Getting the best antivirus software is crucial, as new cyber threats, like ransomware, spyware, and malware appear every day – they are even more infectious than before. Currently, there are a variety of malicious programs that can steal data stored on your device and also put your privacy at risk.
The majority of antivirus software providers offer all-in-one security packages which include real-time protection from all types of viruses, a VPN, and even a password manager. These security tools can ensure the safety of macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
Even though the latest operating systems, like Windows 11 and 10 have in-built security solutions, they’re not robust enough to provide all-round protection from the highly advanced malware infections.
Here, I'll cover the best antivirus software offering the best virus protection in 2022. And it's not just the #1 pick which rules: these are all great options, and the perfect solution for you might just be a few floors below!
Best antivirus software of 2022
- Bitdefender Antivirus – Best overall antivirus in 2022
- Norton Antivirus – Antivirus with top security features
- TotalAV Antivirus – Essential antivirus package
- McAfee Total protection – Best for multiple devices
- Avira Antivirus – best free subscription on the market
📢 LIMITED OFFER: Get Bitdefender today with 60% off!
The best antivirus – our curated list
Below you will find our best antivirus programs for 2022. All of them have the necessary tools to provide maximum protection and bonus features that you may find useful. Once again, don’t just pick #1 – I recommend investing a little bit of time to find the service that best suits your needs.
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – best overall antivirus protection in 2022
| Max simultaneous connections: | 5 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥Get all Bitdefender plans at 60% OFF!🔥 |
Running for almost two decades, Bitdefender has earned its place among the best antivirus providers. It has over 500 million users, mainly because of its great free version, but the premium options are well-worth your money. And when you add a password manager and a VPN, Bitdefender Antivirus becomes a full cybersecurity suite. No wonder you will find it at the top of most best antivirus lists.
Features and pricing plans
The results from multiple independent antivirus testing labs have shown that Bitdefender is an elite antivirus software. It protects your web surfing, banking, and if you haven’t set automated updates, this service will inform you when it’s time to patch up your system. There’s also a secure browser with a virtual keyboard to prevent keylogging.
Another great feature of Bitdefender is a file shredder that you can utilize for disintegrating those sensitive documents for good. What’s more, your files will be protected from ransomware attacks.
I also particularly liked the anti-webcam hijack feature that comes with the Internet Security 2022 plan. Along with parental controls and a two-way firewall, it helps to keep your children safe.
The only disadvantage of this security suite is that Bitdefender might slow your system down while running in the background if you have an older device. Apart from that, it’s a premium protection tool.
There are three different subscription packages to choose from: the Antivirus Plus, the Internet Security, and the Total Security plans.
The Bitdefender Antivirus Plus costs $23.99/year and allows you to secure up to 3 Windows devices. It’s a standard security suite to help you protect against malware, adware, and ransomware.
The Internet Security plan has additional privacy protection and parental control tools. You can use it on 3 Windows devices as well for $32.00/year.
The most feature-rich package is the Bitdefender Total Security that supports 5 devices for $36.00/year. It’s compatible with both Windows and macOS devices.
If you decide to get Bitdefender, it accepts credit card and PayPal payments, as well as cash at 7-Eleven/ACE. There’s also a 30-day free trial that might help make up your mind before committing.
Verdict
To conclude, Bitdefender found the courage to do things differently and packed the most features into its cheapest version, making it more than an afterthought for most home users. Indeed, when you provide quality for a fraction of the price, it’s hard not to reach the top.
Visit Bitdefender to read more about the features
- Best malware protection
- Excellent core
- Feature-rich
- Excellent free version
- Great value for money
- Frequent updates
- Exceptional scores in independent tests
- Full VPN access requires paying extra
- Could use fewer resources while running in background
2. Norton 360 Antivirus – premium antivirus with top security features
| Max simultaneous connections: | 10 devices |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | 🔥Get up to 66% OFF Norton Antivirus!🔥 |
Norton, after nearly three decades from launch, remains a reputable name in the antivirus industry – independent antivirus testers score it highly. What’s more, this provider packages arguably the most extensive list of cybersecurity tools. This is an amazing service, but it’s among the most expensive suites in 2022 and also doesn’t have a free version.
