Best Antivirus

The best Internet security programs against trojans, ransomware, spyware and other online threats, tested and reviewed by our experts. By clicking on the product name in the list below you can easily get updated prices, technical specs and additional info about each product.

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1
TotalAV
  • Real-time protection against viruses and ransomware
  • WebShield blocks dangerous and phishing websites
  • Top protection against viruses and advanced malware
  • Lightweight & Powerful for PC, Mac, android & iOS
9.8
Best Overall
$99.00
From $19.00
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2
Norton
  • 100% Virus Removal or your money back guarantee
  • Achieved very good test results from independent labs
  • Works on all devices (mobile and desktop)
  • Reliable file storage and backup options
9.4
Great
$119.99
From $29.99
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3
Bitdefender
  • Easy to Install, Easy to Run, Easy to Check
  • PCMag Editor's Choice - Feb. 2024
  • Outstanding Security Product 2023 - AV-Comparatives
  • TechRadar Editor's Choice - Jan. 2024
9.3
Very Good
$109.98
From $54.99
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4
Avast
  • Trusted by over 435 million users worldwide
  • Includes Bank Mode for safe online banking
  • Protect up to 30 devices with Avast One Family
  • Great free version
9.2
Very Good
$78.00
From $31.20
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5
Avira
  • Very lightweight / works fast even on older devices
  • One of the best antivirus scanners in the industry
  • Lots of cool added features (Safe Shopping & Anti-Ransomware)
  • Easy to install and simple to use - perfect for beginners
8.6
Very Good
$109.99
From $59.99
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6
PC Protect
  • Secure & Private Web Browsing
  • Real-Time Protection from the Latest Threats
  • Windows, Mac, Android & iOS Compatible
  • 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
8.5
Good
$99.00
From $19.00
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At a glance

Every product on this list in one table: our score, the starting price and what stands out.

#ProductOur scoreFromStands out forReview
1TotalAV9.8/10 Best Overall$19.00Real-time protection against viruses and ransomwareFull review
2Norton9.4/10 Great$29.99100% Virus Removal or your money back guaranteeFull review
3Bitdefender9.3/10 Very Good$54.99Easy to Install, Easy to Run, Easy to CheckFull review
4Avast9.2/10 Very Good$31.20Trusted by over 435 million users worldwideFull review
5Avira8.6/10 Very Good$59.99Very lightweight / works fast even on older devicesFull review
6PC Protect8.5/10 Good$19.00Secure & Private Web Browsing

Why each one made our list

Short verdicts from our reviews, with the strengths and the trade-offs of each product.

1

TotalAV

9.8/10

TotalAV is a powerful, efficient, all-in-one cybersecurity package — the best online protection for 2026!

Strengths

  • Works great on Windows PC, Mac, Android and iOS
  • Unbeatable in terms of value for money (Save 80% via our link)
  • Instantly identifies harmful threats

Trade-offs

  • No protection for Linux
  • Can only be used on up to 6 devices
  • Phone support only available for paid plans
Read our TotalAV review
2

Norton

9.4/10

Impressive Device Security, Cloud Backup, and Parental Control features, combined with a 100% protection rate against all types of malware.

Strengths

  • Offers 100% Virus Removal Guarantee (or your money back)
  • Achieved very good test results from independent labs
  • Works on all devices (mobile and desktop)

Trade-offs

  • Cloud storage space is rather limited
  • VPN costs extra
Read our Norton review
3

Bitdefender

9.3/10

Bitdefender goes beyond antivirus protection with a pack of privacy features such as a VPN, webcam protection, microphone monitor, anti-tracker, social network protection, and more.

Strengths

  • Real-time antivirus and malware protection
  • Certified by independent testing labs
  • Protects against phishing attacks

Trade-offs

  • The free VPN has a daily limit of 200MB
  • Bitdefender for Mac has considerably fewer features than the Windows version
  • Limited capabilities on the Android app
Read our Bitdefender review
4

Avast

9.2/10

Avast is renowned for its robust computer protection against viruses and malware, offering a comprehensive security solution with options for both free and premium users. This antivirus has over 435 million active users worldwide and blocks around 1.5 billion threats per month.

Strengths

  • Comprehensive protection
  • Real-time scanning
  • Outstanding malware detection

Trade-offs

  • Many features come at an additional cost
  • Protection isn't as strong on Android as it is on iOS
Read our Avast review
5

Avira

8.6/10

Avira is a German antivirus software that is known to be super lightweight and reliable. It offers a huge range of features to boost your security and optimize device performance.

