Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software
Google Safe Browsing vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
Google Safe Browsing leads on 1 check, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGoogle Safe Browsing · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen · 5 of 6
Google Safe Browsing scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.
Google Safe Browsing offers email phishing detection; Microsoft Defender SmartScreen doesn't.
Google Safe Browsing is the better fit for free, broad protection across browsers and services. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the better fit for windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations.
- Google Safe Browsing fits best
Free, broad protection across browsers and services
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen fits best
Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations
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Side by side
| Feature | Google Safe Browsing 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #1 in Anti-Phishing Software | #6 in Anti-Phishing Software |
| Best for | Free, broad protection across browsers and services | Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension | Desktop, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Google Safe Browsing 4/6 · Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 5/6 | ||
| Phishing URL blocking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email phishing detection | ✓ (best) | — |
| Browser protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Credential protection | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Real-time scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Threat detection dashboard | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Google Safe Browsing is a web-threat protection service that warns people before they visit dangerous sites or download harmful files. It is suited to individuals and organizations seeking browser and service-level phishing protection, as… Read the review → |
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a built-in Windows and Microsoft Edge security feature for people and organizations seeking protection from phishing and malicious content while browsing. It checks visited URLs against reported threat… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Google Safe Browsing — where it wins
- Warns before visits to dangerous sites or downloads of harmful files
- Checks Gmail links and works with Chrome, Search and Android
- Offers real-time and local-list URL checks through its API
Where it doesn't
- Safe Browsing APIs are restricted to non-commercial use
- Protection is centered on web threats, not a broader security suite
- Real-time checks are associated with Enhanced Safe Browsing
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen — where it wins
- Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
- Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
- Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune
Where it doesn't
- Email phishing detection is not included
- Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
- Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Google Safe Browsing9.4/10 · Free plan
Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs.
Visit siteFull verdict → - Microsoft Defender SmartScreen8.8/10 · Free plan
A free Windows and Edge safeguard for suspicious sites, downloads, and credential entry.
Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Google Safe Browsing vs Avast Anti-Phishing
- Google Safe Browsing vs Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)
- Google Safe Browsing vs Norton Safe Web
- Google Safe Browsing vs Netcraft Browser Extension
- Google Safe Browsing vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
- Google Safe Browsing vs Avast Online Security & Privacy
- Avast Anti-Phishing vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
- Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Guides on Anti-Phishing software
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update