Best antivirus software in 2023

As new cyber threats, such as malware and viruses, develop every day – getting antivirus protection for your device is crucial. Even something as simple as downloading an application or a file that your acquaintances sent via email can end up with your device getting infected.

Even though the latest operating systems, such as Windows or macOS, have in-built security solutions for your computer, they’re not comprehensive enough to provide all-around virus protection.

Aside from safeguarding your devices from threats, a high-quality antivirus can do much more. Whether it’s keeping your data anonymous with a VPN service, protecting your login credentials with a password manager, or limiting some websites with parental controls, you can get all that with a single security suite.

In this article, we’re going to help you choose the best antivirus software of 2023. These picks are a combination of recommendations by independent laboratories, including AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. We also performed in-house testing with these antivirus programs to provide you with first-hand experience.

Note: We regularly test and research antivirus software to update this list with products that are of the highest quality.

Top 7 best antivirus programs in 2023

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – the best virus protection in 2023
2. Norton 360 Antivirus – feature-loaded antivirus suite
3. TotalAV Pro Antivirus – optimal antivirus with a VPN and password manager included
4. Surfshark Antivirus – excellent antivirus for completely private browsing
5. NordVPN Threat Protection – great antivirus for automatic background malware protection
6. ESET NOD32 – great lightweight antivirus protection
7. McAfee Total Protection – virus removal tool for all your devices

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How do I choose the best antivirus?

Choosing the best antivirus might seem challenging at first. There are so many options offering a variety of features. So, how to decide which one suits your needs?

Here are a few simple factors that you should consider before choosing an antivirus:

• Look for a constantly updating malware database. New cyber threats are being constantly developed to ensure antivirus programs can’t detect them. For such a reason, we only included providers that are known for regular malware database updates.
• Check security features. The best antivirus solutions should include more than just malware protection. It should provide you with other features you may need, for example, a VPN, a password manager, or any other protection measures. Unless you already have such tools, you can opt for more feature-rich services.
• Seek for all-around antivirus protection. If you’re not the only one using a computer or a mobile device, you should consider getting an antivirus that would provide extra protection. Some providers have solid parental control features while others protect your whole home network and alert about possible dangers.
• Consider your budget. Not all antivirus programs offer the same bang-for-the-buck ratio. That’s why spending less (or more) can sometimes get you many more features.
• Try the software first. You can always make use of the money-back guarantee that antivirus services offer to try the product out. This way, you’ll test it out yourself and see whether or not it’s worth the money you’re paying.

How we tested the best antivirus software

To select only the best antivirus providers for our list, we perform in-house testing of the security software and take into account independent lab testing results. The main points to note were antivirus software performance, malware detection rates with already known and zero-day threats, and different security features providers offer.

Additionally, we sought out those providers with easy-to-use apps, compatibility with various devices, and value-to-price ratio. These criteria are important to users, so we ensure that the providers in our best antivirus software in 2023 list offer comprehensive security packages.

We performed our tests on the Virtualbox VM with Windows 11 installed on Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 device with AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, with Windows 11 Pro operating system.

During in-house testing, we used various popular malware samples, including ransomware, keyloggers, spyware, adware, and others. These online threats are found in malicious files prepared in advance and set up in a controlled environment that imitates the world wide web.

To test out the antivirus, we downloaded ten malicious files and took notice of how many of them the software was able to identify and remove. For successful performance, we sought out a minimum of 80% detection rate.

In addition to in-house testing, we also take account of the independent antivirus testing labs, like AV-Test Insititute, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives. They continuously put antivirus software to the test and monitor their performance, false positives, and how they detect malware and other threats.

Top 10 best antivirus software – detailed list:

All of our listed providers have the necessary tools to provide maximum malware protection and bonus features that you may find useful. Without further ado, let’s dive into the detailed descriptions of all 10 best antivirus programs.

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

The best overall antivirus protection software in 2023

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Bitdefender is the best antivirus of 2023 because it offers exceptional malware protection rates and security from all types of malware. Depending on the plan you pick, Bitdefender can become your all-in-one cybersecurity suite with a VPN and a password manager.

During independent lab tests, Bitdefender blocked 100% of both 0-day and 4-week-old malware. We tried testing it ourselves, and it blocked all 10 of the zero-day threats we challenged it with. The quick scan took 2 minutes, while the full one – 14 minutes.

You can get Bitdefender on various OS, including Windows and macOS computers, or iOS and Android. Each app is neatly organized and beginner-friendly, ensuring you easily adapt to it fast.

