Find the Best Antivirus

Kaspersky is a household name in the world of cybersecurity. One of the company’s products,  Kaspersky Internet Security, offers more than just malware protection and scanning. Whether you’re looking to protect your PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone, this is the best antivirus around.

Kaspersky owes a lot to its security feature set, which covers a lot of bases even in its cheaper format. You get ransomware protection, spyware detection, a shield from data collection apps and cookies, and even your webcam is secure from an unauthorized remote control. 

It comes with a list of outstanding features including VPN, which is limited to 200 MB of daily traffic, as well as a layer of encryption for your browser that keeps your payment information from falling into the wrong hands. Even banks rely on it because it’s the best antivirus app for online shopping. All of the aforementioned features are available on desktop, laptop, and mobile. 

One license covers three devices in any combination you wish. Meanwhile, several payment and renewal options allow you to save a lot of money. You have the option of either protecting more than one device at the same time or opting for a multiyear license. 

In addition to this, Kaspersky’s interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it the best paid antivirus. Some features are specifically reserved for the more expensive Total Security package, which includes a password manager and cloud protection for your files. This is a good option for parents who wish to protect their children from inappropriate online content and keep track of them via a GPS for smartphones. 

Finally, the Total Security version increases the number of licenses to five, so it’s also a good choice for startups and small businesses that don’t have a lot of computers. 

The second best antivirus for PC and mobile is Symantec, which comes with a range of Norton 360 products. The number 360 doesn’t mean the company made 359 products beforehand. Instead, it stands for 360°, a reference to its all-encompassing package that covers all bases.

This is a favorite for both office and home use and among everyone who hates installing a bunch of different apps when they can get all the features under one roof. Norton 360 is considered the best antivirus software for Mac because of its ‘Swiss Army knife’ approach. In other words, it defends against all kinds of malware, has a smart firewall, a secure VPN, webcam hijacking protection, and comes with the virus protection promise. That last bit sets it apart from the competition, as you’re guaranteed reimbursement in case a bad actor manages to get past Norton and cause damage to your computer system. 

Even the basic Norton antivirus comes with cloud backup for your files and ranges from 10 GB to 100 GB. A password manager app is integrated into this antivirus to look after all your login details. And you can also feel safe browsing the Dark Web with a dedicated monitoring tool. 

Although it’s the best antivirus for Mac, Norton 360 doesn’t offer the same deal as Kaspersky. First of all, the basic plan covers just one device, and the price can easily double with additional features. Parental controls are available only with the more expensive plans, while online shopping protection can cost you even more. That said, the Ultimate plan is perfect for businesses of all sizes; it offers unlimited licenses with just one purchase. 

With its incredibly easy-to-use interface, this is a perfectly suitable product for a vast array of users.

For many years, NOD32 was considered the best antivirus around. The title is well-deserved, as ESET is always working on improvements to virus protection algorithms and phishing detection that every customer gets with this software. 

This antivirus is widely used by gamers who tend to get annoyed when a giant pop-up covers the ammo count while they’re playing their favorite multiplayer shooter. ESET responded by building a Gaming mode alongside the best malware protection for your gaming device. 

NOD32 is also known as an economic antivirus and not a system hog like many others. While having very little impact on your system’s performance, it can detect and defend against ransomware script-based attacks like DDoS, phishing, exploits, and even the level-0 malware that sneaks deep into operating systems. 

However, a basic plan only covers one device, so you’ll have to spend a little more cash if you need an antivirus for Mac and a mobile device. ESET’s plans are also on the expensive side. 

That said, ESET Smart Security Premium is a great option if you’re in the market for more than just the best computer antivirus. The package includes a password manager, botnet defender, and firewall. But even with this option, the starting price only covers one device. Although this may sound pricey, keep in mind that you’re also paying for tech support available 24/7 in many languages, as well as complex security software for your system.

Bitdefender is already known as the best free antivirus for Android, but its premium version is much more than a simple malware blocker. This antivirus is capable of assessing the level of vulnerability of your system; it can advise you if your Wi-Fi is insecure and protect you from trackers, fraudsters, and ransomware. 

Every plan includes a VPN, albeit limited to just 200 MB of traffic per day. But you also get a file shredder and password manager with even the most affordable plans. You can even set locks on the most important files so that Bitdefender monitors them and prevents any changes.

