Best Antivirus Software of 2026
Bitdefender is our top pick for antivirus software because it pairs strong core protection features with a light footprint and a regular presence in independent lab testing. Norton 360 is the best choice if you want identity monitoring and lots of extras in one suite, Malwarebytes is a strong pick for cleaning up and blocking malware and scams, and AVG is our pick for free antivirus. Plan features and renewal prices change, so check the current terms before you buy.
Our ranking of the best antivirus suites
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#1
Bitdefender
Best overallStrong, lightweight protection with a regular presence in independent lab tests.
- Real-time malware, web and ransomware protection
- Apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS
- VPN and password manager on some plans
- Free antivirus edition for Windows
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#2
Norton 360
Best for identity protectionFeature-packed security suite with identity monitoring options for US customers.
- Real-time malware, web protection and firewall
- VPN and password manager on most plans
- Dark web monitoring; LifeLock features on some US plans
- Parental controls and cloud backup (Windows) on some plans
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#3
McAfee
Best for householdsLong-running consumer suite with identity monitoring and scam-protection tools.
- Malware and web protection
- VPN included on many plans
- Identity monitoring features
- Scam-detection tools on some plans
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#4
Malwarebytes
Best for malware cleanupWell-known malware cleanup tools, with paid real-time protection, a VPN and identity plans.
- Free malware scan and cleanup
- Real-time antivirus and web protection on paid plans
- Browser Guard ad and scam blocker (free)
- VPN and identity protection on higher tiers
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#5
TotalAV
Easiest to useSimple, beginner-friendly antivirus with optional VPN and ad blocker.
- Real-time malware protection and WebShield web protection
- Simple, beginner-friendly dashboard
- Data breach monitoring for your email
- VPN, ad blocker and password manager on some plans
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#6
Aura
Best for family safetyIdentity theft protection and family online safety, with antivirus and a VPN included.
- Identity theft protection and three-bureau credit monitoring
- Antivirus for Android, Windows and Mac
- VPN and password manager
- Data broker removal help
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#7
Surfshark One
Best VPN bundleA full VPN bundled with antivirus, data-leak alerts and privacy tools.
- Full Surfshark VPN
- Antivirus on Windows, macOS and Android
- Data-leak alerts (Surfshark Alert)
- Ad and tracker blocking (Clean Web)
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#8
AVG
Best free antivirusFree antivirus on every major platform, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate plans.
- AntiVirus FREE for Windows
- Free apps for Mac, Android and iOS
- Webcam and ransomware protection in Internet Security
- Ultimate bundle with VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack
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#9
Avast
Best free all-in-one appWell-known free antivirus inside the Avast One app, with paid upgrades for a VPN and more.
- Free antivirus in the Avast One app
- Free versions for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS
- Paid upgrades with a VPN and Premium Security
- Web protection and scam alerts
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#10
Guardio
Best for browser scam protectionBrowser extension and app that block scam and phishing sites and alert you to data leaks.
- Scam and phishing site blocking in the browser
- Email and text phishing filtering
- Data-leak alerts
- Free basic browser protection plan
Modern antivirus software does much more than scan files. Most paid suites now bundle web protection, ransomware defenses, a firewall or network checks, and extras such as a VPN, a password manager or identity monitoring. That makes products harder to compare, because the same brand can sell very different plans.
We ranked ten of the best-known security products sold in the US on what they protect, how open they are about testing and renewal terms, how they feel to use day to day, and how they handle your data. Everything below describes the products in general; plans, features and prices change often, so always check the current details on the provider's site.