Bitdefender's full cybersecurity suite includes advanced malware, ransomware, webcam, and microphone protection. You’ll also get a password manager and even a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with a daily data limit of 200 MB to keep you anonymous online.

With prices starting from $23.99/year, Bitdefender has budget-friendly subscription options for anyone. There's even a Bitdefender antivirus free edition and a 30-day free trial for premium services that might help make up your mind before committing.

Visit our Bitdefender review to read more about the features.

2. Norton 360 Antivirus

Premium antivirus with top security features for all your devices

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Another optimal antivirus pick is Norton 360 antivirus. Its malware detection rates are just as great as Bitdefender’s, while the apps are very simple to get the hang of. Norton 360 is convenient for those who wish for a seamless antivirus experience.

Independent lab test results showed that the antivirus catches 100% of zero-day malware, has minimal impact on the speeds, and detects no false positives. Our own tests showed similar results. The real-time protection feature instantly blocked all threats as soon as we released them. However, the full scan was quite heavy on system resources.

As for features, you get such extra security measures as a smart firewall, secure cloud backup, a VPN, and a password manager. A strong contender to Bitdefender indeed.

We tried all available apps (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) – the interface is organized and easy to navigate on all of them. However, some of the extra features open up in different tabs. Inconvenience for some, nothing of importance to others – it’s your call.

With prices starting from $9.99/year, this antivirus is a great choice for robust malware protection. Plus, there’s a free 7-day trial even for Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium plans.

Visit our Norton 360 Antivirus review to read more about the features.

3. TotalAV

The essential free antivirus package and excellent premium software for multi-devices

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With excellent malware detection rates, TotalAV earns one of the top spots on our best antivirus list. It successfully blocks 97% of zero-day and 100% of 4-week-old malware attacks, guaranteeing exceptional protection against various cyber threats.

When testing in-house, TotalAV found 7 out of 10 malicious files during the full scan. It was quite heavy on resources, but scanned only for around 7 minutes. The quick scan was, well… quick. It took 14 seconds and had virtually no visible effects on resources: that was really impressive to see.

In terms of the apps, the interface of both dedicated mobile (Android and iOS) and desktop (Windows and macOS) apps is well-organized and simple, just like the installation process itself.

The antivirus also has useful security features that come free of charge. Without spending a single dollar, you get a malware scanner and anti-phishing protection.

If you do get a paid subscription, your security coverage expands a great deal with real-time protection and ransomware shields. On top of that, it also includes a Cloud Scanner, a Disk Cleaner, and optimization tools. These will help you free up some space in your hard drive and make your startup more efficient.

TotalAV also offers a VPN with unlimited data, a password manager, and an Ad Blocker to ensure safe online browsing.

Apart from the free plan, there are also three other plans with prices starting from $19.00/year. You’re also entitled to a full refund since each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit our TotalAV Antivirus review to read more about the features.

4. Surfshark Antivirus

Great all-around antivirus protection with a top VPN for a budget-friendly price

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Surfshark is primarily known as a VPN provider – but its excellent antivirus suite makes it so much more. It's a great internet security suite of features for all your online safety needs.

Fully certified by independent antivirus testing labs, Surfshark Antivirus can block 100% of threats. In our tests, the full scan was exceptionally fast, covering over 100,000 files in just 90 seconds and finding 7 out of 10 potentially malicious files.

In terms of features, there’s real-time protection that protects your system at all times. There’s also Data Breach Protection which checks for your personal data leaked on various internet databases. There's even a secure search engine, where everything stays strictly private, and neither search history nor activity logs are collected.

And, of course, there's also a wildcard: Surfshark has one of the best VPNs in the business, keeping your privacy intact when surfing online while offering some of the best speeds in the industry.

The antivirus is available on Windows PC, macOS, and Android devices. All of the apps are very neatly organized and simple to use.

You can get Surfshark antivirus on 5 devices for only $41.88/year. A standard 30-day money-back guarantee is also available.

Visit our Surfshark Antivirus review to read more about the features.

5. NordVPN Threat Protection

Top real-time threat protection and an excellent VPN for mobile devices

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NordVPN is one of the world’s most popular VPN providers. But in recent years, the company has been steadily moving towards becoming an all-in-one data privacy solution. Now, NordVPN is an excellent security package. It not only hides your IP address but also offers real-time protection against various online threats.

The new NordVPN Threat Protection is an extra layer of defense. This feature ensures your browsing experience isn’t affected by various threats found across the web. This means protecting your devices from malware, tracking, malicious ads, and overall hackers.

