Is Antivirus Software Necessary in 2026?

Antivirus software can still be useful in 2026, but whether you need to install or pay for extra protection depends on your device and how you use it. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS all include built-in security, and for some people, those protections may be enough.

Third-party antivirus can add stronger protection against phishing, malicious downloads, scams, ransomware, and other threats, along with extras such as a password manager, virtual private network (VPN), or identity monitoring. Below, we explain when antivirus software makes sense, when built-in security may be enough, and how the answer differs for Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone. 

Is antivirus software necessary?

Yes, you still need protection against malware and other online threats, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy separate antivirus software. Modern devices include more built-in security than they used to, so the better question is whether those default protections are enough for how you use your device.

For example, someone who keeps their operating system updated, downloads apps only from trusted sources, and rarely opens unfamiliar files may be comfortable relying on built-in protection. Someone who frequently downloads files, sideloads apps, shares a computer with family members, or wants stronger phishing and scam protection may get more value from a third-party security suite.

Here’s the short version:

Device	Built-in security	Do you need extra antivirus?
Windows	Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Windows Security	Optional for many users, but useful if you want additional web, phishing, scam, or privacy features
Mac	Built-in macOS protections, including XProtect	Optional for cautious users, but useful for added malware, web, and phishing protection
Android	Google Play Protect	Depends on your app, download, and browsing habits
iPhone and iPad	Apple App Store review, sandboxing, and iOS security	Traditional antivirus usually isn’t necessary, but security apps can add scam, phishing, and privacy tools

Most people still use some form of antivirus protection. In an All About Cookies survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted via Pollfish in March 2025, 84% said they had antivirus installed on their computer. Antivirus was even more common among Windows users (90%) than among Mac users (78%).

The type of device matters, but so does what you want your security software to do. Modern antivirus suites often go beyond virus scanning with phishing protection, scam detection, ransomware protection, breach monitoring, VPNs, parental controls, and other cybersecurity tools.

Is built-in antivirus enough?

Built-in protection is much better than it used to be, and for some people it may be enough. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS all include security features designed to reduce your chances of downloading or running malicious software.

Whether you should add third-party antivirus depends on your risk level and the protections you want. If you stick to trusted websites and app stores, avoid risky downloads, keep your software updated, and recognize common scams, your device’s default security may cover the basics.

Our research suggests a meaningful difference between relying on preinstalled protection and choosing a third-party antivirus. In the All About Cookies antivirus survey, 42% of people who stuck with the antivirus preinstalled on their computer said a virus got through their protection, compared with 27% of people using third-party antivirus.

Those are self-reported experiences rather than controlled antivirus tests, so they don’t prove that every third-party product offers better protection. They do show why the type of protection you use — along with your security habits — matters when deciding whether built-in security is enough.

Third-party antivirus becomes more useful when you want additional phishing and scam protection, broader ransomware defenses, identity monitoring, parental controls, or one security service that protects several types of devices.

Is Microsoft Defender enough?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which is part of the Windows Security app. Defender provides real-time malware protection and can scan files and downloads without requiring a separate antivirus subscription.

It also performed well in our testing. Microsoft Defender passed our malware detection and drive-by download tests, although it failed our phishing detection test. Independent testing from AV-TEST has also rated it highly for protection and performance.

For many cautious Windows users, that makes Microsoft Defender a solid security baseline. Third-party antivirus may still be worth considering if you want stronger phishing and scam protection, identity monitoring, privacy tools, or coverage for non-Windows devices.

You can also improve the protection already built into your PC by reviewing your Windows Security settings and making sure important features such as ransomware protection, reputation-based protection, and your firewall are configured correctly.

Is macOS built-in security enough?

Apple includes several security protections in macOS, including XProtect, which works in the background to help identify and block known malware. Apple also restricts how untrusted software runs and warns users about potentially unsafe apps.

Those protections may be enough for Mac users who stick to trusted applications and practice safe browsing habits. But Macs can still encounter malware, adware, phishing sites, malicious downloads, and fake installer prompts.

If you frequently download software outside trusted Apple channels or want additional phishing, browsing, privacy, or malware protection, you may benefit from one of our recommended antivirus programs for Mac.

Is Google Play Protect enough?

Android devices come with Google Play Protect, which checks apps for potentially harmful behavior and helps identify malicious applications. For people who stick to established apps from Google Play and are cautious about unfamiliar links, that may provide enough baseline protection.

The risk increases if you sideload apps, install software from unfamiliar sources, or regularly interact with links in texts, ads, and email. Dedicated Android antivirus apps can also add tools such as phishing and scam protection, app monitoring, anti-theft features, and VPNs.

Do you need antivirus for your device?

Your operating system makes a big difference in whether third-party antivirus is worthwhile. Windows remains a common target for malware, while Apple and Google use different security models to limit what malicious software can do.

Do you need antivirus for Windows?

You don’t necessarily need to replace Microsoft Defender with another antivirus program, but Windows users are among the most likely to benefit from additional security software.

Windows is widely used, making it an attractive target for malware developers and scammers. You may want additional antivirus if you frequently download files, shop or bank online, share your computer with other people, or want security features beyond what Microsoft includes.

A third-party suite may add phishing and scam protection, identity alerts, parental controls, device optimization, a VPN, or other privacy features. If that sounds useful, see our tested picks for the best antivirus for Windows.

Do you need antivirus for macOS?

Macs have strong built-in security, but they aren’t immune to malware or online scams. Whether you need antivirus mostly depends on your browsing and download habits.

If you install only trusted software, keep macOS updated, and know how to spot phishing attempts, you may be comfortable relying on Apple's built-in protections. Third-party antivirus becomes more appealing if you download software from outside trusted sources or want added protection against malicious websites, unwanted apps, scams, or other threats.

Some antivirus products also bundle features macOS doesn’t include in its basic malware protection, such as a VPN, data breach monitoring, or other privacy tools. See our guide to the best antivirus for Mac for options we’ve tested.

Do you need antivirus for Android devices?

Android already includes Google Play Protect, but additional antivirus may be worthwhile if you regularly download apps, click links from messages, or install apps from outside Google Play.

Sideloading is especially important to consider because it bypasses some protections you get by sticking to the official app store. Malicious links, phishing texts, fake apps, and other scams can also target Android users without relying on a traditional virus infection.

If you use your phone heavily for financial accounts, shopping, work, or other sensitive activities, an antivirus app may also give you useful extras such as web protection, scam detection, app monitoring, or anti-theft tools. Our guide to the best antivirus for Android compares the options we’ve tested.

Do you need antivirus for iPhone or iPad?

Most iPhone and iPad users don’t need traditional antivirus software. Apple limits what apps can access through sandboxing and reviews apps before they’re distributed through the App Store, so a traditional system-wide malware scan works differently on iOS and iPadOS than on a Windows PC.

That doesn’t mean iPhones and iPads face no security risks. Phishing links, scam texts and emails, unsafe websites, account takeovers, and identity theft can still affect Apple users without infecting the device with a traditional virus. You also face mobile malware risks if you jailbreak your iPhone, which bypasses some of Apple's built-in restrictions.

Security apps for iPhone and iPad therefore focus more on web protection, breach alerts, scam detection, VPNs, and privacy monitoring than on traditional malware scanning. If you want those additional protections, compare our picks for the best security and antivirus apps for iPhone or the best antivirus software for iPad.

Are computer viruses still a threat?

Yes, but a classic computer virus is only one type of threat you may encounter today. The broader term malware includes threats such as ransomware, spyware, trojans, and other malicious software.

Modern attacks can arrive through fake downloads, malicious email attachments, compromised websites, pirated software, unsafe browser extensions, scam messages, and apps from untrusted sources. Some threats try to steal passwords or financial details, while others monitor your activity, encrypt files, or give attackers remote access to your device.

That’s why modern antivirus programs have expanded beyond traditional virus detection. Many now monitor suspicious behavior in real time and include protection against web threats, phishing, ransomware, and scams.

How does antivirus software protect your device?

Antivirus software works by scanning files, apps, downloads, and system activity for known threats or suspicious behavior. Modern antivirus tools may use several detection methods and can continuously monitor your device instead of relying only on manual scans.

If antivirus finds a suspicious file, it can typically block or quarantine it to stop it from running or spreading. Depending on the program, you may also get protection against ransomware, malicious websites, phishing attempts, risky downloads, and other online threats.

Most antivirus programs let you run different types of scans manually or schedule them automatically. If you think your device may already be infected, follow our guide on how to run an antivirus scan.

Some paid security suites go further with firewalls, network monitoring, VPNs, password managers, identity monitoring, parental controls, or privacy features. Those extras aren’t required for antivirus to detect malware, but they can make a paid subscription more useful if you would otherwise purchase those services separately.

For a deeper look at signature detection, behavior monitoring, malware removal, and other antivirus technology, read our complete guide to how antivirus software works.

How much does antivirus cost?

Antivirus pricing varies based on how many devices you want to cover and whether you want additional tools such as a VPN, password manager, identity monitoring, parental controls, or other security features.

