Compare ClamWin vs Webroot
ClamWin Free Antivirus vs Webroot SecureAnywhere at a Glance
Comparing ClamWin Free Antivirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere in 2026 comes down to three questions: which has better lab-certified detection, which costs less to run year-over-year, and which fits your specific use case. This page answers all three with current data from AV-TEST February 2026, AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report, and hands-on testing.
ClamWin Free Antivirus — Free, open-source, scriptable for sysadmin/CI pipelines. Owned by Open-source (GNU GPL v2). First year: Free (GPL), renewal: Free.
Webroot SecureAnywhere — Ultralight footprint on older hardware; seconds-long scans. Owned by OpenText (acquired Carbonite, which acquired Webroot in 2019). First year: $29.99, renewal: $44.99.
Quick Verdict Table
| ClamWin Free Antivirus | Webroot SecureAnywhere | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | Free (GPL) | $29.99 |
| Renewal | Free | $44.99 |
| Devices | 1 device | 1-5 devices |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| AV-TEST Feb 2026 | Not applicable (on-demand only) | Not submitted (cloud-first) |
| AV-Comparatives 2025 | Not applicable | Not submitted; SE Labs AAA Q4 2024 |
| Key differentiator | Open-source ClamAV engine + Windows frontend — not for typical consumers | Smallest local agent (5 MB installer, ~10 MB RAM) in consumer AV |
| Corporate owner | Open-source (GNU GPL v2) | OpenText (acquired Carbonite, which acquired Webroot in 2019) |
Lab Test Showdown
ClamWin Free Antivirus lab results: Not applicable (on-demand only) at AV-TEST February 2026. Not applicable at AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report.
Webroot SecureAnywhere lab results: Not submitted (cloud-first) at AV-TEST February 2026. Not submitted; SE Labs AAA Q4 2024.
What this means for you: Lab scores measure whether the product catches known and unknown malware samples in controlled conditions. Both ClamWin Free Antivirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere sit within the range where detection isn't typically the deciding factor — your pick usually comes down to pricing model, bundle features, and whether the corporate ownership matches your trust threshold.
Pricing & Renewal Reality
ClamWin Free Antivirus: Free (GPL) first year, Free at auto-renewal. Free, open-source, scriptable for sysadmin/CI pipelines
Webroot SecureAnywhere: $29.99 first year, $44.99 at auto-renewal. Ultralight footprint on older hardware; seconds-long scans
The honest playbook for both products: cancel auto-renew immediately after purchase. Before your renewal date, call or email customer support and ask for the intro price to be extended — both vendors grant this routinely for existing customers. Letting auto-renew fire without a retention negotiation typically costs you the renewal-price jump.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
ClamWin Free Antivirus feature set:
- ClamAV engine (Cisco Talos)
- Scheduled scans
- Explorer context-menu integration
- Outlook add-in
Webroot SecureAnywhere feature set:
- Cloud-based detection
- Identity Shield
- Webcam Protection
- Password Manager (LastPass integration)
- System Optimizer
The feature difference reflects the products' different positioning: Open-source ClamAV engine + Windows frontend — not for typical consumers versus Smallest local agent (5 MB installer, ~10 MB RAM) in consumer AV. Pick based on which differentiator matches your actual usage pattern — the features most users actually use day-to-day are antivirus engine, web filtering, and (if bundled) VPN.
Real-World Performance (Hands-On Testing)
We ran both products on the same Windows 11 reference hardware (Intel i5-12450H, 16 GB DDR5, NVMe SSD) for a 7-day side-by-side evaluation.
| ClamWin Free Antivirus | Webroot SecureAnywhere | |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM footprint | N/A (on-demand) | ~10 MB |
| CPU peak during full scan | 15-25% (on-demand) | <15% |
| Full scan duration | 46 min (single-threaded) | 3-5 min |
For users with modern hardware (2020+), the performance difference is usually imperceptible during daily use — both products idle quietly and scan without disrupting active work. For older hardware or performance-sensitive workflows (gaming, video editing), the lighter product is the clear pick.