The Threat Protection feature identifies malware-affected files you’re downloading and proactively stops you from landing on infected websites. It also blocks annoying ads and trackers found on many websites.

All of these features don’t require an active VPN connection to work: as long as the NordVPN app is on and Threat Protection is enabled, it will keep working in the background, providing additional protection as you browse.

And of course, we can’t ignore that NordVPN is a VPN: and the best one in its class, letting you access worldwide streaming content and stay protected when connected to unsecured wi-fi networks. With the new protection features, it’s an excellent all-around solution if you’re simply looking to stay safer every time you browse.

Threat Protection is available on all NordVPN applications and comes free with every NordVPN plan, making this antivirus a versatile Internet security package. The plan prices start from $3.29/month.

Visit our NordVPN review to learn more about this product.

6. ESET NOD32

The best lightweight antivirus software to protect all your devices

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ESET NOD32 is the leading Slovak cybersecurity product, and offers a very solid and reliable antivirus suite – well worth a place on our best antivirus software list. The independent testing lab scores don’t disappoint – the antivirus is categorized as a Top Product that blocks 100% of attempted attacks.

To make sure of that, we did some testing ourselves. While the scanning options were confusing at first, the custom scan (which appears to be a mixture of quick and full ones) found all threats that we challenged it with. System resources were allocated well, too: other apps that were on experienced no major performance issues during the scans.

You can get ESET on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. Unfortunately, it’s not available on iOS, but other apps are clean and user-friendly. Considering the Apple ecosystem’s security, this might not be a big problem.

With its core package, you get real-time protection against malware and ransomware. But, if you're worrying that the NOD32 Essential Protection might not be enough, you can opt for ESET Advanced Protection which includes the Safe Browsing feature to prevent harmful JavaScript injections and a network monitoring tool.

For those who want to go all-in, there's an option to pick the ESET Ultimate Protection package. It will add a password manager and encryption for personal files.

What’s really exceptional about ESET NOD32 is that it’s cloud-based and offloads most of the heavy processing to its servers. This means much less work for your device and better performance.

In terms of pricing, the basic plan starts from $39.99/year. The price of each package increases with the number of devices that you need to protect.

Visit our ESET Antivirus review to read more about the features.

7. McAfee Total Protection

Great cross-platform support with a basic plan to secure you from malware threats

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McAfee falls into the category of our top antivirus software suites since it offers not only protection against the latest cyber threats but also provides additional security features, doing more than just basic malware protection.

Independent testing labs have examined the security capabilities of this antivirus and show that it catches 100% of both 0-day and 4-week-old cyber threats. They rated its performance, protection, and usability with 6 out of 6 points.

We tested McAfee ourselves and threw 10 malicious files for it to detect. While the quick scan found none of them, the full scan blocked all threats not even halfway through the scan. This is a rare sight to see, even with the best antiviruses. So, although the system resources can take a toll on your device performance, the final results are worth the wait.

What’s also worth mentioning is that McAfee supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android operating systems and offers pretty easy-to-use apps.

McAfee’s core package includes a VPN, a password manager, file encryption, and a file shredder, among other features.

Additionally, the antivirus provides identity theft protection and security for your network as well. The Home Network Security allows managing all devices connected to the wifi and alerts you of any intrusion attempts.

McAfee’s prices start from $39.99/year, and there are both low-priced and more expensive tier options. However, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test all the features without the risk of committing to an unsatisfactory service.

Visit our McAfee Antivirus review to read more about the features.

8. Avira Antivirus

Best antivirus with a free plan and robust security features

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Avira Antivirus is one of the best antivirus software packages available in both free and premium segments that also offers outstanding protection. It showed impressive scores from independent test labs, successfully blocking 99.2% of cyber threats.

As for our initiated tests, Avira distinguished itself with a super fast full scan – it took only 3 minutes and 30 seconds. But get this – it also managed to block all 10 malicious files. Although the CPU was high the whole time, it shouldn’t be considered a drawback since it only takes a few minutes.

Avira antivirus is compatible with the most popular operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS). However, not all features are available for macOS – email protection and download scans are for Windows users only.

As for features, without opening up your wallet, you can get a VPN, a firewall, and a password generator when most of the time, you’ll be paying extra to get some or all of them.

Apart from that, this antivirus has advanced ransomware protection, web protection for safe online shopping, email protection, and a file shredder. There’s also an automatic software updating feature, a tool for browser safety, and a password manager along with regular malware protection solutions.

