If you’re using a Windows device, you might be wondering whether Microsoft Defender, the free built-in Windows antivirus, is enough. Or if you should consider upgrading your protection with Surfshark Antivirus, part of the broader Surfshark One cybersecurity suite.
In this guide, we’ll break down security, pricing, features, interface, and more, so you can confidently decide which antivirus fits your needs best.
Note: The comparison was updated on October 5, 2026. All prices are in USD.
Surfshark vs. Microsoft Defender: at a glance
Surfshark Antivirus delivers a modern, user-focused approach to cybersecurity tailored to today’s needs. It’s a part of Surfshark One, together with Surfshark VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and the email scam checker. Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on Windows devices, providing a convenient, no-cost antivirus solution through the Windows Security app.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of their key characteristics:
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Key characteristics
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Microsoft Defender
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Best for
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Users who want to protect multiple devices across Windows, macOS, and Android and get extra privacy tools in one subscription
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Windows users seeking basic protection at no extra cost
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Core antivirus
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Malware protection (viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, keyloggers)
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Malware protection (viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, keyloggers)
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Pricing
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Part of the Surfshark One and One+ bundles, starting at $2.79/month with a two-year plan
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Free for Windows users, but on macOS, iOS, and Android, the Microsoft Defender app comes with Microsoft 365, starting at $99.99/year or $9.99/month
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Features
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Real-time protection, heuristic and behavioral scans (Windows only), ransomware shield (macOS only), web protection (Windows only), on-demand and scheduled scans, quarantine folder, webcam protection (Windows and macOS)
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Real-time and cloud-delivered protection, malware scanning, firewall, heuristic analysis, behavior monitoring, controlled folder access for ransomware, phishing protection (SmartScreen) |
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Bundled privacy tools |
Surfshark VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and email scam checker; Incogni data removal with Surfshark One+
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None in Windows Security; the Microsoft Defender app adds identity theft monitoring (US only) with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
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Cross-platform support
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Windows, macOS, and Android (up to 5 devices)
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Windows by default; the Microsoft Defender app for macOS, iOS, and Android requires Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium
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Bundle value
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One subscription covers Antivirus, VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and email scam checker
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Built into Windows at no extra cost; extra Microsoft Defender app features come with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
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Interface
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Standalone app for Windows, macOS, and Android with customizable scan settings
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Integrated directly into the Windows Security app
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AV-TEST certification (latest home user test, June 2026)
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Certified; received the Top Product award in June 2024
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Certified with the Top Product award in June 2026
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Customer support
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24/7 live chat and email support
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No dedicated Defender support, bundled with general Microsoft support only
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Security features
The features offered by antivirus solutions can significantly impact your overall online security experience. Let’s compare the functionality of Surfshark Antivirus and Microsoft Defender to determine which better aligns with your cybersecurity needs:
Surfshark Antivirus features
In terms of antivirus protection, Surfshark Antivirus bundles several layers of defense into one:
- Real-time protection continuously monitors your system for potential threats, scanning files and processes as they run or are accessed to help detect and block malicious activity;
- Heuristic scans (Windows only) look for potentially dangerous code patterns and run suspicious files in safe environments to identify previously unknown threats;
- Behavioral scans (Windows only) mean behavior-based detection monitors apps for unusual activity to spot emerging threats, even previously unknown malicious code;
- Ransomware shield (macOS only) actively looks out for attacks that aim to encrypt your files and demand a ransom;
- Web protection blocks access to malicious websites on Windows, including phishing sites that try to steal your personal information;
- Email scam checker, part of the Surfshark Chrome extension, checks Gmail messages for phishing signs, malicious links, and impersonation attempts;
- On-demand scans let you run a full, quick, or custom scan whenever you want, while scheduled scans run automatically at the time you choose, and you can exclude files you don’t need checked;
- Quarantine folder isolates files flagged as risky so they can’t harm your device;
- Drag-and-drop scanning allows users to quickly scan specific files or folders by simply dragging them into the app — a convenient tool for double-checking individual items;
- Cloud-based security updates help keep your software up to date with the latest malware definitions and protection techniques. The virus database updates every three hours;
- Webcam protection specifically guards your camera against unauthorized access and hijacking attempts, helping protect your privacy on Windows and macOS systems;
- Cross-platform support makes Surfshark Antivirus available on Windows, macOS, and Android, covering up to five devices with a single account.
