The Best Free Driver Update Software for Windows in 2023 (2024)

There's nothing more frustrating than a computer that crashes and freezes all the time. Equally annoying is a computer with buggy audio, low-quality videos, or dysfunctional Wi-Fi connections.

Thankfully, boosting performance doesn’t need to be a huge investment. Often your problems can be fixed simply by updating your outdated drivers. If you just want your Windows PC to work properly and hassle-free — or even if you want to optimize your PC for better gaming — use one of the best driver updater programs around.

Find the best driver update software

The best driver updater for your PC is one that works automatically without the need for you to manually hunt down drivers. From graphics cards to Wi-Fi chips — even your motherboard and CPU — there are thousands of drivers installed on your PC. Just as you should always keep your operating system and other programs updated, keeping your drivers updated also helps ensure optimal performance.

Just like real nuts and bolts, the bits of software that make up drivers get rusty over time. The older your device is, the more likely you need to update graphics drivers and update audio drivers just to have decent picture and sound quality.

Always use driver update tools from reputable sources. The best software isn't always free, and free driver update software usually offers limited functionality. But you’re here to find the best free driver update software, so we’ve included both free tools as well as software that offer free trials.

Note: All prices in this list are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check the manufacturer’s website.

AVG Driver Updater

The best way to update your drivers is to let AVG do it for you. AVG Driver Updater automatically checks over 8 million drivers from over 1,300 hardware brands to keep all your PC’s software and hardware components updated.

Automatic driver updates from AVG help your computer produce the best sound quality and display the sharpest graphics, while significantly reducing the likelihood of your PC freezing, crashing, or suffering connectivity issues.

AVG Driver Updater nabs a spot on our best driver updater software list for its focus on safety, quality, and sheer coverage. AVG’s in-house cybersecurity experts check drivers for safety before deploying updates, so you can rest assured you're using a premium product.

Cost: Free 15-day trial; $39.99/year per PC

Pros

• Trusted driver updater maintained by a team of cybersecurity experts.

• Over 8 million drivers from over 1,300 well-known brands.

• Smooth user interface with an automated one-click solution.

• Scans drivers automatically and notifies you when it’s time to update.

Cons

• Available only for Windows.

• First update cycle can require more than one reboot.

• After the free trial ends, the free version only scans for outdated drivers.

Avast Driver Updater

One of the best driver software options out there is Avast Driver Updater. This driver updater detects old, missing, outdated, or corrupt drivers. And it does a complete scan of your device before planning driver restoration.

Avast Driver Updater creates a backup of current drivers before installation. That way, in the unlikely event that a manufacturer issued a faulty driver update, you can easily revert back to the previous driver.

Cost: Free 30-day trial; $39.99/year per PC

Pros

• Automated driver updater software to ensure you have the latest release.

• Significantly reduces crashes and freezes.

• Real-time scanning and step-by-step driver installation to prevent hardware conflicts.

Cons

• Available only for Windows.

• Free trial but no free version.

• Can require multiple reboots after the first update.

Device Doctor

A quick and simple fix to many outdated driver problems, Device Doctor is a good option for those looking for one of the best free driver updaters. Device Doctor offers a solid database of device drivers from major hardware manufacturers and devices, making it likely to fix many common problems related to outdated drivers.

The downside is that it's a basic solution. There’s no automation in terms of ongoing support, and many basic steps — like finalizing installation once drivers are found — are left up to you. All in all, it's a basic and free driver updater worth including in any best-of list.

Cost: Free driver scanner; $35.99/year

Pros

• Schedule regular scans for new driver updates.

• Option to run while offline.

• Straightforward driver updater.

Cons

• Once new drivers are identified, you have to manually install them in the free version.

• Driver backups and restore points are offered only in the paid version.

• Automated scans and updates are reserved for the paid version.

DriverPack

DriverPack is one of the best free driver updater software solutions for its straightforward approach when it comes to installation. Select regular mode to run an automatic scan of all drivers or choose expert mode to pick and choose driver updates as you see fit.

Cost: Free driver update software

Pros

• Two installation options: basic driver checks or hand-picked.

• Easy-to-use interface with offline mode available.

• Works on any PC.

Cons

• An assistant feature that you can't hide (and isn’t very helpful).

• Sometimes the scanner and updater run slowly.

• You can only install new drivers — you can’t fix faulty ones.

DriverMax

If you can get by with only two driver updates per day, then DriverMax is an excellent choice for a free driver updater. For those who need a bit more from a driver updating program, you'll need to get the paid version. DriverMax offers good automation, a smooth user interface, and a range of pricing and subscription options.

Cost: Free driver updater; $8.95/month, $10.39/1 year, $14.51/2 years; $29.80/lifetime, $270/1 year business subscription for an unlimited number of PCs

Pros

• Varied pricing structure to suit a range of needs.

