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Best for Parental Controls
Best for Phishing Protection
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Premium features incur additional subscription fees
Best Premium Security Features
Best Free Antivirus
The goal of antivirus software is to detect and remove cyberthreats quickly and efficiently. The best antivirus software program can protect you before you're likely aware of the danger that may have occurred.
We put five antivirus software programs to the test to help you decide which is the best for your online safety needs. We found the best overall protection and security against today’s advanced threats was covered by TotalAV. Along with budget-friendly prices, TotalAV offers excellent protection scores and friendly features to secure up to six devices.
We also found McAfee to be an outstanding choice for parents, while Bitdefender provides excellent phishing protection. AVG also has lots of security features to offer with its more premium plans, and for those who want basic protection, Avast's free antivirus is a great choice. Continue reading to learn which of these five best antivirus programs is best for you.
| Antivirus |  TotalAV Best Overall
|
 McAfee |
 Bitdefender |
 AVG |
 Avast |
| Starting price | $29.00/first yr | $39.99/first yr | $29.99/first yr | $46.68/first yr for 1 devices | Free |
| Max number of devices | 6 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 | 1 |
| Features | Zero-day scans, anti-phishing, ransomware protection, password manager, ad blocker | Identity and credit monitoring, VPN, file shredder, parental controls | Identity and credit monitoring, VPN, ransomware protection, password manager, parental controls | Anti-phishing, real-time threat scans, ransomware protection | Real-time threat scans, unsafe site alerts, web tracker blocker |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV Read Our TotalAV Review |
Get McAfee Read Our McAfee Review |
Get Bitdefender Read Our Bitdefender Review |
Get AVG Read Our AVG Review |
Get Avast Free Antivirus Read Our Avast Review |
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High level of antivirus protection
Protection from malicious viruses, malware and dangerous websites
User-friendly interface and overall app
Lacks firewall protection
TotalAV is an excellent option for individuals who want good antivirus protection along with other security benefits for a budget-friendly price.
Along with being affordable with great features, TotalAV can be a great computer security software for those needing a simple user interface. This product is great for providing antivirus and other online security tools for both non-technical and tech-savvy users.
For a cost-effective option, TotalAV provides a well-rounded set of security solutions. Whether you opt to cover three or six devices, the antivirus includes important features to ensure your activity and devices are always safe.
It also earned solid scores in third-party tests run by AV-TEST, with only a slight markdown on its real-world protection and performance test scores for Windows 10.[1] This shouldn't deter you from grabbing TotalAV, however, since it still scored a respectable 97.5% for protection against zero-day malware attacks. It also scored only a 30% for slowdowns when launching popular websites and installing frequently-used applications.
TotalAV features include auto antivirus and malware scanning, real-time protection, ransomware protection, phishing protection, plus browser and disk cleanup to help your devices run more smoothly.
TotalAV provides a lot of value for antivirus and online security. However, there are a few items we didn’t like about this software.
Along with not offering firewall protection, you can only use it on up to six devices, which could be challenging for larger households or anyone with lots of internet-connected devices. Additionally, our testing found that TotalAV was prone to glitchy crashes when we used some of its features, like the password manager.
| Starting price | $29.00/first yr |
| Free version | Yes |
| Firewall | No |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No |
| Network protection | No |
| Parental controls | No |
| Extras | Password manager, VPN, ad blocker, browser cleaner, and disk cleaner |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV Read Our TotalAV Review |
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All-in-one protection for your personal info and privacy
Excellent antivirus protection
Additional features like a file shredder and parental controls
Multiple pop-ups for text notifications can be annoying
McAfee antivirus has been around since the late 1980s. It pioneered antivirus protection for the everyday person. Since then, the company has evolved to provide more than just device security protection and has included identity theft protection and coverage for consumers.
We found that McAfee’s option to install it on unlimited devices makes it ideal for someone needing multiple device security protection and identity theft protection. And that includes your children's devices as well, especially since McAfee offers excellent parental control features.
McAfee allows you to check your child's device activity as well as the device location so you can be sure no one's logging in when it's homework time. You can also set custom rules to restrict them from viewing certain apps and sites, as well as limit how much time they spend online.
Lastly, McAfee includes a live map and notifications so you know where your children are and when they arrive at or leave a certain location. This extra peace of mind helps your child explore their freedom while keeping you informed.
McAfee provides more than just antivirus protection. If you opt for McAfee+ plans, you get additional security items such as advanced firewall protection, a virtual private network (VPN), web protection, a password manager, and comprehensive identity theft protection.
