Best Antivirus Software: Review of 15 Antivirus Programs

The Internet can be dangerous, with cybercriminals waiting to deceive, trick, steal, rob, and manipulate unsuspecting users through ever-mutating viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malware.

Because criminals prey on the least prepared, carelessness and ignorance are two of their greatest allies. To be on the safe side online, protect yourself with a good antivirus program.

Antivirus programs identify and neutralize threats before they can damage your computer or device. Since malware is always evolving, it's locked in a never-ending cat-and-mouse game with antivirus apps.

There are plenty of providers to choose from and each promises the best, most user-friendly, or smartest solution. We carefully examined 15 of the most popular antivirus programs to see how they compare with one another.

After presenting our Top 10, we'll show you our full ranking, explain our testing criteria in detail, and answer some common questions about antivirus software.

Bitdefender is an antivirus program from Romania, whose developer has offered a wide range of cybersecurity solutions for individuals and businesses since 2001. These days, Bitdefender's products protect more than 500 million systems worldwide.

Its antivirus software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Windows users can take advantage of a free version that includes basic features. All premium subscriptions can be tested for 30 days, with a 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers.

Bitdefender is intuitive, loaded with features, and offers excellent, independently verified security. One of its most innovative aspects is the ability to customize the user dashboard by adding or removing modules.

Bitdefender impresses across the board: No other provider from our antivirus sample does so much right. Its strong testing lab scores underline its powerful security, with a VPN and a password manager among its many features.

When it comes to ease of use, Bitdefender is a few steps ahead of its competitors: Its customizable quick-access modules help to personalize your antivirus experience. Rounding things out are its solid support (chat, email, and hotline) and good mobile apps.

Since it's likely the best all-around antivirus solution on the market, Bitdefender is a good fit for practically anyone. Whether you want proven protection, custom scans, or enhanced security features (for your webcam or microphone) Bitdefender does not disappoint.

Even among antivirus programs, Bitdefender has too many different subscriptions and tiers. Although it offers a nice variety of bonus features, in terms of quality, these can't really compete with dedicated VPNs or password managers.

Kaspersky is one of the most well-known names in the world of antivirus software. The Russian company offers a range of different security solutions, however, the fight against viruses and malware remains its primary focus.

The app is easy to use and comes loaded with practical features. Independent testing labs also awarded the Russian service good-very good scores, underlining its reliability.

Kaspersky Internet Security is one of the most versatile antivirus programs on the market. It offers several interesting features that you won't find elsewhere: With Network Monitor, you can follow all of your apps' activities, while the on-screen keyboard helps thwart keyloggers.

The program is a good choice if you're interested in a feature-rich antivirus solution that received excellent testing lab scores, can protect all of your devices, and offers numerous extras, like anti-theft tools and webcam protection.

Those who decide to use Kaspersky products ignore both governmental warnings as well as the Russian Federation's illegal invasion of Ukraine. In addition, they also put themselves at risk owing to the firm's proximity (both implied and actual) to the Russian Federation's state security and intelligence services.

If focusing solely on the software, there are fewer concerns. Still, Kaspersky's password manager was shown to be vulnerable to exploits. Even though these have since been rectified, digital security experts will still view the antivirus program critically.

Avast Antivirus is a popular freemium solution for Windows macOS, Android and iOS. Its basic version is free, however, some advanced security features, like ransomware or webcam protection, are limited to paying customers.

Premium subscriptions can be tested for 30 days, and new subscribers get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Avast's antivirus suite offers a wide selection of security features in a user-friendly package as well as a practical free version. Among testing labs, the software did well, with its real-time protection particularly impressive.

In addition to its relatively feature-rich free version, Avast's premium subscription includes a number of uncommon security tools: Network Inspector makes it possible to scan the network you're currently on to identify any potential dangers or risks. Sandbox is another practical feature that provides a secure environment where suspicious apps or files can be opened, without endangering your device.

The software is a good option for anyone on the hunt for a free antivirus package: Free users can perform manual scans and take advantage of Avast's real-time protection, which includes features like Web Shield and Email Guardian.

We're less enthusiastic about Avast's support: Free users aren't given any way to get in touch with the software's support team, and premium subscribers can only send emailed requests. On top of that, we noticed considerable performance issues during manual scans.

Norton is another big name in the world of antivirus software. Since the creation of Digital Inc. (formerly Symantec and Norton LifeLock), it's also part of the same family as Avast, AVG, and Avira.

The provider's antivirus suite, Norton 360, offers protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. There's no free version, however, you can test out its premium subscription for 30 days, and request a refund up to 60 days after purchase.

Its sleek and user-friendly apps are complimented by solid protection. Norton's range of features is also impressive, with advanced tools like Dark Web Monitoring and a full-fledged VPN offered alongside more standard options like manual scans and real-time protection.

