Best Adware Removal Tools 2024

While there are several top adware removal tools to choose from in 2024, we chose Norton Antivirus as our best pick. It provides comprehensive protection against all types of malware threats and computer viruses, including those targeting Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones, and Android devices. 

Bitdefender is another powerful antivirus solution with excellent adware removal capabilities. It has an intuitive user interface that allows you to configure settings for your scanning needs easily. Our third pick, Avira, has extra optimization features to improve storage and battery life. It also has a reliable free plan that's worth looking into for budget-conscious consumers. 

Keep reading to see which tool works best for you.

The best adware removal tools 2024

With malicious programs becoming more prevalent and sophisticated, it’s essential that you have access to the best tools available to protect your devices from unwanted intrusions. Here are some of the most effective adware removal solutions currently on the market:

• Norton Antivirus: Best for 100% removal of adware
• Bitdefender: Best for extra features for PC users
• Avira Antivirus: Best premium option

Top 3 adware removal tools compared

Adware removal tool	Norton Antivirus Best Overall	Bitdefender	Avira Antivirus
Starting price	Starts at $29.99/first yr	Free or $29.99/yr (first year only)	Free or Free
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Extras	Webcam protection, network protection, parental controls, dark web monitoring, password manager, VPN	File shredder, vulnerability assessment, webcam and microphone protection, parental controls, network protection	Password manager, VPN, system speedup tool, safe shopping browser extension
Learn more	Get Norton Antivirus	Get Bitdefender	Get Avira Antivirus

Norton Antivirus: Best for 100% removal of adware

Who it’s best for

Norton Antivirus is ideal for those who want the full suite of cybersecurity features. The powerful antivirus program offers robust protection against malware and viruses, along with added benefits such as identity theft protection, a secure VPN, parental controls, and more. In addition, Norton’s highly-rated tech support team can be relied on to help if you have any issues or questions.

For those looking for comprehensive security on multiple devices at an affordable price, Norton Antivirus fits the bill perfectly. It offers an unbeatable combination of features, including real-time protection and automatic scans, which will help keep your device safe from any new threats. 

All in all, Norton Antivirus is an excellent choice for those looking for comprehensive cyberprotection with great features at an affordable price.

What we liked

Norton Antivirus is a comprehensive malware removal tool that provides users with great protection against all forms of malicious software. Boasting “industry-leading" technology, Norton Antivirus protects you by using a wide range of features that make it an ideal choice for protecting your data and devices from viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other cyber threats.

The suite includes its Secure VPN feature, which encrypts your browsing sessions and hides your IP address. This ensures that you have complete privacy as you surf the web or engage in any kind of online activity. Additionally, Norton Antivirus comes with parental control options, which enable parents to monitor their children's online activities if desired.

If you use Windows, Norton Antivirus offers a comprehensive set of features including the free Power Eraser tool, which removes malware from your device. It also includes phishing protection that is designed to protect you from identity theft or other malicious activities.

What we didn’t like

Norton Antivirus is one of the most popular antivirus solutions available, but it’s not without its flaws. While Norton offers comprehensive protection from malware, there are certain features and functions that may leave users wanting more.

The Power Eraser tool is a malware removal tool included in Norton’s software; however, it’s only compatible with machines running Windows OS. This limits its usefulness to some users who use different operating systems.

The interface of Norton Antivirus can be overly complex for novice users. The multi-tab navigation may be difficult to understand at first, making it hard to find certain settings or features without help from an expert user. Furthermore, Norton doesn’t offer any free antivirus protection — only a free trial, so you’ll have to pay for a subscription in order to access its services fully. The cost of these subscriptions can vary depending on the package you select.

Overall, Norton Antivirus offers robust malware protection; however, there are certain features that could use improvement and certain aspects of the user experience that may leave users feeling disappointed.

Norton Antivirus specs

Starting price	$29.99/first yr
Free version	No
Firewall	Yes
Phishing protection	Yes
Ransomware protection	Yes
Webcam protection	Yes
Network protection	Yes
Parental controls	Yes
Extras	Password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, identity theft protection, cloud storage
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Chrome, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox
Learn more	Read our Norton Antivirus review

Bitdefender: Best for extra features for PC users

Who it’s best for

Bitdefender is ideal for Windows and Android users who are looking for reliable, comprehensive antivirus protection. With its advanced malware detection and removal capabilities, this tool can help safeguard your device from any malicious attacks.