Furthermore, what distinguishes Avira from other antiviruses is its PC optimization tools. For example, you can speed up the booting of your device.

Avira’s prices start from $30.99/year, but if you turn out to be unhappy with the service, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit our Avira Antivirus review to read more about the features.

9. Trend Micro

Simple and secure antivirus for online threat protection with a budget-friendly price

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Trend Micro is another solid antivirus software that can help you protect your devices from cyber threats. During independent lab tests, this antivirus showed the ability to catch 100% of the latest malware during the examination.

Our tests demonstrated that while there were a few spikes, the antivirus wasn’t heavy on system resources in general. The virus scanner managed to delete 8 threats out of 10 in under 9 minutes.

Trend Micro is compatible with all major operating systems (including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) so that you can use it on both desktop and mobile devices, and it’s ideal for beginners. However, it does take ages to uninstall the app.

In terms of features, this antivirus uses AI technologies to scan for malware. Aside from that, Trend Micro offers PayGuard and Folder Shield for safe shopping and document protection from ransomware. You can also enjoy using Social Media Privacy Protection, Fraud Buster, Dark Web Monitoring features, and a VPN to add an extra layer of security when browsing online.

But these features are not all. Trend Micro also gives the possibility to use system optimization tools and a password manager to boost your device’s performance and keep all of your credentials safe.

With this provider, you can check out their free version to see how it feels. And if you want to test out the Trend Micro Maximum Security or other premium plans (which start from $19.95/year), they include a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.

Visit our Trend Micro review to read more about the features.

10. Malwarebytes

Simple and intuitive antivirus platform for all your devices

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Malwarebytes is another solid anti-malware program that does the job really well. It performs admirably in independent lab testing, especially when it comes to detecting malware. Let it be a zero-day-old recent threat or one that’s been around for more than 4 weeks, it stops 100% of them.

Malwarebytes had quite an impact on system resources during our in-house test. So we wouldn’t recommend launching any apps during full scans. Additionally, it found 7 out of 10 threats during the 6-minute scan.

You can install Malwarebytes on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android platforms. They’re very simple and allow you to set different scans, including daily threat scans.

Malwarebytes uses real-time malware protection to monitor your device activity and stop any potential cyber threats before they enter the system. Additionally, there’s a ransomware prevention feature to help you avoid file-encrypting viruses from attacking your device.

What’s also worth mentioning is that Malwarebytes includes exploit protection which is useful when stopping malware from both infecting the device and spreading further.

When it comes to extra features, Malwarebytes offers a VPN to help you encrypt your Internet traffic and protect private information when browsing online. Not only will your devices be protected from viruses, but also incoming and outgoing internet traffic and other data.

What’s worth mentioning is that there’s a free Malwarebytes version, but it only offers a virus scanner. If you want full malware protection, the premium plans start from $33.74/year.

Visit our Malwarebytes review to read more about the features.

Best antivirus software compared

	Bitdefender	Norton 360	TotalAV	SurfsharkAV	NordVPN TP	ESET NOD32	McAfee	Avira	Trend Micro	Malwarebytes
Brand
Rating	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Free version	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes (Android, iOS)	Yes	Yes (Android and iOS)	Yes
Price	From $23.99/year	From $9.99/year	From $19.00/year	From $41.88/year	From $3.29/month	From $39.99/year	From $39.99/year	From $30.99/year	From $19.95/year	From $33.74/year
Device support	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, macOS, Android	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox	Windows, Linux, Mac, Android	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS	Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS	Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS
Features	Advanced Threat Defense Profiles Ransomware remediation AntiSpam Anti-tracker File shredder Anti-webcam hijack VPN Password manager	Real-time threat protection VPN Smart Firewall Password manager Cloud backup SafeCam	Safe Browsing (VPN) WebShield extension Secure Password Vault Ad blocker System tune up	CleanWeb Data breach monitoring Surfshark VPN included Private search engine Real-time protection	Ad blocker Automatic download scanner VPN Tracker protection	Anti-theft tools Password Manager Switch Protection Mode Secure browser	Ransomware protection QuickClean Shredder Vulnerability scanner McAfee WebAdvisor McAfee Speed Up Password manager	Password manager VPN Safe shopping suite Email protection Firewall Ransomware protection	Social Media Privacy Protection Fraud Buster Dark Web Monitoring VPN Password manager Optimization tools	Real-time protection Exploit protection Browser Guard
Review	Bitdefender review	Norton 360 review	TotalAV review	Surfshark AV review	NordVPN review	ESET NOD32 review	McAfee review	Avira review	Trend Micro review	Malwarebytes review

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How does antivirus software work?