Note: on macOS, Surfshark Antivirus is available only in the .DMG version of the Surfshark app downloaded from our official website, not in the App Store version. On Android, if your device runs OS 6.0 or higher but under 7.0, you will need to download the Surfshark Android .apk app (you can find the link in this help center article).
Microsoft Defender features
Microsoft Defender offers core antivirus features suitable for general protection needs:
- Real-time and cloud-delivered protection scans files as you open, download, or run them and checks suspicious items against Microsoft’s cloud to spot new threats quickly;
- Malware scanning systematically checks your files and system for known viruses, trojans, spyware, and other malicious software through both scheduled and on-demand scans;
- The built-in firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic, helping prevent unauthorized access and protect against network-based attacks;
- Heuristic analysis examines programs for suspicious patterns and behaviors to detect new or modified versions of known threats;
- Behavior monitoring watches how running programs act and flags suspicious activity;
- Ransomware protection through controlled folder access guards selected folders against unauthorized changes, but must be enabled in Windows Security first. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, OneDrive detects ransomware attacks and lets you restore files to a point before the attack;
- Phishing protection helps guard against fraudulent websites that attempt to steal personal information by warning users before they access potentially dangerous sites, through Microsoft Defender SmartScreen;
- A Windows-centric approach means that unless you get a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription, which includes the Microsoft Defender app for macOS, iOS, and Android, Defender is limited to Windows devices.
Features: comparison
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Feature
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Microsoft Defender
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Threat detection
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Real-time protection with continuous system monitoring and on-demand scans (full, quick, custom)
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Real-time protection plus scheduled and on-demand scans
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Heuristic detection
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Yes (Windows only)
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Yes
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Behavioral protection
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Yes (Windows only)
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Yes
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Ransomware protection
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Yes, ransomware shield (macOS only)
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Yes, controlled folder access (off by default); OneDrive ransomware recovery with Microsoft 365
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Firewall
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No (uses native system firewall)
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Yes, built-in
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Phishing protection
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Yes, web protection (Windows only); email scam checker for Gmail in the Surfshark Chrome extension
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SmartScreen built into Microsoft Edge
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Browser protection
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Web protection checks every URL in your browser and other programs with web access (Windows only)
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SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge and for files downloaded by other apps
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Webcam protection
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Yes, for Windows and macOS
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No dedicated feature
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Multi-platform support
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Yes, for Windows, macOS, and AndroidYes, for Windows, macOS, and Android
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Windows by default; macOS, iOS, and Android with Microsoft 365
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Both offer real-time protection, heuristic detection, and behavioral protection on Windows. Surfshark Antivirus adds webcam protection, while Microsoft Defender includes a built-in firewall.
You can explore more details about Surfshark’s features in our Surfshark Antivirus review.
Pricing and plans
Cost plays a significant role when choosing an antivirus solution. Surfshark Antivirus is part of the One and One+ bundles, while Microsoft Defender is built into Windows, making it a free option for many users. Here’s how their pricing and value compare:
Surfshark Antivirus: more tools in one subscription
Surfshark Antivirus is included in the Surfshark One and One+ bundles, which combine multiple cybersecurity tools for a single price:
- Surfshark One and One+ bundles: these include Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Antivirus, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, email scam checker, and Incogni (in the One+ bundle). This comprehensive package covers device protection, connection security, data leak monitoring, and scam protection in one subscription;
- Pricing structure: prices for Surfshark One start at $2.79 per month with a two-year plan;
- Flexible plans: Surfshark offers monthly, yearly, or multi-year subscriptions. Longer commitments have lower monthly prices, and every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, subject to terms and conditions.
Microsoft Defender: built-in and free
Microsoft Defender is free for Windows users, making it attractive for basic protection. However, there are some caveats:
- Features: Microsoft Defender offers real-time threat detection, cloud-delivered protection, ransomware safeguards, and parental controls, providing a solid security foundation for Windows devices;
- Plans: Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a built-in Windows feature that provides protection without additional configuration. Extending it for macOS, iOS, and Android requires a paid Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription, which starts at $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month and also includes Office apps and cloud storage;
- Price: free for all Windows users, delivering essential security at no cost, making it an excellent option for basic protection.
Pricing and plans: comparison
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Feature
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Cost
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From $2.79/month
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Free on Windows, but macOS, iOS, and Android require Microsoft 365 (from $99.99/year or $9.99/month)
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Lower monthly price on longer plans
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Yes
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N/A (free on Windows)
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Money-back guarantee
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30 days
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N/A (free on Windows)
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Platform coverage
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Windows, macOS, Android
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Windows (macOS, iOS, and Android with Microsoft 365)
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Microsoft Defender’s free pricing suits users who only need Windows protection. Surfshark Antivirus comes with a subscription that also includes privacy tools and covers more devices.
