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Best for Families
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Slow scans compared to other options
Best for Features
Best for Bundling
People looking for alternatives to Avast will want to check out Bitdefender, Norton 360, and TotalAV. Bitdefender offers parental controls and other features that families will love. Norton 360 includes a range of features like identity theft protection, cloud storage, and more. TotalAV can be used solely as an antivirus or bundled with other TotalSecurity products like an ad blocker, password manager, and even a virtual private network (VPN).
If you’re wondering which product is best for you, look at our comparison below. You can dive deeper into each product with each of our in-depth reviews, where we test and rate each antivirus.
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| Star rating | ||||
| Starting price | $35.88/yr (first year only) | $29.99/yr (first year only) | $29.99/yr (first year only) | $29.00/yr (first year only) |
| Max number of protected devices | Up to 30 | Up to 10 | Up to unlimited | Up to 8 |
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual and real-time | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | ||||
| Firewall | ||||
| Phishing protection | ||||
| Ransomware protection | ||||
| VPN | ||||
| Parental controls | ||||
| 24/7 customer support | ||||
| Extras | Webcam protection, driver updater, tracker blocker, privacy assistant | Webcam protection, vulnerability scan, crypto-mining protection | Dark web monitoring, cloud backup, software updater | Password manager, ad blocker |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Amazon Fire, Safari |
| Learn more | Get Avast | Get Bitdefender | Get Norton 360 | Get TotalAV |
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics.
This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.
Third-party testing is essential to ensure software delivers on its promises. The testing looks for new and emerging threats as well as older and sneakier ones. The effectiveness of these tests measures how the antivirus protects you. We evaluate a product using AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs scores. We also perform our own EICAR testing.
EICAR provides sample downloads in three categories that mimic potentially harmful software to help you determine how effective your antivirus is at blocking:
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
Parents may not love letting their kids go online but can rest easier knowing Bitdefender includes parental controls to help keep kids safer. Additional features like a VPN can keep the whole family from getting hacked on shared Wi-Fi, and webcam protection means no one will spy on your children without their knowledge.
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Bitdefender antivirus always returns high third-party testing scores, proving it guards against computer viruses, Trojans, and malware. While Bitdefender has several reasonably priced plans, we also like that you can get this solid protection with its free tier. Parents will want to upgrade, though, to snag all the family-friendly features that make Bitdefender great for families.
Social media protection provides security on platforms that typically lack it. The file shredder ensures deleted documents are permanently deleted. Bitdefender VPN keeps everyone secure online, especially gamers. The safe online banking feature protects family finances.
Bitdefender for Mac doesn’t have as many features as Bitdefender for Windows but costs the same. We also wish it covered more simultaneous devices. Ten devices can quickly run out when a whole family is involved.
| Bitdefender | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.92% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender |
4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Norton 360 includes many features, such as a software updater and a privacy monitor, but it also protects you offline with identity theft protection. Anyone who wants a plan that does it all should check out what Norton has to offer.
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What we liked
Norton’s features include handy online tools like a VPN and cloud storage. It also offers a private browser, a privacy monitor, data backup, and more under one dashboard — and all of this with top-notch security scores.
We think Norton 360 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants additional security features like Norton LifeLock. The highest tier includes a bevy of information to navigate, but it’s located in one spot on your dashboard.
Norton can get very expensive. Its first-year prices are higher than those of its competitors, and renewal prices are even higher. It’s definitely not the budget option.
| Norton 360 | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 16.5/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.97% |
| SE Labs results | 99% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 |
Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
TotalAV is customizable. If you only want antivirus, you can do that. But TotalAV’s extras are robust, and you can bundle the ones you want. Pricing is competitive, and TotalAV has the protection scores to back up all its software.
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What we liked
TotalAV boasts impressive protection scores that are on par with competitors in higher price ranges. The app is easy to navigate, and it allows you to switch between products like the antivirus software and Total Adblock with ease.
If you do have malware or a virus, TotalAV will quarantine and label it, allowing you to really understand where the infection originated. Its plain language is excellent for anyone, and users report having positive experiences with TotalAV.
TotalAV covers up to only eight devices. Anyone needing to cover more might end up with a bigger monthly price tag than expected.
| TotalAV | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 17/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 17/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.94% |
| SE Labs results | 97% |
| EICAR score | 2/3 |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV |
The best free alternative to Avast is Bitdefender. Bitdefender returns high third-party testing scores and includes several features in its free tier. For those wanting a little more, Bitdefender’s paid tiers have useful features like parental controls.
In the past, Avast has been accused of selling user data. The FTC went to bat for consumers, though, and fined Avast over $16 million and banned it from selling or licensing user data. Many Avast customers lost faith in the product after the FTC investigation.
Remember that Reddit is full of unverified opinions by users across the internet. For example, many Reddit users suggest using an antivirus like Kaspersky. But Kaspersky has been banned by the U.S. government as well as several other world governments because of its ties with Russia, so we do not recommend Kaspersky as an alternative to Avast.
While there isn’t one “best” free antivirus software, Bitdefender is at the top of many lists as one of the best free antivirus products available. It has high protection scores, offers solid features, and can be upgraded for even more security.
Avast offers free antivirus, but it also offers paid tiers that you can upgrade to for a monthly fee. If Avast is charging you, you may be signed up for a paid subscription. You can always cancel and modify your subscription to get the free tier.
Bitdefender, Norton 360, and TotalAV are three of the best alternatives to Avast. Not only do you get a free option, like Bitdefender, to compare to Avast’s free offerings, but you also get three powerful, trusted antivirus programs. The best antivirus software provides options for all different types of situations.
Bitdefender works for families with parental controls and gaming security. Norton 360 includes a ton of features, like identity theft protection and cloud storage. Finally, TotalAV allows users to bundle its other great services, like an ad blocker, password manager, and a VPN.
No matter what you choose, antivirus protection is essential. Make sure you have a trusted service guarding you from all the malicious software lurking online.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
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$29.99/yr (first year only) | Best for families | Get Bitdefender |
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$29.99/yr (first year only) | Best for features | Get Norton 360 |
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$29.00/yr (first year only) | Best for bundling | Get TotalAV |
Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
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