ClamAV
Open Sourceby Cisco Talos
Open-source antivirus engine, standard on mail servers.
- Fully open source
- Designed for mail and file server scanning
- Scriptable command-line interface
3 Best Free Antivirus & Security Software for Linux in 2026
Antivirus scanners, anti-malware tools and password managers that protect your machine and your accounts without a subscription. Every program below runs on Linux.
- 3 Linux programs
- 2 open source
- ₹0 to download
Free antivirus & security programs for Linux
KeePassXC
Open Sourceby KeePassXC Team
Offline password manager — your vault never leaves your disk.
- Fully offline encrypted vault
- No account or subscription required
- Browser integration extension
Bitwarden
Free tierby Bitwarden, Inc.
Open-source password manager that syncs across all your devices.
- Unlimited passwords and devices, free
- Open-source client and server
- Apps and browser extensions for every platform
Choosing antivirus & security software on Linux
All 3 programs listed here have a native Linux build — this is not a list of software that merely "might work" through a compatibility layer. 2 are open source.
Since every option is free, testing two or three on your own files is usually faster and more reliable than reading further comparisons. ClamAV is the most widely adopted of these and a reasonable starting point.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free antivirus & security software for Linux?
ClamAV open-source antivirus engine, standard on mail servers. KeePassXC and Bitwarden are the other most common picks.
Are these really free on Linux?
Yes. Each is labelled with its licence — open source, free, or free tier — so you know exactly what you are getting before you download.
Where do the downloads come from?
The publisher's own website, every time. We host no installers, which is the single most effective protection against the bundled adware that plagues software download portals.