Best antivirus software for small business
To introduce independent antivirus software reviews that are free from undue influence or bias, we conduct thorough in-house tests and analysis. Our final assessments are based on objective criteria and empirical evidence.
We frequently repeat our tests, evaluate new features, and perform reassessments to make sure our reviews are accurate and up to date.
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Using the antivirus for enterprise is crucial, no matter the company’s size. Smaller organizations tend to skip investing in malware protection, thus, they become a more potential target for threat actors.
For the malware to spread and steal the organization’s information, it takes only a single unprotected device with access to the database. As of today, the majority of business antivirus programs are cloud-based, maintaining the whole network safe. Regarding machine learning techniques, the threats are detected and stopped quickly across all devices.
However, along with malware protection programs improving, threat actors are continuously taking a step forward too. So, it’s important to select the most advanced protection suite. Consequently, we have tested and selected the best antivirus software for small businesses and their employees. These options offer top-notch security features, easy management, and a great price-to-quality ratio.
Top 5 best business antivirus solutions
- Norton Small Business – best antivirus solution in 2024 overall
- Bitdefender – top-notch small company antivirus
- Trend Micro Business – endpoint AV security for large organizations
- ESET Protect Enterprise – all-size business threat detection and response
- Avira Prime – small company protection with a VPN
Our team of researchers thoroughly tests antivirus software following a well-established testing process. In unison, our experts combine in-house and independent testing lab findings with first-hand experience to help you make informed decisions about each product. Learn how we test antivirus software.
Do small businesses need antivirus?
Yes, small businesses need antivirus protection to defend against various threats like spyware, viruses, and malware. Cybercriminals often target small companies due to their limited resources, making them vulnerable to attacks that can result in financial losses, compromised data protection, and operational disruptions.
In 2022 Barracuda Networks studied millions of emails from thousands of companies. They discovered that, on average, a small business employee (less than 100 employees) faces 350% more social engineering attacks compared to an employee in a larger enterprise.
Investing in top-notch antivirus software is essential to minimize these risks and safeguard your business along with client data. Let's explore the leading antivirus options tailored for small businesses.
Best antivirus for business in 2024 – detailed list:
It may be difficult to find the best antivirus, whether you are a small company or a large enterprise. For those seeking to upgrade their network security system, we have listed the options to meet the needs of your business and employees.
1. Norton Small Business – the best antivirus protection for small businesses overall
| Max simultaneous connections: | 20 |
| Antivirus plan for business: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get up to 58% OFF Norton Antivirus |
Norton Small Business is overall the best antivirus for small companies. It’s incredibly easy to set up. This provider is also a great pick if you are only starting your business and want to transfer your individual plan to the business one.
Security suite. One of the best features that Norton Small Business has is real-time problem solutions. The software protects your devices all day, so you’re ensured constant protection from phishing and malware attacks. This antivirus gets frequent updates, and they also don’t interfere with work hours – saving your work time and reducing any potential lag. Spam blocking and Internet protection systems provide security against human error factors. No more accepting unknown files or visiting untrustworthy websites. Meanwhile, Norton's SONAR and Safe Web system offer email security and scans email boxes for malware.
Other security features:
- Firewall
- Cloud backup
- Download Insight
- Identity protection
- Wi-Fi security
- Password manager
- Software updater
- Driver updater
Performance. As our Norton review showed, this provider is capable of detecting and blocking different types of malware too, including adware, ransomware, trojans, and more. Based on AV-TEST independent laboratory testing, Norton ensured a 100% success in protection against 0-day and 4-week-old threats.
Compatibility. The Norton Small Business admin console allows you to manage the security of your company's devices from a single place. It employs a user-friendly interface, so it’s easy to work with and understand. There you can find an overview of your in-house security specs. If you have a new joiner, it’s effortless to set up a new device, as you only need to send an email from the hub to a new device. Luckily, the subscription works with PC, Mac, Android, and even iPhones allowing you to protect up to 20 devices at once.
Norton Small Business service is a top-notch antivirus software for all-size enterprises that combines unbreakable protection with great performance. It offers two business plans in total: Small Business with 6 to 20 devices and Small Business Premium with 10 to 20 devices. For starters, we recommend the Small Business plan with pricing starting at $59.99/year for 6 devices.
2. Bitdefender GravityZone – top antivirus with machine learning for small businesses
| Max simultaneous connections: | 100 devices |
| Antivirus plan for business: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Current deal: | Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF |
Bitdefender is one of the top antivirus for your business, no matter the size of it. This provider offers an excellent combo of protection against various types of malware with intuitive software that leaves no disturbing impact on the device’s performance.
Security suite. Like its main competitor Norton Small business, Bitdefender uses machine learning, continuously monitors, and helps you prevent malicious actions on enterprises' devices. Besides machine learning, Bitdefender relies on cloud-based technology and signature-based malware scanning. The Sandbox analyzer is one of the most impressive features of the business security package. It allows the IT administrator to test the threat thoroughly in an enclosed environment.
Other security features:
- Firewall
- Ransomware mitigation
- Web threat protection
- Root cause analysis
- Email protection
- MITRE anomaly defense
- Device control
Performance. Both in-house and independent AV-TEST lab tests showed incredible Bitdefender business security results. We were really impressed with our hands-on results when testing Bitdefender. It caught all 10 malicious file samples and kept our device totally safe. Moreover, December 2023 tests of the IT-Security Institute got this enterprise antivirus to present the highest score in protection, performance, and usability.
Compatibility. The company’s IT manager can investigate each employee’s device from a single security panel. It ensures spotless protection for the team comfortably and easily. The protection suite works with Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms for up to 100 devices. If you have more team members to protect, you’d need to contact Bitdefender’s customer support.