Although it’s regarded as the best antivirus for Android, we were surprised to learn that Bitdefender’s basic plan does not include mobile security. If you need an antivirus for your Android, iOS, or OSX device, you’ll have to buy the Total Security plan. That purchase extends the license to five devices. Upgrading will also net you a firewall, webcam defender, parental control tools, and an anti-theft system for your portable devices. 

One of the most interesting features is OneClick Optimizer, which quickly analyzes and suggests what apps you can disable from startup or even from running in the background to speed up your computer or smartphone. 

Not only is Bitdefender the best antivirus for laptop and desktop computers, it’s also affordable. In fact, the basic annual plan is the cheapest among the reviewed products on this list. If you’re still unsure, give its free internet security a spin and you’ll see why this antivirus is among the most popular ones today.

McAfee antivirus has come a long way from being an underdog among security products to one of the best Android antivirus options. The company rightfully declares that its product is “more than just antivirus software, it’s peace of mind.” 

McAfee’s Total Protection plan is an all-round great cybersecurity solution, mainly aimed at home users, specifically families with children. Even the cheapest plans are packed with features. Family plans have very affordable upgrades that cover up to 10 desktop or mobile devices. 

The astonishing list of basic features includes a password manager, an advanced file shredder, 256-bit encryption for your local files, and even some lifesavers like auto-play video blocker. However, even the best antivirus isn’t free from some disadvantages. The most glaring one in this case is the unavailability of a VPN without a selected renewal option followed by the total absence of a parental lock. But these shortcomings do little to detract from McAfee’s focus on providing safer browsing and network protection. 

Those having difficulty navigating the app can always turn to McAfee’s support team. And if you need more than just the best phone antivirus, McAfee’s team can help you choose from several different products, some of which are tailored for gamers and small business owners. Free 30-day trials are available for all products on offer.

Many regard Avast as the best free antivirus on the market. This antivirus has found its place in the world of gaming PCs and laptops due to its unintrusive nature. That’s thanks to its Game Mode, which ensures that all notifications including the ones about updates are hidden. The feature is especially convenient when you’re watching a movie or playing a video game. 

Even though this is the best free antivirus software, that nice price of zero dollars comes with a few caveats. Avast antivirus offers fewer features in its basic free edition than the cheapest versions of competing software. It is a far cry from what is now considered a standard among antivirus programs. For example, additional ransomware and real-time Wi-Fi protection will cost you $70 a year. 

On the flip side, even the basic Avast has Wi-Fi scanner, and, with its set of free browser add-ons, it can alert you if you run into malicious websites. It also has a modern design with clearly labeled buttons on both desktop and mobile versions. The software might bug you about upgrading to paid plans, but the advanced virus protection on offer is worth checking out. 

One reason we didn’t rank Avast higher is because of its CPU dependency. On Windows systems, it’s quite common for this antivirus to take a sizable chunk of your computer’s resources.

Another best mobile antivirus option is AVG. Along with Avast, this software has been a favorite among internet security professionals who need a simple and free anti-malware solution for their smartphone or laptop. 

AVG covers all the bases when it comes to malware detection and protection. It’s able to protect your device from ransomware attacks as well as spyware and adware. It also comes with a virus checker. Just like with Avast, you can install an optional browser extension for safer browsing and shopping. This antivirus can also save you from downloading malicious files or opening phishing emails. 

AVG is similar to the other best free malware removal tools in that it reserves the more impressive features for its premium version. The free version includes the aforementioned features and a PC scanning tool that reveals potential performance bottlenecks on your system. It does exactly what it says on the tin and is super easy to set up and use. 

The upgrade, however, is quite pricey. It costs $100 per year if you want a webcam defender, encryption and a firewall. Without these upgrades, this is still the best free Android antivirus. However, it’s been getting a bit of a bad rap lately for tracking the browsing habits of its users.

Today, most households have two or more computers or laptops, a smartphone, a tablet, and maybe even an Android smartwatch. Securing all of them can be a daunting task. That’s why F-Secure has come up with the best antivirus app for Android, iOS, and many other gizmos we all have lying around. 

It’s called SAFE, and even in its basic form covers three devices with top-of-the-line internet security. That means you’re safe from viruses, ransomware, and other forms of malware. It also protects your credit card details. 