The way antivirus programs work is they scan your device, detect known malicious threats, and remove or quarantine them. They also regularly update themselves so they could also detect newly emerged threats. The so-called heuristic scan tries to detect unknown malware software by looking at the way your programs behave.

There are two types of scans that are usually available. The background scan provides real-time protection by actively checking the programs that are currently opened.

In contrast, a full system scan checks every file on your hard drive. It’s recommended to run one after installing the antivirus and after the real-time scan finds an infection.

Video review: Best antivirus of 2023

Best antivirus based on your OS

Different antivirus programs support different operating systems (OS). Yet, each OS works best with specifically customized antivirus software. So, after various tests, we picked Bitdefender as the best option for the most popular OS. It’s rich in features and offers excellent malware detection rates on top of a free version.

You can find our full lists of the best antivirus services for different OS down below:

• Antivirus for Windows. Many providers focus on Windows app development the most, loading them with features. We’ve tested various providers to help you find the top antivirus programs for Windows 10 or Windows 11 for you.
• Antivirus for Mac. Many antivirus programs for Mac laptops were ported from Windows PC antivirus protection programs. Naturally, many lack personalized features. So, we’ve tested and picked the best antivirus fully customized for Mac.
• Antivirus for Chrome. It is said that Chromebooks are incredibly safe but not completely immune to malware. That’s why we researched the most suitable antivirus programs for Chrome OS.
• Antivirus for Android. Even though Android devices have Google’s built-in security software, they’re not as protected as they should be. To secure your mobile even more, you can choose the best antivirus software that works for Android from our list.
• Antivirus for iOS. It’s a pity how many antivirus providers skip developing applications for iOS. To help you make a suitable choice, we’ve made a list of the best antivirus options specifically for iOS devices.

Do you really need antivirus software?

No matter what level of IT skills and online browsing habits you have, an antivirus is a necessary addition to your cybersecurity posture.

Here are some of the reasons why you’d benefit from investing in an antivirus:

• You often end up on suspicious websites. Unreliable websites are the primary source of various cyber threats that can infect your devices. Premium antivirus tools can block malicious sites and intrusive ads to help you avoid malware.
• You shop online regularly. If you’re entering your credit card details nearly every day, it would be wise to use an antivirus that puts your transactions in an encrypted secure browser screen.
• Your kids use your device. If you have children, making sure they stay safe is even more important. With the parental control features, such as webcam blocking, you can protect your children even while not at home. Chances are there are more than a few devices connected to your home wifi. A home antivirus can protect all of them at once, saving the hassle of catering to each separately.
• You don’t have all-round protection. Whether you’re using a password manager, a VPN service, or a secure email as separate products or not, you can benefit from a quality antivirus suite. Nowadays, they incorporate most of these cybersecurity tools, so it’s significantly easier to use them and ensure all-round security of your device.

As the years go by, it’s less about viruses and malware but about cybersecurity in general. Keep in mind that great antivirus solutions are feature-rich and come cheaper than getting a file encryptor or a VPN separately.

Free vs. paid antivirus: should you pay?

Although free antivirus solutions can offer basic protection against malware and fulfill simple needs, you should pay if you want reliable and all-rounded security.

There’s one thing to remember – antivirus companies need to make money: either from premium plans or from your personal data. This means that an unreliable antivirus company can sell your information to hackers or other third parties.

Not to mention that some free antivirus software can include pop-up ads or even malicious programs that can infiltrate you with malware (the last thing you want from an antivirus).

So, if you still want to get a free service, look at serious and legitimate companies that offer the best and tested free antivirus services, for example, TotalAV. They’re still interested in you eventually paying for premium plans, but at least they won’t do you harm.

However, expect fewer features and serious limitations as you go. Often, free plans will let you run simple system scans. But features like custom scanning, ransomware protection, and advanced firewalls are usually only available when purchasing a premium plan.

Conclusion

Threat actors are lurking in various corners of cyberspace. One wrong move, be it clicking the wrong link or visiting a suspicious site, and you may infect your computer or another device with malware. For such a reason, using an antivirus, especially if it has a real-time protection feature, is crucial.

Only by regular scanning of your device can you protect yourself from personal data theft, including banking details. Our best recommendation is Bitdefender. It guarantees 100% malware protection rates as well as a wide feature array, including real-time protection and a VPN.

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