Interface
The interface and user experience of an antivirus solution can significantly impact how users manage their cybersecurity. Here’s a comparison of Surfshark Antivirus and Microsoft Defender regarding their design and usability:
Surfshark Antivirus: a standalone app with customizable scans
Surfshark Antivirus is an app with a dashboard, scan controls, and adjustable settings:
- User-centric dashboard: shows your protection status with buttons for manual scans, quarantine, and extra tools like webcam protection and the email scam checker, giving integrated access to more Surfshark security features;
- Cross-platform availability: Surfshark Antivirus is available on Windows, macOS, and Android, though some features, such as web protection and heuristic and behavioral scans, are Windows-only;
- Customization options: users can set scanning preferences, exclude files or folders, and schedule scans to fit their needs;
- Help articles: Surfshark’s help center has how-to guides for using the antivirus on Windows, macOS, and Android.
Microsoft Defender: built into Windows Security
Microsoft Defender’s interface is built into Windows rather than offered as a standalone app, unlike many modern antivirus solutions:
- Integrated into Windows: Defender is built directly into the Windows Security app, which provides a central location for managing security features like antivirus, firewall, and parental controls;
- Basic design: the interface is straightforward, with antivirus, firewall, and device settings grouped into separate Windows Security sections;
- Limited customization: Windows Security lacks a built-in scan scheduler, so scheduled scans are set up through tools like Windows Task Scheduler or PowerShell;
- No cross-platform consistency: unless you get a Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium subscription, Defender is only available on Windows.
Interface and ease of use: comparison
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Feature
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Microsoft Defender
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Platform availability
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Windows, macOS, and Android
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Windows-only (separate Microsoft Defender app on other platforms with a paid Microsoft 365 subscription)
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Customization options
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Scan scheduling, on-demand scans, file exclusions, and full or quick scans
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Exclusions and scan types; scheduling through Task Scheduler or PowerShell
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Setup
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Turn on from the Antivirus tab in the Surfshark app
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Turned on by default
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Where it lives
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Standalone Surfshark app
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Built into the Windows Security app |
Microsoft Defender works out of the box inside Windows Security. Surfshark Antivirus is a standalone app available on Windows, macOS, and Android. If you own several devices, managing protection can be simpler.
Independent testing and certifications
Independent testing provides valuable insights into antivirus effectiveness. Based on recent assessments, let’s examine how Surfshark Antivirus and Microsoft Defender perform:
Surfshark Antivirus: strong performance in independent tests
Surfshark Antivirus has been evaluated by reputable testing organizations, demonstrating robust security capabilities:
- AV-TEST Certification: in June 2026, Surfshark Antivirus earned certification from AV-TEST, an independent IT security institute. It scored 6 out of 6 points in both Protection and Usability and 4.5 out of 6 in Performance, blocking 99.9–100% of zero-day malware attacks over the May–June test period. It previously received AV-TEST’s Top Product award in June 2024;
- Virus Bulletin VB100 Award: Surfshark Antivirus has earned the VB100 certification from Virus Bulletin four times, most recently in January 2023;
- Real-world testing: in practical scenarios, Surfshark Antivirus demonstrates effective protection against zero-day malware attacks and widespread threats, maintaining high detection rates and reliability.
Microsoft Defender: reliable basic protection
Microsoft Defender, integrated into Windows systems, has shown dependable performance in various tests:
- AV-TEST results: in June 2026, Microsoft Defender scored 6 out of 6 points in both Protection and Usability and 5.5 out of 6 in Performance, blocking 99.9–100% of zero-day malware attacks over the May–June test period. It also received AV-TEST’s Top Product award in that round;
- AV-Comparatives assessments: Microsoft Defender has been participating in AV-Comparatives’ Main Test Series since 2007, consistently achieving satisfactory results in malware protection and performance evaluations.
Independent testing: comparison
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Testing criteria
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Microsoft Defender
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AV-TEST Protection score
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6/6
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6/6
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AV-TEST Performance Score
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4.5/6
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5.5/6
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AV-TEST Usability Score
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6/6
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6/6
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AV-TEST Top Product
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Yes (June 2024)
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Yes (June 2026)
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Virus Bulletin VB100
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Certified more recently
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Certified in past tests
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Zero-day malware detection
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99.9–100%
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99.9–100%
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False positives
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Minimal
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Minimal
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Both Surfshark Antivirus and Microsoft Defender perform well in independent tests, with top Protection and Usability scores in AV-TEST’s June 2026 evaluation.
