Best antivirus software 2024

Malware detected on laptop
(Image credit: Ed Hardie @ Unsplash)

Antivirus software protects your desktop and mobile devices from more than just malware. While viruses, ransomware, rootkits, and bots are still dangerous threats, the best antivirus software keeps you safe from phishing schemes, keyloggers, spyware, adware, and even identity theft.

Microsoft Defender is pre-installed on Windows computers. While this is pretty reliable and will keep you safe overall, it is still a good idea to invest in extra security for your devices. After all, one program can't catch everything, not to mention the fact that third-party testers have also spotted vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender. This highlights the danger of relying solely on it, and nothing else, to keep your sensitive details secure.

I've tested all of the antivirus solutions in this guide to see how well they stop threats, any impact on our computers' resources, the difficulty of using them, and how advanced tools and services work. I'll point out the pros and cons of each program, what you're getting for your money, and any special circumstances where one might be better for you. To start with, here are my top three antivirus software.

The three best antivirus at a glance

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<a href="https://bitdefender.f9tmep.net/c/338476/926056/4466?subtag=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="bitdefender.f9tmep.net"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bitdefender Total Security: seamless security
Bitdefender monitors your computer in real-time to stop malicious files before they have a chance to start downloading. Other benefits include a firewall, password manager, and VPN access.

Bitdefender is an all-around great value for the level of protection and number of security tools you get. Plus, you can try it yourself, risk-free, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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<a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-6361382-15197454?sid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="jdoqocy.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Avast One: a full antivirus security suite
Avast One is packed with must-have tools, including a VPN, a secure firewall, and tons of automations. There's also a free version for folks on a budget—although this version has its limitations.

If you're a gamer, Avast One has an automatic Do Not Disturb mode that kicks into action whenever you fullscreen an application, so you'll always be protected and free from interruptions by unnecessary scans, popup messages, or drag. Get started with Avast for free.

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<a href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-6361382-14039214?sid=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="jdoqocy.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Norton 360 with Lifelock: protection from malware and identity theft
With Norton, you can keep your devices secure and protect yourself from identity theft—with just one plan. Pick up a Family subscription, and you'll get access to handy parental controls that'll keep your children's data safe, too.

Take Norton 360 for a test drive with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, and explore its stacked roster of tools on your own devices.

The best antivirus in 2024

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The best antivirus software does more than just block threats from infecting your device. It should also include a solid firewall to keep network nasties from entering your system, advanced tools to keep your identity safe, and easy-to-use (and schedule) scans. Here are my top recommendations.

Best antivirus software overall

Bitdefender free antivirus dashboard

Best antivirus software in 2023

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Maximum devices: 10
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: Yes
VPN: 200 MB per day
Webcam monitroing: Yes
ID Theft protections: No
Parental controls: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Stops malware before it downloads
+
Monitors webcams
+
Extra security for online transactions
+
Parental controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Initial scans take a while to complete
-
Doesn't do well on devices already infected with malware
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✔️ With powerful security tools and impressive real-time monitoring, Bitdefender Total Security has everything you need to keep your family safe online.

Want to learn more?

Check out my in-depth Bitdefender review, where I dig into the details of the software and compare its range of antivirus solutions.

Bitdefender Total Security consistently does a great job of stopping malware threats before they even have a chance to start downloading to your device. Most threats don't even make it into the quarantine folder, because Bitdefender recognizes them and immediately scrubs them away, meaning there are no remnants to infect your computer.

This antivirus software recognizes ransomware, so the risk of you falling victim is pretty tiny while using Bitdefender. And when you're browsing online, Bitdefender's safe browsing technology will block websites that have known threats hidden in them.

With the Total Security package, you get to protect your family from other threats, too. For starters. Bitdefender has webcam monitoring to make sure no program or person accesses it without your permission. There are also parental controls so you can filter web content and monitor exactly what your child is viewing online.

Bitdefender also includes a password manager to help you remember login credentials and create passwords that are hard for snoops to decipher. There are extra protections so keyloggers can't watch what you're typing and steal your credentials that way.

You also get a VPN with Bitdefender, which is a pretty good and reliable one. However, you do have a cap on how often and how long you can use it each day. But it's enough to shield you when doing your most important business online.

There are some problems with using Bitdefender. The main one being that it doesn't do well if your computer is already infected with malware. In fact, most antivirus programs don't do well on existing infections. But after using malware removal tools, Bitdefender will easily take it from there to keep malware off your devices in the future.