The All About Cookies team evaluated more than 25 popular antivirus products to better understand the market. Nearly two-thirds (64%) cost between $21 and $40 per year, while 25% cost more than $40. About 11% cost less than $20 annually, including 3.6% that were free.

Most products also gave users some time to reconsider their purchase: 93% of the antivirus software we evaluated included a money-back guarantee lasting at least 30 days. Every product covered multiple devices, averaging 24 devices per subscription.

What features should you look for in antivirus software?

Features varied, too. We found that 79% of the antivirus products we evaluated included both ransomware and phishing protection, while 61% included a firewall.

That’s why it’s worth comparing more than the introductory price. Device limits, renewal costs, malware protection, and the extra security features you’ll actually use can all affect a subscription's value.

When comparing antivirus software, focus less on the headline discount and more on the protections you’ll actually use. Features worth considering include:

• Real-time malware protection
• Manual and scheduled scans
• Phishing and malicious website protection
• Ransomware protection
• Automatic security updates
• Coverage for the devices and operating systems you use

You may also want features such as scam protection, a VPN, password manager, parental controls, identity monitoring, or data breach alerts. If you’re ready to compare products, see the best antivirus software we’ve tested.

Is free antivirus still good?

Free antivirus can still be a good option if you want basic protection without another subscription. Some reputable free products include real-time malware detection and other useful security features.

Among respondents in our antivirus survey who deliberately chose a third-party antivirus, 27% used a free product, while 73% paid for their protection.

The main tradeoff is that free antivirus usually includes fewer tools than a paid security suite. Depending on the provider, you may get fewer supported devices, more upgrade prompts, or limited access to features such as phishing protection, ransomware defenses, a VPN, identity monitoring, or customer support.

Built-in, free, and paid antivirus can all make sense depending on your needs:

Option	Best for	Main tradeoff
Built-in security	Cautious users who want basic protection without installing another program	Features vary by operating system and may not include the additional privacy or identity tools you want
Free antivirus	Users who want an additional layer of malware protection without paying	Fewer features and possible upgrade prompts or device limits
Paid antivirus	Users who want broader security features or coverage across several devices	Requires an ongoing subscription and may include features you don’t need

If cost is your main concern, compare our best free antivirus programs before paying for a premium plan.

Who should consider third-party antivirus?

You’re more likely to benefit from third-party antivirus if your online habits expose you to more threats or if you want security features that your operating system doesn’t include by default.

That lines up with what antivirus users told us. Among respondents in the All About Cookies survey who chose third-party protection, 56% said they did so because it offered better protection than the antivirus that came preinstalled on their device.

Better performance was the second-most common reason, cited by 36%. Another 30% wanted extra features, while 29% cited better customization options. The same percentage said familiarity or past experience with a particular antivirus influenced their choice.

In practical terms, additional antivirus may make sense if you:

• Frequently download files or software from the internet
• Install apps from outside an official app store
• Share a computer or other devices with children or family members
• Shop, bank, or manage sensitive accounts online frequently
• Want stronger phishing, malicious website, or scam protection
• Want one security subscription that covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices
• Want bundled tools such as a VPN, password manager, parental controls, identity monitoring, or breach alerts

On the other hand, you may be comfortable with built-in security if you use a supported and fully updated operating system, download apps only from trusted sources, recognize suspicious links and attachments, and don’t need the extra tools included with a paid security suite.

Whichever option you choose, antivirus is only one part of staying safe online. Software updates, strong unique passwords, multifactor authentication, backups, and caution around unexpected links and downloads remain important even when antivirus is installed.

Bottom line: Is antivirus software necessary?

Antivirus protection is still relevant in 2026, but not everyone needs to pay for separate antivirus software. Built-in security has improved substantially, and Microsoft Defender, macOS security features, Google Play Protect, and Apple’s iOS protections may provide enough baseline security for cautious users.

Our consumer research reflects that middle ground. Three-quarters of antivirus users surveyed by All About Cookies said their antivirus was at least somewhat effective, including 29% who considered it extremely effective. At the same time, people using third-party antivirus reported viruses getting through their protection less often than those relying on preinstalled software.

Windows users are among the most likely to benefit from extra antivirus features, while the value for Mac and Android users depends more heavily on browsing, downloading, and app-installation habits. Most iPhone users don’t need traditional antivirus scanning, although security apps can still help protect against phishing, scams, data breaches, and other online risks.

If you frequently download files, share devices with children, use your devices for sensitive financial accounts, or want stronger phishing and scam protection, a third-party security suite may be worth paying for. Otherwise, strong built-in protection, plus updates and good security habits, may be enough.

Ready to add another layer of protection? Compare our best antivirus programs to find the right option for your devices and budget.

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