Antivirus Software compared side by side
Sort by rank, name or score. Tick "Compare" on any two or three providers above to see them side by side.
| Best for | Platforms | Extras (varies by plan) | Link | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bitdefender |
Best overall | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, password manager, identity features on some plans; check plan | 9.4 | Visit site (Bitdefender, opens in a new tab) |
| #2 | Norton 360 |
Best for identity protection | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, password manager, dark web monitoring; LifeLock on some plans; check plan | 9.2 | Visit site (Norton 360, opens in a new tab) |
| #3 | McAfee | Best for households | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, identity monitoring, scam protection on some plans; check plan | 8.8 | Visit site (McAfee, opens in a new tab) |
| #4 | Malwarebytes |
Best for malware cleanup | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, identity protection, data remover on higher tiers; check plan | 8.6 | Visit site (Malwarebytes, opens in a new tab) |
| #5 | TotalAV |
Easiest to use | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, ad blocker, password manager on some plans; check plan | 8.3 | Visit site (TotalAV, opens in a new tab) |
| #6 | Aura |
Best for family safety | Antivirus on Windows, macOS, Android | Identity and credit monitoring, VPN, password manager, parental controls; check plan | 8.2 | Visit site (Aura, opens in a new tab) |
| #7 | Surfshark One |
Best VPN bundle | Windows, macOS, Android; iOS app with a different feature set | Full VPN, data-leak alerts, ad blocker, Alternative ID; check plan | 8.1 | Visit site (Surfshark One, opens in a new tab) |
| #8 | AVG |
Best free antivirus | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, TuneUp, AntiTrack in paid plans; check plan | 8.0 | Visit site (AVG, opens in a new tab) |
| #9 | Avast |
Best free all-in-one app | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | VPN, scam and identity tools on paid plans; check plan | 7.9 | Visit site (Avast, opens in a new tab) |
| #10 | Guardio |
Best for browser scam protection | Chrome and Edge extension; iOS and Android apps | Data-leak alerts, email and SMS phishing filtering; check plan | 7.4 | Visit site (Guardio, opens in a new tab) |
Top picks by use case
Broad, layered protection with a light footprint and a regular presence in independent lab tests.
Read our Bitdefender reviewBundles a VPN, password manager and dark web monitoring, with LifeLock features on some US plans.
Read our Norton 360 reviewFree cleanup tools plus paid real-time antivirus with scam and ad blocking.
Read our Malwarebytes reviewIdentity and credit monitoring, parental controls, a VPN and antivirus in one family plan.
Read our Aura reviewA full VPN with antivirus and data-leak alerts in one subscription.
Read our Surfshark One reviewFree antivirus for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with paid upgrades if you need them.
Read our AVG reviewHow we chose
We score antivirus suites on how well they protect and inform the customer, based on our review of each product's public feature pages, plan comparison tables, renewal and cancellation terms, privacy policies, and whether the product is routinely included in independent lab testing. We do not run our own malware lab and do not republish lab scores; we point you to the labs so you can check the latest results. Each product gets a weighted score out of 10 across five criteria.
Breadth of core protection: real-time malware scanning, web and phishing protection, ransomware defenses, firewall or network protection, and coverage across the platforms you use.
Whether the product is routinely tested by independent labs such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, so you can check its results for yourself. We look at participation, not at any single test result.
Which extras (VPN, password manager, identity monitoring, parental controls) come with which plan, and how clearly the provider explains first-term versus renewal pricing, auto-renewal and refunds.
How light the product feels in everyday use, how clear the dashboard and alerts are, and how many upsell prompts you see.
What the provider says it collects and shares, how easy it is to opt out, and any public regulatory history relevant to user data.
Buying guide: how to choose
What modern antivirus actually does
Today's suites watch files and apps in real time, block known malicious and phishing websites, and try to stop ransomware from encrypting your files. Many add a firewall or Wi-Fi checks.
Paid plans usually bundle extras on top: a VPN, a password manager, parental controls, cloud backup or identity monitoring. Those extras are where plans differ most, so compare plan tables carefully.
Do you need it if you have Windows Defender?
Windows includes Microsoft Defender, which provides real-time malware protection at no extra cost. For many careful users that is a reasonable baseline.
A third-party suite can still make sense if you want stronger web and phishing protection across browsers, apps for phones and Macs, or extras like a VPN and identity monitoring from one provider. Read our guide: Do you still need antivirus?
