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Best Free Security Tools in 2026

Data compiled by Toolradar Updated How we rate

The 15 best free security tools we track. Ordered by Toolradar's ranking score (review volume and rating on G2, Capterra, Trustpilot and other sites, plus media mentions), not by vendor pitches; every rating shows its date.

Key Takeaways
  • LastPass is our free pick for security in 2026. 1Password is our overall pick.
  • We screened 359 security tools with a free plan to build this list.
  • 15 tools offer free plans.
Publications that cover the tools tracked here
  • TechCrunch
  • Bloomberg
  • The Information
  • Fortune
  • The Verge
  • 359 free tools screened
  • 0 100% free
  • 15 free plan + paid

Top 5 free security tools at a glance

Top 5 free security tools: free plan type, user rating and best use, as of October 2026
Tool Type Rating Best for
LastPass Free plan 4.6 (4,877) as of Sep 2026
Securely store, autofill, and share passwords across all your devices
IBM Cloud Free plan 4.4 (12,494) as of Sep 2026
Enterprise cloud platform by IBM
TeamViewer Free plan 4.5 (4,175) as of Sep 2026
The platform for the digital workplace, enabling seamless remote access, support, and IT management.
GitLab Free plan 4.5 (875) as of Mar 2026
The most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps platform for secure and accelerated software delivery.
JumpCloud Free plan 4.4 (4,391) as of Sep 2026
Open directory platform for IT teams

Ratings from G2, Capterra, and other public review sites. Each cell shows the snapshot date so a cited number is never an undated one.

Toolradar data

The security tools market in numbers

Toolradar data: Toolradar tracks 875 security tools (subcategories included) as of October 28, 2026. 45% of the security tools on Toolradar are free, freemium or open source. The median cheapest paid plan for security tools is $15/mo, across the 147 that publish a price. Toolradar re-checked the pricing of 65% of security tools in the last 90 days. Toolradar aggregates 255,208 public user reviews (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot and other review sites) across 508 rated security tools. The most cross-shopped security tool is Datadog, listed as an alternative to 135 other tools on Toolradar. The most compared security tool on Toolradar over the last 90 days is Tailscale, with 734 side-by-side comparisons. Computed from the Toolradar catalog and on-site activity.

  • 875 security tools tracked (subcategories included)
  • 45% are free, freemium or open source
  • $15/mo median cheapest paid plan, across the 147 security tools that publish one
  • 65% of prices re-checked in the last 90 days
  • 255,208 public user reviews aggregated across 508 rated tools
Most cross-shopped security tools on Toolradar, as of October 2026 Listed as an alternative to the most other tools on Toolradar
Rank Tool Listed as an alternative to
1 Datadog 135 tools
2 Dynatrace 73 tools
3 Resolver 65 tools
Most compared security tools on Toolradar, last 90 days to October 2026 Side-by-side comparisons by visitors, last 90 days
Rank Tool Comparisons
1 Tailscale 734
2 Datadog 625
3 GitLab 593

Source and method: live security tools statistics

The 15 best free security tools

Order: Toolradar ranking score, which is the public review volume times the average rating on G2, Capterra, Trustpilot and other review sites, plus media mentions (recent ones count more). Paid placements are labelled and never change the score. How we rank.

LastPass logo
1.

LastPass

Free plan

Securely store, autofill, and share passwords across all your devices

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 4,877 ratings, Sep 2026

LastPass is a password manager for individuals, families, and businesses. Store passwords in an encrypted vault. Autofill credentials across devices and browsers. Secure password sharing with trusted contacts. Dark web monitoring alerts on compromised accounts. Password security that millions depend on daily.

IBM Cloud logo
2.

IBM Cloud

Free plan

Enterprise cloud platform by IBM

4.4/5 across G2 and Capterra · 12,494 ratings, Sep 2026

IBM Cloud provides enterprise cloud infrastructure with AI and data services. Watson, bare metal, Kubernetes-IBM's hybrid cloud platform for enterprises. The AI services are mature. The security focus is strong. Enterprise support is available. Enterprises wanting cloud with IBM's enterprise focus choose IBM Cloud for traditional cloud infrastructure.

TeamViewer logo
3.

TeamViewer

Free plan

The platform for the digital workplace, enabling seamless remote access, support, and IT management.

4.5/5 on G2 · 4,175 ratings, Sep 2026

TeamViewer is a comprehensive platform designed to facilitate a smooth and efficient digital experience for employees and optimize IT operations. It offers robust remote access and support capabilities, allowing users to connect to and control devices from anywhere, reducing downtime and travel costs. The platform caters to IT professionals, teams, and large enterprises, providing tools for proactive IT management, real-time insights, and automated problem resolution. Beyond basic remote control, TeamViewer includes features like Digital Experience Management (DEX) for monitoring endpoint environments, identifying compliance drifts, and automating fixes. It also offers powerful add-ons such as Asset Management, Mobile Device Management, Device Monitoring, and Endpoint Protection, ensuring a secure and well-managed IT infrastructure. TeamViewer emphasizes high-level security, evidenced by its BitSight Security Rating and various certifications, making it a trusted solution for businesses and organizations worldwide, including non-profits and educational institutions.

