Best Antivirus for Windows 10 in 2024
Not all antivirus software is built the same, but Windows has a lot of options to choose from when it comes to security.
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Last updated Aug 2, 2024
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Best for Budgets
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Bitdefender's website
Bitdefender
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Slow scans compared to other options
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
Slow scans compared to other options
View More
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Best for Additional Features
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View More
The best antivirus software for Windows is a hotly debated topic. Considering most AV is built for Windows, you won’t lack options. Our top picks, Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton, all protect you against viruses and malware, but they have different features and functionalities.
Bitdefender starts at a lower price point, McAfee offers unlimited devices, and Norton has a variety of extra features like identity theft protection, parental controls, and cloud storage.
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.
In this article
The best antivirus for Windows 10Bitdefender: Best for budgets
McAfee: Best for unlimited connections
Norton: Best for additional features
Free antivirus for Windows 10
FAQs
Bottom line
The best antivirus software for Windows 10
Bitdefender has a low starting cost of $29.99 for the first year, which makes it great for tight budgets. There’s also the option to upgrade if you need more than what the basic plan has to offer.
McAfee is an OG antivirus that uses AI-powered protection to keep you safe from viruses and malware. It extends this protection to an unlimited amount of devices, which makes it great for families and anyone with a lot of devices to cover.
Finally, Norton comes equipped with a lot of features. If you’re looking for parental controls, identity theft protection, a virtual private network (VPN), and cloud storage all in one, this may be the choice for you.
- Bitdefender: Best for budgets
- McAfee: Best for unlimited connections
- Norton: Best for additional features
Top 3 antivirus products for Windows 10 compared
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 |
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| Star rating | |||
| Starting price | $29.99/yr (first year only) | $39.99/yr (first yr only) | $29.99/yr (first year only) |
| Max number of protected devices | Up to 10 | Unlimited | Up to 10 |
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Malware scans | Manual and real-time | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | |||
| Firewall | Yes, exclusive to Windows | ||
| Phishing protection | |||
| Ransomware protection | |||
| 24/7 customer support | |||
| Extras | Social Network Protection, File Shredder, and more | VPN, password manager, Identity theft, data removal | Parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, ChromeOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender | Get McAfee | Get Norton |
How we test and rate antivirus software
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 testing methodology here.
Bitdefender: Best for budgets
Bitdefender
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Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
-
Simple yet powerful interface tools
-
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
- Slow scans compared to other options
Who it’s best for
Bitdefender is best for anyone who wants basic protection with a few little extras, like a file shredder and a VPN.
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What we liked
Bitdefender passed our EICAR testing and received great scores from the independent third-party tester AV-TEST. If you want a lower-cost, basic protection antivirus, Bitdefender may be for you.
While the basic plan offers some features to go with its solid protection, you can always upgrade if you want 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. If you want to use Bitdefender to cover all of them, you’ll see a difference in your Windows vs. Mac 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
Third-party testing ensures that an antivirus works as claimed. AV-TEST is one of the most respected third-party testing sites around. We also tested using EICAR, which allows us to download mock malware and viruses while running our antivirus software. This allows us to evaluate an antivirus’s effectiveness for ourselves.
| AV-TEST Windows score | 17/18 |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender |
Based on April 2024 testing
McAfee: Best for unlimited connections
McAfee
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Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
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Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
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Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
Who it’s best for
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.
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What we liked
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.
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
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get McAfee |
Based on April 2024 testing
Norton: Best for additional features
Norton 360 Antivirus
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4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
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Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
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Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Who it’s best for
Norton is best for anyone who wants a lot of additional features. Norton 360 plans include a lot of extras like a VPN, cloud storage, parental controls, identity theft protection, lost wallet protection, and identity theft insurance. It’s a great security stack.
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What we liked
We like that Norton covers it all. You really can purchase it as a single product and get pretty much everything you want. Parents will appreciate the safety controls while everyone benefits from the identity theft protection.
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
| AV-TEST Windows score | 16.5/18 |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Norton |
Based on April 2024 testing
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.
- AVG: It’s secure, robust, and user-friendly, not to mention the upgraded paid plans are still priced reasonably and offer a lot. We’re big fans of AVG.
- Avast: Even its paid plans are reasonable, but Avast offers comprehensive, truly impressive free security. We recommend Avast to friends and family.
- Avira: We think Avira is very impressive. For those who love features, Avira’s free plan includes a free VPN in addition to its winning security protection.
FAQs
+
Is Windows Defender any good?
Windows Defender is pretty good, but it provides basic protection without anything extra. It’s not robust enough for us, nor does it communicate enough about our potential virus risk and health. It’s better than nothing, but you have other, more interactive options.
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Will antivirus software slow down my computer?
There’s always a chance that antivirus will slow your computer down. If you choose a product with a small footprint, it’s going to be much easier on your processing systems than one that downloads all its contents onto your device.
You should, however, always use some kind of antivirus software to protect yourself online.
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Is Norton owned by Microsoft?
No, Norton is not owned by Microsoft. Symantec, the company that’s owned Norton since 1990, is a leader in global security. In 2014, Symantec split into two companies, but it continues to own the Norton brand.
Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for Windows 10
The best antivirus programs for Windows 10 are Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender, depending on your needs.
We love the low cost of Bitdefender, the unlimited access with McAfee, and the added features of Norton.
3 best antivirus products for Windows 10 2024
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
|
$29.99/yr (first year only) | Best for budgets | Get Bitdefender |
|
$39.99/yr (first yr only) | Best for unlimited connections | Get McAfee |
|
$29.99/yr (first year only) | Best for additional features | Get Norton |
Bitdefender
-
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
-
Simple yet powerful interface tools
-
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
- Slow scans compared to other options
Author Details
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Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.
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