The Best Antivirus Software for a Gaming PC 2026

Here are the best antivirus for your gaming PC, so you stay protected without sacrificing on performance.

Last updated May 22, 2025

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2026 Editors’ Choice

Best All-In-One Antivirus

5.0

Editorial Rating

On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Norton 360 Antivirus

PROMOTION: Save Up to 60%

Backed by a 100% Virus Protection Promise
Tested protection against hackers, viruses, malware, and ransomware
Includes VPN, parental controls, and more

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Unlimited Device Antivirus

4.9

Editorial Rating

On McAfee's website

McAfee

Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Extremely low performance impact on devices in third-party tests
Top plans include protection for unlimited devices, a very rare perk

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Value Antivirus

4.7

Editorial Rating

On Surfshark Antivirus's website

Surfshark Antivirus

PROMOTION: 75% OFF + up to 3 mo. EXTRA

Powerful app that offers 24/7 virus and malware protection without hogging your CPU or RAM
Full security suite including one of the best VPNs, a top ad blocker, Incogni data removal, and more
Includes webcam protection, fully customizable security, full or quick scans, and more

According to our testing, the best antivirus for your gaming PC is Norton 360, which even has a plan designed for gamers, including a VPN, game optimizer, and even parental controls.

If you want to make sure you don't get hit with lag at the worst time, McAfee has a robust history of being one of the most lightweight antivirus software available. And if you want to combo your antivirus with doxxing protection and more, Surfshark Antivirus is a very good option that comes bundled with one of the best gaming VPNs available.

We know it can be a lot to unpack, so let’s break down the best antivirus for gaming that won’t tank your FPS.

In this article

The best antivirus for a gaming PC
Norton 360: Best overall for gamers
McAfee: Best lightweight performance
Surfshark Antivirus: Best antivirus + VPN combo
FAQs
Bottom line

The best antivirus for PC gamers

Antivirus
Best for	Overall for gamers	Lightweight performance	Antivirus + VPN combo
Star rating	5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.9 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	$29.99/first yr	$39.99/first yr	$3.38/mo
Max number of protected devices	Unlimited	Unlimited	5
EICAR test results	3/3	3/3	2/3
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Performance optimization tools
24/7 customer support
Extras	Parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more	VPN, password manager, identity theft protection, data removal services	VPN, ad blocker, identity theft protection, data removal
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android
Learn more	Get Norton 360 Read Norton 360 Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review	Get Surfshark Antivirus Read Surfshark Antivirus Review

How we test and rate antivirus software

Our team has conducted hands-on testing on 30+ antivirus programs. Each product is tested by a dedicated reviewer on a rotating basis across Windows, macOS, and Android using a subscription purchased with our own money.

We evaluate each product across seven areas:

Test results (49%): We measure quick scan speed on a standardized test device, run our own in-house EICAR tests for malware detection, drive-by malware, and phishing protection, and average each product's most recent AV-TEST scores across Windows, macOS, and Android.
Editor's score (20%): We evaluate the product's ease of use, onboarding experience, and overall trustworthiness.
Core features (20%): We determine if the product includes real-time protection, manual and scheduled scans, ransomware protection, a firewall, network protection, webcam and microphone protection, and phishing protection.
Value (3%): We compare the lowest plan price, money-back guarantee length, and maximum device coverage against competitors at the same price point.
Compatibility (3%): We assess availability across desktop and mobile platforms.
Customer service (3%): We determine the quality of the methods available for direct support, including live chat, phone, and email.
Bonus features (2%): We check whether the product includes additional tools like tune-up services, a password manager, an ad blocker, identity monitoring, parental controls, and a VPN.

We retest all antivirus products at least once a year and update our reviews to reflect any changes. To learn more about how we test, read our full antivirus testing methodology here.

Norton 360: Best overall

#1 Antivirus Protection From an Award-Winning Brand You Trust

5.0

Editorial Rating

On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best All-In-One Antivirus

Antivirus Software

Norton 360 Antivirus

PROMOTION: Save Up to 60%

Backed by a 100% Virus Protection Promise
Tested protection against hackers, viruses, malware, and ransomware
Includes VPN, parental controls, and more

Who it’s best for

Norton 360is ideal for PC players who want premium antivirus protection without sacrificing in-game performance. It even comes with a plan designed for gamers (Norton 360 for Gamers) that comes packed with features you didn't even think to ask for, like a gamer optimizer, notification optimization, VPNs, and more.

Warning: Gamers should be aware of popular Steam gift card scams before they get caught up in one.

What we liked

One of our favorite parts about Norton 360 for Gamers is the Game Optimizer feature, which reallocates CPU resources to improve frame rates and reduce lag during gaming sessions. It also detects when you're in a full-screen game so it won't send you notifications that could break your focus.

On top of the gaming-specific features, you also get one of the top-rated antivirus tools, with extremely high test results, a wide-range of features, and more.

Some of those features include a secure no-logs VPN, dark web monitoring for gamer tags, and even webcam protection, making it one of the most comprehensive security solutions available for gamers.

What we didn’t like

We didn’t like that some of Norton’s best features, such as Game Optimizer, are only available on Windows.

It’s also one of the more expensive options on the market, especially if you don’t catch it on sale.

