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ClamAV

Free Antivirus Without Subscription — ClamAV

Scan files and emails for viruses without a subscription — open source antivirus for Windows, macOS and Linux.

v1.5.2
Mar 2026
WindowsmacOSLinuxFreeOpen Source

Most antivirus software demands an annual subscription, runs intrusive background processes, and constantly nags you to upgrade to a premium tier. ClamAV takes the opposite approach: it's a fully open-source antivirus engine that scans on demand, integrates into your existing workflow, and never asks for a credit card.

Originally built for mail servers, ClamAV excels at scanning incoming email attachments for malware before they reach end users. It supports a broad range of archive formats — ZIP, RAR, 7z, and many more — unpacking nested archives to check contents at every layer. The signature database updates daily via freshclam, covering trojans, ransomware, phishing files, and other threats.

For server and developer use cases, ClamAV runs as a daemon (clamd) that accepts file scan requests over a socket, making it easy to integrate into CI/CD pipelines, file upload handlers, or document processing workflows. Docker images are available for containerized deployments.

On the desktop, ClamAV works through a GUI front-end like ClamTk (Linux) or ClamXAV (macOS), or directly from the command line. Real-time file monitoring is available via the clamonacc daemon on Linux systems.

ClamAV is maintained by Cisco Talos, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams in the world, which means the signature database is backed by enterprise-grade research. GPL-2.0 licensed, free forever, no subscription, no ads, no telemetry.

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FAQ

Is ClamAV free?+
Yes, ClamAV is completely free and open source under GPL-2.0. There are no premium tiers, no subscription fees, and no feature limitations. It is maintained by Cisco Talos and the signature database updates are also free via freshclam.
How to scan for viruses for free without a subscription?+
Install ClamAV and run 'clamscan -r /path/to/scan' from the command line, or use a GUI front-end like ClamTk on Linux. Update the virus definitions first with 'freshclam'. ClamAV will scan all files recursively and report any detected threats — no account or subscription needed.
Best free alternative to Malwarebytes?+
ClamAV is the best free open-source alternative to Malwarebytes for on-demand scanning and server-side use. Malwarebytes charges $39.99/year for real-time protection. ClamAV is free forever, though it requires more technical setup and works best for command-line and server environments.
ClamAV vs Windows Defender — which is better?+
Windows Defender is built into Windows 10/11 and provides real-time protection with minimal setup. ClamAV shines in server environments, Linux systems, and pipelines where you need programmatic scanning of files or emails. For desktop Windows use, Defender is more convenient; for Linux and servers, ClamAV is the top free choice.