Pricing plans and features
Norton 360 prices start from $19.99/yr with the Standard plan. A standard plan gives you one device, core protection tools, a firewall, 10 GB cloud backup, a VPN, and a password manager. There’s also a SafeCam (Windows only) and Dark Web Monitoring, which is limited to your email only at this stage.
For an extra $30/yr, you also get Parental Control and School Time features - this family-oriented plan that supports up to five devices is called Norton 360 Deluxe. Next come the plans that offer extra identity protection and should prove invaluable to those with the added risk of losing lots of money. Some call them rich people.
After this, prices spike as LifeLock is added to the mix. Here your social security number, name, address, DOB are added to your email monitoring, alerting you whenever this personal data is used by someone when applying for credit or services. You can also initiate Credit Monitoring and Reimbursement in case of identity theft.
Skipping the mid-range Norton 360 with LifeLock offer, we arrive at the Ultimate Plus for $299.88/yr (that’s for the first year and unlimited devices). With this offer, you get Identity Lock that can immediately lock your TransUnion credit file. Furthermore, Transaction Monitoring lets you centralize all info about cash withdrawals and other bank operations.
If that wasn’t enough, Court Records Scanning checks whether some criminal gave your name and DOB to the police. Finally, Norton 360 with LifeLock also checks your 401(k) and home title.
Is there something that Norton Antivirus doesn’t include? Well, you won’t find a file shredder, file encryption, and secure browser. However, you will get Norton Crypto, which is an option to use your device to mine cryptocurrency – great when your device is idle. It's an unusual addition to the service, but certainly something many users will enjoy.
Verdict
To sum up, Norton 360 offers excellent protection while not overloading your device. It’s easy to use but at the same time provides plenty of options for advanced users. And while the prices are high, one would be hard-pressed to find a better deal when buying all the components one-by-one.
Visit Norton 360 to read more about the features
- Excellent protection
- Plenty of extras
- Powerful identity-theft suite
- Low resource usage
- Easy-to-use
- Expensive
- No free version
- LifeLock is oriented to the US users
3. TotalAV – the essential free antivirus package
| Max simultaneous connections: | 6 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 84% OFF! |
TotalAV is a reliable antivirus service that protects you from all kinds of online threats. The bar of entry is low, and everyone can make use of their product. Aside from their premium package, they also have a free version. It's available to everyone.
Features and pricing plans
With the TotalAV free version, you're getting the essential level of safety. It includes a malware scanner for your local cleanup. With it, you will be able to purge nasty viruses from your device. On the online frontier, you'll be getting anti-phishing protection. It will filter out fake websites aiming to get your credentials or other information. Customer support isn't off-limits, either.
If you raise the stakes and go with their premium plans, you're getting more of everything. Your security coverage expands a great deal with real-time protection and ransomware shields. On top of that, it also includes a Cloud scanner that gives you more up-to-date countermeasures against zero-day exploits.
There are other benefits, as well. For example, there are disk cleaner and optimization tools. These will help you free up some space in your hard drive and make your startup more efficient.
The tool doesn't aim to hurt your wallet. Premium plans can be had for a fairly reasonable price. When put side by side with most of its competitors, it doesn't seem all that expensive, which is always a positive for the end-user.
Verdict
Overall, TotalAV is a simple but powerful addition to your system. It will remove most online germs you caught while surfing the web, but it won't overload your device. This antivirus can be recommended to everyone who needs a simple solution to stay safe online or offline.
Visit TotalAV to read more about the features
- Good protection against most cyberthreats
- Intuitive apps
- A basic free version
- Fast customer support response times
- Real-time and cloud protection
- Includes optimisation tools
- Only covers six devices
- The browser extension isn’t particularly user friendly
- Safe Search doesn’t always work
4. McAfee Total Protection – great cross-platform support with basic plan
| Max simultaneous connections: | 10 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get McAfee, save up to 67%! |
Even though John McAfee himself has called his antivirus “one of the worst products on the f*cking planet,” nowadays, you will find McAfee Total Protection on most best antivirus lists. The company was owned by Intel from 2010 until 2017 when Intel and TPG Capital closed a strategic deal to convert Intel’s Security division into a company called McAfee.
