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ESET alternatives · Antivirus

Free alternatives to ESET

ESET has no free plan. 8 of the 14 other antivirus apps in this directory are free or have a free plan.

ESET is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android). All of them pair the free plan with paid ones.

8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from ESET

  1. Bitdefender

    Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier

    What is free: Bitdefender Antivirus Free gives real-time malware and ransomware protection for Windows PCs, with no time limit. It needs a Bitdefender Central account.

    • Bitdefender starts at $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99. ESET starts at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).
    • Bitdefender has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Bitdefender lists an iOS app.
    • Bitdefender also covers password manager.
    Bitdefender vs ESETBitdefender pricing and details

  2. Malwarebytes

    Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans

    What is free: Malwarebytes Free scans Windows PCs and Macs on demand and removes infections already there. It has no real-time, ransomware or phishing protection.

    • Malwarebytes starts at $59.99 per year for up to 3 devices (Standard). ESET starts at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).
    • Malwarebytes has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Malwarebytes lists an iOS app.
    • Only Malwarebytes lists a browser extension.
    Malwarebytes vs ESETMalwarebytes pricing and details

  3. Avast

    Free antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate

    What is free: Avast Free Antivirus: real-time file, behavior and web shields, ransomware protection, network scans, a firewall and Smart Scan. Free apps exist for Mac, Android and iOS.

    • Avast has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Avast lists an iOS app.
    • Only Avast lists a browser extension.
    Avast vs ESETAvast pricing and details

  4. F-Secure

    Finnish antivirus and VPN suite that renews at the new-customer price

    What is free: F-Secure Online Scanner scans and cleans a Windows PC for free, on demand; it is not ongoing protection.

    • F-Secure starts at $49.99 per year for 1 device (Internet Security). ESET starts at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).
    • F-Secure has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only F-Secure lists an iOS app.
    • F-Secure also covers password manager.
    F-Secure vs ESETF-Secure pricing and details

  5. Trend Micro

    Antivirus suites for PCs, Macs and phones, up to an ID-theft bundle

    What is free: HouseCall gives a free on-demand security scan of a Windows PC; ongoing real-time protection needs a paid plan.

    • Trend Micro starts at $29.95 per year for 1 device (Antivirus+), first term; renewal price not stated. ESET starts at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).
    • Trend Micro has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Trend Micro lists an iOS app.
    • Only Trend Micro lists a browser extension.
    Trend Micro vs ESETTrend Micro pricing and details

  6. McAfee

    Antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring for PCs, Macs and phones

    What is free: The free McAfee Security mobile app covers one device with a Wi-Fi scan, an identity scan and a system scan.

    • McAfee has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only McAfee lists an iOS app.
    McAfee pricing and details

  7. AVG

    Free antivirus for Windows, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate

    What is free: AVG AntiVirus Free: real-time file, behavior, web and email shields, ransomware protection, network scans, a firewall and Hack Alerts on a Windows PC.

    • AVG has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only AVG lists an iOS app.
    • Only AVG lists a browser extension.
    AVG pricing and details

  8. Avira

    Free antivirus suite with a VPN, PC cleaner and password manager

    What is free: Avira Free Security for Windows: real-time antivirus, web and ad blocking, a VPN with 500 MB a month, a software updater, PC cleaner and password manager.

    • Avira has a free plan. ESET does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Avira lists an iOS app.
    • Only ESET lists a macOS app.
    • Avira also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
    Avira pricing and details

Common questions

Is there a free alternative to ESET?

Yes. Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Avast, F-Secure, Trend Micro, McAfee, AVG and Avira are free or have a free plan.

Does ESET have a free plan?

ESET has no free plan. ESET is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).

When was this checked?

Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to ESET: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.