Top ranking antivirus software

If after you install the program, websites open slowly, apps download or open sluggishly or file copies take longer than expected, you may want to try another service.

The good news is, all our picks offer a free trial to let you try out the antivirus program, so if your system feels sluggish after installation, you may want to keep looking.

Cost and discounts. Don't just pay the sticker price for antivirus protection. Before you buy, check for discounts on a company's website. Another way to save: The prices we list above are for 10 devices -- if the company offered that package -- but you can trim your cost with antivirus packages if you need to cover three or five devices.

You may also find discounts on an app's Amazon page. To be effective, antivirus software needs to monitor what's going on with your PC, check in with company servers about unusual behavior and should provide sound banking protection. The companies say they anonymize this technical data as much as possible to protect your privacy. But if you want to know more, the security companies on our list post privacy policies on their websites, so read their privacy statements to learn what the companies do with the information you share.

Protection for other platforms. Microsoft is by far the biggest target for viruses and malware. While the Mac does come under attack via side-loaded apps, it's rare, and if you download apps only from the Mac and iOS app stores and keep your guard up when clicking links and download files, you should be OK without an antivirus app on Apple devices.

CNET editors pick the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Best free Windows antivirus Microsoft Defender. Jump to details. See at Microsoft. See at NortonLifeLock. See at Bitdefender. Best on-demand Windows malware removal Malwarebytes. See at Malwarebytes. Solid subscription antivirus alternative McAfee Total Protection.

See at McAfee. Another good subscription option Trend Micro Maximum Security. See at Trend Micro. See at ESET. Alternative free Windows antivirus Sophos Home. See at Sophos. Our recommendations Looking for free antivirus protection, malware protection or virus detection, willing to pay for an antivirus program that offers broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now?

Best free Windows antivirus. Microsoft Defender. Best antivirus subscription for Windows. Norton with LifeLock Select.

Best free antivirus alternative for Windows. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition. Best on-demand Windows malware removal. Solid subscription antivirus alternative. McAfee Total Protection. Another good subscription option. Trend Micro Maximum Security.

Worthwhile subscription alternative. Alternative free Windows antivirus. But if you want something that offers specific protections, the best option is to add a paid version that covers your needs. However, a long-standing misconception is that computers using Mac or Apple operating systems are immune to viruses and other malicious software attacks.

That was true two decades ago, but as Apple products became more popular, cybercriminals found value in designing viruses and malware for those systems. Also, increasing numbers of attacks can bypass the operating system and go directly for applications and web portals, putting every type of computer system at risk. Other things you should consider doing to protect yourself against hacks are installing anti-malware software, using a VPN, improving your password, and setting up two-factor authentication on your devices.

While there are free options, you get better protection and more features with a paid subscription. Paid versions offer features such as VPN, password management, and parental controls. Free AV software has improved greatly over the years, and again, anyone using Windows 10 already has free AV software that works pretty well. If all you want is software that detects malicious software, blocks it from doing damage, and scans your system, then free is good.

Paid versions, however, will offer protections on web browsing, protect identity, or offer VPN services, as well as password managers and parental control across multiple devices and operating systems.

These are more essential now, as more people are working remotely or using a single device for work and personal computing. Viruses are designed to replicate and spread, while malware is a catchall name for all types of malicious code aimed at damaging a computer or network.

All viruses are malware, but not all malware is a virus. AV software identifies threats through signature detections based on what is already known in the signature database. This is why AV software needs to be updated regularly. Antimalware software detects more sophisticated malware attacks.

The two types of defense software complement each other, and some AV software has antimalware built-in, but the two are different, and protection against both is necessary for true protection. There are hundreds of antivirus software solutions available. We investigated 20 popular solutions often considered the software of choice by cybersecurity experts. Of critical importance was the ease of use with all providers, making it something every consumer could navigate and use.

We then considered whether or not the provider had offerings beyond antivirus software. This included malware, ransomware protection, and multiple device protections. Those that had a free version or trial were given preference. We gave particular importance to platforms that were easy to use and integrate. Pew Research Center. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes.

Your Money. Personal Finance. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Best Antivirus Software Expand. Best Antivirus Software. What Is Antivirus Software?

What Does Antivirus Software Cost? Best Overall : Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Sign Up Now. Cons VPN available but with a separate subscription. Pros PC protections including firewall and backup Excellent malware protection Password manager LifeLock identity theft protection.

Cons Ransomware detection could be improved Slows the computer during full scans One of the more expensive offerings. Pros Excellent phishing detection Fast virus scanning Labels malicious links during online searches. Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender, which is a free antivirus service.

If you have highly sensitive data, an antivirus program can serve as an insurance policy if nothing else. Between browser security and Windows Defender a built-in antivirus in Windows 10 , you can keep yourself protected by following good security practices like avoiding suspicious links and using unique passwords across websites.

That said, a dedicated antivirus program has upsides. Antivirus providers have business plans that can help keep company resources protected from ransomware attacks and employees from phishing schemes. Jacob Roach is a writer and technology enthusiast. He specializes in computing and small business software, lending his experience to sites like Digital Trends, Business Insider, and Cloudwards. You can follow him on Twitter ManowarElves.

In that role, he was responsible for writing, editing, and strategizing content geared toward small business owners. Before that, he worked at PCMag as a business analyst. Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team. Jacob Roach, Rob Watts. Contributor, Editor. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor.

Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Read more. Small Business Guides. Featured Partners. Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes.

Firewall included Yes. Email security Yes. Ransomware protection Yes. Why We Picked It. Options for small and large businesses Removable device protection Offers on-premise deployment. Each seat includes desktop and mobile protection Automatic software updater included Password manager included for every user. Expensive Server protection limited to top two plans.

Threat forecast and analysis tools Helpful insights into employee behavior Subscription includes server protection. Centralized web dashboard Built-in behavior analysis Powered by machine learning. Who Should Use It: Businesses who need customizable security. Flexible plans that allow you to add features Patch management included.

Lacking employee-focused features like a password manager. Email security No. Plans for businesses of any size Ransomware rollback on Windows Automated endpoint discovery. Norton Antivirus.

Who Should Use It: Small teams looking for an easy-to-use antivirus solution. Highly secure Tailored for small business use Cloud-based device management. Who Should Use It: Individual users looking for business-level protection. Inexpensive Linkscanner protects you against malicious links Free email and phone support. NordVPN Vs. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only.

Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication.