ZoneAlarm Antivirus Review 2025: Is Your Digital Life Fortified?

We don't feel confident about ZoneAlarm antivirus due to its middling in-house test results and outdated third-party test results. We were never able to complete our full scan, it failed to block the phishing test site we visited, and it hasn't been reviewed by organizations like AV-TEST or SE Labs in several years. 

ZoneAlarm does include some unique features to block keylogging and filter inappropriate content. Its affordable because its features are almost exclusively focused on antivirus, so it's not the best option for a security suite. 

We did a deep-dive review to see if ZoneAlarm can stand with the best antivirus software on the market. 

At a glance

Price	$35.95–$44.95/first yr
# of devices protected	1 - 5
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection	Yes
EICAR results	2/3
Firewall	Yes
Phishing protection	Yes
Compatibility	Free, Pro: Windows Premium: Windows, Android, iOS
Extras	Anti-keylogger, content filtering
24/7 customer support	Yes
Learn more	Get ZoneAlarm

We last tested ZoneAlarm Antivirus On April 24, 2025.

Our experience

Our experience with ZoneAlarm wasn't bad overall, but it wasn't without hiccups. Luckily, the antivirus didn't crash our computer during install this time around. 

The main dashboard is nice, with a clear button to press to get a scan started, and well organized sections so you can easily play with all your features.

Clicking the "Scan" button will immediately start its quick scan option. This quick scan took about 11 minutes and scanned over 60,000 files. This is typically the duration we see for a full scan, so this result was disappointing.

We also would've liked to see a better ending screen with more of a summary about what the scan did. Even a checkmark saying "Scan complete! Your system is clean" or something similar would've felt better than the bland end screen we get.

We tried again with the full scan, which took a long time just calculating the number of files that would be scanned. We were at the hour mark and ZoneAlarm was only 15% of the way through scanning our device. 

Eventually, ZoneAlarm went back to 0% on the scan and stayed there. We tried pressing the pause and stop buttons but nothing changed. 

ZoneAlarm did detect and block us from downloading the malware test files, at least. But with a lack of recent third-party test results and our current lackluster experience, we're not confident in how well this antivirus works.  

Who is ZoneAlarm best for?

• Recommended for individuals who want an affordable firewall for their PC.

ZoneAlarm is best suited to individuals seeking a comprehensive and cost-effective security solution. It’s a superb choice for those who want more than just antivirus protection. It comes with a variety of additional features like phishing protection and a robust firewall.

ZoneAlarm offers flexible pricing based on your specific needs and the number of covered devices. This makes it attractive for a wider number of people.

ZoneAlarm cost

ZoneAlarm offers three tiers: a free version, a pro version at $35.95/first yr, or a premium version at $44.95/first yr.

This pricing is reasonable compared to other antivirus programs, especially considering the number of devices you can protect with the Pro and Extreme Security NextGen plans. However, unlike some other options, ZoneAlarm does not offer VPN services or parental controls, which may detract from value, depending on your needs. 

	ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus	ZoneAlarm Pro Antivirus + Firewall	ZoneAlarm Extreme Security NextGen
Price	Free	$35.95/first yr	$44.95/first yr
# devices supported	1	5	5
Compatible with	Windows	Windows	Windows, Android, iOS
Manual and auto scan
Firewall
Phishing protection
Real-time protection
Ransomware protection
Content filtering
Anti-keylogger
Learn more	View plan	View plan	View plan

ZoneAlarm features

When it comes to protecting your digital fortress, ZoneAlarm offers some decent features catering to a range of cybersecurity needs. Due to its robust firewall, it's more than just your average antivirus.

While it checks off many essential boxes, ZoneAlarm falls short in areas like  parental controls and device optimization features.

Malware and antivirus scan

ZoneAlarm offers a couple of scanning options, ranging from manual to scheduled scans, so you can decide when and how to review your device. 

During our testing, the antivirus software consistently indicated when scans were underway and when they concluded, eliminating any guesswork. 

The moment it identifies a suspicious or potentially harmful file, the software autonomously relocates it to a secure quarantine zone. This ensures not just the safety of your device but also delivers a truly seamless and worry-free user experience.

Phishing protection

ZoneAlarm’s anti-phishing extension was automatically installed on Google Chrome along with the desktop app installation. Along with anti-phishing, Web Secure blocks unsafe sites, scans your downloaded files, extracts threats from email attachments and downloads.

Unfortunately, it was not able to prevent a harmful page in our testing, and we could not get it to flag anything despite numerous attempts.

Firewall

ZoneAlarm does include a firewall and you can view the settings by selecting the Firewall button on the main dashboard. The firewall is automatically enabled when you download the software. 

ZoneAlarm allows you to adjust your firewall settings from high security to no security for your public zone and trusted zone. 

Real-time protection

When it comes to real-time protection, ZoneAlarm has you covered across multiple fronts, be it web browsing, email filtering, or downloads. 

ZoneAlarm reviews file signatures against its cloud-based databases. That way, you can remain protected against the latest cyberthreats. 

 

Ransomware protection

ZoneAlarm offers industry-standard ransomware protection that operates discreetly in the background. During our rigorous testing, the software demonstrated adeptness at identifying files that could be potential ransomware threats.