Features and pricing plans
McAfee Antivirus offers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS support starting from the basic plan. However, apps for Apple devices have fewer features. For $29.99/year, you can get a single license for any device. If you subscribe for 2 years, the price decreases to $24.99/year.
Just like Bitdefender, McAfee offers most features for everyone and adds only a few in the pricier plans. The core package includes a VPN, a password manager, file encryption, and a file shredder, among other features.
Keep in mind that this antivirus also has a plan for couples which gives 2-year protection services for up to 5 devices for $39.99/year price. However, if you need security for more devices, McAfee's Family plan costs $49.99/year.
Talking about mobile security, I really liked the mobile-oriented Guest Mode, which allows you to lock certain apps and give the phone to your kids to play some games or watch some videos.
I also must mention Home Network Security – it allows managing all devices connected to the wifi and alerts you of any intrusion attempts.
If you’re interested in McAfee, you can purchase the subscription plans with a credit card or PayPal account. Also, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test all the features without the risk of committing to an unsatisfactory service.
It’s important to note that McAfee doesn't have a free version. There used to be one for a now-defunct product called Security Cloud, but I don't think we'll see something similar in the near future.
Verdict
Looking at the results from the independent tests, I can say that McAfee does great most of the time. However, there are more than a few below-average results from MRG Effitas that didn’t certify Avira and this antivirus in Q2 2020.
When summed up, it’s clear that McAfee belongs on this list, but it’s certainly not at the very top. Nevertheless, I can recommend this antivirus software to anyone, especially families and groups with many devices.
Visit McAfee to read more about the features
- All plans support majort platforms
- Generous device limits
- Basic package is feature-rich
- Solid firewall
- Home Network Security feature is a godsend
- Some independent test results are poor
- Performance could be better
- Apple products have fewer features
5. Avira Antivirus – best free plan on the market
| Max simultaneous connections: | 25 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 1 year of Avira at 40% OFF! |
500 million users have made the right choice by choosing Avira Antivirus, as it’s one of the best antivirus software available in both free and premium segments.
Features and pricing plans
Avira’s free version is great. It includes a VPN, a firewall, and a password generator when most of the time you’ll be paying extra to get some or all of them.
The Pro version has advanced ransomware protection and greatly expands the available suite of features. It includes a complete web protection for safe online shopping, as well as email protection. You can get the Avira Antivirus Pro plan for as low as $30.96 per year for 1 device.
There’s also the Internet Security suite which includes automatic software updating feature, a tool for browser safety, and a password manager along with regular malware protection solutions. It costs $3.42 per month for the security of 1 device.
Additionally, there are yearly subscription packages available – 1-year, 2-year, and the 3-year options. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to get the 3-year subscription which costs $34.69/year for the Pro plan, and $43.33/year for the Internet Security suite.
This antivirus software is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. You can manually select how many devices you want to protect – one, three, or five – during the payment process. The company accepts PayPal and credit card payments and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Furthermore, what distinguishes Avira from other antiviruses is its system optimization tools. For example, you can speed up the booting of your device or concentrate the juice towards one resource-heavy task, such as video rendering. Also, it includes crypto mining features, letting you make money as your computer is idle.
However, it’s important to note that not all features are available for both macOS and Windows devices – email protection and download scans are for Windows users only.
Verdict
I was glad to see great scores from independent test labs. Avira Internet Security got the maximum of 6 points in performance, protection, and usability testing by AV-Test in October 2021.
Additionally, tests completed by AV-Comparatives in September and October 2021 also show impressive results. According to the experts, it successfully blocks 99.2% of cyber threats and is rated as an advanced security tool in terms of its malware protection features and performance.
I would conclude that Avira antivirus is a great security solution that offers a decent price-quality ratio and has great test results.
