I Tested The Best Antivirus Software For Windows: Here's What I'd Use To Protect My Pc

3 weeks ago

The net tin beryllium a vulnerable place, pinch malware lurking astir each corner. While galore antivirus programs committedness robust protection, choosing nan correct 1 tin beryllium amazingly difficult. Which 1 should you download? Windows Security comes free pinch each Windows PC, and it's amazingly solid. Bitdefender boasts a afloat loaded arsenal to protect your machine from bad actors, and astatine nan clip of this writing, a subscription costs $60 for a afloat year.

To prevention you time, I person compiled a database of nan champion antivirus apps for Windows computers. Each programme successful this roundup comes highly recommended. You can't spell incorrect pinch immoderate of them, but location is 1 clear winner.

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What is nan antivirus package for Windows correct now?

ZDNET's experts cautiously trial aggregate antivirus programs connected Windows, putting them done nan ringer to supply you pinch nan champion proposal connected which package you should instal to protect your computer.

Each of nan antiviral programs connected this roundup comes highly recommended. However, our prime for nan champion antivirus app connected Windows is Malwarebytes. It has everything you could ever want successful protective software: robust security, an easy-to-understand personification interface, and a subscription work that builds connected nan free version. Read connected to find retired our different apical picks and if definite apps amended fresh your needs.

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Best antivirus package and apps for Windows successful 2025

Why we for illustration it: The aptly named Malwarebytes takes nan apical spot arsenic nan champion antivirus programme for Windows computers. This app provides reliable protection against malware, viruses, and phishing attacks while not overwhelming nan personification pinch clutter aliases forced subscriptions. The free type offers on-demand malware discovery and integer footprint scans. If you want a robust defense, nan paid type lets you springiness real-time protection positive automated scan scheduling.

Notable features see Trusted Advisor, which provides recommendations to amended protection, and Browser Guard, a browser hold that blocks threats. Malwarebytes offers a free 14-day proceedings to effort retired nan subscription.

Review: Malwarebytes

Who it's for: Malwarebytes is awesome for anyone who wants quick, reliable protection for their machine that doesn't require a assemblage grade to fig out. Its personification interface is very friends and easy to navigate. The free tier is each you'll request if you conscionable want to occasionally scan your PC for immoderate looming threats. But if you for illustration a set-it-and-forget-it acquisition pinch features for illustration ransomware protection, I urge getting a paid plan.

Who should look elsewhere: Many antiviral programs person a mobile app to protect Android and iOS devices. Malwarebytes is 1 of them, but I wouldn't urge installing it connected your smartphone. It's not arsenic robust arsenic nan desktop version, and signing up for a free proceedings is confusing.

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Why we for illustration it: Bitdefender Total Security is simply a broad antivirus programme that provides a robust suite of protection devices to observe against online threats. Its real-time protection actively scans for malware, vulnerabilities successful software, and caller patches without noticeably slowing down computers. The programme besides comes pinch a wide array of adjuvant features. Traffic Light, for example, flags suspicious hyperlinks that you whitethorn travel across, and Anti-tracker blocks third-party information collection.

What's awesome astir Bitdefender is that it offers different cognition modes. There's 1 for gaming, 1 for streaming movies, and 1 for work. Activating 1 of these modes optimizes nan strategy capacity for definite workloads to present nan champion acquisition possible. Other notable features see a privateness firewall and protection against crypto mining.

Review: Bitdefender Total Security

Who it's for: I would urge Bitdefender Total Security to anyone looking for robust, all-in-one protection crossed aggregate devices. It tin unafraid PCS, smartphones, and tablets, too. It's particularly valuable for anyone who spends a batch of clip watching online contented aliases shopping. In those integer environments, it tin beryllium rather easy to autumn for phishing attempts aliases beryllium attacked by malware.

Who should look elsewhere: Bitdefender requires users to instal aggregate apps and browser extensions to get nan afloat magnitude of protection. ZDNET Contributing Writer Emily Long recovered having each that package crossed respective devices alternatively cumbersome. Also, while nan package has galore features, they tin consciousness rather limiting. The VPN, for example, offers "protection for 200 MB of postulation per device, per day." For galore people, "200 MB doesn't spell very far".