Although we didn't encounter any specific ransomware attacks, the software's proactive nature assures it is ever-ready to tackle such threats head-on.

Bonus features

While ZoneAlarm may not dazzle with bells and whistles like device optimization or a file shredder, it compensates by delivering a focused, no-nonsense cybersecurity suite at a wallet-friendly price point.

• Enhanced Threat Emulation: Integrated within the Web Secure extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, this feature scrutinizes every download and email attachment in a secure, virtual sandbox in the cloud, providing an added layer of defense against elusive zero-day attacks.
• Advanced Threat Extraction: Also included in the Web Secure extension, Threat Extraction eliminates potential hazards from email attachments and web downloads, offering you a cleaner, safer digital experience.
• Agile real-time security updates: ZoneAlarm stays ever-vigilant against emerging threats by delivering timely security updates, courtesy of its real-time DefenseNet, ensuring your digital realm is always under the watchful eye of updated security protocols.

ZoneAlarm test results

When it comes to antivirus software, the proof is always in the pudding — or, in this case, the tests. We put every antivirus we review through a series of in-house tests, as well as reference trusted third-party test results to get the full picture of its capabilities.

Here's how ZoneAlarm stood up in testing.

Scan speed

• Result: Slow

While a great antivirus can have slow scans, good scan speeds make the software more convenient and less cumbersome for your daily life.

ZoneAlarm came in with very middling results, taking over 11 minutes to complete a quick scan. The fastest antiviruses we've tested can do it in as little as 30 seconds.

Scan type	Time spent
Quick scan	11 minutes
Full scan	Inconclusive

Then, the full scan just never finished. It took at least 20 minutes to calculate how many files were on our device, then another hour to scan 15% of them. When we checked back in, ZoneAlarm was stuck at 0%. 

EICAR test results

• Result: 2/3

EICAR stands for the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research. It provides users with downloadable standardized test files, allowing them to evaluate how well antivirus software works.

Test	ZoneAlarm score
Malware detection	Pass
Drive-by malware downloads	Pass
Phishing pages detection	Fail

Test results as of 04/24/2025.

ZoneAlarm had a mixed performance in our EICAR tests. It excelled at detecting malware, successfully blocking both "malicious" downloads before they could fully reach our computer.

Unfortunately, ZoneAlarm and its browser extension wasn't able to detect the fake phishing website.

AV-TEST results

• Result: 16.5/18

To supplement our testing, we also examined third-party evaluations, specifically from AV-TEST, a highly respected antivirus testing organization. The following data pertains to the ZoneAlarm consumer version tests, not business or enterprise versions.

Test type	Windows score	macOS score	Android score
Protection	6/6	N/A	N/A
Performance	4.5/6	N/A	N/A
Usability	6/6	N/A	N/A
Date	December 2019
Link to test	Link	N/A	N/A

ZoneAlarm scored well in protection and usability but lagged a bit in performance. There were no false positives noted in the third-party testing.

It's worth mentioning that these scores are dated, given that the last test was in 2019. We wish ZoneAlarm at least underwent testing on an annual basis, as it's hard to trust results from several years ago now. 

SE Labs results

• Result: 97%

SE Labs is another trusted third-party antivirus tester, publishing quarterly security reports for consumers and enterprises.

The last time ZoneAlarm was tested by SE Labs was in the fourth quarter of 2020, which gave it middling results. It had a perfect 100% legitimate accuracy rating, but this was brought down by the 90% protection accuracy rating. 

Test type	Home Anti-Malware Protection
Total accuracy rating	97%
Date	2020 Q4
Link	Link

ZoneAlarm compatibility

ZoneAlarm primarily focuses on Windows platforms, supporting Windows 11, 10, and 7. However, Mac users will have to look elsewhere, as ZoneAlarm does not offer macOS compatibility.

For those looking for mobile protection, the company offers a specialized solution — ZoneAlarm Extreme Security NextGen — that extends its security features to Android and iOS phones.

There is also a Web Secure extension available for added web security.

ZoneAlarm customer support

ZoneAlarm has a fairly straightforward approach to customer service. The brand offers online tutorials and guides, which are well-written and easy to follow. If you need more personalized assistance, you can reach out to their customer service via live chat, email, or a web form.

While some antivirus services require a premium subscription for enhanced customer support, ZoneAlarm doesn't appear to have such limitations; all users seem to have equal access to support options. Based on our experience, the customer service team was efficient, providing helpful and easy-to-understand answers in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, we could not find any phone support. This may be a drawback for users who prefer to speak with another person directly. 

Top alternatives

If you find that ZoneAlarm doesn't quite meet your needs, there are several other antivirus solutions on the market that offer a variety of features and price points. Here are a few alternatives worth considering:

ZoneAlarm FAQs

Bottom line: Is ZoneAlarm good?

ZoneAlarm provides a good array of antivirus features, such as real-time protection and a two-way firewall, but its lackluster performance left us disappointed. It failed our phishing test and the full scan never completed. 

Given the results, ZoneAlarm would best serve users who place high value on customizable firewall settings and a straightforward user interface and are willing to supplement it with other security measures for a comprehensive protective suite.

For individuals or businesses that prioritize ironclad malware and phishing protection, exploring the best antivirus software that excels in these areas might be advisable.