Best antivirus: quick menu
Using antivirus software is the strongest defense against cybercriminals. Viruses and malware are nothing new, though protection against them is increasingly more important as we spend more of our lives online. Identity theft is also on the rise and many crooks use malware to capture your personal information.
Adding antivirus software gives more layers of protection and extra features to keep you safe from a wide variety of scams. Plus, if you use a Mac, you need protection, too, since more and more threats, especially ransomware, are being designed to target these devices.
In our guide, we show you the best antivirus software that offers high levels of security and important privacy tools while allowing you to work, play, and enjoy your time online without worrying about buffering, slow navigation, or interruptions from scans and popups. Here are our top three recommendations.
The best antivirus services in 2023
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Our guide shows you the very best antivirus whether you need a mobile solution, extra banking protection, or want to protect yourself from identity theft. Here are our 10 favorite antivirus software, and tidbits on some antivirus that didn’t make our top list.
The best antivirus overall
Use if:
✔️ You want to stop threats fast: Bitdefender stops threats the moment it recognizes them, usually before the download process even begins.
✔️ You don’t want to sacrifice too many resources: it doesn’t take up too much storage space, so you don’t have to worry about system slowdown while being protected.
✔️ You’re new to antivirus: it is super easy to install and get started with Bitdefender. Real-time protection is already enabled from the get-go.
Don’t use if:
❌ You want scans to be quicker: initial and deep scans take almost an hour to complete. Thankfully you won’t notice any lag while they are running, so you can keep working or playing.
❌ You need identity theft monitoring: Bitdefender has a few monitoring tools for tracking online identities, but true identity theft protection only comes with Norton.
❌ You’re already infected with malware: Bitdefender isn’t the best tool for removing threats already attacking your system. For current infections, use Malwarebytes.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Bitdefender has been the overall best antivirus available for a few years now. It combines watertight security tools with an array of other excellent security features. It’s also straightforward to use and, best of all, offers fantastic value for money.
What to know more?
Our Bitdefender review explores all of its subscription levels, the tools they come with, and if a cheaper version is just as good at its all-in-one suite.
Bitdefender consistently impresses with its ability to quickly identify and stop malware of all kinds. It’s especially good at stopping online threats that are hidden on websites that look safe, or files attempting to download to your computer. It has earned top scores in multiple, independent protection tests. On our end, we’ve seen it work. While trying to download a malicious file, Bitdefent stops and scrubs it before it even has a chance to start downloading. And if you try to visit a dangerous site, Bitdefender alerts you with a large warning message.
All subscription levels of Bitdefender include some good extra security features like a file shredder, safe banking tools, and social media protections. A vulnerability scanner is included to help you find weak spots in your network and give suggestions on how to sure them up. One feature missing from all Bitdefender offerings is file encryption.
▶ Try Bitdefender Total Security free for 30 days
All Bitdefender levels include VPN access, but it is limited to a daily use cap of only 200 MB. This is enough for casual browsing, social media posting, or sending emails. You’ll be cutting it close if you want to stream shows or have multiple people connected at once.
Bitdefender Total Security, the highest level of antivirus available, comes with many more s security features including a firewall to keep an eye on your network connection, webcam protection, and even a microphone monitor. Parental controls are also included. You can use Bitdefender Total Security on up to 5 devices, and they work on both Windows and Mac computers, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices.
Overall, Bitdefender is pretty straightforward when it comes to downloading, setting it up, and using the software. Each step has a prompt to let you know what to do next. When it is first launched, Bitdefender has a step-by-step tutorial that points out the important functions you need to find, but you can skip this. Buttons, links, and tools are laid out in a way that is natural to navigate. Most of the important features are on by default, like the malware scans. These will run once a day unless you change the frequency.
Bitdefender has a good deal on price if you’re a new user. There isn’t a big difference between the Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, and Total Security subscriptions. This changes if you renew after the first year, but even then the price is fair for the level of protection you get and the number of tools that are included to protect you and your family.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Consistently earns high marks from multiple security test labs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Doesn’t take up too much space, nor create noticeable drag while it’s running | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | A few extra steps to install, the best security tools that are already enabled | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Firewall, webcam monitoring, safe banking tools, and even parental controls are all there | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | No live support is available, but its library is full of video tutorials, how-to articles, and a message board community | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | What you get for the price is impressive, even if it isn’t the cheapest software out there | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best antivirus with ID protection
Use if:
✔️ You need identity theft protection: using LifeLock means your personal information will be consistently monitored.
✔️ You want a VPN: you get unlimited access to the Norton VPN. Learn more on our best VPN guide.
