The Best Free Utilities for your Computer
(Apple and Windows)
With hundreds of free and freeware utilities on the market, it can be difficult choosing the right one.
Luckily for you, we have done our research and selected the best three in over 30 categories.
I’ll be showing you the best freeware utilities ranging from simple web browsing to networks monitoring, and much more in-between. Have a scroll through this list, or use the index below to jump to the category that you’re most interested in.
Best Web Browser – Chrome
Google Chrome dominates the browser market since it’s easy to use, secure, highly adaptable, and cross-device compatible. The latter is paramount as no other browser has successfully implemented this. On the downside, it is resource intensive, so if you have an old computer, it might not be the best. However, if privacy is important to you (like it is to us), then I’d recommend using Firefox instead as it’s open source.
Firefox remains a solid second choice, and while Microsoft’s Edge is still relatively new, it has already gained a cult following due to its ease and beauty.
Best Web Browsers:
Best Free Antivirus Software – Bitdefender
With new viruses, malware, and dangerous code appearing every day, it’s becoming ever more important to have a robust antivirus software running not only on your PC but also on your mobile devices.
Bitdefender is the best free antivirus software around at the moment. It’s fast, clean, and extremely efficient. As a slimmed down version of it’s paid brother it keeps your computer secure around the clock and will go a long way to helping you avoid unwanted trips to a computer repair service.
If you have some money to spend on an Antivirus, then the paid version of Bitdefender is also the best in the market, shortly followed by F-Secure and Kaspersky.
Best Free Antivirus Software
Best Free Malware Remover – Malwarebytes
Should your antivirus not have caught a piece of malware, adware, or other spyware, it can be tough to remove. While many AV tools have malware removal built in, I have found these to be less efficient than dedicated software.
Malwarebytes has dedicated their life and souls to getting rid of malware, and it shows. While I’d say their claim of making AV obsolete is over-stated, their smooth platform, and multi-layered protection and removal does a fantastic job.
Furthermore, as the number one operator in the field, they tend to identify and remove malware before any other company does, ensuring the integrity of your data, and of those around you. Not to mention the fact that is compatible with most of your devices, something that can’t be said for most other free malware removal tools.
If you’re looking for paid options, then Malwarebytes is also the winner with Bitdefender and AVG slightly behind.
Best Free Malware Removers
Best Free Browser Protection Utility – Bitdefender
Even though web browsers are getting smarter and more secure, all it can take is a pushy website or a loaded shareware for your Chrome or Internet Explorer to go all over the place and be full of pop-ups.
Unsurprisingly, as it ranks great as a malware and antivirus tool, your best option for protecting your browsing activities will be Bitdefender. It provides you with a secure browsing environment and also provides a traffic light system for websites, so you have a clear indication if the site is secure or not.
However, your biggest defense will be to keep your browsers updated, only using trusted and necessary plugins, and using caution and common sense when browsing. Furthermore, you can take additional steps to protect your web browsing.
Best Free Browser Protection Utilities
Best Free Firewall – ZoneAlarm
While antivirus and malware tools are great, it’s even better to avoid the issues in the first place. As hackers and bots become smarter, the importance of firewalls is continually rising. As the Internet of Things keeps growing, it will become even more important, as we’ll need to make sure that all of our devices are protected. 
ZoneAlarm is one of the best solutions around. Not only does it go a long way from keeping out unwanted connections, but it also helps you become invisible to hackers. On top of this, they have created additional layers, which help protect your wireless network, and even while using WiFi in a public place. Just to top it all off, they can even provide you with identity protection and a secure backup solution. Need I say more?
Best Free Firewalls
Best Free Intrusion Prevention and Detection Software – Snort
So now that you have anti-virus and anti-spyware products on your computer, you think you’re safe. While these dramatically reduce the chance of infection, unfortunately, they only work once the threat is through the door.
Intrusion Detection Software (IDS) work by monitoring your network activity in real time and shutting it down, should it detect a threat. While these are crucial for businesses, it’s a smaller issue for homeowners, but as the saying goes “every little helps.”
Snort is the best freeware option out there. It has a large community of users to help you out and is relatively easy to set up and get running with. Unfortunately, it has no GUI so if you have no technical experience it could cause you some problems. While I’ve listed two more options below, if you’re looking for an easy to use and secure intrusion detection software then I’d recommend getting the paid version of Webroot Internet Security Plus.
Best Free Intrusion Detection Software
Best Free Anonymous Surfing Service – Tor
There are plenty of reasons for wanting to surf anonymously, ranging from simple self-preservation to wanting to avoid governments and hackers. Our VPNs for Beginnersand Ultimate Privacy Guides have extensive information on why anonymous surfing is so important to everyone.
For a free anonymous surfing option, Tor remains the best alternative. By routing your connection through multiple layers (hence the onion logo), it becomes extremely difficult to find out where the data is coming from. Unfortunately, it does come with the downside that it is extremely slow and only protects your web browsing. If you’re serious about anonymous browsing, then I’d recommend looking at our best VPN services list. While no service will give you true anonymity (especially if you’re using any social network or Google), VPNs and anonymous surfing will go a long way.
Best Free Anonymous Surfing Services
Best Free Email Client – eM Client
If you’re like us, you probably have at least five different email accounts, and not necessarily with the same email provider. Even worse, you might have some that are POP and some that are IMAP. Either way, keeping track of your emails, meetings, and contacts can become exhausting.
Luckily, eM Client is here to help you out. Unlike most of the other options out there, it’s beautifully designed, easy to use, has integrated chat, and much much more. Naturally, it also integrates with a huge range of email
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