The Best Kaspersky Alternatives For 2024

Since Kaspersky software will be banned in the U.S. starting in September 2024, you’ll need a replacement, and we have a breakdown of our favorites.
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Best for similar features

4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Norton 360 Antivirus
View More

Best for budgets

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AVG's website

AVG
View More

Best for extras

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark One's website

Surfshark One
View More

Though Kaspersky antivirus has always performed well, its ties with Russia and now an outright ban in the United States have given it a troubled history. If you’re a Kaspersky user who’s now left looking for the best alternative to switch to, we recommend Norton, AVG, and Surfshark One.

We chose these alternatives because we think they’ll hit the mark or give you some exciting upgrades. Norton carries many of the same features as Kaspersky, AVG’s free plan offers comparable protection to Kaspersky’s Standard plan, and Surfshark One’s combination of antivirus, VPN, and CleanWeb offers upgraded extras.

If you’re shopping for an alternative, we’re confident one of these best antivirus software choices will give you everything you’re looking for in a replacement.

In this article
The best Kaspersky alternatives
Norton: Best for similar features
AVG: Best for budgets
Surfshark One: Best for extras
How we tested the best Kaspersky antivirus alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line: The best Kaspersky alternatives

The best Kaspersky alternatives

We know that antivirus software works by blocking bad stuff from infecting your computer, but what about the extras?

Top 3 Kaspersky alternatives compared

Starting price $27.99/first yr $29.99/yr (first year only) $46.68/yr (first year only) $2.49/mo (billed every two years)
Free version
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Parental controls
Learn more Read Kaspersky Review Get Norton

Read Norton Review

Get AVG

Read AVG Review

Get Surfshark One

Read Surfshark One Review

Norton: Best for similar features

Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • 4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
  • Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants a product nearly identical to Kaspersky in terms of protection, features, and functionality should consider Norton. Norton includes a real-time antivirus, a VPN, parental controls, and more.

We tried Norton's junk file cleaner, which took a few minutes to identify files we could safely remove to improve our device's performance.
Norton antivirus junk scan

What we liked

We like how comprehensive Norton’s offerings are. Even if you choose the lightest plan, you’ll still receive Norton’s excellent protection, password manager and cloud storage. From there, the features only increase, including many of the same features touted by Kaspersky.

Parents benefit from parental controls, while individuals can rely on identity protection and reimbursement for stolen funds. Depending on what Kaspersky plan you had, you’ll likely find something similar with Norton.

What we didn’t like

Norton’s annual prices are higher than Kaspersky’s, even at the highest tier. Kaspersky users who want the highest level of protection may experience some sticker shock.

Norton specs

Starting price $29.99/yr (first year only)
Free version No
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection Yes
Parental controls Yes
Extras Cloud storage, password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, identity theft protection, and stolen funds reimbursement, plus more
Learn more Get Norton

AVG: Best for budgets

Trusted Protection by 435 Million Users Worldwide
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AVG's website
Antivirus Software
AVG
  • Award-winning antivirus, malware, and ransomware protection for up to 10 devices
  • Includes webcam protection, safe browsing and email, automatic updates, and 24/7 protection
  • Suite of protection benefits including a secure VPN, anti-tracking capabilities, safeguards against phishing sites, and more

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants quality protection that works on a budget will find Norton a great fit. Even if you decide to upgrade, you’ll still have a budget-friendly option with some great features like a VPN and anti-tracker technology.

Our AVG interface was a bit different from the online guides. But it still offers full computer, web, and email protection

What we liked

AVG provides stellar protection with its free product, and it only gets better from there. If you’re looking for protection only, AVG has top scores similar to Kaspersky. If you want a reasonably priced antivirus with a few extras like a VPN or performance enhancement tools, you can upgrade to a paid plan that’s still extremely affordable.

AVG’s basic protection will keep you safe from malware, viruses, trojans, and other unsavory things on the internet, but where it really shines is with its paid plans. It will:

  • Help you avoid sham websites
  • Protect you from phishing scams on web pages
  • Hide you from online trackers
  • And more

For such a reasonably priced antivirus, we’re very impressed.

What we didn’t like

AVG’s protection is top-tier, but we wish it included additional features like parental controls. We also wish 24/7 support was available for the free version, but it’s only available on the paid version.

While AVG will protect you, it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of a more robust antivirus.