Best antivirus security suite

Avast One dashboard captured during testing

Best antivirus security suite

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS options
Maximum devices: Up to 30
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: Yes
VPN: Yes
Webcam monitoring: Yes
ID theft protection: No
Parental controls: No

Reasons to buy

+
Absolutely free
+
Real-time protection against malware, including ransomware
+
Includes a firewall

Reasons to avoid

-
Very basic protection for one device
-
Only for Windows
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✔️ Avast antivirus is used all around the world, so it recognizes a lot of threats, including ransomware. Its firewall, gamer mode, and VPN make it a decent all-around security suite.

Want to learn more?

My full Avast antivirus review gives more information about testing results and its stellar gaming mode. I break down the pros and cons of its VPN, too.

Avast is probably the top downloaded antivirus software around the world. It recognizes most threats, including ransomware, and zero-day threats to keep you extra protected. 

Avast snatches the threat during the download process and places it in the quarantine folder. After several days it will be completely deleted so no part remains on your computer.

As an added bonus, Avast comes with a firewall to keep an eye on your network connection. This is especially helpful if you're connecting your laptop to public networks and hotspots. You also get unlimited access to the Avast VPN services.

Another tool included with Avast One is webcam monitoring. This ensures no program, individual, or company can use your webcam to spy on you.

For gamers, Avast is the bomb! Its gaming mode is the absolute best! Avast recognizes when you're in an online game and will minimize the resources it uses while you play. You're still fully protected, but you won't have to worry about slowdown, popup messages, or even scheduled system scans until after you're done playing.

Avast Free is limited in its security offerings, but it still includes quite a few. It won't monitor your webcam, and it doesn't have a password manager. But you can use the VPN. You'll just be limited in your daily use, and can only access one server.

Avast Free is also only compatible with Windows operating systems. This means you can't protect your mobile devices, including cellphones, with this antivirus. But overall it is easy to use and offers great protection without costing anything.

Best antivirus with ID protection

Best for ID protection

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Maximum devices: 5-10
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: Yes
VPN: Yes
Webcam monitoring: Yes
ID theft protection: Yes
Parental controls: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Identity theft protections
+
Real-time malware detection
+
Monthly subscriptions available

Reasons to avoid

-
Noticable slowdown during scans
-
Expensive compared to other solutions
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✔️ Norton 360 Select protects every aspect of your life from real-time malware monitoring, online movements shielded, and your physical identity protected from illegal use.

Want to learn more?

I break down what I learned during testing in my Norton antivirus review. I even include some insight into how LifeLock works.

With identity theft as big of a threat as ransomware, Norton 360 makes sure to tackle them to give you a lot of security and privacy. It is bundled with LifeLock, the leading identity theft protection service.

On the antivirus side, Norton stops threats in real-time to keep malware from infecting your computer. It has a robust firewall to make sure threats don't come in through your network connection and not just through internet downloads. You also get webcam monitoring and parental controls.

As with many of the best antivirus software, Norton comes with a VPN to protect your online identity and keep your browser history from being tracked or logged. And you're not limited to how often or how long your use it each day.

LifeLock also helps secure your sensitive data by keeping an eye on your information and alerting you if it's found on the dark web. This information includes your social security number, bank account and credit card numbers, and login credentials including passwords. It will also keep a lookout if criminals use your identity for medical care or as an alias.

One of the best services included with Norton 360 Select is that if your identity is compromised, LifeLock will help you restore your identity. This includes walking you through the forms you must submit to the IRA and credit reporting agencies.

Norton is one of the few antivirus programs that have a monthly subscription option. This allows you to get a feel of the service before committing to it long-term. However, both the monthly and yearly subscription cost is pretty hefty and it gets more expensive after the first year introductory price.

Best of the rest

McAfee running on a computer performing a virus scan

Best antivirus for mobile

Specifications

Operating system: Window, Mac, Android, iOS
Maximum devices: Unlimited
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: Yes
VPN: Yes
Webcam monitoring: No
ID theft protections: Yes
Parental controls: No

Reasons to buy

+
Unlimited protection for all devices
+
VPN
+
Identity theft monitoring
+
Gamer mode

Reasons to avoid

-
No webcam monitoring
-
A bit heavy on computers
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✔️ For stopping malware on mobile devices in real-time, McAfee+ is the best choice. You get unlimited access to its VPN across all your devices.

Want to learn more?

Read my full McAfee review to learn more about all its antivirus solutions, plus how you can use its identity theft protections for you and your kids.

Many cellphone providers offer antivirus protection as part of their plans, and often they recommend McAfee, and for good reason. It's really good and stops threats in real time. This means McAfee recognizes threats before they can fully download and stops them quickly.

