Microsoft Defender review

Microsoft Defender for individuals makes most sense as a bonus inside a Microsoft 365 plan you already pay for. Sign in with a Personal, Family or Premium subscription and you get a single app for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, plus a web portal. Microsoft lists antivirus on Android and macOS, anti-phishing on Android and iOS, and identity theft monitoring that scans the dark web for more than 60 types of family personal info. Subscribers also get 24/7 identity theft support and up to $1 million in identity insurance for restoration costs. Microsoft 365 Personal costs $99.99 per year and Family $129.99 for up to 6 people, with Word, Excel, Outlook and cloud storage included. As a standalone security purchase, that is expensive, and the app offers fewer device tools than dedicated suites. If you already subscribe, install it before buying another antivirus.

Who it is for

Households that already pay for Microsoft 365 and want device and identity protection without another subscription.

Price

Included with Microsoft 365 Personal at $99.99 per year or $9.99 per month; Family $129.99 per year for up to 6 people.

Microsoft 365 Personal $99.99 /year
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Antivirus on Android and macOS, plus anti-phishing on Android and iOS
• Identity theft monitoring that scans the dark web for 60+ types of personal info
• 24/7 identity theft support
• Up to $1 million identity insurance for restoration costs
• Web portal with step-by-step threat resolution guidance

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No extra cost if you already subscribe to Microsoft 365
• Strength: Family plan covers up to 6 people
• Strength: One dashboard for every family device
• Weakness: Only available with a Microsoft 365 subscription
• Weakness: No antivirus listed for iOS, only anti-phishing
• Weakness: Fewer device tools than dedicated suites such as Norton or Bitdefender

Key facts

• Requires: Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web
• Identity insurance: Up to $1 million
• Family plan: 1 to 6 people, $129.99 per year

Where it ranks

Microsoft Defender is No. 8 in our Best Antivirus Software verdict.