Visit Avira to read more about the features
- Feature-rich free version
- Compatible with all major platforms
- Offers 30-day money-back guarantee
- Real-time protection
- Features to protect online browsing
- Includes VPN services
- Some features are only available on Windows
- Free version limits VPN usage
- Browser extension is needed to use all of its features
- Delayed response from the customer support
6. Trend Micro – simple and secure antivirus for online threat protection
| Max simultaneous connections: | 10 devices |
| Free version: | Yes (Android and iOS) |
| Platforms: | Windows, Linux, macOS, Chromebook, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get Trend Micro, now 54% OFF! |
Trend Micro uses AI technologies to scan for malware and potentially unwanted programs, as well as offer its clients real-time protection. One of the nicest parts about the security of Trend Micro is that it actually avoids flagging legitimate websites as suspicious, which is something we see often even among top antivirus suites.
Features and pricing plans
Prices of the paid tiers start at $19.95/year for the most basic plan. Antivirus+ Security is only available on Windows, and apart from malware scans, the plan offers PayGuard and Folder Shield features for safe shopping and document protection from ransomware.
Trend Micro Internet Security, only available for Windows, is $39.95/year and an added Fraud Buster feature, together with Parental Control. There’s also a PC Optimization Tool and Social Media Privacy Protection, making this a well-rounded plan for any Windows device.
Trend Micro antivirus for Mac, much like the basic tier for Windows, starts at $29.95/year and includes the aforementioned Fraud Buster and Parental controls features, as well as protection for social media. However, unlike the Internet Security tier for Windows, this plan allows only for one device at a time.
Trend Micro Maximum Security for $49.95/year is available for all operating systems. It has the same features as the Internet Security plan, plus a password manager. Also, the number of protected devices increases to 5 at the same time, which is perfect for a group of people.
The best plan in the package, Trend Micro Premium Security suite, costs $59.95/year and allows for protection of up to 10 devices, as well includes a VPN for safe browsing, Dark Web monitoring for personal data protection, as well as full remote diagnosis and repair tools.
Verdict
All in all, Trend Micro is a solid antivirus service. It does well just about everywhere, but the malware detection rate is just above the average – and below the top options. On top of that, this antivirus provider doesn’t support simultaneous scans. Good thing that the scanning process itself is relatively quick.
Visit TrendMicro to read more about the features
- Strong protection against online threats
- Real-time protection
- 30-day free trial
- Great desktop app
- Up to 10 devices with Premium plans
- No Windows webcam protection
- Limited licensing options
- No built-in firewall
7. ESET NOD32 – the best lightweight antivirus software
| Max simultaneous connections: | 10 devices |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get ESET, save up to 33%! |
If you aren't phased that NOD32’s product mascot is basically the Judgment Day Terminator, you’ll find a great antivirus in this leading Slovak cybersecurity product. Not only does it include robust anti-malware protection, but it’s also supported on a wide array of devices. It’s also not a memory hog and will run smoothly on weaker machines.
Features and pricing plans
ESET NOD32 is able to achieve a lot of things because their antivirus is genuinely cloud-based. It offloads most of the heavy processing to their servers. This means much less work for your device and better performance.
There's also a Gaming mode, which suspends all scans and notifications, so you can be focused on the more important things, while your antivirus doesn't get in the way.
If you're worrying that basic NOD32 protection might not be enough, you can opt for ESET Internet Security. You'll get a slight price bump, plus protection against harmful Java script, webcam protection, network monitoring, and more. For those who want to go all-in, there's an option to pick ESET Smart Security Premium. It will add ransomware protection, a password manager, and encryption for personal files.
Verdict
ESET aims to be a lightweight solution for your devices. It's perfect for those who need a quick scan once in a while to make sure their devices are clean. Not all antiviruses need an elaborate list of features. However, if you want to go that route, no one's stopping you. By climbing up to higher pricing tiers, you can get a lot out of ESET antivirus products, including support for macOS, and iOS devices, and additional cybersecurity tools.