Another good feature of McAfee is fairly easy to use, even if you haven't used an antivirus software program before. The default settings are strong enough to give you adequate protection, so you don't need to worry about configuring anything.

All McAfee computer protection software comes with a password manager and a secure firewall. You also get unlimited access to the McAfee VPN. This is a great feature that hides your computer's IP address and your online identity, so your online browsing activity can't ever be tracked back to you.

One perk for using McAfee+ Premium is you get identity theft monitoring as part of the deal. McAfee will keep an eye out on the dark web for any of your personal information and will let you know if it is ever sold or compromised.

McAfee+ Premium doesn't help you regain your identity, but there are other programs, like McAfee+ Advanced and Ultimate that both have additional identity recovery tools. These programs also have parental controls for more family protection.

Overall McAfee+ Premium is a good deal and lets you protect an unlimited number of devices. However, the under $50 subscription is only for the first year. After that, the price jumps substantially high to almost $150 per year. Also, on some devices, you may notice a slowdown because McAfee is pretty heavy on its resource use.


Best safe banking tools

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Maximum devices: Up to 5
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: No
VPN: No
Webcam monitoring: No
ID theft protection: No
Parental controls: No

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent banking protections
+
Blocks malicious websites
+
Good ransomware protections

Reasons to avoid

-
Missing key features
-
Heavy on resources
-
Lots of popup messages
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✔️ If you do a lot of banking or shopping online, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security is a good tool to have because of its stellar safe banking tools, plus its ability to recognize and block fake websites.

Want to learn more?

Learn why I love Pay Guard in my in-depth Trend Micro review. You'll also learn about other security solutions Trend Micro offers.

One of the best features of Trend Micro Antivirus is its safe banking tools. These give added protections while you shop or are logged into your online financial accounts so that important and personal information isn't stolen.

Another great feature of Trend Micro is its safe browsing. It is super sensitive to fake websites and will block you from those with malicious files or that have phishing schemes on them. For example, it recognizes when a fake Paypal link is clicked and won't let you get through to the website.

Trend Micro is really good at detecting all sorts of threats, including ransomware, and stops malware in real-time before it has a chance to infect your device. It also has a firewall booster that helps protect network connections. This is especially helpful if you're using a public internet hotspot.

Trend Micro has been around for a long time and is a very trustworthy antivirus software. But it does have its drawback. With its basic Antivirus+ Security program, you don't get a lot of extra tools. Password managers, webcam protections, and identity theft monitoring are nonexistent. But other Trend Micro programs do include some of these.

This antivirus program is really easy to use because it uses simple words and comes with the best functions preset by default. However, it does take a long time to run scans on your computer, and you may notice some slowdown during them.


Malwarebytes Free Antivirus dashboard

Best for current infections

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Maximum devices: 5
Real-time protection: No
Firewall: No
Password manager: No
VPN: No
Webcam monitoring: No
ID theft protection: No
Parental controls: No

Reasons to buy

+
Malware removal tool
+
Easy to use
+
Thorough scans

Reasons to avoid

-
No real-time protection
-
Very, very basic
Bottom line:

✔️ Malwarebytes Free is the best solution to get rid of existing threats on your computer, but it isn't an option for preventing attacks in the first place.

My Malwarebytes review looks at other services beyond its free malware removal tools and any cons with its paid programs you should be aware of.

I am often asked for my recommendation for devices that already have malware on them. Most antivirus software isn't designed to take care of existing infections, and often the malware is programmed to block antivirus files from downloading or even the website to be reached.

Malwarebytes Free is a malware removal tool that is strong enough to get around even the sneakiest of threats. it is the best at finding and permanently removing threats off any device, computer, or mobile.

This antivirus solution is really, really simple to use. It automatically downloads to your device when you click the product button. This is how it sneaks by malware that's watching for any antivirus files. Once installed, Malwarebytes instantly goes on the hunt for threats to remove.

Because it is a malware removal tool instead of traditional antivirus software, Malwarebytes doesn't stop threats in real-time. Even if you keep Malwarebytes installed on your device after malware is removed, it will only gather up threats when they, again, infect your computer.

Malwarebytes does have several traditional antivirus programs that you can purchase and use for real-time protection. Some of these include a VPN for protecting your digital identity while online. But for threats already on your device, you'll still need Malwarebytes Free.