✔️ You need browser protections: this is one of the best at preventing you from accidentally accessing dangerous websites.
Don’t use if:
❌ You’re on a budget: Norton is expensive compared to other services, even with its new-user deals, and it only gets pricier on renewal.
❌ You need mobile protection: the mobile app is difficult and frustrating to use and tends to create lag.
❌ You want fast speeds: noticeable slowdown when using Norton, especially during virus and system scans.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 Norton is good when it comes to basic malware protection. Plus, there is a benefit to using its LifeLock identity theft monitoring services. But even with all the extra tools, it’s expensive.
Want to know more?
Our Norton review takes a deeper look at the benefits of using LifeLock along with antivirus.
Norton is tough on threats and has earned excellent scores in several third-party protection tests, including our own. It is especially good at blocking dangerous URLs so you don’t accidentally walk into a webpage designed to infect you will malware. Its warning messages give you information about the kind of threats found on the site and if there are any similar sites with that same threat found on it.
Through your online portal, you can view additional information about the threats Norton blocks in the reports. These will also show you any files Norton stopped from downloading that were malicious.
▶ Try Norton 360 with LifeLock and get a 60-day money-back guarantee
All levels of Norton come with a password manager, so it’s easier to keep your online login information shielded from snoopers and keyloggers. It also includes an intelligent firewall and cloud backup storage, though the amount of space you get depends on the subscription level you choose.
One of the best perks of choosing Norton 30 with LifeLock is the level of identity theft protection you get. Many antiviruses include ID monitoring. This lets you know if your password or email address has been found on the dark web. But LifeLock dives deep and looks for personal information that has been compromised. It looks at criminal records to see if someone is using your identity as their alias. It also looks at medical data to see if someone is using your benefits for medical care. If your identity has been stolen, LiefLock walks you through every step to take to restore your identity,
There are some drawbacks to using Norton. First, it is expensive compared to other products. Part of this is because of the inclusion of LifeLock, and it may be worth it for that benefit. But as a basic antivirus, other software is just as good for a lot less. Also, you may notice a bit of drag while using Norton, especially on mobile. Though mobile protection is available, we don’t recommend Norton for this because of the bugs and issues we have seen with it.
All Norton security services come with its Virus Protection Promise. This says if your protected device becomes infected with malware on Norton’s watch, its support crew will work to scrub your system clean and bring it back to its pre-infection state. However, to take advantage of this guarantee, you need to agree to enroll in Norton’s auto-renewal program.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Excellent at detecting known malware, falters a bit with new threats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Noticeable lag when running, especially on mobile devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Its dual dashboards make navigating this software difficult | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | An impressive tool set comes with this antivirus including a VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Never had a problem getting in touch with support via email, live chat, and even telephone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | Lots of great tools included especially LifeLock protection, but still an expensive product | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Best antivirus security suite
Use if:
✔️ You want the best malware protection: Avast came out on top in all malware-blocking tests
✔️ You’re a gamer: can’t beat the automatic gamer mode of this software. Other antivirus requires manual enabling.
✔️ You need a VPN: most subscriptions give you unlimited VPN access.
Don’t use if:
❌ You don’t want to delete unwanted apps: unless you read the fine print, Avast will install its internet browser.
❌ You need better VPN access: you can use the VPN as much as you’d like but are limited to only 50 servers.
❌ You need clear warnings: at times you’ll get warnings about an issue that isn’t a problem with no clear way to stop them.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 Avast One is easy to use, ranks high for malware protection, and comes with so many other providers to make it an overall great value.
Want to know more?
Our Avast One review gives you all the details about the various subscriptions and the perks of each one.
Avast One is the newest offering from this world-renown company. It continues to offer impressive malware protection while including a good number of advanced security tools in every version, including Avast One Essential, its free program.
Independent testing labs give Avast perfect, or near-perfect scores for malware protection. In fact, it is a top product for all of these labs. It recognizes new malware that hasn’t been seen before and does all this without causing slowdown on your device.
▶ Try Avast One Essential for free
You get the benefit of a simple firewall, data breach scanning to warn you if your passwords have been compromised, and apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Every Avast One software subscription comes with VPN access, though with the free version, you’re limited to only 5GB per week. Paying for a subscription is a pretty good deal to take advantage of the unlimited VPN offering.
Other benefits of Avast One paid versions are automatic software updates and system cleanup. For Avast One Premium users, identity theft protection is also included. This monitors your identity closely and also offers help in recovering it if needed.