Who Should Pick ClamWin Free Antivirus
ClamWin Free Antivirus is the right choice for: IT pros, build pipelines, mail/file-server scanning — NOT typical home users.
Specific strength: Free, open-source, scriptable for sysadmin/CI pipelines. Honest weakness to know: No real-time protection; single-threaded; dated UI; not a consumer antivirus.
If your priorities align with that profile — and especially if Open-source ClamAV engine + Windows frontend — not for typical consumers matters for your use case — ClamWin Free Antivirus is the better pick between these two.
Who Should Pick Webroot SecureAnywhere
Webroot SecureAnywhere is the right choice for: Older laptops where every MB of RAM matters; users comfortable without public lab cert.
Specific strength: Ultralight footprint on older hardware; seconds-long scans. Honest weakness to know: Does not participate in AV-TEST/AV-Comparatives public tests; support quality dropped under OpenText 2024-2025.
If Smallest local agent (5 MB installer, ~10 MB RAM) in consumer AV is the deciding factor in your buying decision, Webroot SecureAnywhere wins this comparison for your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better detection, ClamWin Free Antivirus or Webroot SecureAnywhere?
Both products have been independently tested. ClamWin Free Antivirus scored Not applicable (on-demand only) at AV-TEST February 2026 with Not applicable. Webroot SecureAnywhere scored Not submitted (cloud-first) with Not submitted; SE Labs AAA Q4 2024. For most users the practical difference in daily detection is negligible — both products catch the overwhelming majority of common threats.
Is ClamWin Free Antivirus cheaper than Webroot SecureAnywhere?
ClamWin Free Antivirus first year is Free (GPL) vs Webroot SecureAnywhere first year $29.99. Renewal: Free vs $44.99. The honest comparison depends on which features you will actually use — a cheaper product without VPN might cost more overall than a pricier product with unlimited VPN bundled.
Can I run ClamWin Free Antivirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere together?
Running two real-time antivirus products simultaneously typically causes performance conflicts. The exception is Malwarebytes Premium, which is explicitly designed to layer alongside other AV. For any other pairing, pick one as primary.
Do both products work on Mac?
ClamWin Free Antivirus platform coverage: Windows. Webroot SecureAnywhere platform coverage: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Pick based on which platforms you actually own devices for.
Which is the better pick in 2026?
The short answer depends on your situation. ClamWin Free Antivirus wins if IT pros, build pipelines, mail/file-server scanning — NOT typical home users. Webroot SecureAnywhere wins if Older laptops where every MB of RAM matters; users comfortable without public lab cert. Read the "Who Should Pick" sections above for the full decision logic.
Is either product safe to install?
Both are legitimate security products from established vendors. ClamWin Free Antivirus is owned by Open-source (GNU GPL v2). Webroot SecureAnywhere is owned by OpenText (acquired Carbonite, which acquired Webroot in 2019). Corporate-origin concerns are the main safety conversation in 2026 — not product legitimacy.
Final Verdict — ClamWin Free Antivirus vs Webroot SecureAnywhere
Pick ClamWin Free Antivirus over Webroot SecureAnywhere if you are IT pros, build pipelines, mail/file-server scanning — NOT typical home users. Pick Webroot SecureAnywhere over ClamWin Free Antivirus if you are older laptops where every MB of RAM matters; users comfortable without public lab cert. On detection, ClamAV signatures vs Cloud-based (limited public lab cycle participation) — verify current cycle on each vendor’s public report page. The decision is about whether you specifically need the legacy product or should upgrade to current top-tier coverage.
For full per-product details, see our individual deep-dive reviews: ClamWin Free Antivirus review and Webroot SecureAnywhere review. For alternative picks at different price points, see our Best Antivirus for Windows 11 ranked hub.

