The best antivirus software of 2024

2024-12-18 13:30:00
www.zdnet.com

In our digitally connected world, where we carry smartphones, tablets, and laptops filled with personal data, it’s more important than ever to avoid malware. We all know what antivirus software is, but how many of us actually use it? Do we even know which antivirus software best suits our needs? There are many different kinds, after all, and it can be difficult to determine what we need to stay protected. That’s why we set out to find the best antivirus software of 2024.

Also: The best free antivirus software in 2024

Threats are constantly evolving. Manufacturers include default protection with their devices, but these often do the bare minimum. You should seriously consider installing a dedicated antivirus program to protect against today’s sophisticated threats, like phishing, ransomware, trojans, and worms.

With the right protection, you will be alerted when you visit suspicious websites, try to download or execute potentially malicious software, or if malware otherwise finds its way to your system. You can also perform regular scans to remove threats from your system without too much fuss.

What is the best antivirus solution right now?

ZDNET has searched for the best antivirus you can trust to protect multiple devices and operating systems. Our pick for the best antivirus software overall is Bitdefender Total Security, which can easily handle advanced security threats without dragging down your CPU or system performance.

Based on personal experience and testing, real user reviews, and expert options, these are the best antivirus software and apps to protect your most personal information in 2024. Keep an eye on the pricing, too, as some holiday deals have appeared on antivirus software bundles.

Best antivirus software and apps of 2024

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Our overall pick for the best antivirus is Bitdefender Total Security. This software protects your personal data, such as passwords or financial details. It will handle even advanced security threats and stop them from wreaking havoc on your device.

Bitdefender is a well-known and trusted brand in the antivirus space. The antivirus solution isn’t too top-heavy and won’t hog your CPU, and it is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Beyond detecting and blocking malware, rootkits, and ransomware, the software also detects phishing attempts, prevents invasive third-party data tracking, and stops unauthorized access to your microphone or webcam. As a bonus, subscribers can use the built-in VPN to secure their online traffic, although this is limited.

Also: The best password managers: Expert tested in 2024

Customers like Bitdefender’s ease of use and strong protection, but it is best for standard users who want the whole package and don’t want to exert too much control over the software. We also like that the team behind this antivirus is active in cybersecurity, consistently releases research on cyber threats, and develops ransomware decryptors.

Bitdefender’s plans are currently on sale, including the Total Security plan for $60 for a year of protection (45% off). Premium and Ultimate plans are also available for less during the holidays, and these plans include advanced cybersecurity features. You can also opt for Bitdefender’s free, albeit limited, antivirus solution.

Also: Bitdefender vs. Malwarebytes: Which antivirus is best?

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Norton Antivirus Plus is very affordable if you only need to protect one device. Antivirus Plus is Norton’s basic antivirus solution and includes threat protection and monitoring, threat scanning, a firewall, and a free password manager — alongside 2GB of cloud backup storage.

While it is limited to one device, and this will undoubtedly frustrate some users, its current promotional price of $30 for the first year makes it one of the most affordable options available.

However, suppose you want support for additional devices, dark web monitoring, a VPN, or parental controls. In that case, you should opt for Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Standard Deluxe, or Norton 360 with LifeLock Select. Customers note Norton’s strong security scores, although some are less than impressed with the price jumps after promotional periods.

At the time of writing, the company is offering 50% off its Plus plan, which means you will only pay $20 for your first year of protection (for one device). You can also take advantage of a 57% discount on Standard plans ($40 per year) to protect up to three devices.

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McAfee Total Protection fits the bill when purchasing antivirus protection for multiple devices.

It offers protection for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks. It also includes a free password manager, VPN, and dark web monitoring service so you can keep your credentials safe and be aware of any information leaks online that could compromise your identity or accounts.

Special alerts inform you of threats so you can act immediately. Customers say McAfee protection is solid and worth paying for, although software removal and pop-ups can be a nuisance.

When you sign up, you will receive 12 months of protection. The best deal is for an Essential package on Amazon, which protects up to five devices. On Amazon, you will pay only $20.

When you purchase the software directly from McAfee, you have more options, including individual premium and advanced plans are also available.