Screenshot of Microsoft Defender Security Center captured during testing

Best basic protection

Specifications

Operating system: Windows
Maximum devices: 1
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: No
VPN: No
Webcm monitoring: No
ID theft protection: No
Parental controls: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
No cost protection
+
No need to install the program

Reasons to avoid

-
Lower detection rates
-
Missing some important features
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½

✔️ Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on your computer, which means you don't need to do anything to get it going. It may not have the biggest feature set, but it's free and designed for Windows users.

Want to learn more?

This Microsoft Defender review highlights its strengths and gives more detail about its security flaws.

If you're running Windows on your computer, you already have Microsoft Defender built in. This security solution works best in tandem with Microsoft Edge, but will also recognize and stop malware attempting to infect your system through other browsers.

Microsoft Defender works in the background to keep viruses at bay but is also pretty good at stopping zero-day threats and ransomware detection, too. And it doesn't take up a lot of resources since it is part of the Windows operating system design.

I particularly like the sandbox feature which will place any rogue code into a safe section so that it can be executed without affecting the rest of the system. The tamper protection, which stops malicious apps from changing settings, is also a really useful feature. Emails are screened and this will even stop file-less-malware from being injected into the RAM thanks to a memory integrity feature.

Microsoft Defender has a decent firewall to keep an eye on your network connection. And it has some parental controls so you can set time limits for your kids, block inappropriate content, and monitor their online activities.

Defender does come with limitations. For one, it doesn't have the best detection rate. Thankfully it works well with other antivirus software so that, together, you are doubly protected. Microsoft Defender also doesn't have the extra security protections found in other programs, like a password manager, safe banking tools, or a VPN.


Intego installed on an MacBook captured during testing

8. Intego

Best for Mac

Specifications

Operating system: Mac, iOS
Maximum devices: 5
Real-time protection: Yes
Firewall: Yes
Password manager: No
VPN: No
Webcam monitoring: No
ID theft protection: No
Parental controls: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Good protection against malware, including ransomware
+
Fast scans
+
Includes parental controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Some important security features are missing
-
Not all features work on mobile
-
Several downloads
Bottom line ⭐⭐⭐½

✔️ Intego Mac Premium Bundle is designed specifically for Mac users, and while it also works for iPhones and iPads, the security features will be limited. But protection from viruses, ransomware, and other threats is awesome.

Want to learn more?

My Intego antivirus review goes into detail on how this program works, the level of protection against Mac and Windows malware, and any hangups I discovered during testing.

While Intego will technically work on Windows, too, we just want to focus on the Mac side. This is because Intego is really designed to work with Mac and iOS devices and works just like any other Mac software, so it should feel natural when using it.

On Mac machines, Intego stops threats in real time, but a little bit slower than Windows programs. It waits until the file is downloading and opening before snatching the malware and quarantining it. It's still very effective and will keep your devices clean.

On top of malware protection, which includes great ransomware shields, Intego comes with a firewall, that strengthens the one that comes with the Mac operating system, and parental controls which are helpful when allowing kids to work and play online.

Intego is available for mobile devices, including iPhones, but you only get the VirusBarrier program. The others, with additional features, won't work. In fact, one of the biggest downfalls of Intego is that the Mac Premium Bundle comes with several separate downloads. In order to get the full benefits of the program, each one needs to be downloaded and installed separately rather than as a complete, singular software.

For both Mac computers and mobile devices, there are still a few important features that I would like to see included. For example, a password manager would be helpful since Mac users are just as vulnerable to keyloggers and need to be on top of longer and more secure login credentials, just like Windows users.


Here's my recommendation

Over the many years I've been testing antivirus programs, Bitdefender has held the top spot most of the time. This year is no exception. Bitdefender Total Security has all the features you need to secure your computer from some of the nastiest threats, including ransomware, Trojans, worms, and rootkits.  And they work! 

I've witnessed Bitdefender at work in my own testing year after year. But so has other third-party testing facilities like AV-Test and AV-Comparative. When comparing all these results, I come up with an average protection score for each of the antivirus software evaluated. Bitdefender typically comes out on top.

Bitdefender stops malicious files before they start downloading, and scrubs the threat from your computer immediately. It also does an excellent job of recognizing phishing schemes designed to look like login pages of popular websites like Facebook and PayPal.

Microsoft Defender is a really good security program that comes with your Windows computer. However, in order to take full advantage of its features, users need to be able to configure it properly. This is a daunting task if you're not really tech-savvy. Even then, no antivirus software will stop every threat every time.

Bitdefender stops malicious files before they start downloading, and scrubs the threat from your computer immediately.