GitLab logo
4.

GitLab

Free plan

The most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps platform for secure and accelerated software delivery.

4.5/5 on G2 · 875 ratings, Mar 2026

GitLab is a comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps platform designed to streamline the entire software development lifecycle from code commit to production. It integrates native AI capabilities, such as AI Chat and AI Code Suggestions within the IDE, to help developers write secure code more efficiently and accelerate development. The platform aims to reduce the time spent managing disparate tools by offering a unified workflow for CI/CD pipelines, security, and automation. GitLab is ideal for development teams of all sizes looking to improve productivity, enhance security, and accelerate time to market. It offers built-in security features with automated scans integrated into pipelines, and unified DevSecOps workflows for continuous integration and continuous delivery. The platform boasts significant improvements in metrics like reduced cycle time, faster vulnerability detection, and decreased pipeline execution time, ultimately leading to faster software delivery and increased developer happiness.

JumpCloud logo
5.

JumpCloud

Free plan

Open directory platform for IT teams

4.4/5 across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot · 4,391 ratings, Sep 2026

JumpCloud is a cloud directory platform that unifies identity, access, and device management. Provides SSO, MFA, device management, and directory services from a single platform.

Elastic logo
6.

Elastic

Free plan

The Search AI Company powering search, observability, and security with open and flexible solutions.

4.5/5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 4,024 ratings, Sep 2026

Elastic Cloud provides search, observability, and security solutions powered by Elasticsearch. Available as hosted, serverless, or self-managed deployments across AWS, GCP, Azure, and Alibaba with flexible pricing options.

Bitwarden logo
7.

Bitwarden

Free plan

Open-source password manager for secure, cross-device vault sync

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,659 ratings, Sep 2026

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager for individuals and teams. Secure vault syncs across all devices. Self-host for complete control over your data. Send securely shares sensitive information. Enterprise features include SSO and directory sync. Password security that doesn't require trusting a closed system.

Zoho Mail logo
8.

Zoho Mail

Free plan

Secure, ad-free business email hosting with privacy guarantees and collaboration features.

4.5/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,794 ratings, Sep 2026

Zoho Mail offers a secure, encrypted, and ad-free business email service designed to provide professional communication for companies of all sizes. It emphasizes data privacy, offering encryption at rest and in transit, S/MIME message encryption, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Users can create custom email addresses with their own domain, enhancing brand credibility and professionalism. The platform includes a powerful admin console for managing users, groups, and email content policies, along with features like email retention and e-discovery for compliance. Zoho Mail also integrates collaboration tools like "Streams" to replace email threads with social media-like interactions, task management, and file sharing. It provides mobile apps for on-the-go access and offers migration tools for easy switching from other providers. Additionally, it integrates with Zoho CRM and other Zoho Workplace applications for a comprehensive business suite. Zoho Mail is ideal for businesses looking for a reliable, secure, and professional email solution with robust administrative controls, compliance features, and integrated collaboration capabilities, all while ensuring data privacy and a professional brand image.

iDrive logo
9.

iDrive

Free plan

Multi-computer cloud backup and storage solutions for home, business, and enterprises.

4.5/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,202 ratings, Sep 2026

IDrive offers comprehensive cloud backup and storage solutions designed for individuals, teams, and businesses. It provides secure backup for multiple devices including PCs, Macs, Linux, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and servers, all managed from a single account. Key features include real-time file syncing with Cloud Drive, versioning and snapshots for point-in-time recovery, and physical data transfer via IDrive Express for large backups and restores. The platform also extends its backup capabilities to cloud applications like Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Box, ensuring data protection against accidental deletions, cyber-attacks, and ransomware. IDrive caters to various needs with plans like Personal, Team, Business, and Enterprise, offering scalable storage, user management, and compliance features like HIPAA and GDPR. Additionally, it provides IDrive® e2, an S3-compatible hot cloud object storage solution that is cost-effective and secure.

Cloudflare DNS logo
10.

Cloudflare DNS

Free plan

Faster, free DNS with a modern interface and global network

4.5/5 on G2 · 732 ratings, Aug 2026

Cloudflare DNS resolves domain names faster than most alternatives, and it's completely free. Update records through a clean interface, enable DNSSEC with a click, and benefit from Cloudflare's global network. The API enables automation. DNS analytics show query patterns. Records propagate quickly globally. Anyone managing DNS who wants speed, reliability, and a modern interface uses Cloudflare DNS for free DNS that outperforms paid alternatives.