F-Secure lets you know whether a banking or shopping website is safe while protecting you from harmful sites that might impact the performance of your computer. If you end up losing your smartphone, a finder tool is available, as are remote tools for managing SAFE on all of the devices where it’s installed. This is the best Mac antivirus, and it supports OS X 10.13 and newer systems. 

If you’re a parent, you will be happy to know that F-Secure has thought of you, too. SAFE has a set of parental controls, allowing you to set up screen time for your kids while also providing them with a safe online space and protecting them from harmful and inappropriate content.

The downside of this cyber security software is the price. It costs significantly more than any other software we reviewed, which is even more troubling when you don’t even get a VPN or tracking protection. F-Secure sells all of those features separately.

Every piece of software that has made our best PC antivirus list includes some level of protection against advanced threats, offers unique tools, and has a modern, easy-to-understand design. Trend Micro’s Internet Security ticks all those boxes. Indeed, this is a very modern-looking piece of software designed for a variety of users. 

It has a number of special features even with its basic plan. First of all, the antivirus relies on artificial intelligence to provide the best virus protection possible, learning from both heuristics and user behaviour. It defends your computer from ransomware and from email scams; AI can determine whether email offers are fake or if your social network platform is storing your private information. At a time when so much of what we do online is tracked, this is welcome news.

Finally, if you love online shopping, the integrated Pay Guard software will keep your credit card details safe. 

We hoped to crown Trend Micro as the best antivirus for Android smartphones, but it lacks some of the platform-specific features that higher-ranked antiviruses provide. Its basic offer lacks a VPN, but a minor price increase gets you multiple licenses. The antivirus has a solid reputation among users and often offers generous discounts. So if you’re only looking to cover your Windows machines, it’s a good third-party choice.

This antivirus differs slightly from the rest of the products on our list. It’s exclusive to Windows, and there’s a good chance you’ve already got it installed on your PC if you’re running the latest version of the operating system. 

Microsoft has made substantial improvements to Windows Defender antivirus in recent years, making it the best antivirus for Windows 10; it’s absolutely free to use and comes as a default antivirus with the OS. It doesn’t include any paid features and is considered the least intrusive antivirus ever made. 

This product is plain when compared to premium software, but it’s got a few aces up its sleeve. For example, if your OneDrive account is connected to it and malware infects one of the local files, the software will just pull up a clean version from the cloud. 

Another feature that makes Defender the best free antivirus for Windows 10 is its fast USB thumb-drive-scanning tool. These are scanned at the point of insertion. 

There is a simple yet functional firewall, and you can even set some basic parental controls on your computer. The best thing is that this is a completely automated piece of software, so you normally won’t have to set up anything for it to work.

This is the complete list of the best antivirus programs on the market. It includes everything from the best Windows antivirus to the best software for mobile and some very appealing family security solutions. Our reviews will enhance your understanding of what modern internet security software can do. Opting for any of these options will improve your online security.

Rarely listed among the top antivirus software and often overlooked, Sophos has gone all the way from zero to hero. Refreshingly simple, with a user-friendly interface and only two products to choose from, it offers a no-frills approach that many customers love. This is a great relief for users who are not tech-savvy and are overwhelmed by all the options offered by top-notch malware protection programs.

Once you start the full system scan, you’ll have to wait some 55 minutes, as neither program has a quick-scan option. Another downside is the software’s intensive usage of resources; it takes up too many CPU cycles and bogs down the rest of the machine. However, what puts Sophos among the best internet security software is that it will do its job without alerting you.

You can choose between the free antivirus product, Sophos Home Free, and Sophos Premium, which offers additional benefits such as anti-phishing, an extra anti-ransomware layer, privacy tools, and the Advanced Malware Removal option. Keep in mind that if you opt for Premium, the price will cover up to 10 PCs or Macs, all of which can be monitored from Android or iOS and apps, or from a unique dashboard.

So far, Sophos has proven to be the best antivirus software when it comes to integrated solutions for ransomware protection. The premium version includes a basic web protection layer that aims to keep you safe from dodgy websites. Antivirus features immediately detect and quarantine any malicious files, even before they can come into contact with test documents. The software generates very few false positives.

All in all, Sophos is missing some heavy-duty features, such as advanced scanning and email filtering, but its ease of use and ability to protect multiple devices brings it back into the running.