Find the Best Antivirus

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 antivirus program ticks all those boxes. Indeed, this is a very modern-looking piece of software designed for a variety of users.

Even the most rudimentary plan has a number of special features. First of all, Trend Micro’s entire antivirus suite relies on artificial intelligence to provide the best virus protection possible, building heuristics based on user behavior. It defends your computer from ransomware and 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 on a basic plan. However, the antivirus has a solid reputation among users and often offers generous discounts, too, so it can become a pretty frugal choice if you snag the right deal.

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, Kaspersky is a safe bet.

Kaspersky owes a lot of its effectiveness 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 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, ensuring safe payments for their clients. 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 getting a prolonged license.

In addition to this, Kaspersky’s interface is clean and easy to navigate, as one would expect from the best paid antivirus. Some features are reserved for the more expensive Total Security package, including 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. The Total Security version increases the number of licenses to five, as well.

Symantec makes the best antivirus for PC and mobile devices after Kaspersky. The number ‘360’ in its range of Norton 360 products doesn’t mean the company made 359 products beforehand. Instead, it stands for 360°, a reference to Norton’s and Symantec’s all-encompassing protection package that covers all the bases.

This product is a favorite for both office and home use, particularly for anyone who hates installing a bunch of different apps when they can get all the features they need 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 a 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 package comes with cloud backup for your files, ranging from 10 GB to 100 GB. The program’s integrated password manager app looks after all your login details, and can also feel safe browsing the dark web with Norton’s dedicated monitoring tool.

Although it’s the best antivirus for Mac, Norton 360’s value proposition isn’t that impressive. 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, Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus is perfect for businesses of all sizes: It offers unlimited licenses with just one purchase.

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

This antivirus is also more attractive to specific user markets. For example, it’s widely used by gamers, to save them from both the annoyance of a giant pop-up covering their ammo count while they’re playing their favorite multiplayer shooter, and other, less inconsequential, threats. ESET recognized its customer base by building a Gaming mode, made specifically to serve as the best malware protection for your gaming device.

NOD32 is also known for being light on your system, not hogging system speed like its competitors tend to. 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 with minimal impact on your device performance.

However, ESET’s basic plan only covers one device, so you’ll have to pay extra if you need an antivirus for both your Mac and a mobile device. ESET’s plans are on the expensive side, unfortunately.

That said, ESET Smart Security Premium is an excellent 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 this option only covers one device. Nonetheless, you’ll be getting tech support available 24/7 in many languages, as well as complex security software for your system. It’s not a bargain, but it’s far from a bad deal.

Bitdefender is already known as the best free antivirus for Windows, but its Antivirus Plus version is much more than a simple malware blocker. This software is capable of assessing the level of your system’s vulnerability, advising you if your Wi-Fi network is unsecured, and protecting you from trackers, fraudsters, and ransomware.

Every plan includes a VPN, albeit limited to just 200 MB of traffic per day, as well as a file shredder and password manager. You can even set locks on your most important files so that Bitdefender monitors them and prevents any unauthorized changes.

Although it’s regarded as the best antivirus for Android, multi-device support will cost you if you want to protect both your phone and your computer. If you need an antivirus for your Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS devices, you’ll have to buy the Total Security plan, with five additional licenses. Otherwise, the antivirus is limited to just one OS. Upgrading will also net you a firewall, webcam defender, parental control tools, and an anti-theft system for your portable devices.

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

Not only is Bitdefender possibly the best antivirus for laptop and desktop computers, but it’s also affordable. In fact, the basic annual plans for mobile and desktop devices alike are the cheapest among the products on this list. Give its free internet security a spin, and you’ll see why this antivirus is so popular.

The McAfee antivirus suite 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-around great cybersecurity solution, mainly aimed at home users, specifically families with children. Even the cheapest plans are packed with features, and the Family plans have very affordable upgrades covering up to 10 devices.