Visit ESET to read more about the features
- Cloud-based
- Doesn’t require a lot of system resources
- Great malware labs test scores
- Remote device control option
- File encryption against ransomware
- Rather expensive
- Only manual updates
- Lacks additional features
- Customer support is hit or miss
8. Malwarebytes – simple and intuitive antivirus platform
| Max simultaneous connections: | 5 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, ChromeOS |
| Current deal: | Get Malwarebytes, now 25% OFF! |
Malwarebytes performs really well in independent lab testing, especially when it comes to detecting malware – be it a zero-day old recent threat, or one that’s been around for more than 4 weeks or more.
Features and pricing plans
Malwarebytes doesn’t have as many pricing plans as other antivirus providers. While there is a free version, it offers only basic scanning for viruses: so it might be best to look into paid plans if you want some additional features.
The Premium plan costs $29.99/year, a good price, considering the number of additional features that are included. With this plan, you’ll get real-time malware protection, ransomware prevention feature and exploit protection. All in all, your device will be protected from all sides. However, if you wish to use more than 1 device on the account, you'll need to pay a little bit extra.
The slightly more expensive Premium + Privacy plan is available for $59.98/year. In addition to full scans and ransomware and exploit protection, this plan also includes something for your privacy – a VPN. Not only will your devices be protected from viruses, but also incoming and outgoing internet traffic and other data.
Verdict
Malwarebytes is a decent antivirus. We wish that the options to use it on multiple devices were a bit more lenient, and there are some missing premium features like anti-theft, device cleaning tools, as well as performance optimization features. Nevertheless, if you’re after a simple antivirus that offers excellent basic protection for your main device, Malwarebytes is a great choice to go for.
Visit Malwarebytes to read more about the features
- Excellent virus detection rates
- Great user interface
- Minimal CPU usage
- Browser security extension
- Plan with a VPN available
- No live chat support
- Adding extra devices costs more
- Lacks certain premium features
9. AVG Antivirus – reliable protection from a well-known company
| Max simultaneous connections: | 10 devices |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get up to 50% OFF AVG! |
AVG is one of the biggest online security companies in the world. Its antivirus product is a super popular solution, with excellent malware and ransomware protection features, as well as handy anti-theft features – everything to keep your devices safe.
Features and pricing plans
Premium AVG plans cost $59.99 for the first year. It’s an all-around security package, offering advanced scans for all the main types of online threats: including viruses, spyware, ransomware, Trojans, toolkits, and more.
But of course, prevention is the best medicine. AVG offers a solid Enhanced Firewall feature, a dedicated VPN for secure browsing, as well as AI-based phishing threat detection. The AI tools use machine learning to scan and locate the possible threats before they get a chance to harm you. Plus, advanced webcam protection will give you peace of mind, so even the most security-conscious users can go through video calls (and save a fortune on sticky tape!).
One of the most unique features AVG can offer comes in a form of an anti-theft phone tracker, allowing you access your phone from a distance, lock it, locate it, and even take a sneaky picture of the wannabe owner.
Verdict
AVG offers a very exciting array of various security features, some of them going above and beyond what regular antivirus should do. However, it is a premium option, and if you're not looking to use all of the features to their full extent, AVG might look a bit expensive. But if you're looking for a premium antivirus including everything – including the kitchen sink – AVG is a great way to go.
Visit AVG to read more about the features
- Massive list of features
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Security tested by third-parties
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Pretty expensive
- Basic antivirus protection is shaky at times
- Knowledgebase could be more helpful
- Expensive premium customer support
10. Surfshark AV – decent everyday antivirus program
| Max simultaneous connections: | Unlimited devices |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, Android |
| Current deal: | Get up to 86% OFF Surfshark Antivirus! |
Compared to other best antivirus programs on this list, Surfshark AV is freshly baked security software. Coming out as a member of an incredibly strong cybersecurity company, it is here to offer you extraordinary all-around protection.
Features and pricing plans
As this program is a part of the Surfshark One bundle, it alone carries a seemingly small suite of features. That being said, your device will be constantly monitored with the real-time protection feature. Additionally, you will find device scanning with options to do quick, full, and file/folder scans, and you can even schedule the time of the scans. Therefore, your device will be secured from malware, trojans, adware, and more.