Screenshot of McAfee Total Protection website

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Surfshark is most often associated with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), but if you are looking for a lightweight AV bolt-on for this type of privacy tool, the Surfshark One package might be for you.

A VPN provides an encrypted tunnel to mask your IP address and online activities. Surfshark consistently places as one of our top VPNs, especially considering its affordability. The company also provides a basic antivirus within its mid- and top-tier packages. The AV runs quietly in the background and performs real-time scans to keep you safe from online threats.

Surfshark offers a range of plans to suit your needs and budget. Subscriptions start at $1.99 per month on a two-year plan. For the antivirus, you will need to go for Surfshark One, which starts at $2.49/month. Annual plans begin at $2.99 per month. All of these plans come with four months of free VPN access. Customers like Surfshark as a solid VPN that demonstrates good value for money.

Also: Surfshark VPN review: One of our favorite budget VPNs with unlimited connections

If you want a service that removes your data from company databases and people search sites, you could also opt for Surfshark One+, which includes antivirus software, the Surfshark VPN, and real-time breach alerts, among other features. Plans start at $3.99 per month.

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ESET Protect is one of our top choices of antivirus programs for small- to medium-sized businesses.

The company provides customizable plans for organizations of all sizes. These plans include protection for multiple devices, endpoint defense, encryption, file protection, cloud-based monitoring for new threats, app protection, mail security, full disk encryption, and multi-factor authentication.

Organizations can add extended detection, response support, and more security services from ESET. On-premise or cloud options are available. The company also utilizes AI and has adopted a multilayered approach to its solutions, focusing on reducing the attack surface for ransomware, phishing, and vulnerability exploitation.

Plans can be customized with a variety of add-ons. They begin with protection for five devices and allow you to increase your license to 100. Entry-level, out-of-the-box subscriptions start at $211/year. Many customers are very happy with the service, although reporting processes appear to need refining.

Consumers, too, can take advantage of ESET’s sale and sign up for home plans starting at $40 per year for the basic Essential service. You can also choose how many devices you want to protect.

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Best antivirus software	Price	Free plan	Malware protection	Phishing protection
Bitdefender Total Security	Plans start at $50 per year	Yes	Yes	Yes
Norton Antivirus Plus	Plans start at $20 per year	No	Yes	Yes
McAfee Total Protection	Plans start at $20 per year	No	Yes	Yes
Surfshark One	Plans start at $2.49 per month	No	Yes	Yes
ESET Protect	Plans start at $211 per year	No	Yes	Yes

*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.

Choose this antivirus software…	If you want…
Bitdefender Total Security	Impressive performance at an affordable price. Bitdefender can be a bit slow to set up, but once it’s ready, the antivirus is unobtrusive and will only alert you as necessary.
Norton Antivirus Plus	A budget-friendly antivirus solution. If you only need to protect one device, and you want to spend as little as possible, Norton’s basic plan is all you need.
McAfee Total Protection	Protection for multiple devices with additional features. The bolt-on password manager, VPN, and dark web monitoring are valuable security features to have.
Surfshark One	A lightweight, actively-scanning AV solution for use with a VPN. If you want an affordable VPN for daily use with additional antivirus protection, consider this bundle.
ESET Protect	A business-friendly antivirus option. You can choose between SMB entry, advanced, and complete plans, as well as enterprise solutions.

When selecting an antivirus, you should consider:

Device support: Many antivirus solutions support a variety of devices. Consider whether you want to protect your PC or mobile device, for example — and check that plans will cover more than one machine.
Protection: Research the protection on offer, including whether the software can protect you against threats such as ransomware, trojans, and spyware.
Price: There are free, lightweight options that can handle day-to-day protection, but they are unlikely to offer additional support. If you opt for a paid plan, choose one suitable for your budget and be aware of any price hikes following promotional first years.
Additional features: You may want a solution that provides additional advanced features such as a bundled VPN, a dark web scanner, a data breach notification service, or insurance.
Resource use: Resource use varies across antivirus products, so you should check whether your machine will struggle with the extra workload. Apps tend to be optimized for modern mobile devices, but some older PCs may not work well with every antivirus option.