AVG specs

Starting price $46.68/yr (first year only)
Free version Yes
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection Yes
Parental controls No
Extras Performance enhancement tools, VPN, Anti tracking technology
Learn more Get AVG

Surfshark One: Best for extras

Full Suite of Cybersecurity Tools on Unlimited Devices
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark One's website
All-In-One
Surfshark One
Starting at $2.49/mo + 4 months extra
  • Blocks ads and pop-ups, including cookie consent requests, while browsing
  • Can also browse ad-free without a digital footprint with the Surfshark Search engine
  • All-in-one app includes VPN, antivirus scans, alternative ID creation, malware protection, and more on unlimited devices

Who it’s best for

Anyone who wants quality extra features should consider Surfshark. Most VPNs that come with antivirus turn out to be pretty basic, but Surfshark has one of the best on the market.

The CleanWeb and identity protection features also give you security that extends beyond viruses and malware.

Surfshark Antivirus full scan pop-up indicated the files scanned and scan time.

What we liked

Surfshark has expanded quickly since its launch in 2018. It’s gone from a lightweight VPN to a fully rounded security suite in less than six years. And the protection you get from Surfshark is top-of-the-line. We view this rapid increase in services as a testament to Surfshark’s commitment to better security.

Because Surfshark started as a VPN and branched into antivirus, it really knows how to focus on VPN users’ needs. Most VPNs that come with an AV product aren’t that robust. They’ll likely keep you secure, but they won’t really do a lot else. Surfshark, being one of the best VPNs available, provides excellent security all the way around.

What we didn’t like

Surfshark lacks a firewall, which you may not think is a big deal, but an additional firewall provides another security layer. This isn’t a deal breaker by any means, but with all the features already offered, it's odd that it wasn't included.

We also wish Surfshark had incorporated parental controls into its plans. Although Surfshark is almost a perfect security suite, the lack of some of these features takes it down a notch.

Surfshark One specs

Starting price $2.49/mo (billed every two years)
Free version No
Firewall No
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection No
Parental controls No
Extras VPN, Ad blocker, Email masking, Private search, Personal data security reports, and Personal identity generator plus more
Learn more Get Surfshark One

How we tested the best Kaspersky antivirus alternatives

We test the best antivirus programs using standard equipment you would have at home, including but not limited to Macbooks, PCs, and mobile devices. We pay for the products ourselves, download them, and run them through a variety of security tests.

The scores are then compared against our star rating rubric and integrated into our honest and thoughtful reviews.

FAQs


+

Is Kaspersky safe?

We can’t claim that Kaspersky is safe. While we don’t work in the Kaspersky main offices, we understand how various governments require businesses within their borders to turn over customer data. Russia has very aggressive policies about data handling, including the ability of the government to perform scheduled and unscheduled inspections and audits of all companies handling personal data. This doesn’t fill us with confidence, so we would have to agree that Kaspersky is not safe.


+

Why is Kaspersky getting banned in the U.S.?

Kaspersky has been banned for use by federal agencies since 2017, but that wasn’t an all-out ban for consumers. The software was reevaluated recently and found to pose too much risk to American security. The justification is that the Russian government continues to meddle too intensively in Russian businesses, and there’s too high a risk that American data will be compromised. Kaspersky maintains that this is false.


+

Is Kaspersky the best antivirus software?

Ironically enough, Kaspersky is great antivirus software. While we won’t claim it’s “the best,” it performs exceptionally well in every test. It’s a shame that it’s surrounded by such shady government oversight and privacy laws because it really is top-notch security software.

Bottom line: The best Kaspersky alternatives

We believe that Norton, AVG, and Surfshark One are the best Kaspersky alternatives because of their features and price points:

  • Norton is a trusted name that offers almost identical features to Kaspersky.
  • AVG has great budget options that mirror Kaspersky’s free and lower-priced tiers.
  • Surfshark includes great protection with some exciting extras that may make you feel like you’ve upgraded your protection.

If you’re a Kaspersky user, you’ll soon find that you are no longer privy to updates beginning in September 2024. You’ll need a new antivirus that stays current to protect you from the latest threats. With any of our three options, you won’t miss your old software.

3 best Kaspersky alternatives for 2024

Starting price Best for Learn more
$29.99/yr (first year only) Best for similar features Get Norton
$46.68/yr (first year only) Best for budgets Get AVG
$2.49/mo (billed every two years) Best for extras Get Surfshark One


Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • 4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
  • Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Author Details
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.