Antivirus: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Protect your devices from viruses, malware, ransomware, and other online threats with expert guidance on antivirus software. Compare features, performance, and protection levels to find the right security solution for your needs—whether you're browsing, banking, or working online. Stay informed and make confident choices with our clear, up-to-date coverage of top security tools.
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The Best Antivirus Software We've TestedAntivirus apps protect your PC's personal information, data, bank accounts, and other sensitive information. We've tested more than two dozen utilities to help you choose the right antivirus for your needs.
By Neil J. Rubenking
Our Top Picks
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus delivers top-tier protection with advanced features that rival full security suites, making it a standout choice for protecting your devices.
Full Bitdefender Antivirus Plus ReviewPros
- Excellent scores in independent lab tests
- Perfect defense against phishing fraud
- Multi-layered ransomware protection
- Isolated browser for banking safety
- Prevents advertisers from tracking you
- Many security-centered bonus features
- Protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
Cons
- Mediocre score in hands-on malware blocking test
- Full VPN access requires a separate subscription
Pros
- Excellent scores in independent lab tests
- Perfect defense against phishing fraud
- Multi-layered ransomware protection
- Isolated browser for banking safety
- Prevents advertisers from tracking you
- Many security-centered bonus features
- Protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS
Cons
- Mediocre score in hands-on malware blocking test
- Full VPN access requires a separate subscription
Norton AntiVirus Plus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Norton AntiVirus Plus aces independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests. Loaded with suite-level security bonuses, it outstrips the competition.
Full Norton AntiVirus Plus ReviewPros
- Top scores in independent lab tests
- Excellent scores in hands-on tests
- Data Protector foils ransomware attacks
- Intelligent firewall protection
- Includes vulnerability scan and other suite-level features
Cons
- Can no longer create local backups
- Relatively expensive
Pros
- Top scores in independent lab tests
- Excellent scores in hands-on tests
- Data Protector foils ransomware attacks
- Intelligent firewall protection
- Includes vulnerability scan and other suite-level features
Cons
- Can no longer create local backups
- Relatively expensive
McAfee AntiVirus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
McAfee AntiVirus gets near-perfect lab scores and does well in our tests, but it only protects one PC.
Full McAfee AntiVirus ReviewPros
- Near-perfect lab test scores
- Excellent scores in our hands-on tests
- Money-back virus protection pledge
Cons
- Missed two ransomware samples in testing
- Protects just one PC with no volume discount
Pros
- Near-perfect lab test scores
- Excellent scores in our hands-on tests
- Money-back virus protection pledge
Cons
- Missed two ransomware samples in testing
- Protects just one PC with no volume discount
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is certified by four independent labs and comes with uncommon, useful security bonuses that will delight tech-savvy users.
Full ESET NOD32 Antivirus ReviewPros
- Perfect scores from four independent labs
- HIPS component blocks exploits
- Comprehensive device control
Cons
- Poor score in our malware-blocking test
- Ransomware protection not effective in testing
Pros
- Perfect scores from four independent labs
- HIPS component blocks exploits
- Comprehensive device control
Cons
- Poor score in our malware-blocking test
- Ransomware protection not effective in testing
Emsisoft Anti-Malware
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Emsisoft Anti-Malware handles all the expected tasks of defending against malware, including ransomware, and offers comprehensive remote management.
Full Emsisoft Anti-Malware ReviewPros
- Online console allows full remote management
- Prevented all file-encrypting ransomware behavior in testing
- Very good scores in our hands-on tests
- Dangerous website blocking is browser-independent
Cons
- Unusually lengthy initial scan
- Scores from just one independent lab
Pros
- Online console allows full remote management
- Prevented all file-encrypting ransomware behavior in testing
- Very good scores in our hands-on tests
- Dangerous website blocking is browser-independent
Cons
- Unusually lengthy initial scan
- Scores from just one independent lab
G Data Antivirus
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Offering more than just the basics, G Data Antivirus includes a spam filter and components designed to fight ransomware and other malware types.
Full G Data Antivirus ReviewPros
- Good score on our hands-on malware protection test
- Protects against banking Trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and exploits
- Relatively inexpensive
- Includes spam filter
Cons
- Only one recent lab score available
Pros
- Good score on our hands-on malware protection test
- Protects against banking Trojans, keyloggers, ransomware, and exploits
- Relatively inexpensive
- Includes spam filter
Cons
- Only one recent lab score available
Malwarebytes Premium Security
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Unlike its popular free edition, which lacks real-time protection, Malwarebytes Premium Security is a full-fledged antivirus utility that captures malware on demand, on schedule, and on launch.
Full Malwarebytes Premium Security ReviewPros
- Near-perfect score in malware blocking test
- Very good protection against malicious and fraudulent sites
- Ransomware protection detected all samples
- Now includes tools and data breach reporting
- Perfect score from one antivirus testing lab
Cons
- Some tools limited to Windows 11
Pros
- Near-perfect score in malware blocking test
- Very good protection against malicious and fraudulent sites
- Ransomware protection detected all samples
- Now includes tools and data breach reporting
- Perfect score from one antivirus testing lab
Cons
- Some tools limited to Windows 11
Sophos Home Premium
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The affordable Sophos Home Premium expands on basic antivirus with protection forged in the company's enterprise-level solutions, with all configuration managed remotely.
Full Sophos Home Premium ReviewPros
- Excellent scores in some of our hands-on tests
- Effective ransomware protection
- Remotely manages up to 10 PCs or Macs
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Limited results from testing labs
- Ineffective parental control
- No longer offers mobile management or keylogger protection
- Advanced features require uncommon tech expertise
Pros
- Excellent scores in some of our hands-on tests
- Effective ransomware protection
- Remotely manages up to 10 PCs or Macs
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Limited results from testing labs
- Ineffective parental control
- No longer offers mobile management or keylogger protection
- Advanced features require uncommon tech expertise
Webroot Essentials
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The non-traditional malware detection style used by Webroot Essentials doesn’t always match lab tests, but it's small and it earned top scores in our hands-on tests.
Full Webroot Essentials ReviewPros
- Small footprint on disk
- Aced our hands-on tests
- Can remediate ransomware damage
- Includes LastPass password manager
- Advanced features
Cons
- Limited lab test results
- Advanced features require uncommon expertise
Pros
- Small footprint on disk
- Aced our hands-on tests
- Can remediate ransomware damage
- Includes LastPass password manager
- Advanced features
Cons
- Limited lab test results
- Advanced features require uncommon expertise
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Antivirus apps protect your PC's personal information, data, bank accounts, and other sensitive information. We've tested more than two dozen utilities to help you choose the right antivirus for your needs.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus delivers top-tier protection with advanced features that rival full security suites, making it a standout choice for protecting your devices.
Get 50% off Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (1 Year Protection for Only $24.99)
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