Microsoft Defender review

Microsoft Defender is the baseline every Windows PC already has, and for many careful users it is enough. Microsoft Defender Antivirus runs inside the Windows Security app with real-time protection, alongside Windows Firewall and Smart App Control, and you can right-click any file or folder to scan it. It costs nothing and needs no setup, which is why it scores highest here on value and ease of use. The paid side comes through Microsoft 365: Personal at $99.99 a year and Family at $129.99 a year include the Defender app, which adds antivirus on Mac and Android, anti-phishing on iOS and identity theft monitoring, plus Office apps and 1TB or more of cloud storage. That makes it good value for households already paying for Microsoft 365, and poor value if you only want antivirus. It lacks the VPN, password manager and parental tools that the paid suites above bundle in.

Who it is for

Windows users who want free built-in protection, and Microsoft 365 households who already pay for it.

Price

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is free and built into Windows; the Defender app comes with Microsoft 365 Personal at $99.99 a year or Family at $129.99 a year.

Microsoft 365 Personal $99.99 /year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus with real-time protection, built into Windows
• Windows Firewall and Smart App Control in the Windows Security app
• Right-click Scan with Microsoft Defender for any file or folder
• Defender app with antivirus on Mac and Android and anti-phishing on iOS
• Identity theft monitoring in the Defender app

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free and already on every Windows PC
• Strength: No extra app to install on Windows
• Strength: Microsoft 365 Family covers up to 6 people with the Defender app
• Weakness: Mac protection needs a Microsoft 365 subscription
• Weakness: Fewer extras than paid suites, with no VPN listed
• Weakness: Paid tier only makes sense if you want Microsoft 365 apps and storage

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, built into Windows
• Platforms: Windows; Defender app on Mac, Android, iOS
• Paid route: Microsoft 365 Personal $99.99 or Family $129.99 a year
• Family size: Up to 6 people on Microsoft 365 Family
• Included storage: 1TB Personal, 2TB shared Family

Where it ranks

Microsoft Defender is No. 5 in our Best Antivirus Software verdict.