premium security suite with different plans to fit almost any budget. While its Malware Cleaner tool is free (and also difficult to find — you’ll need to download it from the help article), you can also get a 30-day trial of McAfee Total Protection, which includes coverage for unlimited devices and a VPN.
  
  
  

  4.9

  AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

  

  2026 Editor’s Choice

  Best Unlimited Device Antivirus

  Antivirus Software

  McAfee

  • Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
  • Extremely low performance impact on devices in third-party tests
  • Top plans include protection for unlimited devices, a very rare perk

  Learn More

  Learn More

  Read Our McAfee Review

• AVG: This is a good antivirus program that can detect malware and has the option to boost your protection by upgrading. AVG blocks unsafe email attachments and provides real-time phishing protection. If you use AVG, you don’t need to worry about anti-malware vs. antivirus because the security software covers both.
  
  
  PROMOTION: Save 60%

  

  5.0

  AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

  

  2026 Editor’s Choice

  Best Performance & Speed Antivirus

  Antivirus Software

  AVG

  • Award-winning antivirus, malware, and ransomware protection for up to 10 devices
  • Includes webcam protection, safe browsing and email, automatic updates, and 24/7 protection
  • Suite of protection benefits including a secure VPN, anti-tracking capabilities, safeguards against phishing sites, and more

  Learn More

  Learn More

  Read Our AVG Review

How free malware removal tools work

Free malware removal tools are designed to detect and remove malicious software that may already be present on your device, including spyware, adware, trojans, worms, and some forms of ransomware. These tools scan your system for known malware signatures and suspicious behavior, then attempt to quarantine or delete infected files.

This sets it apart from antivirus software, which is primarily focused on prevention. Traditional antivirus tools monitor your device in real time to block malware before it installs, while malware removal tools emphasize identifying and cleaning up threats after an infection has occurred. Many modern security programs combine both functions, but the balance between prevention and removal varies by product, especially on free plans.

Some free antivirus programs offer limited malware removal and focus more heavily on detection, alerting you to threats without fully removing them unless you upgrade. The free malware removal tools on this list all provide legitimate removal capabilities, making them suitable for users who suspect an active infection or want basic cleanup protection at no cost. However, advanced threats, deeply embedded malware, or repeat infections may still require a paid upgrade for complete remediation and system repair.

Bottom line: The best malware removal tools

We chose Avast as the best free malware removal tool. In addition to its excellent protection scores, Avast includes a network scanner that checks your Wi-Fi and alerts you if it finds security vulnerabilities. 

Bitdefender is a strong option for free malware removal on Windows and Android, while TotalAV offers added value through device cleanup and privacy tools.

Finding the right malware removal tool doesn’t have to be a major headache. We’ve dug through dozens of antivirus solutions to find the ones that protect you from multiple types of malware and also offer advanced features — on top of offering a free download. If you’re still searching for a malware scanner or antivirus tools, check out our guide to the best antivirus software for more recommendations.

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