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Why we for illustration it: Protecting your PC tin beryllium an costly endeavor. Antivirus developers often complaint a batch of money, but luckily, location are plentifulness of inexpensive options available, and TotalAV stands gangly arsenic 1 of nan best. Usually, it costs $100 for a yearly subscription to TotalAV Antivirus Pro. But correct now, you tin acquisition nan work for $30 successful conscionable nan first year. Upon subscribing, you'll person an in-depth package package tin of protecting up to 5 different devices astatine nan aforesaid time.

They'll beryllium protected against malware, phishing attempts, and ransomware. Notable features see a built-in VPN, advertisement blocker, positive a strategy tune-up instrumentality that tin velocity up computers by clearing retired junk files. , an independent IT information institute, praises TotalAV for its effectiveness successful blocking "zero-day malware attacks" while minimally affecting machine capacity and being easy to understand.

I besides admit nan elemental and cleanable interface. It makes scheduling scans really easy. You won't person to hunt down nan instrumentality by scouring done menus.

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Who it's for: I urge TotalTV to anyone who wants an affordable antivirus programme to protect their machine and smartphone. It's perfect for users aliases families connected a fund who want nan bully other it provides, for illustration nan aforementioned VPN. Tech novices will admit nan clear personification interface.

Who should look elsewhere: Interestingly enough, nan problems pinch TotalAV don't person thing to do pinch nan app itself, but alternatively nan institution down it. Some users person complained online astir nan developer's mediocre customer service. expressed vexation astatine really difficult it was to cancel their TotalAV subscription.

And while it covers nan basics well, powerfulness users mightiness beryllium disappointed by nan deficiency of deeper customization aliases precocious information controls.

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Why we for illustration it: If money is not an rumor and you want to move your machine into a integer Fort Knox, I highly urge McAfee Total Protection. The information level is celebrated for its powerful protection and infamous for really often it is preinstalled successful caller laptops. There are 2 main versions of McAfee Total Protection: McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee+. The erstwhile is antivirus software, while nan second offers truthful overmuch more.

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McAfee+ comes pinch a VPN, individual information cleanup to region delicate accusation from nan internet, a password manager, and place theft sum up to $1 million. That's conscionable nan extremity of nan iceberg. In 2024, McAfee introduced a caller characteristic to combat threats from generative AI. Aptly named Deepfake Detector, this instrumentality actively monitors what is playing connected a machine and will alert you if nan audio has been altered successful immoderate measurement by artificial intelligence.

Who it's for: McAfee Total Protection is 1 of nan champion antivirus programs retired there, and I would highly propose it to professionals managing delicate information crossed respective devices. In summation to Windows machines, it provides protection to devices moving iOS, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS. Families and users worried astir emerging AI threats aliases personality theft will admit everything it offers.

Who should look elsewhere: I see McAfee Total Protection to beryllium 1 of nan champion antivirus programs retired there, if not the best, successful position of nan level of protection it provides. But nan main logic it's not astatine nan apical of nan database is that it's expensive. Prices commencement astatine $90 a period for McAfee+, and that's pinch nan discount.

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Why we for illustration it: As personification who plays a batch of video games, there's thing much annoying than getting notifications from my antivirus app that artifact my view. Avast One is cleanable for group for illustration maine because of its Do Not Disturb mode, which stops each notifications from hitting your screen. This includes messages from Windows, different apps, and moreover nan package itself. What's peculiarly neat is that nan characteristic is included successful nan free type of Avast One. Text successful nan app points retired really it tin "eliminate distractions", allowing users to acquisition "uninterrupted gaming sessions [and] movie marathons".

Naturally, location is much to Avast One than conscionable its 1 feature. The package tin screen up to six different family members successful a family pinch 30 devices betwixt them. Avast One besides monitors your societal media profiles, looking for immoderate imaginable signs of relationship hacking. And nan institution offers up to $2 cardinal successful sum successful nan arena of an personality theft. That's doubly arsenic overmuch arsenic what McAfee offers.

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Who it's for: Avast One is cleanable for anyone who wants zero interruptions while playing games, watching movies, aliases working. Families besides use from nan software's multi-device, multi-user coverage. It unsocial tin supply up to 30 devices astatine nan aforesaid time. If that's not enough, it's beautiful inexpensive too. You tin get nan Silver subscription for arsenic debased arsenic $3 a month.

Who should look elsewhere: While nan free type of Avast One is simply a generous package, immoderate of its astir precocious features are locked down nan astir costly plans. Power users wanting an all-in-one information suite pinch heavy customization options whitethorn find this programme excessively limiting.