One feature that stands out is Parental Control, which makes it possible to limit what content and apps your children can access or use, and for how long.

In addition, the developer offers a 100% virus protection promise: If it's unable to remove a virus from your computer, you're entitled to a full refund.

Norton Antivirus is a good choice for families with multiple devices. Thanks to its parental controls, you can monitor your children's online activities and screen time.

Despite the positives, Norton lacks some features that its competitors include. Among these is a file shredder for permanently deleting data from your system, or anti-theft tools for mobile devices. Other features that are accessible to Windows users are nowhere to be found in the macOS version.

More critically, the testing labs we consulted didn't agree on Norton's security: AV-Test awarded full points, but, AV-Comparatives recorded too many false positives as well as a less-than-optimal protection rate. Even though Norton does a lot right, we feel that there are more reliable antivirus solutions out there.

Trend Micro is most likely the least familiar name in our Top 5. Nevertheless, the US/Japanese company has provided security solutions for both private individuals and businesses since 1988.

Its antivirus software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks. To protect all of these, you'll need the Maximum Security Package, which can be installed on up to five devices.

We were completely satisfied with the service, which received good-very good security scores from the testing labs we consult, and has a visually appealing interface. Beyond that, Trend Micro offers a solid feature package and plenty of options for getting in touch with its support staff.

Because it offers a few features that some of its competitors lack, Trend Micro picked up some extra points: Social Media Protection prevents you from inadvertently clicking on suspicious links while browsing Facebook. The software's Privacy Scanner keeps you informed about your privacy settings on social networks.

Trend Micro is a good choice for those interested in a relatively affordable antivirus solution with reliable protection and a user-friendly interface, but not as many configuration options as elsewhere.

The US/Japanese software cannot compete with other antivirus solutions further up our list when it comes to features. There's no firewall, webcam protection, or VPN. The free password manager also isn't part of the antivirus suite, but an extra, and not particularly impressive.

Unfortunately, there are also some concerns about Trend Micro's security, at least according to the testing labs we consult. AV-Test awarded it maximum points, whereas AV-Comparatives identified too many false positives.

F-Secure Corporation is a Finnish cybersecurity company that specializes in business antivirus solutions. However, it also offers some security tools for individuals and families. Apps are available for Windows and macOS, as well as Android, and iOS devices.

There's no free version of F-Secure, however, you can try out its premium software for 30 days without having to input payment information. In addition, there's a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

F-Secure's antivirus solutions offer access to all essential security features. Among the testing labs we consulted, the provider did well, grabbing a few perfect scores in terms of security and performance. Turning to support, wait times were short both in the live chat and on the phone.

Like most of the software near the top of our list, F-Secure offers a few features that you won't find elsewhere. Banking Protection embeds F-Secure into your browser, so that whenever you log in to online banking, a green banner appears around your browser, with certain apps and websites deactivated until you close the page.

New and sophisticated malware threats for which solutions have not yet been developed are identified with F-Secure's recognition system, DeepGuard, based on suspicious system changes.

If you're in the market for a lightweight antivirus program that can be installed on up to ten devices and will help identify new and dangerous malware before it's cataloged, F-Secure is worth checking out. Just keep in mind that you'll have to make do without a feature or two.

F-Secure doesn't offer every feature that we like to see in an antivirus program. Dedicated webcam protection, a firewall, and a file shredder are three major tools that aren't included.

Although the VPN and password manager that come with the most expensive Total subscription are nice, they can't compete with dedicated solutions in terms of price or ability.

Panda Security was founded in Spain in 1990. Among the IT security company's portfolio are both free and premium antivirus solutions, the latter of which are offered as part of its Panda Dome package.

Panda Security's programs are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, however, iPhone users get far fewer features than those on Android. A paid Panda Dome subscription can be tried out at no cost for 30 days.

The provider offers a nice selection of free and premium packages, making it possible to purchase the one that best matches your needs. Panda Security also did well with the testing labs we consulted, even though it hasn't been checked as often as some of its competitors.

Thanks to the variety of contact options and 24/7 hotline for premium subscribers, we also approve of its support.

Panda's user interface is optically pleasing: Other antivirus services usually package their software in sterile-looking dashboards, which makes sense considering that no one hunts malware for fun. However, Panda's dashboard is sleek, and its mountainous background is calming.

Since Panda's premium subscriptions don't outperform those of its competitors, we can only recommend it as a free antivirus solution. This is definitely worth considering if you're looking for basic protection that's reliable.

Even though its user interface is visually appealing, navigating through the features it houses isn't always intuitive. On top of that, more features would certainly be welcome: Webcam protection is missing, and the integrated VPN has a very stingy 150 MB data limit.

Another drawback is that iOS users get access to far fewer features than those using the software on Android.

Like Norton, McAfee is a big name in the world of cybersecurity, with its antivirus solutions used on more than 600 million devices. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS.

