Best Windows Antivirus 2019

All Windows systems need antivirus software. The Windows Defender software constructed into Window 10 has got better, however it's still less good because best third-party offerings, free or paid. We believe it's worth spending money on Windows antivirus software because you will get the best protection in conjunction with the latest updates along with the most useful features.

Our top pick overall is Kaspersky's Windows antivirus lineup, which combines excellent malware protection using a moderate system impact, the whole slate of additional features (say for example a hardened browser, webcam protection and layer) with an easy-to-use interface.

Right behind it are Bitdefender, whose cheapest paid product is the most beneficial bargain in antivirus software, and Norton, that offers similarly excellent protection but without many extras. Trend Micro and McAfee have very good malware protection, but were built with a heavier affect on system performance in your tests; ESET's protection is really a half-step below the remaining.

1. Kaspersky Total Security

The best Windows antivirus software overall.

Rating: 4.5/5

Editor's choice

Kaspersky Total Security

Review

$49.99/yr.Kaspersky

- PERFORMANCE IMPACT Light to moderate

Kaspersky's Windows products have excellent malware-detection scores along with a light-to-moderate system-performance impact, the two most important criteria inside our rankings. The basic program, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, has dedicated ransomware protection, a virtual keyboard as well as a convenient username and password portal. But with this price level, it's beaten by Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which includes even more features.

Kaspersky Internet Security is our top choice one of several midrange packages. It has parental controls, a safe and secure browser, anti-theft protection for laptops, webcam protection along with a VPN client that starts when you hook up with an open Wi-Fi network. It also includes software for macOS, Android and iOS.

The premium antivirus suite, Kaspersky Total Security, adds backup software, security, personal files shredder as well as a password manager. It's the most popular among all of the premium security suites.

2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Strong protection cheaply.

Rating: 4.5/5

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

4.5/5

Superior

Review

$23.99Bitdefender

- PERFORMANCE IMPACT Very light

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top choice among basic antivirus products. It has nearly perfect malware-detection scores and also a very light system performance impact, looked after offers the most value, having a password manager, a safe and secure browser, VPN client software, data shredder and protection against encrypting ransomware. It also automatically stops scans whether or not this senses you're playing your working computer game.

The midrange Bitdefender Internet Security adds parental controls, layer, webcam protection plus a two-way firewall, while Bitdefender Total Security tops off of the lineup by having an anti-theft feature for laptops along with a system optimizer. The best deal will be the Bitdefender Family Pack, which puts Total Security on around 15 devices for (a frequently discounted) $120 a year.

3. Norton Security Premium

Tough protection yet not much more.

Rating: 4/5

Norton Security Premium

4/5

Totally worth it

Review

$59.99/yr.Norton

- MALWARE PROTECTION Excellent

All of Norton's antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and also the once-crushing system-performance load has become much lighter. But Norton's packages include far fewer additional features than competing products. The bare-bones Norton Antivirus Basic features a password manager, but no tech support. You get that, as well as a firewall, with all the otherwise identical Norton Security Standard.

Norton Security Deluxe is Standard for approximately five devices, but oddly for the midrange product, there is no parental controls. For an extra $50 each year, it's fine to use LifeLock identity protection, which costs no less than $120 a year by itself. At the top with the heap is Norton Security Premium, which includes parental controls plus backup software and 25GB of online storage. But a good midrange Bitdefender or Kaspersky package offers you more useful tools.

4. Trend Micro Maximum Security

Flawless protection, but a huge load.

Rating: 3.5/5

Trend Micro Maximum Security

Review

$39.95Trend Micro

- TWO-WAY FIREWALL No

- RANSOMWARE SPECIAL PROTECTION Yes

Trend Micro offers great malware protection, nevertheless its detection engine creates much system-performance impact. Its entry product, Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security, is actually comparatively basic in terms more tools. Parental controls as well as a system optimizer and file shredder consist of the midrange Trend Micro Internet Security. The top-end Trend Micro Maximum Security adds online password management software, a good browser and layer, but none of Trend Micro's programs incorporate a two-way firewall.

