Antivirus software has come a long way over the past few decades as people’s lives move further online and as malware grows more complex. The best antivirus software combines malware protection, secure browsing and monitored downloads to stop suspicious behavior and malicious acts.
Finding good antivirus software is especially important for people using Windows operating systems such as Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows devices make up three out of every four laptop or desktop operating systems, according to February data from Statcounter, which paints a bigger target on those devices. Windows-targeted malware has a larger base of devices to infect, giving it more potential in the eyes of cybercriminals.
But don’t worry — we’re here to help you find the antivirus software that best fits your needs. These picks of the best antivirus programs are a combination of recommendations from independent third-party labs AV-Test, AV-Comparatives and SE Labs, as well as CNET’s own hands-on testing. We regularly research and test software to determine which product leads the pack, and we update this list periodically based on those tests.
Note that antivirus software is only a piece of the cybersecurity puzzle. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and the more steps you take to lock down your online security, the safer you’ll be. A secure virtual private network can help protect your internet privacy, and a password manager will help you create and keep track of more secure login credentials. These tools are all essential in protecting your personal information.
Our recommendations
Whether you’re looking for free antivirus protection or willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers more security features, we have you covered. Here’s where to start when looking for the best antivirus software for your specific needs.
Microsoft Defender
Best free Windows antivirus
Free version? Yes, free antivirus built into Windows 10.
Paid version: Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is available to corporate users for a fee.
Honestly, if you practice safe computing — you keep your software up to date, you use strong passwords (with the help of a password manager), you steer clear of unexpected emails and you don’t click suspicious links that may be phishing attempts — you probably can avoid zero-day attacks and ransomware attacks. And with the free Microsoft Defender Antivirus software running on Windows 10, you have a malware protection safety net if you do let your guard down. In fact, it is one of the best antivirus software options. (Note that Microsoft changed the name of Windows Defender to Microsoft Defender and has expanded the service to other platforms.) This free antivirus program is built into Windows, and it’s turned on by default, the antivirus engine does its thing, and this antivirus solution will cover the basics of internet security. Microsoft pushes new updates frequently. Defender also lets you tune the level of protection you want, giving you control over blocking potentially unwanted apps and protecting folders and files from a ransomware attack.
Note that Windows 10 will automatically disable its own Windows Defender antivirus when you install third-party antivirus. If you uninstall the third-party protection, Windows 10 will turn back on its own antivirus.
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select
Best antivirus subscription for Windows
Platforms: Windows 10 plus MacOS, Android, iOS.
Free version? No, but a free 30-day trial is available.
Cost: $150 per year for five devices (first year).
For a long time, Norton Security — now called NortonLifeLock, and no longer part of Symantec — has earned high marks from AV-Test, AV Comparatives and SE Labs for virus and malware detection. Norton antivirus provides industry-leading security software for PC, Mac and mobile devices. Their products include Antivirus Plus, Norton Secure VPN, Norton 360 for Gamers, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select and more. A five-device subscription for Norton 360 with LifeLock Select is normally $150 per year. In addition to malware and virus protection for your computer and mobile device, this antivirus suite provides 100GB of backup to the cloud, safe-browsing tools, a secure VPN, password manager, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection and fraud alert. While not all of those services are necessarily best in their respective class, getting them all in one package is a compelling option.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
Best free antivirus alternative for Windows
Platforms: Windows 10 plus MacOS, Android, iOS.
Free version? Yes.
Paid version: $40 per year for five PCs.
If you’d like to take a step up in securing your PC without taxing your wallet, it’s hard to beat Bitdefender’s free antivirus software for Windows 10. The Windows security software offers real-time monitoring for viruses, malware, spyware and ransomware protection. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is easy to set up and stays out of your way until you need it. And the protection this antivirus product offers is solid. Bitdefender antivirus software consistently earns top marks for its antivirus protection and usability from the respected AV-Test independent testing lab. The free antivirus version covers one Windows PC. For broader protection, you can choose Bitdefender Total Security or Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. The subscription antivirus suite lets you protect five devices (Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android), set up parental controls on a kid’s computer and run a VPN.
Malwarebytes
Best on-demand Windows malware removal
Platforms: Windows 10 plus MacOS, Android.
Free version? Yes, after the 14-day trial expires.
Paid version: $30 per year for one device, $60 for two years for one device.
Malwarebytes does protect your PC from a virus or malware attack, scoring reasonably well in recent independent testing for guarding against malware threats. But that’s not really what Malwarebytes is known for. If you find yourself in trouble, the go-to disinfectant for many is Malwarebytes. You can get protection and disinfection for one device for $30 a year, regularly $40. To cover five devices — any combination of Windows, MacOS and Android — it’s $80 for a year of antivirus software. To get the antivirus company’s free antivirus version, download this trial version, which “downgrades” to a no-fee on-demand cleaner with fewer features that detects and removes viruses and malware when you run an on-demand antivirus scan after 14 days.
Also worth considering
In addition to the four antivirus apps we recommend above, a handful of other anti-malware tools are worth considering among the best antivirus protection if you find them at a better price or just prefer to use one over our picks above.
McAfee Total Protection
Solid subscription antivirus alternative
Platforms: Windows 10 plus MacOS, Android, iOS.
Free version? No, but a 30-day free trial is available.
Cost: One-year subscription: $85 for a single device, $50 for five devices and $55 for 10 devices. Two-year subscription: $50 for five or 10 devices.
It feels like McAfee Antivirus has been around forever, first on its own in the ’80s, then as part of Intel starting in 2010, and then again on its own when Intel spun it off in 2017. And McAfee Total Protection has been around forever because quarter after quarter it creates solid, modern antivirus software that protects your PC. (In recent evaluations by AV-Test, it had high scores on both protection and performance.) McAfee Total Protection guards five devices against viruses and offers ransomware protection, wards off malicious websites and includes a password manager for $35 (usually $100) for the first year. If you agree to auto-renew your antivirus suite subscription, you get access to McAfee ID Theft Protection Essentials, which monitors for ID fraud.
Read more:Best Antivirus Software for 2022