ZoneAlarm Antivirus Review 2024: Is Your Digital Life Fortified?

ZoneAlarm is an easy-to-use antivirus that stood up well against our in-house testing, but is lacking in third-party testing.

One of the best parts about ZoneAlarm is its included firewall (even for the free version) and other security features, like anti-keylogging and phishing capabilities. Unfortunately, its lack of flashy features like a VPN and incompatibility with macOS may put it off the map for some people.

We did a deep-dive review to see if ZoneAlarm can stand with the best antivirus software on the market. Here's what we found.

ZoneAlarm review at a glance

Price	Free–$34.95/yr (first year only)
# 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

Our experience

Our experience with ZoneAlarm wasn't bad overall, but it wasn't without hiccups. 

It started with a slightly longer than usual install time, which is fine, but it ended up crashing our computer completely upon finishing. Luckily everything seemed in order when we booted back up, but nobody likes seeing the blue screen of death.

The home page of the app itself 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 their quick scan option, which they call a "Critical" scan. For us, this took about eight minutes total and scanned over 81,000 files.

While the scan itself was fine, we 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.

The full scan was the exact same process, except it took about 36 minutes to complete. This is a decent time for a full scan and indicates that its at least somewhat thorough, as does the 370,000 file count.

Again, we wished there was a bit more fanfare at the completion of a scan, but we were treated to a more detailed screen when the scan found one of our fake virus files:

ZoneAlarm automatically quarantined the file, which would be reassuring had this been a real virus.

Overall, where the antivirus lacks in excitement, it makes up for by being easy-to-use and pretty reliable (except for crashing out computer).

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 $27.95/yr (first year only), or a premium version at $34.95/yr (first year only).

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	$27.95/yr (first year only)	$34.95/yr (first year only)
# 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

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 comprehensive suite of scanning options, ranging from manual to scheduled scans. This feature set lets you decide when and how to secure your device. The user interface is well-designed, ensuring easy navigation, whether running quick scans or full, in-depth analyses.

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 protection capabilities are automatically enabled upon installation, leaving no extra steps on your part. Despite this, it was not able to prevent a harmful page in our testing, and we could not get it to flag anything despite numerous attempts.

The software does offer a straightforward way to whitelist websites you regularly visit. This is available under the Exceptions tab in the antivirus settings, adding another layer of customization and security.

Firewall

ZoneAlarm’s firewall protection is robust, intuitive, and packs a punch in efficacy. Our tests found that the firewall was particularly vigilant in monitoring network-related activities. It issued timely alerts that allowed us the autonomy to either permit or block specific actions.

The alerting mechanism iprovides clear-cut options, leaving no room for ambiguity. This makes it easier for both tech-savvy users and novices to make informed decisions about network activities and permissions.

Real-time protection

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

Although it does not offer an ad-blocker, it does have a browser extension that flags unsafe search engine results. 

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: Average

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 a little under ten minutes to do a quick scan, while the fastest antiviruses we've seen can do it in as little as 30 seconds.

Similarly, the full scan took about 36 minutes, where we've some faster antivirus with less than ten minute scans. That said, we've also seen scans take over an hour, so this isn't the worst out there.

Scan type	Time spent
Quick scan	8 minutes
Full scan	36 minutes

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 08/27/2024.

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 for Windows

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 11 score	macOS Monterey score	Android 11 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	N/A	N/A
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 might be a bit dated, given that the last test was in 2019.

SE Labs results

• Result: 86%

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 2017, which gave it middling results.

Test type	Home Anti-Malware Protection
Total accuracy rating	86%
Date	2017 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 commendable array of features, such as real-time protection and an advanced firewall, all packaged in user-friendly software. The antivirus also offers various subscription plans that suit different needs, making it a flexible choice for those who want more than just a basic antivirus product. However, its most significant downside is its lackluster performance in specific security tests — most notably in malware and phishing detection.

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.