Nevertheless, the whole Surfshark One bundle will provide you with an incredibly strong next-gen VPN that uses military-grade encryption, RAM-only servers that ensure the highest level of privacy, the WireGuard tunneling protocol for a fast and secure connection, and even more.
One more essential cybersecurity feature that Surfshark offers is data breach monitoring or, in other words, Surfshark Alert. It’s here for scanning the web to find out whether any of your data got leaked. And the data it monitors includes email, credit cards, and IDs. If it happens that a breach has occurred, you’ll receive an alert informing you about it so you could instantly take care of the situation.
Moving further, you get to swap your casual search engine option to Surfshark’s secure search engine where everything stays strictly private. Meaning, no search history nor activity logs will be collected. And only organic results are provided.
Surfshark is widely-known not only for its abilities but also for amazing pricing and unlimited simultaneous connections. The Surfshark One bundle is the only bundle available and is just as cheap as we would dream for it to be – for a yearly subscription you would pay only $1.99 per month.
Verdict
Even though Surfshark antivirus is only available on Windows and Android devices for now, it’s clearly going to have a bright future. Overall, it’s a set of comprehensive cybersecurity tools that radically improve your online security.
Visit Surfshark to learn more about the features.
- Cheap
- User-friendly
- Top-notch VPN included
- Privacy-oriented
- Real-time protection
- Customizable scans
- No real-time protection for Windows
- No apps for macOS/iOS
- No firewall
How we curated our best antivirus software list
Picking the best antivirus solutions isn’t easy. First of all, we had to weed out all the software that doesn’t meet our security standards, i.e. the programs that aren’t good at detecting malware (which is their primary job) or the apps that are just simply too buggy.
| Providers tested: | 19 |
| Operating systems used: | Windows, macOS, Android |
| Minimum virus detection rate: | >95% |
| Features tested: | Real-time protection, spam filters, firewall, parental controls, bonus features |
Then, we paid attention to the selection of features. Naturally, most antivirus software offers a similar set of features, such as real-time scanning or defense against ransomware.
For most users, solid basics can be enough, and they don’t have any reason to pay more for something they don’t want. On the other hand, unique features are what make an antivirus solution stand out from the others.
Here are the criteria that we used to determine the best antivirus programs in 2022:
- Independent antivirus testing. Does the company even invest in such testing? What are the results? We take a look at results from AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, AV-Comparatives, and others.
- In-house antivirus testing. This one is mostly for spyware, adware, and other types of malware. It’s one thing to launch an antivirus that scores highly and another to retain the position throughout the year.
- What is its record with false positives? New malware examples come out each day, and even the best antivirus software can’t catch it all 100% of the time. But how does one solve the problem of false positives? I look at which antivirus solutions don’t overreact and let you browse freely.
- Bonus features. I check which antiviruses offer firewalls, spam filters, secure browsers, and other extras. Then I compare the number of features you get and the asking price.
- Supported devices. If you’ve found the best antivirus for Windows 11, that doesn’t mean it will work on your iPhone.
- Performance. If you don’t have the latest hardware, an antivirus scan can hamper your device’s performance.
- Ease of use. No matter how sophisticated the best antivirus software is, any user should be able to scan their device.
- Reputation. It’s hard to stay clean, but only clean antiviruses can reach the top. And that’s why you won’t see AVG or Avast at the top of our list.
- Price. You shouldn’t be trying to save on protecting your devices. On the other hand, there’s no reason to choose overpriced antivirus software. In any case, the majority of best antivirus software developers offer different packages for individuals, families, and businesses.
- Customer support. Is there 24/7 support? If so, is that via email or a live chat? These are important questions that say a lot about your provider’s outlook on its clients.