5. McAfee Internet Security

Lots of devices covered for low fee.

Rating: 3.5/5

McAfee Internet Security

3.5/5

Very good

Review

$24.99/yr.McAfee

- MALWARE PROTECTION Very good

- PERFORMANCE IMPACT Heavy

- PARENTAL CONTROLS No

- HARDENED/SECURE BROWSER No

- WEBCAM PROTECTION No

- FILE SHREDDER Yes

- VIRTUAL KEYBOARD No

McAfee's malware detection has improved greatly during the past couple of years, however it still decelerates PCs a good deal during scans. Despite that, McAfee AntiVirus Plus is usually a bargain; $60 a year buys software for nearly 10 (the truth is, it's unlimited) devices, whether or not run Windows, OS X, iOS or Android, and also the software comes having a file shredder as well as a two-way firewall. (A single-device license costs $40.)

McAfee Internet Security adds one of the top password managers in the commercial, but to acquire parental controls, you will have to spring to the 10-device license of McAfee Total Protection or its sibling McAfee LiveSafe, which comes pre-installed on many new PCs. The multi-device licenses of such two security suites also come by having an identity-protection service, but none on the McAfee products have a good browser or webcam protection.

6. ESET Smart Security Premium

Nothing fancy.

Rating: 3/5

ESET Smart Security Premium

3/5

Worth considering

Review

$79.99/yr.ESET

- MALWARE PROTECTION Good

- PERFORMANCE IMPACT Moderate

- PARENTAL CONTROLS Yes

- HARDENED/SECURE BROWSER Yes

- TWO-WAY FIREWALL Yes

- RANSOMWARE SPECIAL PROTECTION No

- PASSWORD MANAGER Yes

- WEBCAM PROTECTION Yes

- FILE SHREDDER No

- VIRTUAL KEYBOARD Yes

ESET is one in the biggest antivirus names in Europe, but while it carries a moderate system-performance load, its malware-detection rate is not as spectacular as those in the other antivirus brands here. The entry-level ESET NOD32 Antivirus is straightforward to use but has few useful extra tools. ESET Internet Security adds a network scanner, webcam protection, parental controls as well as a hardened browser.

The top-billed ESET Smart Security Premium tosses in shield of encryption, a virtual keyboard as well as a password manager. To get software for multiple platforms, you may need the ESET Multi-Device Security Pack, which oddly provides midrange Windows product instead with the premium one, but does include antivirus software for Linux.

Antivirus Buying Tips

The the fact is that any one of these six brands will protect your laptop from infection wonderfully. But before you acquire antivirus software, you should figure out what you'll use it for.

Or will you be a techie who understands the health risks?

If you could have children in the home, you'll want to consider the different brands' midrange antivirus products, many of which include parental controls. Do you want an all-encompassing security solution? Many on the top-priced, premium products include backup software and VPN accounts. Or do you think you're a techie who understands the hazards? A low-priced basic program could be all you would like.

Then you will need to determine how many machines you should protect. Got just one, solitary PC? Most vendors offer single-device licenses. Got a desktop, a laptop, a tablet as well as a smartphone? Multi-device, multi-platform licenses are accessible for most midrange and premium packages. Does all your family must protect its devices? Some vendors offer plans which cover 10, or perhaps an unlimited amount of, devices on multiple platforms.

But the days whenever you could head into a store and pay a one-time fee on an antivirus product are gone. All the vendors now sell their software licenses as yearly (or multiyear) subscriptions. You'll continually be getting the most recent software, and you'll download and install the program straight from the world wide web. But you will end up paying again each year.