Customer support
Reliable customer support is essential for any antivirus solution, as users may encounter technical issues or require assistance with setup and configuration. Here’s how Surfshark Antivirus and Microsoft Defender compare in this aspect:
Surfshark Antivirus customer support
Surfshark offers several ways to get help with its antivirus and other products:
- 24/7 live chat: Surfshark offers round-the-clock live chat support, allowing users to connect with a support representative for assistance;
- Email support: for less urgent inquiries, Surfshark provides email support;
- Comprehensive knowledge base: the Surfshark website includes a robust knowledge base with detailed guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles. These resources are designed to help users solve issues independently, if they prefer to do so.
Microsoft Defender customer support
As a free antivirus solution built into Windows, Microsoft Defender offers basic support options, but these are less comprehensive than those provided by Surfshark:
- Microsoft support agents: while users can reach out to Microsoft’s virtual assistant or live agents for help, availability may vary based on your region and the time of day;
- No dedicated support for Defender: since Defender is part of Windows, its support is bundled with general Microsoft support, which may not always prioritize antivirus-specific queries;
- Community forums: Defender users can post questions on Microsoft’s community forums to seek advice from other users or Microsoft staff. However, responses may vary in quality and timeliness;
- Online documentation: Microsoft provides a range of articles and how-to guides in its online support center, covering common issues and configuration tips;
- Limited channels: there is no dedicated live chat for Defender, and phone support for antivirus-related concerns is unavailable, which may leave some users frustrated.
Customer support: comparison
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Support feature
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Surfshark Antivirus
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Microsoft Defender
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Live chat
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Yes, 24/7
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General Microsoft support only
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Email support
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Yes, fast response times
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General Microsoft support only
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Knowledge base
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Yes
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Yes
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Community forums
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No
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Yes
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Dedicated antivirus support
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Yes
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No (bundled with Microsoft support)
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Surfshark Antivirus support is available via 24/7 live chat and email, while Microsoft Defender support is available through general Microsoft channels. If direct access to a support agent matters to you, that’s worth factoring into your decision.
Final verdict: which antivirus service is the right one for YOU?
Whether you want advanced, feature-packed protection or simple, no-cost security, the choice depends on your priorities. A bundled solution like Surfshark Antivirus, which includes Surfshark VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and email scam checker in Surfshark One, can protect more of your online life across Windows, macOS, and Android.
On the other hand, Microsoft Defender is a reliable starting point for basic protection and is free for Windows users. If you only use a Windows PC, Defender may cover your needs. If you want to protect multiple devices and add privacy tools, Surfshark One is built for that.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Microsoft Defender or Surfshark?
It depends on your needs — there’s no single winner for everyone. Surfshark Antivirus adds webcam protection and cross-platform support and comes with a VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and email scam checker in Surfshark One, while the free Microsoft Defender offers reliable, built-in antivirus protection for Windows users.
Does Microsoft Defender provide enough protection?
For everyday users who need basic malware protection, Microsoft Defender can suffice. However, compared to Surfshark Antivirus, it lacks advanced features such as dedicated webcam protection and bundled privacy tools, and it requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription to protect macOS, iOS, or Android devices.
Is Windows Security the same as Windows Defender?
Not exactly — Windows Security is the broader suite that includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, the antivirus compared in this guide, along with tools like a firewall and parental controls. Windows Defender is the former name of that antivirus, and Microsoft Defender can also refer to a separate app that comes with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium.
Can I use Surfshark on more than one device?
Yes, Surfshark Antivirus can protect up to five devices, while Surfshark VPN allows you to connect unlimited devices under a single subscription. That makes Surfshark One well suited to households or users with multiple gadgets.
Can I get Surfshark Antivirus as a standalone?
No, Surfshark Antivirus isn’t currently available as a standalone product. It comes with the Surfshark One and One+ bundles, which include additional tools like Surfshark VPN, data leak monitoring, personal data masking, scam text protection, and email scam checker.
How do I turn on Surfshark Antivirus?
To activate Surfshark Antivirus, open the app, navigate to the Antivirus tab, and follow the on-screen setup instructions. Ensure your subscription includes the Surfshark One or One+ bundle for access.