A sneaky tactic to be aware of is Avast will attempt to download and set up its browser as your preferred one as part of its program download. There is some very fine print at the bottom of the Avast install that lets you change this and refuse the browser download. You need to look for it because it is in small print and easy to miss. Otherwise, you’ll have to take some time removing the browser and resetting your preferences if you forget to uncheck the permission boxes.
Overall the Avast One subscriptions are good values regardless of which one you choose, and they come with the ability to protect so many devices (5 for Individuals, 30 for Family) that everyone and everything in your family is covered.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Top scores for malware protection from third-party test labs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Doesn’t create noticeable lag, plus its gamer mode is the best | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Easy to use, but adds unnecessary apps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Some tools are available for a fee, but you do get unlimited access to its VPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live support isn’t offered, but you can get help through email with most answers coming within 24 hours of the request | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | Its free program is one of the best, but its paid subscriptions are even better and don’t cost much | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best antivirus for mobile
Use if:
✔️ You need mobile protection: overall mobile protection is good without causing drag.
✔️ You want to protect your identity: most of its advanced features and tools focus on ID theft.
✔️ You need good network protection: the intelligent firewall takes protecting your network connections to a new level.
Don’t use if:
❌ You’re on a budget: it’s one of the most expensive solutions out there, especially on renewal.
❌ You use a Mac: though it does run on Mac computers, it’s still a little clunky and not the best solution.
❌ You need parental controls: parental controls are available, but they cost more in addition to an already pricey solution.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 McAfee is expensive, but it’s good on mobile and its advanced features put identity protection at the forefront.
Want to know more?
Our McAfee review goes into more detail on how its identity theft services are better than simple ID monitoring.
McAfee has started to move on from its Antivirus Plus and Total Protection packages and now offers McAfee+. These subscriptions still incorporate the great malware protection seen from McAfee over the years, but add important identity theft monitoring tools since this is an area where malware has shifted its focus.
The basic subscription, McAfee+ Essential, lets you protect up to 5 devices, and the good news is that it works on just about every platform, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebook. And while it is a limited, first-level antivirus software, it still includes identity monitoring, a password manager, a firewall, a file shredder, and unlimited VPN access.
▶ Try McAfee+ free with its 30-day trial
The two biggest independent test labs awarded McAfee the highest marks for online malware protection. In fact, one gave McAfee the top spot above the other 15 antivirus software it tests. However, it did cause noticeable slowdown because of the amount of system resources it uses. Our own tests showed McAfee as being pretty resource heavy.
You can upgrade to McAfee+ Premium or Advanced. The Premium offering is disappointing because the only advantages over Essential are system scans (it won’t actually do any of the clean-up afterward) and unlimited device protection. We would expect a lot more from a “premium” subscription
McAfee+ Advanced is the top subscription that adds in-depth identity theft monitoring, including credit monitoring of a single reporting bureau, monthly credit reports, and identity recovery help if it is ever stolen. The cost jumps substantially from the Premium to the Advanced subscription and may not be worth it compared to the competition.
One more important note, the VPN is available without any data restrictions regardless of the McAfee+ subscription you choose. However, it is only available if you agree to the McAfee autorenewal program.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Excellent protection and plenty of extra tools to help keep you secure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Infrequent lagging, but not enough to interrupt what you’re working on | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Mobile apps are pretty straightforward to use, desktop is a bit overwhelming when you first use it | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Many tools focus on protecting your identity including a VPN and personal data cleanup, but how well they work depends on what you’re willing to pay | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent FAQs section on its website, and a support community, live chat is with a Virtual Assistant and not a live agent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | One of the most expensive antivirus programs, but you can use it on any number of devices | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Best antivirus with network protection
Use if:
✔️ You have a lot of smart devices: F-Secure has one of the best network protection tools to secure everything connected to your home internet.
✔️ You need fast scans: they are thorough and yet still very fast.
✔️ You want a VPN: it’s a bit limited, but it’s also there.
Don’t use if:
❌ You’re new to antivirus: the dashboard has a lot of text that makes it hard to understand, and getting it installed is a bit overwhelming, too.
❌ You need Chromebook protection: a Chromebook application isn’t available from this provider. Avira is a good choice for Chromebook.
❌ You don’t want slowdown: unfortunately, you may experience slower load times when opening programs or visiting websites.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 F-secure takes some getting used to, but the important security and privacy tools are there, and its incredible network protections, plus live support anytime you need it.
Want to know more?
Learn more in our F-Secure review on how this antivirus can protect smart devices as well as home computers and mobile devices.