Using Bitdefender, along with Defender, gives you added protections and some tools that Microsoft Defender doesn't comes with, like safe banking tools, webcam monitoring, and a VPN. Bitdefender also comes with the most important features set by default, so you still get excellent malware protection without touching any of the settings.

Another advantage to using Bitdefender is you can use it on multiple devices, including Mac computers and mobile devices, plus manage everything from a single account.

All antivirus software is designed to stop threats from infecting your computer. However, if you already have malware on your PC, or mobile device, antivirus software can't really help you. Instead, you need a malware removal tool, like Malwarebytes. Once the threats are gone, then it's a good idea to install Bitdefender or another antivirus program to keep malware from returning.

Compare antivirus software

We compare the antivirus software highlighted in this guide. Some solutions may include additional tools, services, and benefits if you pay for an add-on or a higher-tiered security solution.

Protection scores are an average of the test results of our in-house tests and those conducted by independent test labs such as AV-Comparatives and AV-Test.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
BitdefenderAvastNortonMcAfeeTrend MicroMalwarebytesMicrosoft DefenderIntego
Protection score99.5%99.5%99%98.5%98.5%80%96.5%97.5%
Number of devices10110Unlimited1115
Operating systemWindows, Mac, Android, iOSWindows, Mac, Android, iOSWindows, Mac, Android, iOSWindows, Mac, Android, iOSWindowsWindows, Mac, Android, iOSWindowsMac. iOS
Real-time protection✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️💲✔️✔️
Firewall✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️Row 4 - Cell 6 ✔️✔️
Webcam monitoring✔️✔️✔️Row 5 - Cell 4 Row 5 - Cell 5 Row 5 - Cell 6 Row 5 - Cell 7 Row 5 - Cell 8
Safe banking tools✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️Row 6 - Cell 6 Row 6 - Cell 7 Row 6 - Cell 8
ID theft monitoringRow 7 - Cell 1 💲✔️✔️💲💲💲Row 7 - Cell 8
Anti-theft✔️Row 8 - Cell 2 Row 8 - Cell 3 Row 8 - Cell 4 Row 8 - Cell 5 Row 8 - Cell 6 ✔️Row 8 - Cell 8
Parental controls✔️✔️✔️✔️💲Row 9 - Cell 6 ✔️✔️
VPN200 MB per dayUnlimitedUnlilmitedUnlimited💲💲Row 10 - Cell 7 Row 10 - Cell 8

Antivirus software and data sharing

There has been some news about antivirus companies using their software to collect user information. For example, in 2019, Avast acknowledged it collected user information, such as search results and online browser histories, and sold it to third-parties, such as Google. It has since discontinued this program, but every antivirus solution still collects and uses customer data in some form or another.

The first reason for antivirus programs to collect user data is to ensure updated malware information is logged in threat databases quickly. Zero-day threats, which are malware files so new they haven't had a chance to be named, yet, are the most common threats picked up on user computers then shared with these databases. Without this information, too many systems would be vulnerable to malware attacks because it would take too long for antivirus programs to figure out these threats and how to stop them on each computer. Getting this information to shared databases quickly is the best way to protect everyone.

The second reason for collecting user information is product research. It's helpful for many software companies to know how their clients interact with the world wide web. Security software, especially, gathers information to create better programs that recognize spam messages, phishing schemes, and websites that tend to harbor malicious files. It's also helpful to know information, such as how often users download videos and games, or shop and bank online, to better design and optimized protection tools for these activities.

The third reason for user data is to make money. It isn't a secret that websites and software gather information about their users and send it along to business partners. These partners then use this information to create targeted ads. This is why, after searching for a blender on Amazon, you are suddenly inundated with blender ads on Facebook.

It might make you uneasy to think about your information being gathered and shared. However, each antivirus program does give you the chance to opt out of its data collection program. Every software I tested asked me during the initial download and setup if I wanted to participate in its collection program. In each instance, I opted out, though I could change my mind and opt back in simply by adjusting the appropriate settings. However, even when opting out of these programs, there is still going to be some information gathered. It is the only way software programs can better serve their users.

Recent updates

Our latest update saw no significant differences between our top picks, and no new events in the industry for us to report on. As such, we double-checked the pricing, deals, server locations, and unblocking capabilities to make sure the information on this page was as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

Nikki Johnston
Commissioned editor

Nikki is a commissioned editor for Future Plc covering internet security including antivirus and VPN. With over 18 years of research and writing experience, and 11 years of testing and reviewing internet security solutions, Nikki knows how to dive deep to get the information consumers need to make better buying decisions. She is also a mom to 10 children, and personally uses many of the products she reviews to ensure the safety of her own family.