ClamAV logo

ClamAV

Endpoint Security (Antivirus/EPP)

Open Source
Free Tier
Self-hosted
OpenMSP Score
58
41
Reddit Impact Score
Github Score
131M
6KStars
840Forks
11KCommits
GNU General Public License v2.0License
Mar 9, 2026Last commit
ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine designed for detecting trojans, viruses, malware, and other malicious threats. It offers high-performance scanning, regular signature updates, and integration capabilities with mail servers and other applications.
image media
1 / 2

Key Features

Multi-Platform Support

Cross-platform antivirus engine supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD, and many other operating systems

Real-Time Protection

On-access scanning with clamd daemon providing real-time malware detection and prevention capabilities

Mail Gateway Integration

Designed especially for email scanning on mail gateways with Milter interface and SMTP integration

Comprehensive File Format Support

Supports multiple file formats including archives (ZIP, RAR, TAR), executables, documents (PDF, Office), and more

Automatic Signature Updates

FreshClam utility provides automatic virus definition updates multiple times daily from global threat intelligence

Pros and Cons

Pros

Completely Free and Open Source

Full-featured antivirus solution available at no cost with complete source code transparency under GPLv2 license

Lightweight and Efficient

Low resource consumption making it ideal for servers, embedded systems, and resource-constrained environments

Excellent for Mail Servers

Industry standard for mail gateway scanning with robust integration capabilities for email security

Community-Driven Development

Large open-source community ensuring continuous development, security updates, and feature improvements

Cons

Command-Line Interface

Primarily command-line based with limited graphical interfaces, requiring technical expertise for configuration

Basic Detection Capabilities

May have lower detection rates compared to commercial solutions for advanced or zero-day threats

Limited Real-Time Protection

Real-time protection availability varies by platform and may require additional configuration

Feature Comparison

Comments

No Comments Yet

Be the first to share your experience with ClamAV.