F-Secure has made a lot of changes since we first started testing and evaluating antivirus software. It is better at detecting and blocking malware and is a lot lighter on device resources. One of its best advantages over other products is its network protection.
Network protections watch your internet connections, router movements, and everything connected to your WiFi. It looks for anything suspicious coming in and going out. This is especially helpful in detecting hackers that tend to break in through weak spots in your connection.
▶ Try F-Secure Total for 30 days free
F-Secure watches everything, including smart devices like your TV, streaming devices, game console, and even smart thermostats to make sure there aren’t any threats lurking about. It will let you know if any important information is being passed along through the network in a suspicious manner. This is a sign of a possible data breach.
Speaking of data breaches, F-Secure has email monitoring to help cut down on phishing schemes. These scams look like legitimate messages asking for personal information. F-Secure helps prevent some from getting to your inbox, but also watches the links and attachments in case they reroute you to a dangerous website, or have a malware download attached to them.
Getting started with F-Secure isn’t too difficult. It will walk you through the download and install process. There are a lot of different pages you need to click through that could cause some users to become overwhelmed. Also, configuring the various tools isn’t the most straightforward with F-Secure.
Thankfully, F-Secure is one of the few antivirus software companies that has 25/7 live support available. You can talk with a live agent through chat, and if you encounter a tricky issue, agents can remotely connect to your device and fix it for you from their computer.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Excellent malware blocking and protects smart devices connected to your home network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Some slowdown when launching programs or navigating the web | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not the easiest to figure out, but the tutorials do help | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Not as many tools as other antivirus software, but the ones included are helpful | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Live support is available including remote support for difficult issues | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | First-time users get a great bargain, but the price jumps higher on renewal | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best of the rest
Use if:
✔️ You bank or shop online: Pay Guard is one of the best safe banking features in the industry
✔️ You or your family do a lot of browsing: The URL blocker will warn if you attempt to visit a dangerous website
Don’t use if:
❌ You game online: there is a definite impact on your system speed that will interrupt gameplay.
❌ You want to customize your experience: this software doesn’t allow too much configurability.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Trend Micro doesn’t include a lot of added features, but for extra security while banking and shopping online, its Pay Guard is amazing.
Want to know more?
Read our Trend Micro review to discover more about its Pay Guard tools and other included security features.
Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security is user-friendly with a nice, clean interface that isn’t overly cluttered, has its Scan button front and center, and just enough icons around it to get to the tools and features you need.
When it comes to protection, overall it received average scores between all test labs. Some found it did better than others, we certainly saw in our tests how well it stops threats. Furthermore, where other testers saw Trend Micro raise more false positives than its top competitors, we didn’t find this to be the case at all.
▶ Try Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security for 30 days risk-free
Another strong feature, and probably the best tool included with all Trend Micro programs is its Pay Guard. This secures sensitive sites and information like your financial institution while you pay bills or transfer money, or when checking out on popular online retailers. These added safeguard shield your personal information, credit card numbers, and login credentials so they can’t be swiped by snoops.
Weak points? Well, system performance is impacted more than some rivals, and there aren’t as many options or features as some of the competition – this is an app more targeted at novices rather than experts. In fact, there isn’t a lot that you can customize. Most tools are simply start or stop.
You do get more functionality with the higher-level security suites from Trend Micro. The next tier product, Trend Micro Internet Security, throws in some interesting extras including parental controls and social media protection tools. However, for most folks, it’ll be worth spending a bit more on Trend Micro Maximum Security, which delivers protection for Mac and mobile devices as well as Windows (plus it adds a password manager and secure file vault).
Price-wise, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security is cheap. In fact, its Internet Security and Maximum Security programs are also priced well. You can only protect a single Windows device with its basic antivirus, but its top product gives you 10 licenses to protect Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, or even Chromebook.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Struggles a bit to stop brand new threats not included in malware databases | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Causes some slowdown when downloading programs or launching an application | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Very simple interface with essential security tools you need already turned on | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Not a lot is included with its basic subscription, but Pay Guard comes with all antivirus subscriptions | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Phone, email, and chat support are all available, but there may be some delays when trying to connect | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | Not too bad for basic protection of a single Windows device | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Use if:
✔️ You want to try before buying: the Free antivirus is limited but gives you a good feel of what you can expect with the paid version.
✔️ You want configurability: lots of ways to customize your security experience.
Don’t use if:
❌ You use a lot of locally saved apps: this software causes apps to launch much slower
❌ You need mobile protection: most packages aren’t available for mobile and those that do offer it are pricey.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔒 Avira has a lot of great tools and protects well against malware, though it isn’t the best choice for mobile devices.