Strengths

  • Very high malware detection rates
  • Extremely lightweight antivirus software that won’t slow down your device
  • Software is intuitive and very easy to use (even for beginners)

Trade-offs

  • Customer support offers no live chat option
  • VPN only available for Avira Prime users and it's not the best VPN out there
Read our Avira review

How we test antivirus software

Scores are our editors' judgement out of 10 and are reviewed regularly. We weigh four things:

  1. Protection: how well it stops malware, ransomware and phishing, including results from independent test labs.
  2. Performance impact: how much it slows down start-up, scans and everyday work.
  3. Features: firewall, password manager, VPN and other extras, and how useful they really are.
  4. Price and value: what each plan costs after the first year and how many devices it covers.

We receive a commission from some of the providers on this list. It can influence the order shown, so read our full reviews before you decide.

FAQ

Viruses and malware are more sophisticated than they have ever been, thanks to the fact that technology as a whole has advanced. For that reason alone, it is recommended that anyone who has a computer or mobile device have some kind of antivirus software that they can use to protect against security threats.

Not having an antivirus program installed is like riding a bicycle without a helmet. You may never need it, but when you do, you will regret not having it. Also bear in mind that even though you may be careful about which links you click on, which sites you visit etc. - can you really be 100% certain that all members of your family adhere to the same security precautions?

There are many different antivirus programs out there, each of which has its own unique features that make it worth looking into. Of course, which software is best for a user depends on that users habits and their individual needs, but the antivirus programs that we have reviewed on this website have all been vetted to make sure that they can eliminate the threats that are the most prevalent and dangerous.

Most antivirus programs cost less than $40 per year - don't fall victim to cybercrime for such a measly amount. Protect yourself and your family today!
There are countless security threats on the internet that could impact devices. Antivirus programs are designed to protect against these threats, which include the likes of phishing attacks, ransomware, and malware.

Phishing attacks use nefarious means to gather a person’s personal information. An example of this would be a website that is made to look exactly like a bank’s website, with the goal of stealing the login information for a user’s online banking service. Some antivirus programs can analyze links and files to make sure that users do not fall for these phishing attacks.

Ransomware is designed to shut down a device or cripple its ability to perform until a ransom is paid to remove those restrictions. A strong antivirus program will prevent the ransomware from taking over the device, so that users never have to make the choice between getting a new device or paying the ransom to unlock their current device.

Malware is more of a catch-all term, as there are many different types of malware. Programs like trojan horses and spyware fall into this category, as they can be used to track users’ keystrokes to gain personal information or install other malicious programming onto a device.
Each antivirus software is a little bit different from the next, in that every piece of antivirus software has features and benefits that make it unique. Some antivirus software is designed more with a goal of not impacting device performance, while other software is more stringent on security and resource heavy.

And many antivirus programs come with features that vary from other providers. The ability to keep passwords safe or to browse privately using a VPN are things that have become commonplace with the antivirus industry, as simply eliminating viruses from machines is no longer the only thing that these programs can do.

At the end of the day, deciding which features matter the most to you and picking a program that can deliver those features can be slightly overwhelming. Our website aims to help make the process easier by reviewing the main features and informing our readers as to what programs offer those features so that they can decide which program to use with that information in mind.
There are many free versions of antivirus programs out there, and it is worth asking whether or not those programs can be used instead of their paid versions. The answer to that question is that while it is better to use a free antivirus program than no antivirus program at all, the added security features of the paid versions and their relatively low prices make these more recommended overall. If you are still in doubt, we recommend you download the free version first and then upgrade to the paid full version at a later stage.
People create viruses for a number of reasons, but the most common reason is to make money. Malware creators are often collecting a user’s personal information, which allows them to steal identities and buy things using the funds of others. And with the recent surge in ransomware, these people can even shut down devices until they get the money that they are after.

Of course, users can be protected against these attempts to steal money from others by utilizing antivirus software. This software can protect against ransomware or the tracking of personal information through programs like spyware. And with the ability to do so without impacting device performance in many cases, there is no good reason not to get a decent antivirus software.
One of the best things about using modern antivirus programs is the fact that virtually anyone can use it. The user interfaces of these programs are often incredibly easy to navigate, allowing users to run scans or take advantage of other security features without much stress at all. Even novice computer and mobile phone users should be able to run these modern antivirus programs without any problems.
A rather old fashioned concern regarding antivirus programs is the idea that using them will negatively affect computer performance. While security is important, people still do not want to slow down their devices. Fortunately, the majority of the antivirus programs that are on the market today do not slow down the devices that they are tasked with protecting.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: BestAntivirus.Guide is a free online resource that aims to provide helpful information about various best selling antivirus programs to its readers. We receive commissions from antivirus companies featured on this site and this affects the location and order in which the various antivirus programs are presented. The reviews and information presented on our site represent our opinion and are shown for informational and research purposes only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information at all times, due to the continually changing nature of the antivirus industry.

 

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