Virus Purge review
A free web scanner for files and archives, with hash checks and a paid API tier.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Virus Purge checks uploaded files for malware through a web service, without requiring desktop antivirus software. It suits individuals, developers, and small teams that need occasional file checks, archive inspection, or programmatic scanning. The scanner returns verdicts and detected threat names, and it can inspect image payloads as well as files inside supported archives. It is not a URL scanner or a computer-wide scan tool, so it is a focused option for submitted files rather than a replacement for endpoint protection.
The free options serve different needs. Guest scans require no account, but are limited to 5 MB per upload. A free account raises the file limit to 20 MB and adds scan history and reports. Premium adds higher limits, larger uploads, YARA rules on every scan, and API access; its pricing is not included here. That makes the free account useful for recurring manual checks, while developers who need automated workflows or YARA scanning will need to evaluate Premium.
Archive support and SHA-256 checks broaden the service beyond a basic single-file upload, and the REST API makes it relevant to teams building file checks into a process. Virus Purge says uploads are processed for analysis and not retained afterward. Support is listed through email. The stated 20 MB free-account cap is restrictive for larger samples, and the service does not scan URLs or a whole computer. Choose it for lightweight online file analysis and archive checks; choose another tool if you need broader device protection or larger free uploads.
Virus Purge pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Scans ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, and GZ archives
- Checks file fingerprints by SHA-256 hash
- Offers scan history on a free account and API access on Premium
- Where it doesn't
- Free-account uploads are limited to 20 MB
- Guest scans are limited to 5 MB
- YARA rules and API access require Premium
Virus Purge fact sheet, pricing and score →
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