2026

Microsoft Defender vs Intego

Microsoft Defender and Intego compared side by side: protection, performance, pricing, and features. Which antivirus suits you better?

Microsoft Defender

8.7

/ 10

Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows PC and provides solid baseline protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. In independent tests, Defender now performs well and is often sufficient for users with cautious browsing habits. However, anyone who needs VPN, password manager, extended web protection, or parental controls should consider a paid suite. As a free reference point, Defender is the most important comparison benchmark.

1st Year PriceCHF 0.00 RenewalCHF 0.00 PlatformsWindows

Protection 8.7

Performance 9.0

Best for 9.3

First-year price 10.0

Key features 7.2

Support 7.8

Intego

8.6

/ 10

Intego has specialized in Mac security for over 25 years and is widely considered the best antivirus solution for Apple users. The software is natively developed for macOS and offers excellent protection with minimal system impact. The Mac Internet Security X9 package includes real-time virus protection and an intelligent firewall. The Premium Bundle adds backup, cleanup, and parental controls. The only downside: Intego is purely Mac-focused – there is no Windows or Android protection.

1st Year PriceCHF 49.90 RenewalCHF 49.90 PlatformsMac

Protection 9.2

Performance 9.4

Best for 9.0

First-year price 7.8

Key features 8.0

Support 8.2

Visit vendor

* Affiliate link. We may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you.

Our Verdict

Microsoft Defender narrowly wins – Intego is the leaner choice.

Microsoft Defender scores 8.7 / 10 overall and is the stronger pick on protection and feature scope. If you value maximum performance, low resource use and lower renewal costs, Intego is the better fit. Both are excellent options for Swiss users.

See Microsoft Defender in detail

Our verdict

Microsoft Defender is a respectable free baseline for Windows in 2026. Intego (score: 8.6 out of 10) adds web/phishing filter, ransomware module, VPN and password manager – features Defender still does not provide.

On price, Microsoft Defender currently sits at CHF 0 in year one, Intego at CHF 50. Watch the renewal price closely: both are transparently listed in the table above and matter more long-term than the introductory price.

Strength profiles: Microsoft Defender scores highest on price-performance, Intego on system impact. If you care most about one of those dimensions, the choice is clear. For all-round needs, either product is a safe pick.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Criterion	Microsoft Defender	Intego
Real-time protection	Yes	Yes
Built-in VPN	No	No
Password manager	No	No
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing	No	No
Parental controls	No	No
Identity protection	No	No
Low system impact	Yes	Yes
Platforms	Windows	Mac
Number of devices (standard licence)	1	1
System impact in daily use	Very low	Very low

More comparisons with Microsoft Defender

More comparisons with Intego

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Defender vs Intego

Is Microsoft Defender enough or do I need :paid?

Defender is solid baseline protection in 2026 and enough for cautious users on up-to-date Windows with 2FA. :paid adds VPN, password manager, web/phishing filter, ransomware module and anti-tracking – useful for banking, crypto, heavy web research or a family setup.

How much does :paid cost per month vs Defender?

Defender is free; :paid costs roughly CHF 3–8/month in year one (converted) and rises on renewal. The exact price is in the table above.

Does :paid slow my PC more than Defender?

In AV-TEST performance tests most commercial suites match or slightly exceed Defender. In daily use on modern hardware the difference is barely noticeable.

Can I run :paid and Defender at the same time?

No – as soon as :paid is installed, Defender disables itself automatically. Two active real-time scanners cause conflicts and should be avoided.