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Why we for illustration it: Initially, I hesitated to see Windows Security connected this database because I assumed nan first-party package wouldn't beryllium very good. But nan much I utilized it, nan much I realized it is simply a coagulated antivirus action that deserves a spot.

It's perfectly tin of protecting users from online threats. Windows Security provides real-time protection against malware and instrumentality monitoring. It comes pinch its very ain firewall courtesy of Windows Defender, making Windows Security 1 of nan fewer free options to person a firewall. Most companies fastener this characteristic down a subscription cost. I should mention that immoderate of nan devices tin only beryllium utilized pinch Microsoft Edge. One of these is Isolated Browsing, which opens an "isolated browsing environment" connected nan browser to actively protect group from online threats.

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Who it's for: Windows Security is simply a perfectly good antivirus programme for group who want basal online protection and don't want to salary for a subscription aliases instal other apps. It is an integral portion of Windows 11, truthful it is easy connected resources. Certain aspects, specified arsenic its antivirus feature, utilize Microsoft's unreality computing tech to supply changeless safety.

Who should look elsewhere: Windows Security is beautiful barebones for an antivirus program. It lacks precocious features for illustration schedules scans, personality theft protection, and an integrated VPN. Plus, to get nan champion imaginable protection, you person to usage Microsoft Edge. Third-party browsers won't get nan aforesaid level of support.

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Why we for illustration it: The beingness of uBlock Origin connected this database whitethorn look strange. After all, it's not an antivirus program; it's an advertisement blocker. However, I would reason that this browser hold is truthful bully astatine its occupation that it should beryllium recognized arsenic an antivirus tool.

Much of uBlock Origin's effectiveness is tied to its filters. These features actively forestall malware, advertisements, spyware, and much from attacking users. The lists it utilizes tin beryllium recovered connected nan charismatic page. One of them, nan , is massive. Everything connected that page is perpetually being stopped by nan extensions, allowing you to browse nan net peacefully. And it sees predominant updates, truthful uBlock Origin is ever astatine nan apical of its game.

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Who it's for: uBlock Origin is simply a bully prime for group who want lightweight, browser-level protection. The hold actively stops malware-infested ads, sketchy redirects, and search scripts. Tech-savvy users will admit nan ray customization options. You tin adhd other filters to uBlock Origin, enabling it to artifact moreover much online threats, aliases you could lessen nan restrictions to let definite elements to walk through.

Who should look elsewhere: As stated earlier, uBlock Origin is not a due antivirus program, truthful it doesn't supply afloat system-wide protection. It is constricted to conscionable browsers. Also, owed to changes successful Chrome, nan original type nary longer useful connected Google's browser. uBlock Origin Lite is simply a decent substitute; however, it isn't arsenic robust.

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Why we for illustration it: Rounding retired nan database is Brave, a web browser known for its powerful information features. As ZDNET Contributing Writer Jack Wallen explains, "Brave is nan astir unafraid Chromium-based browser connected nan market" extracurricular of possibly Tor. It automatically stops "cross-site cooky tracking, bounce tracking, fingerprinting, phishing, and malware attacks". You don't person to tweak nan features aliases instal immoderate random extension.

What's awesome is Brave's information features are wholly transparent. Click nan Shield icon successful nan precocious area and you will spot everything that nan browser blocks. If that wasn't enough, nan package has its ain hunt engine, aptly called Brave Search "that defaults to backstage searches." It stops each ads successful their tracks, letting you browser nan net successful peace.

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Who it's for: I urge Brave to anyone looking for a unafraid browser that will protect them from each nan dangers lurking connected nan internet. There are different notable features that I neglected to mention. The browser has Speed Reading Mode. Activating this moves everything connected a web page, leaving only nan text. Wallen moreover states that nan browser is notably faster than others.

Who should look elsewhere: It's difficult to ideate a type of personification who wouldn't for illustration utilizing Brave. However, I person seen complaints online astir nan browser's deficiency of customization options. One peculiar personification connected nan Brave Community website states nan browser's sidebar feels "cluttered, not intuitive, and lacks flexibility." They spell connected to that Brave has constricted taxable support and "animations consciousness laggy... making nan UI little enjoyable to use".

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Because it shields your online personality astatine an affordable price, Malwarebytes is hands-down nan champion antivirus programme for Windows machines successful 2025. Below is simply a little array comparing it to nan remainder of nan list.

