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Antivirus Software review
Guardio logo

Guardio review

Best for browser scam protection

Browser extension and app that block scam and phishing sites and alert you to data leaks. People, or relatives, who mainly need help avoiding scam sites and phishing messages. We rank it #10 of 10 in our antivirus software comparison, with an editorial score of 7.4 out of 10.

Updated By the ChoosyOwl editorial teamHow we rank
7.4/10
Our editorial score

Guardio scores well on Performance impact & ease of use because it runs as a browser extension and mobile app with little setup, and on Extras & value transparency for clear member-based plans. It scores lower on Protection features and Independent testing presence because it focuses on scam, phishing and data-leak protection rather than full device antivirus scanning.

How we score antivirus software

Visit site (Guardio, opens in a new tab)

Quick facts

Our rank#10 of 10
Best forBest for browser scam protection
PlatformsChrome and Edge extension; iOS and Android apps
Extras (varies by plan)Data-leak alerts, email and SMS phishing filtering; check plan
Facts checkedNovember 14, 2026

Details are general and can change. Check current plans, prices and terms on the Guardio site. See the Guardio company profile in our brand directory.

Overview

Guardio is an online protection service focused on scams. On desktop it runs as a browser extension for Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and on phones and tablets as an app from the App Store or Google Play. It checks pages before you open them, filters phishing in email and texts, and sends data-leak alerts.

Guardio is not a traditional antivirus that scans your whole device, so many people use it alongside Microsoft Defender or another antivirus. A free plan offers basic browser protection, and paid plans cover one person, two or a family.

Check the current plan contents and renewal terms on the site.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very easy to install
  • Focused on everyday scams and phishing
  • Family plans for several members

Cons

  • Not a full device antivirus
  • Desktop protection depends on a supported browser
  • Rarely appears in major antivirus lab reports

Key features

  • Scam and phishing site blocking in the browser
  • Email and text phishing filtering
  • Data-leak alerts
  • Free basic browser protection plan
  • Plans for individuals, duos and families

Who Guardio is for

A good fit if

People, or relatives, who mainly need help avoiding scam sites and phishing messages.

Look elsewhere if

Anyone who needs full malware scanning on their computer.

How we scored Guardio

Guardio scores well on Performance impact & ease of use because it runs as a browser extension and mobile app with little setup, and on Extras & value transparency for clear member-based plans. It scores lower on Protection features and Independent testing presence because it focuses on scam, phishing and data-leak protection rather than full device antivirus scanning.

Our antivirus software score weighs protection features (30%), independent testing presence (20%), extras & value transparency (20%), performance impact & ease of use (15%), privacy & trust (15%). See the methodology.

Guardio alternatives

  1. #1
    Bitdefender logo

    Bitdefender

    Best overall

    Strong, 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
    9.4/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (Bitdefender, opens in a new tab) Read review
  2. #2
    Norton 360 logo

    Norton 360

    Best for identity protection

    Feature-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
    9.2/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (Norton 360, opens in a new tab) Read review
  3. #3
    Mc

    McAfee

    Best for households

    Long-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
    8.8/10
    Editorial score
    Visit site (McAfee, opens in a new tab) Read review

See all 10 antivirus suites compared

Guardio FAQ

Is Guardio an antivirus?

Guardio focuses on scams, phishing and data leaks through a browser extension and mobile app. It is not a traditional antivirus that scans your whole device, so pair it with one.

Is Guardio free?

Guardio offers a free plan with basic browser protection. Full protection, including data-leak alerts and email and text filtering, requires a paid plan.

Which browsers does Guardio support?

Guardio says its desktop extension works with Chrome and Microsoft Edge. On phones and tablets you install the Guardio app.

Sources and fact check

We checked the facts on this page against Guardio's own website on .