Want to know more?
In our Avira review, we look at all of its offerings from its Free antivirus to its Prime package.
Avira has one of the best free antivirus options and while it is more restricted compared to the full internet security programs, it still protects your device well, In fact, Avira earned top protection scores from several independent security test labs, and we saw first-hand in our own test how secure it is.
There are several security, privacy, and performance tools available with Avira, though not all will work with every subscription. For example, you will see the VPN on the Avira dashboard of all software levels, but it’s only available to use with Avria Prime or Pro programs.
▶ Try Avira antivirus for free
Other features available with Avira include a password manager, a system optimizer, and safe browsing tools with specific protections for when you’re banking or shopping online. Just about every feature needs to be turned on when you first launch the Avira software. The primary real-time protection feature is on from the get-go, but you have to enable ransomware blocking and browser protections.
Overall, Avira is very customizable, which is good for you if you’re tech-savvy and know how to make those adjustments. For new users just getting into antivirus protection, there are better programs, like Bitdefender, that have all levels of security enabled, so you don’t have to do much to be fully protected from the start.
Avira creates some noticeable slowdown when loading webpages, or when first opening an app. In fact, during the install process of the program itself, we experienced some lag and system freeze for several seconds before the program caught up. Also, most of its offerings don’t work with mobile, but those that do aren’t the best options for cellphone or tablet security.
The cost of using Avria is decent and on par with other affordable antivirus solutions. Using the Free options gives you a good feel for what Avira has to offer. If you’d like to try out one of its higher-tiered programs before committing to a yearly subscription, Avira is one of the few antivirus software that offers monthly subscriptions.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | No problem stopping both known and new malware threats | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Slower at loading webpages and downloading software | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Dark mode interface that is intuitively laid out, but most tools, including ransomware protections, have to be turned on | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Includes some good advanced security tools, but not enough to be compared with other “internet security” suites | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Some basic help articles are online, the only way to contact a live agent is through the email form | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | Decent price point and has a monthly subscription available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Use if:
✔️ You need an antivirus that’s easy to install: doesn’t take much to get this one up and running. It almost installs itself.
✔️ You’d like more protection than basic antivirus: some extra features include safe banking tools and network protections
Don’t use if:
❌ You need new threat detection: ESET doesn’t include this with most of its offerings, and it’s an important tool to have.
❌ You need to protect your iPhone: iOS solutions aren’t available. Try McAfee for iOS protection.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 ESET is easy to install, though a little more difficult to figure out once it’s up and running, plus some important security features are reserved for its most expensive product.
Want to know more?
Our ESET review highlights both the good and the bad of this antivirus software.
ESET antivirus solutions are pretty basic, but we particularly enjoy testing them because of how easy they are to install. There aren’t extra steps or over-complicated setups. The important security functions are enabled by default. However, the dashboard is a little cluttered with a lot of text, but despite this, it doesn’t take much to find the tools and functions you need.
One neat tool ESET Internet Security has is its network protection. Generally, network protections are usually included with antivirus software to keep an eye on your internet connection, and data going and coming through it. But ESET will protect any device connected to it, including mobile phones and tablets, IoTs like Amazon Echo and Google Home, and smart TVs. This protects your home computers from accidentally being infected with a threat that tries to pass from a device to you through your network connection.
▶ Try ESET Internet Security for 30 days free
Overall protection is pretty high, though it isn’t as stellar compared to other programs like Avast or Norton. Third-party test labs note ESET comes up a little short, especially when blocking new threats. This is in big part because ESET doesn’t include new-threat protection with all of its programs.
ESET reserves its zero-day malware detection for its highest-tiered solution, ESET Smart Security Premium. One of the reasons we can’t rank ESET higher is because this is an essential part of antivirus and we feel should be included at all levels. Other antivirus software on our list does just this.
In tests that looked at how often antivirus accidentally tags a good file as malware, ESET passed with flying colors. Not one legitimate file was falsely tagged.
While using ESET, you may experience some drag on your system. We certainly noticed it. We could still work, browse the internet, and sent email messages without having to wait too long for programs and pages to load. But it’s enough that we don’t recommend it for online gamers.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Slightly below average of the industry average in some independent tests, doesn’t include new threat detection in all programs | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Definitely can feel the lag when using this antivirus | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | The interface feels outdated with a lot of text that gives it an overwhelming, busy look | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Missing some important tools like a password manager and data encryption, but the number of security features is impressive | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Not the easiest to find answers to questions and even harder to figure out how to get a hold of a live person | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | An overall good deal, though we wish more was included | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Use if:
✔️ You have a current malware infection: this is the BEST for getting rid of threats already on your computer.