• Personal and business subscription plans, with a lifetime license option as well.

• Easy to navigate and clean interface.

• New drivers are tested before they’re released.

Cons

• DriverMax has been flagged as adware in the past on some community forums.

• Known to cause problems from faulty driver updates if installed all at once.

IObit Driver Booster 9

IObit Driver Booster 9 is a great way to fix sound, network, and hardware issues that arise from outdated, corrupt, or missing drivers. An easy-to-use setup lets you quickly troubleshoot the most common Windows driver problems such as “Fix No Sound,” “Fix Bad Resolution,” and “Fix Network Failure” options.

Cost: Free 14-day trial; $22.95/year for 3 PCs

Pros

• 60-day money back guarantee.

• One-click interface makes updates quick and easy.

• Offline mode.

Cons

• The free version offers only two driver updates per day.

• The paid version has intrusive upsell ads for other IObit products.

• Few advanced features on the free version.

DriverFix

DriverFix is a good option if you're looking for one of the best free driver tools available. The catch is that the free version requires manual installation of drivers, which is time consuming and usually requires you to know specific specs about your PC. It seems they're banking on you forking over the money for a premium version, which does automatic driver installation for you.

Cost: Free driver scanner and manual updater; $19.95/year for 1 PC, $29.95/year for 3 PCs, $39.95/year for 10 PCs

Pros

• Competitive pricing, especially if you buy a family pack.

• Straightforward product focused on updating drivers.

• Good interface with a download manager so you can review driver update progress.

Cons

• No additional utility — it delivers just the basics.

• Their 60-day money back guarantee is only valid if you can prove you uninstalled any updated drivers.

• Poor reputation as badware due to suspicious virus results shown during installation. But this problem dates back to 2018 and appears to be fixed now.

Driver Easy

Driver Easy offers an array of features, but only in the paid version. Still, this driver updater is a good option for those looking to customize how they install new drivers on their computer. This tool offers a useful, comparative overview of current and updated drivers. You can further customize your update with the built-in search tool that lets you find a specific driver.

Cost: Free driver scanner; $29.95/year on 3 PCs; $99.50 for 50 PCs for 3 days each

Pros

• A good choice for enterprises looking to update several computers at once.

• Customization options for those who want to pick and choose driver updates.

• One-click option to download and install all drivers (paid version only).

Cons

• No option for one license, entry package includes 3 PCs.

• The free version is slow and drivers must be installed manually.

Snappy Driver Installer

Snappy Driver Installer is an open-source, free driver updater program for those with more advanced technical knowhow. The tool supports command-line interfaces and can be downloaded and installed on multiple computers. With this tool, you get the convenience of a portable driver updater solution without the cost.

Cost: Free driver updater tool

Pros

• Option to download larger driver packages and install them on different PCs with a USB stick.

• Supports command-line installation.

• Offline option available.

Cons

• Outdated and clunky user interface.

• No scheduler or automation for driver updates.

• Confusing to use if you don't have advanced technical knowhow.

FAQs

Outdated or corrupt drivers can make life impossible. That’s why you need one of the best driver updater programs around — to make sure your drivers always work optimally. Here are answers to a few frequently asked driver-related questions.

Why do I need a driver updater?

Simply put, drivers make your computer work. Drivers are the tiny bits of software, or sets of files, that tell computer hardware and devices how to communicate with the operating system. Without drivers, your computer won’t work.

How do I know if I need to update my drivers?

If you notice your computer freezes, crashes, sounds bad, or displays poor graphics, it's time to check for outdated drivers using one of the best driver updater programs listed above.

All hardware has a driver. Drivers act as intermediaries between your device’s operating system and its hardware components, like the graphics card, Wi-Fi chip, and even the motherboard and CPU. Without updated drivers, things can fall apart quickly.

Which drivers should I regularly update?

You should regularly update core drivers that your computer uses everyday. These include Windows drivers, audio drivers, graphics drivers, and network drivers. These four driver types underpin most of your computer’s critical functions, from its operating system and internet access to its audio and visual performance.

But why bother keeping only these drivers updated? With an automated driver updater program like AVG Driver Updater, there's no need to pick and choose. You instantly have the most recent version of drivers from all the most popular hardware manufacturers.

Is there a good free driver updater?

All the free driver updaters listed here are good options. In addition to a premium version, many driver updater programs have a free version that lets you test drive the software before you have to spend any money.

What is the best driver updater?

The best driver updater is one that works automatically and is built and maintained by a trusted provider. While there are some great free driver updater options out there, you want to be sure you’re getting your updates from a reputable source like AVG.

AVG Driver Updater is the best way to keep your drivers updated. It's easy to use, does the job right the first time, and is supported by a team of digital performance and cybersecurity experts. Stop fighting computer crashes and get one of the best driver updater programs on the market.