Best Basic Antivirus

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Best Antivirus Software and Apps 2018. Best Premium PC Security Suite 4.5: Kasperky Free Antivirus. One of our No. 2 choices, Avast Free Mac Security, doesn't cost a dime. Editor's choice. A survey of Mac security experts showed that in total, several tens of thousands of unique mac samples had appeared in the first half of 2018. However, this figure might include many samples which could be classified as “potentially unwanted” – that is, adware and bundled software – depending on interpretation. Internet security software is a step up from basic Mac antivirus programs that cost about $50 for a single license and don’t include the same number of protection tools as Mac internet security software.

Superior protection, low system impact

Best Midrange Antivirus

Kaspersky Internet Security

Most everything you need

Best Premium PC Security Suite

Kaspersky Total Security

Still top of the class

Plenty of Windows users believe they don't need to pay for antivirus software. Many Mac and Android users think they don't need protection at all. Windows' high profile makes it the biggest target, but macOS and Android are also vulnerable to malware, even if they don't encounter as much of it.

We believe it's worth paying for Windows antivirus software, because even the best free software leaves out some protection features we consider essential. But you don't have to spend a lot. Many antivirus products are sold online for much less than their list prices. Mac and Android users have other options: Some of our favorite Mac AV products cost nothing, and most Android security apps have free versions.

Different Types of Antivirus Software

Latest Security Alerts and Threats

— Two flaws that permitted full-system takeover were found in Trend Micro Premium Security and Maximum Security and their accompanying password manager, which is also distributed as Trend Micro Password Manager. ADVICE: Trend Micro has patched all three programs, so update them if you use them.

— All versions of Kaspersky antivirus software for Windows released since the fall of 2015 inadvertently let websites track users, a German journalist discovered. ADVICE: Kaspersky has patched the flaws, so make sure your Kaspersky software is up to date.

— A flaw in Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition permitted full-system takeover. ADVICE: BItdefender has patched the flaw, so make sure your software is up to version 1.0.15.138.

How We Tested

Our evaluations were based on an antivirus product's interface, performance, protection and extra features. Was the interface intuitive and user-friendly? How badly did malware scans slow performance? How well did the program detect and remove malware? Does the program have any additional tools, and are they useful?

All of our Windows tests were performed on the same Asus X555LA laptop running 64-bit Windows 8.1 (later upgraded to Windows 10), with an Intel Core i3 processor, 6GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive containing 36GB of files. To assess a program's impact on system speed, we used our custom OpenOffice benchmark test, which matches 20,000 names and addresses on a spreadsheet. The longer it took the laptop to finish the test, the heavier the performance impact. For smartphones, we used the Geekbench 3 benchmarking app.

Our Mac evaluations were conducted on a late-2013 MacBook Pro running OS X El Capitan 10.11. The Mac had a 2.6-GHz Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 23GB of data on a 512GB SSD. For Android, we used a Nexus 6P smartphone running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

For malware-detection scores, we've used the results of four independent testing labs: AV-TEST in Germany, AV-Comparatives in Austria, SE Labs in England and our own labs in Utah. Each lab subjects the major antivirus brands' products to stress tests involving thousands of pieces of malware, including hundreds of previously unseen samples.

Windows Antivirus Software Types

Most antivirus makers have three or four tiers of Windows products, with each price bump adding extra features, such as parental controls or cloud backups. But because each company uses a single malware-detection engine for all its Windows antivirus software, the cheapest item — even a free one — in any product line usually finds malware just as thoroughly as the priciest.

Not all users will need premium suites, or even midrange products. If you don't have kids, or if you already have backup software, the basic product may be enough.

MORE: How to Buy Antivirus Software

Basic or Entry-Level Windows Antivirus

The least-expensive paid Windows antivirus products, which generally list from $40 to $60 per year depending on the number of PCs covered, have the essentials. Definition updates and scans are automatic; websites and email attachments are screened, and the products are mostly easy to use. Some basic AV programs toss in extra features, such as file shredders or system optimizers, that are normally found in pricier products.

Best Basic Antivirus Product

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Reasons to Buy

Little performance slowdown

Reasons to Avoid

Not great at blocking targeted attacks

Antivirus Plus 1 Year

$23.99

Not only does Bitdefender Antivirus Plus have nearly perfect malware-detection scores, but it also offers great value, with a strong selection of extra tools. You'll find a built-in password manager, a secure browser, VPN client software, protection against encrypting ransomware and automatic profiles that optimize Bitdefender's impact on your system, depending on whether you're working, watching a movie or playing a game.

Midpriced Windows Antivirus

These products usually list from $60 to $80 per year. They generally build on the basic packages by bundling in parental controls and a two-way firewall to catch outgoing data, although many add other features. But for the full feature set each brand offers, you'll have to pony up for the premium products.

Best Midrange Antivirus Product

Kaspersky Internet Security

Reasons to Buy

Many customization options

Password manager, backup software, rich parental controls

Reasons to Avoid

Kaspersky takes first place among midrange antivirus software products, thanks to its excellent malware protection, a moderate system-performance impact and a full assortment of extra features and tools. Kaspersky Internet Security includes a secure browser, a virtual keyboard, specialized protection against ransomware, webcam protection to guard your privacy and VPN client software that automatically switches on when you connect to an unsafe Wi-Fi network.

Premium Windows Antivirus

Top-tier packages are often called suites because they do much more than catch malware. They might also offer file encryption, secure online storage, a password manager or an ad blocker. As most suites cover multiple devices, they also frequently bundle in licenses for Mac and Android antivirus software. For all this, you're meant to pay between $80 and $100 per year — but as with all paid antivirus software, steep discounts can often be found online.

Best Premium Antivirus Product

Kaspersky Total Security

Reasons to Buy

Many customization options

Password manager, backup software, rich parental controls

Reasons to Avoid

Kaspersky Total Security has it all for those who want more than just excellent malware detection. This one rose to the top because it eliminates threats without generating many annoying false positives. We also like the included secure browser, which is ideal for online banking and shopping. Other highlights include a thorough file shredder and Windows backup and recovery software.

Free Windows Antivirus

Free Windows antivirus products have gotten much better, and our top two choices offer excellent malware detection, if little else. The others provide adequate protection with a smattering of goodies such as password managers or parental controls. Among those is Microsoft's built-in Windows Defender, which has risen to the middle of our rankings. However, free antivirus software generally leaves out extra protection features such as dedicated defenses against ransomware or spam blockers.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Total Security

Different Types of Antivirus Software

Latest Security Alerts and Threats

How We Tested

Windows Antivirus Software Types

Basic or Entry-Level Windows Antivirus

Best Basic Antivirus Product

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Midpriced Windows Antivirus

Best Midrange Antivirus Product

Kaspersky Internet Security

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Premium Windows Antivirus

Best Premium Antivirus Product

Kaspersky Total Security

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Free Windows Antivirus

Best Free Windows Antivirus

Kasperky Free Antivirus

Reasons to Buy

Security Suite Reviews For Mac 2018