Best antivirus software compared
| Bitdefender | Norton 360 | TotalAV | McAfee | Avira | Trend Micro | ESET NOD32 | Malwarebytes | AVG | |
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| Free version | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (Android, iOS) | Yes | Yes (Android and iOS) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price | from $23.99/year | from $19.99/year | from $19.00/year | from $39.99/year | from $30.96/year | from $19.95/year | from $49.99/year | from $29.99/year | from $59.99/year |
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| Customer support | FAQs, guides, phone, email, live chat | Guides, FAQs, live chat, phone | Phone, email, ticket | Guides, FAQs, live chat | Phone, email, guides, FAQs | Phone, email, social media | Phone, email, guides, FAQs | Guides, FAQs, email forms | FAQs, guides, phone, live chat |
| Device support | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, Linux, Mac, Android | Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
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| Review | Bitdefender review | Norton 360 review | TotalAV review | McAfee review | Avira review | Trend Micro review | ESET NOD32 review | Malwarebytes review | AVG review |
Video review: Best antivirus software of 2022
Do I need antivirus at all?
Whether you need an antivirus at all depends on your level of IT skills and online browsing habits. It’s relatively hard for us to give a straightforward yes or no answer.
However, there are a few simple questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if you need an antivirus.
- Do you often end up on suspicious websites? Unreliable websites are the primary source of various cyber threats that can infect your devices. Premium antivirus tools can block malicious sites and intrusive ads to help you avoid malware.
- Do you shop online regularly? If you’re entering your credit card details nearly every day, it would be wise to use an antivirus that puts your transactions in an encrypted secure browser screen.
- Do your kids use your device? If you have family and kids, making sure they stay safe is even more important. With parental controls, such as webcam blocking, you can protect your children even while not at home. Chances are there are more than a few devices connected to your home wifi. An antivirus can protect all of them at once, saving the hassle of catering to each separately.
- Do you have multiple other security solutions as individual tools? If you use a password manager, a VPN service, or a secure email as separate products, you might benefit from a quality antivirus suite. Nowadays, they incorporate most of these cybersecurity tools, so it’s significantly easier to use them and ensure all-round security of your device.
If the majority of the answers are positive, we advise you to get a trustworthy antivirus product for your device. It doesn’t have to be a premium option, but at least a trustworthy one.
As the years go by, it’s less about viruses and malware but about cybersecurity in general. Keep in mind that great antivirus solutions are feature-rich and come cheaper than getting a file encryptor or a VPN separately.
Antivirus is not a cure-all remedy
Just like any other software, antiviruses are prone to vulnerabilities. They can also slow your device down or even collect data about you, especially when we’re talking about free versions. Besides, if you’re a Windows user, you already have a robust anti-malware tool in Defender. If you’re a Mac owner, there’s simply less malware and vulnerability points to lose your sleep on.
Finally, it’s all about your online habits – if you throw your credit card details all around the dark web and let your children play with your phone, you’re in the risk group. And compared to the possible damage of a ransomware attack or identity theft, those few bucks a month for the best antivirus software should be a no-brainer.
How to choose the best antivirus software?
Choosing the best antivirus software might seem challenging at first. There are so many options offering a variety of features. So, how to decide which one suits your needs?
Here are a few simple factors that you should consider before choosing an antivirus:
- Check security features. The best antivirus solutions should include high quality security features. You can pick one of our top 5 products which are listed above – they come in an all-in-one bundle. However, if you’re already using some kind of online protection (maybe it’s a VPN or a password manager), you can get other antivirus programs that are not so feature-rich.
- Seek for all-round protection. If you’re not the only one using a computer or a mobile device, you should consider getting an antivirus that would provide extra protection. Some providers have solid parental control features while others protect your whole home network and alert about possible dangers.
- Consider your budget. Not all antivirus programs offer the same bang-for-the-buck ratio. That’s why spending less (or more) can sometimes get you many more features.
- Try the software first. Keep in mind that you have to like the software because most companies sell 1-year or longer subscriptions. Thus, you should test it before purchasing. Luckily, the majority of products offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so testing before buying will save you both time and money.
Best antivirus based on your OS
The market for antivirus programs is wide and can be confusing. Also, each OS works best with specifically customized antivirus software. For example, the perfect antivirus for Windows might deliver disappointing results on your Android device. Therefore, we have tried many antimalware programs with different operating systems for the best security results.