We consider numerous factors when recommending the best antivirus software solutions, including:

Features: There are many threats out there, from malware to viruses, so we look for the best antivirus protection and features available to protect your online activity, whether you are using your PC or smartphone. Features may include email attachment checks, dark web data breach alert services, VPNs, and identity data monitoring.
Real-time scanning: We like to see real-time scans as a feature of modern antivirus software, as we consider this imperative to modern security. This feature ensures you are warned when threats emerge.
Performance: Features mean nothing if the antivirus app or software does not have the power or performance to back it up. It is important to look for antivirus software and apps that not only attack existing threats, but prevent you from facing new ones, too.
Accessibility: Antivirus software has been available for quite some time, and there are now plenty of mobile antivirus apps, too. Consider how you would best like to access your antivirus program and what mobile requirements there may be.
Artificial intelligence: We like to see the inclusion of new technologies including AI based threat detection tools.
Price: The best antivirus programs do not charge the highest fees, with several programs offering free versions, but with limited features. Consider your budget when you are trying to find the best antivirus protection.
Support: As with any software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We like to see antivirus solution providers with a range of customer support channels.

Viruses are not the only thing that antivirus programs protect against. There are also worms, which attack your device and attempt to propagate across networks, and trojans that appear to be safe programs but are anything but — as they will lurk on your device and attempt to steal your account and financial information.

You often find viruses, worms, and trojans hidden within seemingly legitimate software, or if you are downloading pirated content, you are also putting yourself at risk of accidentally executing malware on your machine.

Ransomware, too, is a serious threat to consumers and businesses today. Modern antivirus programs are often able to stop it in its tracks before it encrypts your machine and demands a ransom payment in return for a decryption key.

Spyware, coming in forms including software executables and mobile apps, can severely impact your privacy. Spyware will monitor your activities and collect your data, and in cases of stalkerware, may also log your phone calls, text messages, social media activity, and GPS location.

Antivirus apps and programs also protect against adware that can tap into your web history and flood you with pesky and potentially dangerous ads or notifications. Also known as nuisanceware, while not usually dangerous, nuisanceware can slow down your device, drain power, and make it close to impossible to browse the internet normally.

You should keep in mind that many variants of malware today are not limited to attacks against PCs — malicious software can also be found in seemingly benign mobile apps.

Norton and McAfee are both reputable, well-established antivirus vendors that offer great product lines. Generally speaking, McAfee is a better all-rounder for beginners, whereas Norton often earns better protection scores and ratings.

One of the main drawbacks of antivirus software and apps is the computing resources they require. You may find that some antivirus software could drain your resources and slow down your system — this is especially apparent when real-time threat scanners (an important aspect of protection) are in use. That said, vendors have vastly improved resource requirements and this is less of an issue compared to a decade ago.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus has long been considered an excellent antivirus program, but in 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) branded Kaspersky a national security risk and the Commerce Department banned the use of its software in the US.

Many of the best antivirus programs and apps offer a free version that you can use to protect your devices. While they may be limited in their features, you often have the option to upgrade to a $30 to $40 annual plan for more benefits. Paid plans may cover more devices, for example, or include additional features such as email scanning, dark web monitoring, and password management.

Modern Windows PCs include the Windows Defender anti-threat software as standard, but we recommend that you consider signing up for an antivirus solution. There’s no harm in adding an additional layer of protection, especially if you often encounter phishing attempts or you are dealing with valuable, sensitive data.

No antivirus software is completely effective — just as no software is completely invulnerable to attack. Instead, pairing reputable antivirus software with other security methods, including using VPNs, strong passwords, 2FA, and being mindful of phishing tactics, will serve you best.

Extra protection is helpful on most devices you are likely to own. Arguably, threats in the Apple ecosystem are rarer, so you are less likely to need a dedicated antivirus program. Today’s most significant threats tend to attack businesses and organizations rather than hone in on individuals. However, real-time threat protection against phishing websites, malicious links and drive-by downloads, and warnings when you are trying to visit insecure domains are always useful. You might also benefit from add-on features antivirus programs provide beyond basic system scans.

Are there any alternative antivirus software and apps worth considering?

When looking for an antivirus program, there is a huge market to consider — and not every solution can make it to our recommendations list. If none of the options above appeal to you, we also found these options in our search for the best antivirus apps and software:

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