McAfee+ identity theft protection also includes safety features for children, including the ability to monitor up to four child identities. Parents can use McAfee+ to request their child's data removal from broker sites and monitor for child identity theft.
Additionally, McAfee's user interfaces are easy to navigate even if you’re not technically inclined. It goes without saying this antivirus provides a lot of security — both seen and unseen.
To receive the best security options, there’s a high upfront cost for the McAfee+ Ultimate product — it costs $59.99/first yr and unlimited devices. And the cost nearly doubles after the first year.
From our testing of the McAfee software, we found that the VPN option is available only on the top-tier subscription package. Additionally, the program had inconsistent malware detection rates and also had not-so-great offline malware detection capabilities.
| Starting price | $39.99/first yr |
| Free version | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No |
| Network protection | No |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, VPN, and identity theft protection |
| Learn more | Get McAfee Read Our McAfee Review |
Antivirus software offering reliable security
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
Premium features incur additional subscription fees
Bitdefender is a reliable choice for anyone who wants a full suite of security features at an affordable price. For instance, Bitdefender protects you on up to 10 devices and suggests how to stay safe online with regular tips and tricks.
It also offers an extra layer of protection against ransomware by detecting it as soon as it enters your system. If a virus does manage to slip through Bitdefender’s defenses, the company has an award-winning tech support team that can help remedy it as quickly as possible.
While testing Bitdefender Total Security, we found it comes with a lot of protection features for the price. In addition, we liked that it offered identity theft protection on top of robust malware, ransomware, and spyware protection. Identity theft protection is ideal in case you ever do become the target of a phishing attack, as it monitors for any suspicious activity involving your personal information and provides tools and services to resolve any fraud.
The Bitdefender dashboard is easy to use when you want to scan, detect, and eliminate security issues. Bitdefender also protects your devices as you browse the web, especially from phishing attempts, and offers a VPN plus parental controls for families.
During our testing, we discovered that the VPN is a bit underwhelming with a bandwidth limit of 200 megabytes per day. That limit makes it almost impossible to use the VPN to stream movies or TV shows from other regions but could do the trick if you need to secure your data while on a short trip.
Additionally, it can take nearly 30 seconds for Bitdefender to load fully. It also uses a lot of memory and central processing unit (CPU) power, which could slow down your computer or cell phone while it’s running — even if it’s running in the background.
| Starting price | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, VPN, and identity theft protection |
| Learn more | Get Bitdefender Read Our Bitdefender Review |
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Free version comes with malware, spyware, and ransomware protection
Includes unsafe email attachment blocking
May detect .exe files as malware, causing software issues
AVG antivirus software is ideal for anyone looking for optimal online and device security. The program provides a lot of important security features beyond antivirus protection, though you'll need to grab the AVG Ultimate plan to access them all.
For example, AVG increases your level of security by providing tools for commonly missed risks, such as Wi-Fi verification, a phishing site blocker, and ad tracking. AVG is an ideal choice for those looking for the best security options to protect both your privacy and data effectively.
There are numerous features of AVG that make it stand out as one of the best antivirus options:
Additionally, AVG covers up to 10 devices across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, which helps keep your whole family protected.
AVG has some of the most important and innovative solutions for antivirus and security protection. However, in testing, we found the product may not be as user-friendly to everyone, especially those who are not as technically adept as others.
Additionally, we also noted that AVG may detect .exe files as malware, which could cause software issues while running the antivirus. The cost to own this software also dramatically increases after the first year of your subscription service, and support is only available to paid subscribers.
| Starting price | $46.68/first yr for 1 devices |
| Free version | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | No |
| Extras | VPN, Wi-Fi security, and website security |
| Learn more | Get AVG Antivirus Read Our AVG Review |
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Alerts you to unsafe sites and blocks web trackers
Scans Wi-Fi networks for vulnerabilities
Doesn't include phishing or ransomware protection
Avast’s free antivirus is best for people who want protection across Apple, Android, and Windows operating systems but don’t have the budget to pay a subscription fee. It’s also a viable option if you need simple protection but don’t have much experience with antivirus software.
Despite not costing a dime, Avast Free provides a lot of security features. It also has a simple, intuitive interface that lets you easily access all features without having to dig through menus or search through tons of settings.
We like Avast because it provides a great deal of protection — even with the free version.
For example, Avast offers free antivirus scanning and protection as well as Avast Online Security & Privacy, a free browser extension that protects you against malicious sites and phishing scams. You also get a strong firewall to help block attacks on both a device and network level.
Although Avast does offer quality protection, it’s run into a few issues with user data privacy in the past.