McAfee doesn't offer a free version of its software, however, you can test out its premium version for 30 days (and request a refund for 30 more after purchasing a subscription).

The antivirus program impresses with its well-rounded feature package and excellent, lab-verified protection. During our test, we didn't notice any performance issues.

McAfee's more expensive subscriptions don't have annoying device limits, making it possible to protect as many systems with them as you'd like. In addition, the variety of features on offer is huge: Alongside versatile scans and real-time protection, there are countless other advanced tools and extras, like parental controls, a password manager, and a VPN.

Thanks to its excellent parental controls and dedicated (relatively affordable) family packages, some of which don't limit the number of devices, McAfee is a good choice for large families and households.

Because it comes with so many features, the absence of some critical ones, like webcam protection or a security browser, is all the more unfortunate. We were also disappointed with McAfee's support: Our queries weren't answered to our satisfaction (to be fair, we did pose them in German).

Avira is a German antivirus program that has been part of the Norton family (Gen Digital) since 2020. Its all-in-one cybersecurity solution offers antivirus protection, online privacy tools, and performance optimization.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. In addition to its premium subscriptions, there's also a free version with limited features.

The program's apps are intuitive: Anyone can use them to quickly and easily access all of the most important features and settings. You'll have lots to work with too, since along with the antivirus basics, you'll also get a VPN and password manager.

With Avira, you can create custom virus scans. Alongside a few default options (System Scan, Drive Scan, Rootkit Scan), you can set up and schedule a user-defined scan to run at any time.

Avira is an excellent choice if you're looking for an antivirus program that not only provides a high level of security and plenty of features but is also easy to use.

The free version isn't anywhere near as powerful as that of Avast, and you won't get a firewall either. As of the time of writing, Avira had some earlier issues with testing labs, which it since seems to have rectified.

ESET, from Slovakia, is a cybersecurity developer that wants to protect the "digital life" of its private and business users. Its antivirus programs are available for Windows, macOS, and Android - iOS isn't supported.

The company doesn't offer free versions of its software, however, you can test it out for 30 days at no charge and without having to input payment information.

ESET's desktop app combines ease of use with granular settings options, helping beginners quickly find their feet without preventing more advanced users from configuring the software to their preferences.

The program includes a nice selection of features that include all of the basics as well as a few interesting extras. We also had a positive experience with ESET's support.

ESET offers an interesting package of features that includes a surprise or two. One of these is its UEFI Scanner, which checks your system for deep infections and threats before Windows boots.

The program's Scheduler is also worth mentioning: This allows you to not only plan when an antivirus scan starts but also other activities (such as running a specific program) that you can link to specific conditions.

Thanks to its numerous settings and options, ESET is a good choice for anyone who wants full control over their antivirus scans.

Unfortunately, the testing labs we consulted didn't agree about ESET's security: While AV-Test awarded it a good score, the program came in last place in AV-Comparatives' most recent Real-World Protection Test. Said differently, there are more reliable options available.

Each provider from our sample has strengths and weaknesses. Since nearly all of them received good-very good scores from the independent labs we consulted, we're confident that they're capable of protecting against malware - their main purpose. All the same, when it comes to usage, the features on offer, or the support they provide, there are significant differences from service to service.

Was your ideal program not in our Top 10? If so, take a look below for a ranking of all of the antivirus solutions we assessed:

When testing antivirus programs, we focused on five areas, four of which were scored. These were then averaged to create a comprehensive score. Below, we'll briefly discuss each of these five categories and our evaluation criteria.

We check how quickly and easily an antivirus program can be downloaded and installed. Those that don't require users to supply a payment method to start a free trial get extra points.

Many users are rightfully afraid of being tricked into "subscription traps". For companies that resort to this tactic to drive up earnings, it's often the most criticized aspect in reviews, since it almost always leads to billing irregularities.

When it comes to usability, intuitive navigation should be the goal of any software developer. The best antivirus programs are highly configurable, which generally requires detailed sub-menus. At the same time, they're easy to navigate, helping beginners to get the most out of them.

Bitdefender's interface achieves an almost perfect balance between these two objectives: All features are conveniently and clearly arranged in its main menu, while the program's dashboard can be customized to an individual user's preferences.

Even though features vary from program to program, there are some must-haves that no antivirus app should be without. In addition to basic protection, many providers tack on premium extras, which won't help to do battle with viruses or malware but are broadly related to cybersecurity.

Basic features and premium extras are usually separated depending on the subscription that's purchased. However, even amongst paid subscriptions, there can be differences. Below, we'll discuss each of these in greater detail, since they're referenced in all of our individual reviews.

Some important real-time protection modules have their own areas within a program's dashboard, making it possible to customize them to a greater extent:

To evaluate the security and performance of the antivirus programs from our sample, we relied upon the expertise of external, independent labs, AV-Test, and AV-Comparatives.

