Best Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Defender SmartScreen alternatives are Google Safe Browsing, Avast Anti-Phishing and Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage): 15 Anti-Phishing software our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: A free Windows and Edge safeguard for suspicious sites, downloads, and credential entry. Where it falls short: email phishing detection is not included.
Switching from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen? For most anti-phishing software buyers the best Microsoft Defender SmartScreen alternative is Google Safe Browsing, built for free, broad protection across browsers and services.
Why People Look for a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Alternative
- Email phishing detection is not included
- Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
- Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- No email phishing detection — 4 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallGoogle Safe Browsing9.4
Free, broad protection across browsers and services
Visit Google Safe Browsing - Best free optionGoogle Safe Browsing9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Google Safe Browsing - Best for email phishing detectionGoogle Safe Browsing9.4
Email phishing detection (Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: no)
Visit Google Safe Browsing
All 15 Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forFree, broad protection across browsers and services
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Email phishing detection
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.8
Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs.
- Email phishing detection
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
9.4/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forIndividuals wanting free Chrome phishing protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
A focused browser extension that scans URLs, blocks threats, and flags risky search results.
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
- Real-time scanning
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Avast -
Best forPeople seeking free browser-based protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.8
A free Chrome and Edge extension for real-time web protection, not email security.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Bitdefender -
Best forPeople seeking free browser-based phishing protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.8
A free browser extension for real-time URL filtering and AI-assisted phishing detection.
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
- Real-time scanning
9.0/10★★★★☆Try Norton Safe Web -
Best forFree Chrome protection with credential-leak detection
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.8
Free Chrome protection combines malicious-site warnings with credential-leak detection.
- Credential protection
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Netcraft -
Best forFree browser protection with scam and skimmer blocking
A free browser extension for blocking phishing, scams, skimmers, ads, and trackers.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Malwarebytes -
Best forFree Chrome phishing warnings and privacy controls
A free browser extension pairing phishing warnings with practical privacy controls.
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
- Real-time scanning
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Avast -
Best forFree phishing risk ratings in search results
Free search-result safety ratings help flag phishing and other risky sites.
- Browser protection
- Real-time scanning
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Norton -
Best forOrganizations needing managed DNS phishing protection
Managed DNS protection blocks phishing and other malicious domains before connections are established.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forMid-market and enterprise security operations teams
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Email phishing detection
AI-assisted email triage and inbox-wide remediation for phishing response teams.
- Threat detection dashboard
- Email phishing detection
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Cofense -
Best forIndividuals seeking phishing protection across devices
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Email phishing detection
Guardio combines browser protection with phishing alerts across supported devices.
- Threat detection dashboard
- Email phishing detection
- Browser protection
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Guardio -
Best forLarge organizations needing inline web threat controls
Inline web threat controls for organizations protecting web and SaaS traffic.
- Threat detection dashboard
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler -
Best forOrganizations securing inbound email and links
- Better than Microsoft Defender SmartScreen:
- Email phishing detection
Inbound email, links and attachments get layered checks against targeted threats.
- Email phishing detection
- Phishing URL blocking
- Real-time scanning
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Mimecast -
Best forFree DNS blocking of malicious domains
A free encrypted DNS service that blocks lookups for known malicious domains.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Quad9 -
Best forWindows users wanting real-time phishing-site checks
Real-time browser protection for Windows users, without email phishing detection.
- Credential protection
- Browser protection
- Phishing URL blocking
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ZoneAlarm
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen?
Google Safe Browsing: #1 in our Anti-Phishing Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Defender SmartScreen?
Yes. Google Safe Browsing, Avast Anti-Phishing, Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage), Norton Safe Web and Netcraft Browser Extension have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen alternatives?
Email phishing detection is not included; Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations; Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
How do I switch from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen?
Export your data from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
How to Switch from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
- Export your data from Microsoft Defender SmartScreen (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Phishing URL blocking | Email phishing detection | Browser protection | Credential protection | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Microsoft Defender SmartScreen | Yes | None | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 1 | Google Safe Browsing | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 9.4 |
| 2 | Avast Anti-Phishing | Yes | None | Yes | No | Yes | — | 9.2 |
| 3 | Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Norton Safe Web | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | 9.0 |
| 5 | Netcraft Browser Extension | Yes | None | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | Malwarebytes Browser Guard | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 8 | Avast Online Security & Privacy | Yes | None | Yes | — | Yes | — | 8.5 |
| 9 | Norton Safe Search | Yes | None | No | — | Yes | — | 8.4 |
| 10 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | — | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 11 | Cofense Phishing Detection and Response | — | — | No | Yes | No | No | 8.2 |
| 12 | Guardio | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 8.1 |
| 13 | Zscaler Web Security | No | — | Yes | No | Yes | — | 8.0 |
| 14 | Mimecast Targeted Threat Protection | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | — | 7.9 |
| 15 | Quad9 | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 16 | ZoneAlarm Anti-Phishing | No | — | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
Head-to-Head
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Google Safe Browsing
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Avast Anti-Phishing
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Norton Safe Web
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Netcraft Browser Extension
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update