The product comes packed with features designed to provide maximum security against the latest threats, including firewall protection, web filtering, system optimization tools, parental control options, anti-spam settings, and more. It also offers a simple interface so you can easily switch between different settings in order to customize your level of protection.

For those who are budget conscious, the basic plan offers good value for money. You can take advantage of the basic security features without paying any additional fees. For those looking for more extensive protection, there’s the more expensive package, which comes with extra layers of protection and features such as ransomware protection and a dedicated VPN service.

What we liked

We chose Bitdefender for its comprehensive range of security tools, offering some of the best protection and performance on the market. It offers an antivirus and malware scan that automatically examines running processes to detect and remove any malicious code. It also does full system scans that quickly identify threats before they can cause harm. Rescue Environment for Windows provides a secure environment in which to clean your PC from viruses or other infections without risking further damage to your data.

In addition to virus removal, Bitdefender also ensures maximum safety by providing phishing and social network protection, a firewall against malicious actions, and real-time protection against emerging threats. Its advanced threat prevention technologies detect ransomware attacks in real time and block access to malicious websites.

Finally, these features are powered by the Bitdefender Advanced Threat Intelligence, which provides up-to-date threat intelligence and a secure connection to the cloud for keeping all of your devices safe.

Overall, with its array of features, Bitdefender provides comprehensive protection against various threats while remaining light on system resources. It has some of the most reliable virus removal capabilities on the market today and is sure to keep your data secure.

What we didn’t like

Bitdefender is a comprehensive anti-malware tool that provides commendable protection against all sorts of threats but it has some drawbacks with its Apple devices. There are a number of features, such as the Advanced Threat Defense settings and Rescue Environment, that are exclusive to Windows users. The privacy firewall feature is also exclusive to Windows products, so it could not be tested either.

In addition, you have to pay extra fees for access to premium add-ons like Parental Control and Multi-Device Protection subscriptions, unlike many other antivirus software that have these features included in the basic package. We also found that the scan time was longer than expected, with scans taking up to 37 minutes in our tests. This could be more clearly stated on the website so customers can make an informed decision.

So while Bitdefender is a great anti-malware tool that provides impressive protection against threats, it falls short when it comes to Apple devices and can be expensive due to additional fees for premium features.

Bitdefender specs

Starting price	$29.99/yr (first year only)
Free version	Yes
Firewall	Yes
Phishing protection	Yes
Ransomware protection	Yes
Webcam protection	Yes
Network protection	Yes
Parental controls	Yes
Extras	File shredder, vulnerability assessment, microphone, and webcam protection
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Learn more	Read our Bitdefender review

Avira Antivirus: Best premium option

Who it’s best for

Avira Antivirus is ideal for people who want more from a traditional antivirus product and don't mind spending extra for it. This Premium Security Suite offers extensive protection against malware, adware, ransomware, viruses, and other cyberthreats so you can browse the web with confidence. It provides comprehensive real-time protection and scanning capabilities to detect any malicious activity on your device. Additional features include premium customer support, an ad blocker, and a password manager.

All these features make Avira Antivirus one of the best antivirus programs on the market today. With its advanced security technology, it's perfect for those who need additional protection and don't mind paying for it.

What we liked

Avira Antivirus is a great choice for adware removal due to its advanced features and user-friendly interface. It has an intuitive registry cleaner, which allows you to quickly identify any potential malicious entries in your Windows operating system and remove them with ease.

Additionally, it comes with a powerful password manager that helps store your passwords securely and keeps them encrypted. This ensures your passwords are kept safe from adware or other threats. The program also includes a firewall designed specifically for Windows systems as an added layer of protection against malware and viruses.

Apart from its adware removal capabilities, Avira Antivirus is packed with several other notable features such as phishing protection, real-time updates on virus outbreaks, and more. It also comes with a VPN, allowing users to securely and anonymously browse the web while still keeping their data protected from hackers and malicious actors. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive malware removal and protection solution that offers multiple layers of security.

Overall, Avira Antivirus is a great choice for adware removal due to its advanced features and user-friendly interface. With its intuitive registry cleaner, powerful password manager, firewall for Windows systems, and additional features like phishing protection and a VPN, this program provides you with all the tools you need to protect your devices from adware or other threats.

What we didn’t like

There are some drawbacks to consider with Avira. The biggest one is the lack of a firewall for Mac users. The Windows version of Avira has a powerful firewall but unfortunately, that’s not an option on Mac systems. There is also no alternative available from Avira, so if you need a firewall solution on your Mac, then this product may not be the best choice.

