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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Netcraft Browser Extension vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Netcraft Browser Extension #5 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Netcraft
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen #6 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Microsoft

Netcraft Browser Extension leads on 0 checks, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on 0, and 7 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 scoreNetcraft Browser Extension · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen · 5 of 6

Netcraft Browser Extension scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Netcraft Browser Extension is the better fit for free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the better fit for windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations.

  • Netcraft Browser Extension fits best

    Free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen fits best

    Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Netcraft Browser Extension 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #5 in Anti-Phishing Software #6 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for Free Chrome protection with credential-leak detection Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Browser extension Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Chrome extension Windows
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Netcraft Browser Extension 4/6 · Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 5/6
Phishing URL blocking ✓ ✓
Email phishing detection Not checked yet —
Browser protection ✓ ✓
Credential protection ✓ ✓
Real-time scanning ✓ ✓
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks or warns about known malicious websites, phishing sites, and fake shops
  • Detects credential leaks sent to a different domain
  • Lets users configure protection by attack type
  • 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
Cons
  • Coverage is limited to a Chrome extension
  • Protection relies in part on Netcraft’s malicious-site data
  • The risk rating for new sites is not a definitive classification
  • Email phishing detection is not included
  • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
  • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Our verdict

Netcraft Browser Extension is a free anti-phishing add-on for Chrome, intended for people who want browser-level warnings about malicious websites without a paid plan. It checks sites against Netcraft’s malicious-site data and can block or…

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 →
  1. Netcraft Browser ExtensionAnti-Phishing Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Microsoft Defender SmartScreenAnti-Phishing Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Netcraft Browser Extension — where it wins

    • Blocks or warns about known malicious websites, phishing sites, and fake shops
    • Detects credential leaks sent to a different domain
    • Lets users configure protection by attack type

    Where it doesn't

    • Coverage is limited to a Chrome extension
    • Protection relies in part on Netcraft’s malicious-site data
    • The risk rating for new sites is not a definitive classification

  • 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
  • Netcraft Browser Extension8.9/10 · Free plan

    Free Chrome protection combines malicious-site warnings with credential-leak detection.

    Visit NetcraftFull 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

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update