Best Antivirus for Windows 10 in 2026

The best antivirus software for Windows 10 is Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton. These programs protect you against viruses and malware, but they have different features and functionalities. Bitdefender provides affordable and proven protection, Norton's higher-tier plans add extras like cloud storage, a VPN, and parental controls, and McAfee can cover all of your devices with one subscription.

Choosing the right antivirus usually comes down to how you’ll use it. Below, we give you what we liked, what features were lacking, and who would benefit most from each of our favorites.

The best antivirus software for Windows 10

Best for	Overall	Additional features	Unlimited connections
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.	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.
Starting price	$34.99/first yr	$29.99/first yr	$39.99/yr
Windows 10 support
Max number of protected devices	Up to 25	Up to Unlimited	Up to Unlimited
AV-TEST Windows score	18/18 as of June 2026	18/18 as of June 2026	18/18 as of June 2026
AV-TEST malware protection score	99.94% as of March 2026	99.97% as of March 2026	99.97% as of March 2026
Learn more	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

Bitdefender: Best overall

What we liked

Bitdefender is best for anyone who wants top-tier protection without paying a premium for it, plus a few extras like a file shredder and a VPN.

Strong test results: Bitdefender passed our EICAR testing and received great scores from the independent third-party tester AV-TEST. If you want strong, well-tested protection at a lower price than most competitors, Bitdefender may be for you.

Tons of extra features available: While the basic plan offers some features to go with its solid protection, you can always upgrade for more extras and additional devices covered. The all-in-one plans offer an unlimited VPN, password manager, and other features that cost a little more but are still reasonably priced.

What we didn’t like

We didn’t like the reduced features on Mac products. While this shouldn’t matter to Windows users, some people have more than one operating system on various devices. 

We also wish Bitdefender’s third-party testing scores had remained perfect. During this round of testing, the software suffered from a slight dip in performance and usability. That doesn’t mean it didn’t provide exceptional protection, but it was just a hair slower than before and had a few more false positives.

Test results

Star rating summary

Norton: Best for additional features

What we liked

Norton is best for anyone who wants a lot of additional features, as long as you pick the right tier. The entry-level plan covers antivirus, scam protection, cloud backup, and a password manager. 

With Norton 360 Standard or Deluxe and you'll add a VPN, dark web monitoring, and parental controls. It's a strong security stack once you land on the tier that has what you need.

All-in-one software: Norton's higher tiers let you cover a lot of ground with one purchase, from device protection to parental controls. Just check the tier comparison before you buy, since the extras aren't all bundled into the cheapest option.

Lots of security: We’re also impressed by Norton’s comprehensive security coverage, which includes protection against viruses, malware, phishing, and even hacking. Norton has been in the security industry for a long time and uses its knowledge to its advantage.

What we didn’t like

We don’t like Norton’s renewal pricing. No matter what plan you get, it’s guaranteed to go up upon renewal. Norton is one of the pricier antivirus companies, so there’s always a little bit of sticker shock when we see the plans.

We’re also not thrilled with how much navigation you have to do. All the extra features are great, but the dashboard includes a host of tabs that may feel overwhelming to some users. We love a good user experience, but Norton may offer too much.

Test results

Star rating summary

McAfee: Best for unlimited connections

What we liked

McAfee is best for anyone who has a lot of devices to cover. If you have a large family or a lot of computers, McAfee has a tier that includes unlimited devices so you can keep everything protected.

Can cover unlimited devices: We like that McAfee offers users the ability to cover an unlimited number of devices, which isn’t something we normally see in security products.

Tons of options: Additionally, we liked the amount of options offered for McAfee products. The company understands that different people have different needs and tries to offer products that fit everyone. You have a higher chance of finding a plan that works for you with all the options available — we love having options.

What we didn’t like

We didn’t like that the included VPN has a data cap. In fact, the included VPN wouldn’t work as a sole VPN for anyone who values privacy or loves streaming. We love a good bundled product, but each piece has to hold its own. We don’t think McAfee’s VPN does.

We also found that McAfee sends a few too many text notifications. If you enable that feature, you might disable it pretty quickly. It was almost spammy — not our favorite.

Test results

Star rating summary

What's the best free antivirus for Windows 10?

If you’re looking for protection without a lot of frills, some free antivirus providers can offer solid security. We usually discourage free software because it’s often untrustworthy, but we’ve tested the solutions we’ve included below and found them reliable.

Windows Defender Antivirus

Windows Defender comes built into every Windows 10 and 11 device, so there's nothing to download or install. It runs real-time protection in the background, scans files as you open them, and includes basic firewall and network protection. 

Microsoft has committed to keeping Defender's malware definitions updated on Windows 10 through at least October 2028, so it keeps catching new threats even as the OS itself ages out of standard support.^[1]

Read Our Microsoft Defender Antivirus Review

AVG

AVG's free plan covers real-time protection against viruses, infected emails, and scam websites, plus ransomware protection and a Wi-Fi network safety check for your home router. It also monitors whether your email password has shown up in a data breach and alerts you if so.

Read Our AVG Review

Avast

Avast's free antivirus includes real-time malware protection, home Wi-Fi security checks, ransomware protection, and an AI-powered scam assistant that can evaluate suspicious messages or offers on request. It also includes a browser cleaner and behavior-monitoring tools, all in the free tier.

Read Our Avast Review

Avira

Avira's free tier is bundled with real-time AI-based protection, a browser safety extension with phishing protection, a software updater that flags outdated apps, basic PC cleanup tools, and a free VPN (Phantom VPN) with a bandwidth gap, all under one download.

Read Our Avira Review

What happens when Windows 10 loses support?

Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. That means no more feature updates, no technical support, and no automatic security patches for most Windows 10 devices unless you're enrolled in Extended Security Updates (ESU).^[2]

Microsoft has since extended the ESU program for consumers, so you can get critical security patches through October 12, 2027. Enrollment is free if you back up your settings with a Microsoft account through Windows Backup. You can also enroll by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or paying a one-time $30.00 fee.

ESU only covers security patches, though. It won't fix bugs, improve features, or give you technical support. 

If your PC can't run Windows 11, or you're just not ready to switch, a strong antivirus becomes more important. ESU protects the operating system itself, but it doesn't protect you from phishing, ransomware, or malware that a good antivirus would otherwise catch.

Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for Windows 10

Bitdefender, Norton, and McAfee are your strongest picks for Windows 10, and which one wins depends on what you're optimizing for.

If you want the strongest all-around performer, Bitdefender is our top pick, with excellent malware protection and useful extras like a file shredder, all starting at $34.99/first yr. For one subscription that covers everything, Norton's higher-tier 360 plans bundle a VPN, parental controls, and dark web monitoring alongside antivirus, so you're not stitching together separate tools. And if you've got a house full of devices to protect, McAfee's unlimited-device tier means you stop counting licenses.

One thing that applies no matter which you pick: if you're still on Windows 10, staying safe online matters more now than it did before October 2025, since the OS itself gets less support than it used to. A strong antivirus won't patch Windows, but it's your best defense against the threats that slip through that gap.

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