The price point of Avira can also make it difficult to justify compared with other products on the market. It does offer a variety of features and protection levels, but it's more expensive than most competitor products.

Avira Antivirus specs

Starting price	Free
Free version	Yes
Firewall	Yes (on Windows)
Phishing protection	Yes
Ransomware protection	Yes
Webcam protection	No
Network protection	Yes
Parental controls	No
Extras	System speedup tool, software updater, VPN
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Learn more	Read our Avira Antivirus review

Honorable mentions

Despite their popularity, Kaspersky Antivirus and Intego did not make our list of the top three adware removal tools. While Kaspersky provides comprehensive protection against malware, spyware, adware, viruses, and ransomware, its data-sharing practices are often unclear. In addition, it has fewer features available on macOS and iOS platforms.

Intego's pricing system can also be rather complicated due to its multiple tiers of packages that come with different levels of protection and features. Furthermore, its prices can tend to be a bit higher than other products in the market, and there is no mobile app available.

Kaspersky

Kaspersky, while offering a great adware removal tool for Windows devices, didn't make the cut due to several key issues.

First, Kaspersky's browser extension comes with an alarming security notice. Since Kaspersky was created by a Russian national and has headquarters in Moscow, it’s easy to see why many privacy-minded individuals may want to stay away from this particular program.

Troubleshooting with Kaspersky is also notoriously difficult to do alone. It takes a lot of technical know-how to be able to troubleshoot any issues that may arise when attempting to use the browser extension or the program itself.

Although it offers a great tool for Windows users, its data-sharing practices, lack of features on Apple devices, and difficult troubleshooting left us with no choice but to leave them off the list.

Intego

Intego didn’t make the cut for our top adware removal tools due to several factors. First, its custom firewall, NetBarrier, is effective in blocking malicious traffic and keeping users safe online but it can be overly intrusive and annoying in its notifications. Every time a user opens a new app, they are presented with an alert asking if they want to allow that app to connect to the internet — this quickly becomes tiresome and interrupts workflow.

Furthermore, Intego doesn’t offer enough features for the cost; its Windows app is relatively basic compared with other services on the market. The Mac installation is spread across six mini-applications, all of which increase the complexity and can become annoying for users.

Ultimately, Intego simply didn’t offer enough features in comparison with the other services we evaluated, nor did it provide good enough value for money to make our list.

FAQs

Bottom line: The best adware removal tools

When it comes to adware removal tools, there are three that stand out as the best options. Norton Antivirus is known for its ability to detect and remove 100% of adware threats with minimal effort. In addition, it offers a wide range of features designed to protect your PC against all types of malware.

Bitdefender is also an excellent choice, offering users additional features such as real-time scanning, firewall protection, and parental control options. Finally, Avira Antivirus is a great premium option that provides comprehensive protection against adware and other forms of malware. It has been praised for its user-friendly interface and easy setup process.

While there were other contenders in the market — such as Kaspersky and Intego — the three listed above are regarded as the best adware removal tools available. With their combined features, these programs can help protect your PC from unwanted software and keep you safe online.

3 best adware removal tools 2024

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
Norton Antivirus	$29.99/first yr	Best for 100% removal of adware	Get Norton Antivirus Read Norton Antivirus review
Bitdefender	$29.99/yr (first year only)	Best for extra features for PC users	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender review
Avira Antivirus	Free	Best premium option	Get Avira Antivirus Read Avira Antivirus review

How we tested the best adware removal tools

To determine which adware removal tool is truly the best, we conducted a thorough evaluation process.

• Features: First, we looked at each tool’s features. This included the type of threat detection it offered, how quickly it could remove threats from your system, and any extras such as real-time protection or browser extensions. We also checked to see if the software could detect hidden malware that other tools may not have been able to find.
• User reviews: Next, we read through user reviews for each product on various sites like CNET and Amazon. This gave us an insight into how satisfied customers were with the product and if they encountered any issues while using it.
• Real-life scenario tests: Finally, we ran tests on each tool using real-life scenarios. We monitored how well each tool performed in detecting threats (if any) and removing them from our system.

At the end of our testing process, we had a better idea of which adware removal tools are truly worth investing in. Our comprehensive evaluation process gave us an accurate picture of which products offer maximum protection against malicious software and other threats.