✔️ You want to see real-time security reports: you can see what this antivirus is doing at any moment.
Don’t use if:
❌ You need top-notch protection: it falters a bit in protection tests.
❌ You want to protect more than Windows devices: it works on other machines but is more limited in these offerings.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 Malwarebytes is excellent for removing malware already on your device, but it falls a bit short of real-time protection.
Want to know more?
Read the Malwarebytes review to see the difference between its Free and Pro offerings and the benefits of each.
Malwarebytes has two options available depending on what you need. Its Free version is a powerful malware removal tool. Antivirus software is designed to prevent malware attacks, so it’s hard to install and use if your computer is already infected. Malwarebytes is unique because it can be installed despite threats’ best efforts to stop it. And it rounds up malware quickly once it is installed.
The Free software doesn’t offer any additional virus protections once threats are removed from your computer. That is where Malwarebytes Premium comes in. This includes traditional antivirus software along with its malware removal tool to take care of threats before they can attack you, and round up anything that might get through.
▶ Get Malwarebytes free edition
This antivirus software monitors and stops threats in real time, but it also gives you real-time security statuses. This is helpful in knowing if there is a threat on a website you’re visiting or any compromises in your network connection. There isn’t a lot more to this program, though there is the option to add its VPN for a small fee.
You can use Malwarebytes on most platforms and its malware removal tools are just as effective on mobile as it is on desktops. There are some antivirus tools that are only available for Windows machines. This includes Brute Force and Uninstall protections that keep hackers or malware from trying to break in or uninstall Malwarebytes.
In both our own and third-party test labs, Malwarebytes wasn’t as effective at stopping malware compared to the competition. We feel this is an area Malwarebytes is working on, so we’re hopeful it will move up in the ranks. Having a solid antivirus program coupled with excellent malware removal tools would be a valuable asset in the internet security world.
Malwarebytes is offered at a decent price point for what you get. Its Premium package comes with either 1 or 5 device licenses for only about $3 difference per month. For another $3/mo you can get the VPN, too.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Not as effective at blocking malware as it is at removing current infections | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fairly light on resources, so not a problem to run it in the background | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Basic use is easy to figure out, but it gets harder when you need to customize settings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | Doesn’t have the level of advanced features we’d expect in a Pro program | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | All support links redirect you to its extensive knowledgebase rather than provide live support options right away | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | Monthly subscription prices are about right for what is offered | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Use if:
✔️ You have a Mac computer: it’s designed specifically for Mac machines.
✔️ You need parental controls: one of the few antivirus that comes with parental controls that work on Mac.
Don’t use if:
❌ You need mobile protection: this antivirus is only for desktops.
❌ You want an easy download experience: each part of this antivirus is a separate download.
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½
🔒 Intego is great for protecting Mac computers and keeping your system clean so it runs more efficiently.
Want to know more?
Read our full Intego review to learn how it stacks up against other Mac antivirus software.
Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 does have a Windows version, but this antivirus software works much better on Mac desktops. It follows the same installation and navigation process as other Mac-specific software and will feel familiar to Mac users.
Protection-wise, Intego has been pretty consistent in earning high marks for malware protection in third-party tests. This is for both Mac and Windows threats. In fact, Intego does really well at removing Windows malware. While these threats won’t hurt your device, they could inadvertently be passed on to Windows users connected to the same network or through email attachments.
Historically Intego has caused noticeable slowdown while running. However, it has made tremendous progress in this area. The Mac Washing Machine finds places on your computer that needs cleaning and does it. These could be old versions of software, remnants of deled files, or unused apps. There still is a little slowdown with using Intego, but not as much as there has been in the past.
This Mac malware bundle comes with ContentBarrier which includes web filters to cut down on inappropriate content being seen by children. You can block adult websites by clicking the specific filter, or block specific pages by adding the URL to the blacklist.
Because each tool in the Intego Mac Bundle is a separate program, each one has to be downloaded, installed and set up on its own. There are shortcuts on the VirusBarrer dashboard so you don’t have to hunt down the tool on the desktop when you need it. But honestly, it would be easier if Intego could figure out a way to combine all tools into a single download.