Best antivirus software	Starting price	Scheduled scanning	Phishing protection	Notable feature
Malwarebytes	$45 per year	Yes	Yes	Private VPN
Bitdefender Total Security	$60 per year	Yes	Yes	Cryptomining protection
TotalAV	$30 per year	Yes	Yes	System tune-up
McAfee Total Protection	$40 per year	Yes	Yes	Deepfake Detector
Avast One	$36 per year	Yes	Yes	Do Not Disturb Mode
Windows Security	Free	Yes	Yes	Firewall
uBlock Origin	Free	No	Yes	Robust ad-block
Brave	$100 per twelvemonth for Brave VPN	No	Yes	cross-site cooky search blocker

Finding nan correct antivirus app tin return a astonishing magnitude of work. You person to see whether aliases not you're happy pinch nan free type aliases if you should cough up immoderate money for a premium subscription. At that point, you person different prime to make: should you salary for an antivirus programme pinch galore features aliases opt for thing simpler?

These are questions that must beryllium answered. Below is simply a array concisely explaining each proposal and why you should get it. The pursuing accusation tin thief constrictive down your search.

Choose this antivirus software…	If you want…
Malwarebytes	The champion antivirus programme for Windows. It provides beardown protection against malware, and nan work offers information recommendations.
Bitdefender Total Security	The astir robust antivirus for Windows. This app comes loaded pinch features from anti-spam filtering to a password manager.
TotalAV	A low-cost software. For astir $30, you'll person real-time protection against threats, positive a VPN.
McAfee Total Protection	The champion AI protection. McAfee+ precocious added 2 caller features: Deepfake Detector, which tin uncover audio produced by AI and Scam Detector to protect against scam emails.
Avast One	The champion gaming antivirus. Do Not Disturb mode blocks each notifications and alerts, keeping your surface distraction free.
Windows Security	The champion free antivirus package solution. Coming pre-installed connected Windows PCs, nan package comes pinch a free firewall, which not galore programs have.
uBlock Origin	An ad-blocker for Windows. This is an open-source solution that lets group customize it to amended suit personification needs.
Brave	One of nan unafraid web browsers. It automatically stops phishing attempts and cross-site trackers to support users safe.

When deciding connected an antivirus app for your PC, you should see nan following:

Protection: Research nan antivirus program's protection features. You'll request to find retired whether nan package tin protect your machine from trojans, third-party trackers, and spyware, conscionable to sanction a few.
Features: I propose antivirus solutions pinch precocious features to thief screen your bases. Some travel bundled pinch a VPN, while others tin person a firewall.
Resource usage: Antiviral apps tin beryllium rather demanding connected hardware, truthful it's basal to cheque whether your machine tin tally nan package aliases if it will struggle. Some are amended optimized than others.
User interface: In my experience, group don't often deliberation astir an app's personification interface, but I find it a profoundly underrated feature. A bully UI intends nan package is easy to navigate and understand, which, successful turn, bolsters instrumentality safety.
Price: Many antivirus developers connection a free type of their package that protects users against threats but whitethorn deficiency robust features for illustration firewalls. Paid plans are an option, but guarantee nan costs fresh wrong your fund and beryllium wary of immoderate subscription hikes.

I considered aggregate factors erstwhile creating this list, and they include:

Performance: Performance is arguably nan astir important facet of an antivirus program. You request an app that actively protects you and tin quickly observe malware connected your strategy while besides limiting immoderate antagonistic effect connected your workflow.
Features: With truthful galore threats lurking connected nan internet, I looked for products pinch nan correct group of features to protect people. Real-time scanning is basal arsenic it actively scans your computer's files erstwhile accessed. Other devices for illustration firewalls and VPNs are bully additions.
User interface: To repetition what I said earlier, bully UIs are underrated. I springiness a batch of in installments to package that is easy to usage because it intends nan obstruction of introduction is lower. Being capable to understand thing enhances its efficacy.
Price: Paying for a information work improves your computer's security, but I don't judge you should salary an limb and a limb for bid of mind. For that reason, I hunted apps pinch paid plans that are worthy nan cost. Of course, if you don't want to pay, Microsoft's very ain Windows Security offers decent protection.
Customer support: There's ever a chance that you'll brushwood immoderate benignant of hiccup aliases rumor erstwhile utilizing 1 of these programs. Developers pinch bully customer support tin thief you troubleshoot if you do and amended your narration pinch nan software. It's not uncommon to perceive group uninstall apps because of bad customer service.