Both regularly examine a number of antivirus programs from top to bottom awarding separate performance and security scores (based on the number of compromised files that remain after scanning and the number of false positives).

When gauging performance, our own experiences with the software played a role: Did our system seem slower during a scan? If our computer became unresponsive or we were unable to perform routine tasks while running a scan, we deducted points.

According to the testing labs, Bitdefender is hands-down the most reliable antivirus program on the market.

We think that good support consists of two things: First, an easy-to-use (ideally, full-text searchable) help center where a program's features and capabilities are clearly and accurately explained.

The second is often a major stumbling block for antivirus programs: Round-the-clock live assistance from competent and helpful customer support personnel (either through support tickets, telephone, or best of all, a live chat).

We were most impressed by Norton in both of these areas, owing to how many ways they are to contact its support team, as well as its well-structured and authoritative help center: Relevant sections and articles are linked on every page of the program's dashboard and sub-menus.

Free antivirus programs often operate on the freemium principle: Users get access to basic features at no cost but need to book a subscription to use more advanced ones.

Subscriptions, and the features they include, vary from provider to provider. More extravagant "filler", like a password manager or VPN is often only offered in the most expensive packages.

We don't score antivirus software in terms of price, since the subscription structures and accompanying numbers of features differ too much. The table below compares each provider from our sample on the basis of included features and contract length:

Malware and viruses are cunning opponents, and fighting them can be complicated and overwhelming. Below, we've provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about antivirus software.

Since the Internet is full of dangers, no computer should be without an antivirus program. If you use Windows or macOS, most antivirus tools you'll need come pre-installed. For example, Windows users can take advantage of Windows Defender, which offers comprehensive malware protection.

The combination of Windows Defender and common sense (not opening suspicious emails or attachments, not downloading files from dubious websites, etc.) should be enough to keep you safe online. However, there are threats that can overwhelm this approach.

Malware and Trojans grow more sophisticated by the day: Botnets and software exploits allow viruses to infect even the most careful user, without visiting a single questionable website. Dedicated antivirus programs help to protect against and combat these complex threats.

Whether or not you need an additional antivirus program for your PC also depends upon who is using it: Even if you might not expose it to an infection, your children, partner, parents, or friends might. Antivirus tools reduce the risk of a single mistake jeopardizing your entire system.

Our verdict is clear: Antivirus software is a must for any computer. Whether your system's default capabilities are enough, or an additional program should be installed depends upon you, your activity, and who has access to your PC. It's better to be on the safe side, and more protection certainly won't hurt if facing off against the web's most dangerous threats.

By design, Android and iOS smartphones are well-protected against malware. So long as you only download apps from official marketplaces or stores and exercise caution when surfing, mobile antivirus protection isn't as important as it is for PCs.

Still, mobile antivirus software does have its merits: For example, if you occasionally download apps from unreliable sources, an extra virus scanner won't hurt.

Beyond that, smartphone antivirus apps usually include other useful features, particularly when it comes to anti-theft tools. These help to remotely locate or lock stolen devices and wipe data from them.

The amount of protection an antivirus program affords varies from service to service. Thankfully, it isn't necessary to rely on promises and marketing claims as several reputable testing labs regularly assess how good software is. The most well-known of these, which we also rely upon, are AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.

In reviewing these results, it can be generally said that most antivirus programs perform well and protect their users by correctly identifying malware. However, 100% security isn't possible, even with the "best" antivirus program in the world: Most of the time, you can rely on your antivirus software to protect you, however, don't throw caution to the wind.

Before you install an antivirus program, you should be aware of its downsides. These can include:

Yes: Antivirus software doesn't just protect against viruses but also helps to remove all sorts of malware. For this reason, they're also commonly referred to as anti-malware programs.

Some of the malware that they'll help you fight include Trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and phishing.

If considering a "free" antivirus solution, Windows Defender is a good place to start, since it offers solid protection at absolutely no cost. However, there are also plenty of third-party freemium options worth considering too.

The best free program from our sample was Avast Antivirus which gives non-paying users access to all of the most essential features, including real-time and ransomware protection. In our guide to the best free antivirus solution, be sure to check out all of our suggestions:

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a "perfect" antivirus program. Whether in terms of support, testing lab scores, or interface design, each provider from our sample has its weaknesses and shortcomings.

The good news is, that some of the programs had more strengths than weaknesses. Among the leading services, their advantages far outweigh their disadvantages. At the top of our ranking was Bitdefender, offering what we feel is the best combination of protection, user-friendliness, and features.

However, there were plenty of other programs that offer solid protection against malware, where it truly counts, only slipping up in less critical areas. Make sure that you choose the program that best meets your needs, all the while remaining vigilant about the threats posed by the Internet.