For Mac malware protection, Intego is a good option. It doesn’t work for iPhones or other iOS devices but is great for desktops and laptops.
| Features | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Misses a few threats, but does score higher than average for malware detection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | We noticed a bit of lag with the app itself, but it didn’t seem to affect our working and browsing too much | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Each tool is a separate download with its own dashboard making it harder to navigate the entire package | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Advanced tools | A bit limited, but the system cleaner and parental controls are effective | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Lots of pages to navigate through the find the support email form, live chat is sometimes available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Value | It’s expensive, other Mac antivirus is available for cheaper and with more tools | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Antivirus Software Rankings
There are a lot of great antivirus options out there, but there isn’t enough space in our top 10 list to include them all. That doesn’t mean they aren’t tested or seriously considered, or that they aren’t good options. Here are all the antivirus software we’ve considered and where they fall in our rankings.
| Provider | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Bitdefender | Sets the standard for all antivirus to reach for |
| 2. Norton | Good protection and great identity theft services |
| 3. Avast | Easy to use, great advanced security, excellent gaming mode |
| 4. McAfee | Good for mobile, and decent on other devices, too, but expensive |
| 5. F-Secure | Protects smart devices, such as TVs and Amazon Echo connected to your network |
| 6. Trend Micro | Good protections for banking and shopping online |
| 7. AVIRA | Decent tools with a good free antivirus available |
| 8. ESET | Okay for basic protection, but feels outdated and falls behind better options |
| 9. Malwarebytes | Not the best as a first defender malware blocker, but is excellent at removing threats already on your device |
| 10. Intego | Specifically designed for Mac computers, does well at blocking threats, but awkward to use |
| 11. AVG | Easy, simple interface, and good protection, but you need to enable real-time protection and other important protection tools |
| 12. VIPRE | A good value and very basic if you don’t need more than bare minimum antivirus |
| 13. Sophos | Requires internet connection to use properly, which means offline threats have a chance to sneak through |
| 14. Webroot | Lots of potential, and great security tools, but hard to validate security claims since it doesn’t allow third-party testing |
| 15. Microsoft Defender | Comes free with Windows, but there are definite gaps in protection that make using a secondary program necessary |
Editors’ note: Kaspersky Anti-Virus used to appear on this list. Considering the current climate, however, we’ve taken the decision to remove the provider. Although much of the company’s core processes now take place in Switzerland, the fact that its headquarters remain in Moscow and there have been previous allegations around government coercion, it feels prudent to use the provider with caution. And, when there are so many other excellent providers to choose from, it’s impossible to wholeheartedly recommend Kaspersky at this time.
How to choose antivirus software
How do you choose the very best antivirus software? The obvious answer is to consult our rankings in this article, which are based on our expert knowledge, testing by our in-house experts and third-party security labs, and thorough, continually updated reviews of the top antivirus players.
That said, obviously, you also have to bear in mind your own particular needs. Our number one pick might not be the ideal choice if you’re on a very tight budget, for example, and you only want to protect a single PC. Or at the other end of the scale, maybe you have a large family with a ton of devices to protect, and you need a package to cater to that. Or perhaps you want a VPN service as well as antivirus, so a bundled package will save you a lot of money on subscription fees.
In short, our recommendations are here as firm guidance but modify these appropriately based on your individual requirements. For more thoughts on this, check out our article exploring how to choose the best antivirus.
How we test antivirus
There are a few ways we get our protection scores. First, we test the antivirus software ourselves. Some tests involve attempting to access a dangerous website that is known to harbor threats. Others are trying to download a malware file to one of our test computers. In both of these cases, we want to see if the antivirus recognizes the threat and how quickly it stops it.
One of our testers has a background in IT. They have created malware files specifically for testing. If allowed to roam free, they will cause a bit of havoc that we can control, but won’t ruin our system at all. But this is important since these are files antivirus software isn’t familiar with.
Many antivirus websites provide a test file called EICAR. This simulates a threat but isn’t an actual threat. The problem with using just this file for testing is antivirus companies have made sure their software recognizes this threat. Using our own helps us evaluate how well antivirus can recognize unknown malware.
We don’t want to rely only on our findings, though it’s hard for us to disprove what we see for ourselves. But we realize there are other ways of testing and some good labs out there that do it a lot more frequently than we do. That’s why we use test results from AV-Comparatives and AV-Tests to paint a broader picture and assign a more fair protection score for each antivirus software.
Performance is another important feature we look at. In this case, we want to know how much slowdown is caused by installing and running antivirus. Because these programs are saved locally on your device, we know there are resources that will be used. But we still measure things like how long of a wait there is to open a browser, navigate to a website, attach a file to an email, or how long it takes a webpage to load fully.
We use online speed test websites to help us with these tests and have the nit-picky numbers for them. In most cases, this is the only way to determine if there is any slowdown. But we also conduct real-live testing. These aren’t as formal and are more to give us a feel of how the antivirus performs outside of a lab.