Check independent lab results yourself
Independent labs such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives regularly test major antivirus products for protection, performance impact and false alarms. We do not republish their scores, because results change with every test round.
Before you buy, look up the product's most recent reports on the labs' own sites. Be cautious of any product that never appears in independent testing.
Watch the renewal price
- First-term pricing is usually a discount. The renewal price is often noticeably higher.
- Auto-renewal is the default on most plans. Note how to turn it off.
- Device limits and platforms vary by plan. Make sure the plan covers every device you care about.
- Refund windows exist but have conditions. Read them before you buy.
Privacy matters too
Antivirus software sees a lot of what happens on your device. Read the provider's privacy policy, turn off optional data sharing you do not want, and consider the company's track record. For example, in June 2024 the FTC finalized an order banning Avast from selling or licensing web browsing data for advertising purposes. Our how we rank page explains how privacy and trust factor into our scores.
Head-to-head comparisons
Norton 360 vs Bitdefender
Choose Bitdefender if you want strong core protection with a light footprint and fewer prompts.
ComparisonNorton 360 vs McAfee
Norton 360 and McAfee are both full security suites with a VPN and identity features.
ComparisonBitdefender vs TotalAV
Choose Bitdefender if you want deeper protection features and a product that is routinely included in independent lab tests.
ComparisonAvast vs Bitdefender
Avast and Bitdefender both offer free antivirus.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best antivirus software?
In our editorial ranking, Bitdefender is the best overall antivirus because of its broad protection features, light footprint and regular presence in independent lab tests. Norton 360 is our pick for identity protection, Malwarebytes for malware cleanup and AVG for free antivirus.
Do I need antivirus on Windows?
Windows includes Microsoft Defender, which gives real-time malware protection at no extra cost. A third-party suite can add stronger web protection, apps for other devices and extras such as a VPN or identity monitoring. Read our guide on whether you still need antivirus.
Do Macs need antivirus?
macOS has built-in security protections, and Macs are targeted less often than Windows PCs, but Mac malware and phishing do exist. A suite with a macOS app adds real-time scanning and web protection if you want extra coverage.
Is free antivirus good enough?
Free antivirus, including the built-in Microsoft Defender, can cover basic malware protection. Paid plans add things like multi-device apps, stronger web and ransomware protection, and extras such as a VPN or password manager. See our free vs paid antivirus guide.
Why is Kaspersky not on your list?
Under a 2024 US Commerce Department decision, Kaspersky can no longer sell or update its antivirus software in the US. Because of that, we do not include it in our US rankings and suggest US users switch to another product.
Is a browser extension like Guardio enough?
Scam-blocking extensions such as Guardio help you avoid phishing and fake sites, but they do not scan your whole device for malware. Use one alongside Microsoft Defender or a full antivirus.
Why did my antivirus renewal cost more?
Most antivirus plans offer a discounted first term and then renew automatically at a higher price. Check the renewal price before you buy, set a reminder, and turn off auto-renewal in your account if you plan to switch.
Can I run two antivirus programs at once?
Running two real-time antivirus programs together can cause conflicts and slowdowns. When you install a third-party suite on Windows, Microsoft Defender typically steps back automatically. Uninstall any old suite before installing a new one.
How do you rank antivirus software?
We score each product on protection features, independent testing presence, extras and value transparency, performance impact and ease of use, and privacy and trust. We do not publish our own lab scores. See our full methodology on the How We Rank page.
Antivirus Software guides
All antivirus software guidesDo You Still Need Antivirus Software?
Windows and macOS now include built-in security. Here is when built-in protection is enough, when a paid antivirus suite adds real value, and what to check.
Antivirus Software guideFree vs Paid Antivirus: What Is the Difference?
Free antivirus covers basic malware protection. Paid suites add multi-device apps, stronger web protection and extras. Here is how to decide which you need.
Antivirus Software guideHow to Choose Antivirus Software
A practical checklist for choosing antivirus software: protection features, platforms, independent lab testing, extras, renewal pricing and privacy.
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