In previous years, Avast faced a public scandal when the public found out the company was selling user data to subsidiaries. While Avast’s stance and practices have changed to focus on data privacy for users, this history could pose a concern, especially if you choose to use its free antivirus and privacy is a priority.
| Starting price | Free |
| Firewall | No — paid only |
| Phishing protection | No — paid only |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No — paid only |
| Network protection | No — paid only |
| Parental controls | No — paid only |
| Extras | Malicious site and web tracker alerts |
| Learn more | Get Avast Read Our Avast Review |
After testing dozens of antivirus products, we found TotalAV to be the best antivirus software thanks to its affordable price, excellent security features, and near-perfect protection scores.
Most U.S. government agencies often sign long-standing vendor contracts with a multitude of security providers. As recently as 2020, it was released that both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) signed a contract with McAfee to provide antivirus for their teleworking and on-site employees.
Windows Defender has become more sophisticated and advanced over the years. However, for the most optimal Microsoft Windows and device security, an antivirus and anti-malware software such as Bitdefender is the best option for enhanced security.
Yes, macOS and iOS can become infected with malware and viruses. Most devices can be infected with malicious software programs. We recommend using security software on all of your devices to ensure the best protection possible.
If you're looking for an antivirus solution for your devices, some protection is always better than no protection. All the antivirus software options we covered here can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your devices from the latest threats.
After the testing and research we conducted on these five antivirus software choices, we recommend using TotalAV as the overall best for device protection. For parents looking for ways to protect their children online, we recommend exploring McAfee's parental controls. And if you're worried about downloading malware or getting your identity stolen, Bitdefender's phishing and identity theft protection are well worth a look.
Whether you want budget-friendly or specific security features, it's ultimately up to you to decide which antivirus would work best for you. Regardless of your final choice, ensure that you keep your antivirus updated and current with any new security patches. Keeping your devices and security software regularly updated is one crucial part of keeping all your devices secure when browsing online nowadays.
| Antivirus | Price range | Best for | Learn more |
TotalAV |
$29.00–$49.00/first yr | Best overall protection | Get TotalAV
Read TotalAV Review |
McAfee |
$39.99–$199.99/yr | Best for parental controls | Get McAfee
Read McAfee Review |
Bitdefender |
$29.99–$49.99/first yr | Best for phishing protection | Get Bitdefender
Read Bitdefender Review |
AVG |
$24.99–$32.50/first yr | Best premium security features | Get AVG
Read AVG Review |
Avast |
Free | Best free antivirus | Get Avast Free Antivirus
Read Avast Review |
In testing each of these antivirus options, we considered a multitude of factors. Although price and cost of ownership beyond the first year had a large influence on our choices, we also focused our attention on the security features, efficacy, and benefits of these products.
The following are some of the features we took into consideration during our research and testing process.
If you're still on the fence about which antivirus package to choose, these other internet security suites almost made the cut and are worth considering.
You may wonder why the large antivirus company Kaspersky isn’t on the list. The company has faced harsh criticism recently due to poor data privacy practices and intelligence spying on users in other countries. Additionally, the FCC blacklisted Kaspersky due to ties to Russia and potential threats to U.S. national security.
With those concerns considered, we can’t confidently recommend Kaspersky as one of the best antivirus products at this time.
Choosing the best antivirus software can be confusing. You’ll want to consider pricing, performance, and user experience as you make your choice.
Antivirus software comes at a wide range of prices, which can be overwhelming as you're researching. When determining which antivirus plan to buy, you should consider factors like if you need an individual plan or a family plan, how many devices you plan to cover, and if you are looking for a simple antivirus versus a full cybersecurity suite.
Many antivirus programs provide either a free trial or a money-back guarantee, so you can get a feel for a product before committing to a subscription.
Although an antivirus program may claim to block all types of malware, you can't know for sure unless that's put to the test. Antivirus programs should go through independent third-party testing so you can confirm that their products work from an unbiased perspective.
Trusted sites like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives will put software through real-world scenarios and post test scores for ease of use, false positives, and functionality. If a notable antivirus program hasn't submitted itself for third-party testing, that may be cause for concern and you should consider other options.
An antivirus program is not typically one-size-fits all. Some have comprehensive products for Windows but lack lots of features for macOS. Some have user interfaces that are more suitable for the tech-savvy, while others provide extensive guidance for antivirus beginners.
You can also look to antivirus reviews, which often cover experience notes like how long scans take, if there are any slow downs during scanning, and how easy it is to use the software.
High level of antivirus protection
Protection from malicious viruses, malware and dangerous websites
User-friendly interface and overall app
Lacks firewall protection
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