Datadog logo
11.

Datadog

Free plan

Cloud monitoring, security, and AI investigations for DevOps

4.4/5 on G2 · 726 ratings, Aug 2026

Datadog is a cloud monitoring and security platform providing infrastructure monitoring, APM, log management, and AI-powered investigations for DevOps and security teams.

Azure AD logo
12.

Azure AD

Free plan

Microsoft cloud identity and access management

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 945 ratings, Sep 2026

Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID) is Microsoft cloud-based identity and access management service. Provides SSO, MFA, conditional access, and identity protection for Microsoft and third-party apps.

Malwarebytes logo
13.

Malwarebytes

Free plan

Cybersecurity and malware protection

4.6/5 on G2 · 1,089 ratings, Sep 2026

Malwarebytes protects against malware and online threats. Remediation for infections, real-time protection, and ransomware defense-security software with strong remediation. The malware removal is effective. The protection is solid. The reputation is established. Users dealing with malware or wanting protection choose Malwarebytes for effective security.

GitLab CI logo
14.

GitLab CI

Free plan

Accelerate delivery with orchestrated CI/CD automation for secure software development.

4.4/5 across G2 and SourceForge · 690 ratings, Mar 2026

GitLab CI is a comprehensive Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) solution integrated within the GitLab DevSecOps platform. It automates the entire software delivery lifecycle, from code commit to production deployment, enabling teams to build, test, package, and ship secure software faster and more frequently. The platform is designed for modern workflows, supporting both new and legacy codebases, and aims to improve developer experience by minimizing manual tasks through automation and generative AI tools like GitLab Duo. This solution is ideal for organizations looking to standardize and scale their CI/CD processes, ensuring every project is secure, predictable, and measurable. It provides tools for continuous security scanning, compliance enforcement, and advanced deployment strategies like progressive and canary deployments. With integrated AI assistance, GitLab CI helps teams remediate vulnerabilities, troubleshoot job failures, and forecast value streams, ultimately enhancing transparency, visibility, and operational efficiency across the software development lifecycle.

Duo Security logo
15.

Duo Security

Free plan

Multi-factor authentication for enterprises

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,051 ratings, Sep 2026

Duo Security protects access with multi-factor authentication that's actually usable. Push notifications to phones, hardware keys, biometrics-2FA that doesn't frustrate users. The user experience is thoughtful. Device trust policies add security. Cisco backing provides enterprise credibility. Organizations implementing MFA choose Duo because it balances security with user experience.

Related

Free Tools in Related Categories

Why choose free security tools?

Free security tools are an excellent way to get started without financial commitment. Whether you're a startup, freelancer, or small business, these tools offer essential features at no cost.

What to look for in free security tools

  • Feature limitations: Understand what's included in the free tier vs paid plans
  • Usage limits: Check for restrictions on users, storage, or API calls
  • Data ownership: Ensure you own your data and can export it
  • Support: Free tiers often have community-only support
  • Upgrade path: Consider future needs if you outgrow the free tier

Free vs Freemium: what's the difference?

100% free 100% free, no payment ever

Completely free with no paid upgrades available. Best for simple, focused workflows that don't require advanced features.

Free plan Free tier + paid upgrades

Generous free tier with optional paid plans that unlock advanced features, higher limits, or team collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free security tool in 2026?

LastPass is our free security pick in 2026. On the full category ranking, 1Password is our overall security pick. LastPass offers a free plan alongside paid plans: Securely store, autofill, and share passwords across all your devices.

Is LastPass really free forever?

LastPass uses a freemium model: there is a permanent free tier you can use without a credit card, plus optional paid plans that unlock higher usage limits and advanced features. The free tier itself does not expire.

What does the free tier of security tools typically include?

Free security tools typically include the core workflow features needed to evaluate the product. Paid plans usually unlock higher usage limits, team collaboration, advanced analytics, integrations, and priority support. The specific cap differs per tool.

When should I upgrade from a free security tool?

Upgrade when you hit one of the free tier ceilings: usage quota (output count, storage, contacts, projects), team size, or a paid-only feature your workflow depends on.

Are there security tools that are 100% free, not just freemium?

In this category most options use a freemium model: a permanent free tier with optional paid upgrades. LastPass, IBM Cloud, TeamViewer all offer generous free plans you can use indefinitely without paying.

Are free security tools good enough for business use?

Yes, for most startups, freelancers, and small teams. LastPass and IBM Cloud both offer free tiers robust enough for production workflows. Larger teams typically upgrade when they need SSO, audit logs, advanced permissions, or usage past the free quota.

Last updated: October 28, 2026

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