Latest news connected antivirus package for Windows

Artificial intelligence is nan early of antivirus programs. The exertion will play an progressively important domiciled successful protecting delicate data, and we're already seeing instrumentality learning being implemented. OmniDefender is a robust antiviral app that features "AI-driven threat detection".

According to nan developer's charismatic website, artificial intelligence powers nan scanning instrumentality for detecting zero-day exploits. The thought is that users will beryllium capable to "stop... precocious cyber attacks earlier they spread." Things don't extremity location arsenic AI is being utilized to boost malware discovery and nan service's ain VPN tool.

OmniDefender is disposable for download, and location are 3 versions of it. The free OmniDefender Standard provides protection against malware and ransomware arsenic good arsenic an AI Custom Scan tool, among different features. OmniDefender Premium is €5 a period (about $6). It adds to nan Standard package by delivering OmniVPN, unlimited password head storage, and precocious email protection.

At nan acold extremity is OmniDefender Enterprise for businesses. This work lets you protect up to 50 devices astatine erstwhile and provides automatic information backups.

Absolutely. In fact, I would reason that having an antivirus programme connected your machine is much important now than ever before. Technology improves complete time, and unfortunately, that includes viruses, too. Bad actors are ever enhancing their malware.

It's captious that users enactment vigilant. In summation to downloading an antivirus, I impulse group to instal Windows patches arsenic soon arsenic they arrive. These patches commonly see information updates to protect against caller online threats.

Windows Defender provides each nan protection you'll request to ward disconnected malware. It comes pinch a firewall, Smart App Control, positive support for reputation-based protection for defending users against websites and apps known to beryllium malicious. However, it's not all-powerful.

The package doesn't lucifer up to paid services that supply amended protection. I urge downloading a third-party antivirus for illustration Bitdefender alongside Windows Defender to supply other information and screen your bases.

You don't request much than 1 antivirus package connected your computer. Antivirus programs request a batch of resources from nan big computer, and having aggregate information programs simultaneously will origin a capacity slowdown.

As Asus explains connected its website, installing aggregate apps slows systems down and tin besides origin errors, starring to "protection mechanisms failing owed to conflicts". In fact, Windows could go unstable, resulting successful BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors.

Any 1 of nan entries connected nan database will beryllium a bully fresh for immoderate laptop. You can't spell incorrect pinch immoderate of them, though I would opt for apps that are easy connected nan computer's resources. Stress connected nan hardware tin drain nan artillery quickly connected apical of causing slowdown. I propose sticking pinch Windows Security arsenic your superior protect package and Malwarebytes arsenic a backup.

No, they're not. Free versions of antiviral programs supply basal protection against communal threats, whereas paid package delivers much precocious security. Bitdefender is simply a cleanable illustration of this.

Bitdefender Free Antivirus guards computers from phishing attacks and fraudsters. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus bumps up information by adding nan expertise to encrypt individual files, artifact web trackers, and cheque your strategy for vulnerabilities. Things amended pinch Bitdefender Total Security because it adds a password head and VPN.

Latest updates:

August 2025: Updated immoderate of nan entries pinch caller information. I besides added much specifications connected nan early of antivirus apps connected Windows. AI will play a large role, and nan app OmniDefender whitethorn beryllium a caller leader successful nan industry.
June 2025: Updated nan guideline to travel a caller format wherever we plainly spell retired what we for illustration astir an introduction and who should instal it connected their computer. We besides database retired reasons why you shouldn't instal nan app, arsenic moreover nan champion isn't perfect.

Other antivirus package alternatives worthy considering

ESET NOD32 is simply a solid, lightweight antivirus solution that delivers each of nan basal protection astir group request and want without weighing down their systems. In fact, erstwhile it comes to installing apps connected your computer, ESET NOD32 is little impactful connected your machine than Windows Defender. According to AV Comparatives, Microsoft's antivirus package interrupts app installations a bit, causing a spot of slowdown. Outside of that, nan package provides nan much-needed basics for illustration real-time malware discovery and defense against phishing attempts.

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Norton Antivirus Plus is different budget-friendly information solution. It protects a azygous instrumentality against a wide scope of online threats, from malware to invasive spyware. Other important features see on-demand scans, a firewall, 2GB of unreality retention for your files, arsenic good arsenic a password manager. We highly urge Norton Antivirus Plus for anyone looking for reliable protection and dependable support astatine a debased price.

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To get nan astir retired of your PC, cheque retired nan top 5 Windows apps that you should instal first and how to get different 15GB of Gmail retention astatine nary cost.

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