The astonishing list of essential features includes a password manager, an advanced file shredder, 256-bit encryption for your local files, and even some lifesavers like an 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 competence in providing safer browsing and network protection.

Those having difficulty navigating the app can always turn to McAfee’s support team. McAfee’s team can help you choose from several different products, including what could possibly be the best phone antivirus, as well as options tailored for gamers and small-business owners. Free 30-day trials are available for all of McAfee’s products.

Many regard Avast as the best free antivirus on the market, but this provider has a premium service as well. The first choice for many and BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, this antivirus has found its place in the world of gaming PCs and laptops due to its unintrusive nature. Thanks to its Game Mode, Avast ensures that all notifications, including those regarding 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, this zero-dollar option comes with a few caveats. Avast’s 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. Fortunately, its premium plans are all reasonably priced, with the most expensive option landing at $59.99 for the first year of use. This gives you additional ransomware and Wi-Fi protection, as well as some other bonuses from Avast’s security suite.

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

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

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

The AVG AntiVirus FREE plan covers all the malware detection and protection bases. It’s able to shield your device from ransomware, spyware, and adware. It also comes with a virus checker. Just like Avast, AVG has 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 its more impressive features for its premium version. The free version includes everything mentioned above, plus 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.

What’s more, the upgrades are often extremely discounted, so the AVG Ultimate plan can cost as little as $35.99 for the first year. But even without the webcam defender, encryption, and firewall that come with the premium plans, this is still the best free Android antivirus. However, one concerning aspect of using AVG’s software is that it will track the browsing habits of its users.

Today, most households have two or more computers, smartphones, tablets, and maybe even a smartwatch. That’s why F-Secure has come up with the best antivirus app for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, to keep our computers and all our gizmos secure.

The basic version of the F-Secure antivirus is 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.

F-Secure also protects your credit card details by letting you know whether a banking or shopping website is safe. Harmful sites that might impact the performance of your computer are restricted, and if you end up losing your smartphone, a finder tool is available, as are remote tools for managing F-Secure’s software on all devices where it’s installed. This is the best Mac antivirus for macOS 10.13 and newer.

If you’re a parent, you will be happy to know that F-Secure has thought of you, too. Both SAFE and TOTAL have a set of parental controls, allowing you to configure 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 security software is its price. The basic version F-Secure – SAFE – costs significantly more than any other software we reviewed, even if it is a top antivirus app. This is especially troubling due to the lack of an integrated VPN or tracking protection. The cheapest version of the TOTAL package, which includes both of these, starts at a whopping €79.99.

This antivirus differs slightly from the rest of the products on our list. Microsoft has substantially improved its Windows Defender antivirus in recent years, making it the best antivirus for Windows 10. 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. 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 scanner. In the nearly six years since its release, Microsoft Defender Antivirus has proven itself as a capable contender in the antivirus field.

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 an entirely automated piece of software, so you normally won’t have to set up anything for it to work.

While it may not be the best Windows antivirus if you’re running an older version of the OS, on Windows 10, Microsoft Defender represents the best feature-to-value ratio. It offers more options and better protection than any free version of internet security software. And if you want to switch to another, paid option, it’s easy to disable until you need it again.

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 but still want top-notch malware protection.

Once you start the full system scan, you’ll have to wait some 55 minutes, as neither the Home nor the Business solution have 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 your machine. However, what puts Sophos among the best internet security software is that it will do its job without alerting you.

You can use its free antivirus, but after your 30-day trial expires, some of the additional benefits such as anti-phishing, an extra anti-ransomware layer, privacy tools, and the Advanced Malware Removal option, will disappear. Keep in mind that if you opt for Premium, the price will cover up to 10 PCs or Macs, plus unlimited Android and iOS devices, all of which can be monitored from Android or iOS apps, or a unique dashboard.

So far, Sophos is the best antivirus software when it comes to integrated solutions for ransomware protection. The premium version includes a 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.