The key points that we paid attention to have helped us to discern the AV programs. Independent organization lab scores, efficiency, available features, quality of customer support, and, of course, price – all of this can help you find out which tool offers the strongest protection.
After lots of testing, we have picked Norton 360 as the best AV option. It’s versatile, secure, and adapted for various operating systems. Yet, you can find our full lists of the best antivirus services for different OS down below:
- Antivirus for Windows. Many antivirus providers claim to offer all the most important features for security, as well as great protection scores. However, the programs may still lack development. Thus, we have done the testing for you and listed the top antivirus programs for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Antivirus for Mac. Many antivirus programs for Mac were ported from Windows AV programs. Therefore, most of them lack personalized features. The application ends up as incomplete and not as safe as the built-in security options. So, we have tested and picked the best antivirus fully customized for Mac.
- Antivirus for Chrome. It is said that Chromebooks are incredibly safe and immune to malware. Thus, many people skip fully securing their Chrome devices. The remained gap omits viruses and malware. Moreover, the AV for this OS must be compatible with Android, as Chrome OS and Android are basically the same. That’s why researched the most suitable antivirus programs for Chrome OS.
- Antivirus for Android. Even though Android devices have Google’s built-in security, they are not as protected as they should be. The built-in security may overlook malware and detect false positives. To secure your mobile even more, you can choose the best antivirus software for Android from our list.
- Antivirus for iOS. It’s a pity how most of the antivirus providers skip developing applications for iOS. This causes their apps to have low-quality security without real-time protection. So, we have chosen for you the best antivirus options specifically for iOS devices.
The best free antivirus software
Good antivirus software doesn’t have to cost much. Actually, it doesn’t have to cost anything at all. Four out of five antivirus solutions mentioned above have either good or great free versions.
However, you should be aware that there are many so-called antivirus programs that are less than reliable. Usually, you can encounter pop-up ads offering free security tools. Unfortunately, they often carry malicious programs inside their installers and are merely used to infiltrate malware.
Likewise, we highly advise you to avoid getting untested security programs which are advertised online. Instead, get antivirus solutions recommended and tested by the experts. We’ve picked the best free antivirus services for you to check out.
How does antivirus work?
There’s no unified description of what a virus is and what malware is. The word malware is an all-encompassing term for harmful software, such as viruses, Trojans, worms, and others.
In most cases, antivirus software scans your computer for possible malware and compares your files and programs to known viruses. It also checks possible variants of known malware types. Finally, the so-called heuristic scan tries to detect unknown malware by looking at the way your programs behave.
There are two types of scans that are usually available. The background scan provides real-time protection by actively checking the programs that are currently opened. In contrast, a full system scan checks every file on your hard drive. It’s recommended to run one after installing the antivirus and after the real-time scan finds an infection.
There’s always the chance of a false positive. It’s when your antivirus program thinks that it has found a virus while in fact, it’s a new but safe app that you’ve downloaded. Whitelisting can prevent future false positives.
FAQ
What is the best antivirus for Windows 10?
The best antivirus software for Windows 10 is Norton. It’s our top-rated piece of software that has excellent reviews from many cybersecurity experts. Norton offers excellent protection, and is easy to use.
Is it worth paying for antivirus software?
If you’re doing bank operations online and visit some less reputable sites from time to time, I’d strongly recommend getting a premium antivirus. While there are many reliable free options, it’s worth paying for antivirus software because of the sheer number of features. Those often include a VPN, a password manager, a file encryption tool, and a secure email, all-in-one.
What is the best antivirus for Mac?
The best antivirus choices for Mac are Bitdefender, McAfee, and ESET NOD32. All of them got top scores in various tests, and the latter two even offer exclusive customer support for Mac users. Here's our list of the best antivirus software for Mac.
Does antivirus software remove viruses?
Yes, an antivirus program can remove even existing viruses. Just run a full scan on your device and the program will notify you in case of malware. Then, you can either choose to delete the infected file or to remove the virus itself.