For real-life testing, we install and use antivirus on our home devices and take note of anything we found that is difficult, unusual, or good about the program. This includes any issues with lag while watching videos, online gaming, or simply browsing.
Customer support is important when it comes to antivirus. Usually, it’s easy to follow the install instructions and the tutorial when you first get started. But there are times when reaching out to customer support is necessary. We evaluate each company’s support options and use them to get a feel of how they work. It’s difficult finding good live support and those that do offer it typically aren’t staffed 24/7. This leaves you with online libraries to find and follow for answers. Not all of them are easy to wade through, or helpful.
Finally, we check out the features and tools included with antivirus software. When we can, to use them. This includes password managers, file encryption, VPN connections, and parental controls. We want to give you as much information to make the best antivirus choice for you.
Antivirus FAQs
What is the best antivirus of 2023
We’ve tested all the biggest names in internet security, and we’ve found that the very best antivirus software in 2023 is Bitdefender.
It’s a superb bit of software – from its entry-level Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and its cast-iron malware defenses, excellent threat detection and genuinely value-adding extra features, right up to its all-singing, all-dancing Total Security that adds an array of maintenance tools and can be used to protect your family’s computers, tablets and phones.
What does antivirus do? How does virus protection work?
An antivirus app sits on your device like a guard dog, watching over the entire system and sniffing out any intruders (malware, or indeed anything suspicious). In short, it offers real-time defenses against viruses or other threats, which, if detected, are immediately dealt with, preventing them from carrying out their destructive payload. As well as this automated protection, you can run manual virus scans whenever you wish.
Antivirus applications use what are called virus ‘definitions’ to catch intruders. Think of these as the fingerprints of malware, and if something is spotted coming onto your system that has a matching fingerprint, the antivirus leaps into action, quarantining the offender. As another line of defense, antivirus programs also use what are called ‘heuristics’ that look for any file or process exhibiting suspicious behavior – this allows the app to potentially catch any freshly made malware which isn’t yet in its definitions database.
For more details on this topic, see our full breakdown of exactly how antivirus software works.
Do I really need antivirus in 2023?
Ransomware attacks are still around, but cybercriminals are using different tactics to get what they want. More and more you hear about security breaches where hackers use malware, including ransomware, to break into companies’ systems to steal important files, including customer information. You, the customer, are the biggest victim because you pay for it with a risk of identity theft
The best antivirus software these days include identity theft monitoring to keep an eye on the dark web in case your personal information is sold. They include phishing scam protections to block messages designed to trick you into giving criminals your personal information from getting into your inbox. More antivirus software is including VPNs, too, to help you remain private online and keep cookies and other trackers from getting your information as you visit websites. This is all on top of traditional malware blocking that has been part of antivirus software for years.
You may have heard arguments that if you’re prudent about where you browse on the web, and what you download or click on, you’ll be fine – and that’s true to a certain extent, but we really wouldn’t risk it. Even well-known websites might occasionally be victims of malware being peddled via their adverts (in other words, the ad networks they work with), for example, so no matter how cautious and tech-savvy you are, it’s worth having an antivirus app as a fall-back defense.
The good news is that the best antivirus products are getting cheaper and cheaper to purchase, and free products are getting more and more effective.
Is free antivirus enough?
The answer to this one isn’t straightforward – it’s a bit of a ‘yes, but no’ kind of reply.
A good free antivirus is a perfectly reasonable option for protecting your PC, with Microsoft Defender now the best we’ve ever seen it. It’ll do the basics of defending your system well, as any reputable vendor uses the same virus protection engine – the central tech that polices the device and repels malware – as the paid product.
That said, premium antivirus programs offer extra features above and beyond the fundamentals. A robust system of parental controls could be a huge win for those with kids, for example. Or, a dedicated anti-ransomware layer of protection that only comes with the paid-for product could help catch one of the most dreaded infections and halt it in its tracks.
Given how cheap some premium antivirus apps are – particularly with the various deals on offer – it’s well worth considering going this route instead to get extra features that could give you more peace of mind.
For more on this, read our full piece on whether free antivirus is enough to protect you.
July 2023 Updates
The biggest inclusion for this update is more information about cybercriminals, how and why they operate, and why it’s important to use antivirus software, even if you already have Microsoft Defender installed on your device.
Don’t forget to read the in-depth reviews of each product. While a single version is highlighted in our guide, clicking through will give you information on all choices available from that antivirus developer.
Head back up to read about our number one recommended best antivirus ^