McAfee: Best for lightweight protection

Top-Tier Protection Without the Performance Impact

4.9

Editorial Rating

On McAfee's website

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Unlimited Device Antivirus

Antivirus Software

McAfee

Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Extremely low performance impact on devices in third-party tests
Top plans include protection for unlimited devices, a very rare perk

Who it’s best for

McAfee is the best option for people who care about having the smallest impact to their gaming PC's performance at all times. The antivirus has consistently blown performance tests out of the water, consistently coming up at the top of the pack for the least system impact.

What we liked

Right off the bat, we liked how quickly McAfee’s full scan searched through files. The firewall makes online browsing safer, and the real-time scanning in the background makes us feel more secure. There were no noticeable performance issues when we tested the software, and if you're a gamer, you’ll love that.

Plus, you can use the WebAdvisor feature to block suspicious websites or ones you don’t want to chance. The interface is easy to use and simplistic — we like that you can see the green notification with the checkmark to let you know all is well.

What we didn’t like

One of the only sticking points we had with this software was that the identity features were a bit shaky when we tested them on our MacBook. To remedy this, we contacted customer support and were instructed to open a different web browser, which worked. It was still a nagging issue, though.

The other issue we had was that McAfee didn’t have any third-party test results for macOS. It did have results for Android and Windows, and both of these were reported in the first quarter of 2023. We know antivirus companies must pay for testing, but we aren’t sure why macOS was the one left out. It doesn’t mean there are any security problems when using the antivirus with macOS, but we’d like to see for ourselves.

Surfshark Antivirus: Best for a VPN + gaming combo

Stay on Top of New Threats With 8x Daily Database Updates

4.7

Editorial Rating

On Surfshark Antivirus's website

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Value Antivirus

Antivirus Software

Surfshark Antivirus

PROMOTION: 75% OFF + up to 3 mo. EXTRA

Powerful app that offers 24/7 virus and malware protection without hogging your CPU or RAM
Full security suite including one of the best VPNs, a top ad blocker, Incogni data removal, and more
Includes webcam protection, fully customizable security, full or quick scans, and more

Who it’s best for

Surfshark Antivirus, which comes bundled with Surfshark One and One+, is best for gamers who want both antivirus and privacy tools in one affordable subscription. You'll get a full suite of features that covers you on all digital fronts — ad blocker, VPN, masked email generator, data leak alerts, private search engine, and more.

What we liked

We liked that Surfshark One combines antivirus protection with a highly rated VPN, giving gamers comprehensive protection from malware, hackers, and online trackers.

It also includes webcam protection, identity breach alerts, and supports unlimited devices, which is perfect for players using multiple platforms.

Surfshark Antivirus in the process of a full scan

What we didn’t like

The main downside is that this antivirus doesn't have as many features as established brands like McAfee and Norton have, most notably a firewall, ransomware protection, and more.

FAQs

What’s the best antivirus for gamers?

Based on our testing, Norton 360 is the best antivirus for gamers thanks to a reliable combination of good performance plus sheer amount of features. The Norton 360 for Gamers plan will keep you protected on every front.

Do gamers need antivirus?

Gamers can come in contact with malware threats that cause system performance issues, device crashes, and other more worrisome problems. This means they need an antivirus suite as much as anyone else.

Does antivirus affect gaming performance?

While we can’t speak for every situation, the antivirus products we’ve tested in this article did not cause issues with system resources — even with numerous websites and apps running,

However, some antivirus solutions are known to cause FPS drops or inhibit your PCs performance, making it difficult to game while they’re running. This is why it’s important to either try an antivirus out before you commit or check third-party test results to analyze system performance.

How does antivirus protect against DDoS attacks?

A distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is geared at getting you to give hackers remote access to your machine. Antivirus can help identify these threats before they become an issue, as can a good gaming VPN.

Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for PC gamers

We recommend Norton 360, McAfee, and Surfshark Antivirus as the best antivirus for gamers.

Norton 360 has a fully-featured plan designed specifically for gamers, including a game optimization tool.

McAfee has some of the best performance test results in history, making it one of the best options if you want a lightweight antivirus with top-of-the-line protection.

Finally, Surfshark Antivirus offers an incredibly security combo by combining a good antivirus with one of the best VPNs on the market.

3 best gaming antivirus programs

Starting price	Best for	Learn more
$29.99/first yr	Best overall	Get Norton 360 Read Norton 360 Review
$39.99/first yr	Best for lightweight protection	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review
Free or $3.38/mo	Best for VPN combo	Get Surfshark Antivirus Read Surfshark Antivirus Review

Effective Defense Against the Toughest Threats

4.8

Editorial Rating

On Bitdefender's website

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Antivirus for Scam Protection

Antivirus Software

Bitdefender

PROMOTION: Save 50%

Top-rated antivirus that regularly earns top scores on AV-TEST across Windows, macOS, and Android
Passed every malware, drive-by download, and phishing detection test we ran, blocking threats instantly
Blocks and reverses ransomware attacks on Windows, restoring your files automatically

Author Details

Patti Croft

About the Author

Patti Croft holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. from Troy University and spent years working as a technical analyst and security specialist before moving into technology writing. She brings that enterprise security background to more than 180 articles at All About Cookies, with particular depth in antivirus software, where she has authored more than 80 reviews, comparisons, and guides covering antivirus, ad blockers, password managers, and data security.