MORE: How to Buy Antivirus Software

Antivirus Pricing and Features

You don't need to spend a good deal for antivirus software. Many backpacks are sold online for a smaller amount than their list prices. But each brand offers at the very least three configurations of features and pricing -- basic, midrange and premium -- with everything up adding more features on the one before.

Think of antivirus packages like cars in an auto dealership. You can get a base-model Toyota Camry which includes few extra frills and often will get you on your travels just fine. For a number of grand more, you can purchase a Camry with satellite radio, but no heated side-view mirrors, alloy wheels or in-car Wi-Fi hotspot. Or you can spend a great deal more to have a loaded Camry with the many fixin's.

Like automakers, antivirus makers hope you'll spring for added options, whether you will need them you aren't. The one thing you cannot trade up to is really a bigger engine -- each of the Windows antivirus products in a very given brand's lineup make use of the same malware-detection engine and provide the identical level of essential protection.

The basic rung of antivirus applications are usually just called "Antivirus" or some variant of this, and list prices for subscriptions are $40-$60 each year per PC. The software can have essential malware protection and perchance a few extras, say for example a password manager or possibly a two-way firewall. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus provides the most effective bang for your buck in the basic level, with increased useful features than rival brands' products.

Midrange antivirus software program is frequently nameplated as "Internet Security." They generally add parental controls, several of which are excellent, including a few other features including webcam protection. Midrange packages more likely to consist of multi-device licenses than basic antivirus products, and can often include antivirus software for Macs and Android devices. (The iOS "antivirus" apps aren't worth spending money on.)

Listed yearly subscription prices for midrange antivirus packages come from the $60-$80 range per machine, however, you can pay less if you are patient as online prices changes. Our pick from the litter is Kaspersky Internet Security, which provides coverage for multiple platforms and it has almost everything you will want.

At the top from the heap are definitely the premium antivirus "security suites," which toss in all of the extra security tools an antivirus brand offers, such as online password managers, VPN client software, backup software, online storage and in many cases identity-protection services. (Not every antivirus brand offers these tools.)

The idea is the fact that a premium antivirus suite can be quite a one-stop search for all your security needs. List prices for premium packages start at $80-$100 a year, but ensure those extra security tools you'll be buying are tools you'll actually use. The online password management tools in security suites will often be quite good, though the online storage may be paltry plus the VPN services generally don't offer you much data before you must pay for further.

How We Test Antivirus Software

Our evaluations depend on four different criteria: malware protection, performance impact, extras and usability and of installation. How good could be the program at detecting and removing malware? How much do scans slow up the computer's performance? Does this course have any additional tools, and are also they useful? Can you easily navigate, and easily understand, this course interface? Most antivirus programs have user-friendly interfaces, but we'll ding one if this's too much to find important tools.

All of our own Windows antivirus tests are finished on precisely the same Asus X555LA laptop running the most up-to-date mainstream build of 64-bit Windows 10 home, with the Intel Core i3 processor, 6GB of RAM plus a 500GB hard disk containing 36GB of files.

To assess a program's affect on system speed, we use our custom OpenOffice benchmark test, which fits 20,000 names and addresses over a spreadsheet. The longer it requires the laptop's CPU to accomplish the matching task, the heavier the performance impact.

For malware-detection scores, we utilize most recent available testing is a result of four independent testing organizations: AV-TEST in Germany, AV-Comparatives in Austria, SE Labs in England and your own labs in Utah. Each lab regularly subjects the key antivirus brands' products to exert tests involving numerous previously unseen items of malware and a large number of instances of known malware.

Editors' Note

Kaspersky Lab antivirus products are already banned from U.S. government networks, which we are able to understand. Because the company is Russian, featuring its software would create an unacceptable risk for persons and organizations involved with national security and critical infrastructure.

However, we feel Kaspersky Lab software programs are perfectly safe for home users. We've seen no evidence to convince us otherwise. Kaspersky researchers are very well respected through the entire antivirus industry, along with the company has publicly exposed Russian cyberespionage campaigns and also American ones.