The starting price of Bitdefender GravityZone subscription is $51.00/year. You can choose from 1-year to 3-year subscriptions, including 30-day money-back guarantees and 1-month trials to test the service individually.
3. Trend Micro Business – versatile antivirus suite for large businesses
| Max simultaneous connections: | Unlimited devices |
| Antivirus plan for business: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get Trend Micro, now 54% OFF |
Trend Micro is a reliable cloud-based antivirus product. It supports anything from small businesses to medium businesses to an enterprise. You control the software through a singular manager platform. There you get all the security information and endpoint protection control, so the size of the company isn’t a hurdle for your security.
Security suite. Trend Micro antivirus product promises live protection against phishing attacks and other malware. The software learns from your behavior and adapts to your needs. Machine learning technology works to combat all phishing attacks for endpoint security. For best protection, Trend Micro software automatically known pattern of an unknown malware. It blocks the virus attacks before they even happen. You can access a visual attack story for a chain of events to analyze where the weak spot in the company’s system is. Additionally, this antivirus software updates automatically, so you don’t have to worry about outdated and vulnerable systems.
Other security features:
- VPN
- Safe browser
- Threat protection on Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox, and Box
- Email security
- 24/7 alerts and monitoring
- Cloud sandboxing
Performance. Our in-house tests of Trend Micro proved it to be reliable and revealed a low impact on the device’s performance. Trend Micro is one of the most capable antiviruses on the market. Independent AV-TEST lab results show that comparing Trend Micro and Norton Small Business, Trend Micro excels in performance, making devices work seamlessly during daily tasks.
Compatibility. This software works with most operating systems and includes mobile device coverage. In case of any issues, customer support is available via live chat. And for bigger issues, you can access ticket support.
At first, Trend Micro seems like a comprehensive business antivirus for all needs. However, the number of available plans with different features is quite confusing. You can select from Endpoint Security, Workload Security, Small Business, or Security Operations plans. The provider itself determines the pricing after submitting a query.
4. ESET Protect Enterprise – secure and quick all-size business antivirus suite
| Max simultaneous connections: | 100 |
| Antivirus plan for business: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Current deal: | Get ESET, save up to 30% |
ESET is cloud-based antivirus software for business security. The provider comes with three different subscription plans, including all crucial features in each. With it, your company will easily prevent ransomware, phishing scams, exploit, and other threats. .
Security suite. ESET antivirus software offers protection based on machine learning and human expertise. It adapts to your activity and learns from the logged issues and attacks to protect you from future issues. One of the best features is the ESET endpoint security. It offers ransomware protection, prevents file-less attacks, blocks targeted attacks, and prevents data breaches. Meanwhile, the advanced threat defense looks for anomalies and blocks never-seen threats. And complete disk encryption and file server protection ensure that all data traveling through your company’s servers are protected.
Other security features:
- Email protection
- Cloud app protection
- Detection and response
Performance. Our in-house ESET review showed that the provider easily detects and blocks malicious attachments, adware, worms, and other threats. Moreover, the impact on the device was low enough to continue working without interruptions. AV-TEST also proved ESET capabilities. However, when it comes to ESET vs Norton, for example, the latter offers more advanced features like webcam protection, Dark Web monitoring, and a VPN.
Compatibility. Your company’s IT manager can control ESET through a singular management platform. It provides all the data of your security system and allows you to manage all endpoint security and user activities. The antivirus covers most of the operating systems’ security. Also, you can’t contact them via live chat.
All three ESET business plans allow you to cover from 5 to up to 100 devices, and the cost of ESET Protect Complete starts from $211.00/year for 5 devices.
5. Avira Prime – small companies antivirus with extra security tools
| Max simultaneous connections: | 25 |
| Antivirus plan for business: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get 1 year of Avira at 58% OFF |
Avira Prime is a multi-platform corporate antivirus for a small business. As they promise, Avira's specialty is malware detection and virus protection. However, it also excels in ensuring complete privacy.
Security suite. Apart from virus and ransomware protection, Avira Prime secures you from infected websites. Moreso, the antivirus software package includes great email security and download protection. With Avira Prime, you will get real-time antivirus protection against malware and online threats. But some of the most powerful tools that Avira Prime has are a smart scan and a comprehensive cleaner. With a smart scan, you can check your system for malware, weak passwords, outdated apps, and vulnerable networks. Comprehensive cleaner provides a file shredder. Once the file’s gone, you don't have to worry about it ever again. You also get constant software updates to enjoy the latest product improvements.
Other security features:
- VPN
- Password manager
- Firewall
- Software updater
Performance. Despite a modest business security suite, Avira is a top-notch protection provider. During both AV-TEST and our in-house tests, the provider excelled in protection against 0-day and 4-week-old threats. Performance is comparable to Norton Small Business and Bitdefender GravityZone. There were only tiny slips, like missing 1 out of 10 malicious file samples.
Compatibility. Unfortunately, Avira Antivirus service doesn’t have a centralized control panel for businesses. And the feature support for Windows and Android is better than for macOS or iOS. Also, these are the only OS they offer antivirus software for. Since this provider is more suitable for small organizations, the maximum amount of protected gadgets is 25.
Although the provider doesn’t include exclusive business features in the software, you still get a versatile set of tools. The pricing starts from $59.99/year for 5 devices, you can customize the number of protected devices from either 5 or 25 gadgets and choose from a 1-month, 1-year, or 2-year subscription length.
6. Surfshark Antivirus – all-in-one antivirus solution for small businesses
| Max simultaneous connections: | 5 |
| Antivirus plan for business: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get Surfshark Antivirus - 86% OFF + 4 months FREE |
Surfshark Antivirus is a beginner-friendly all-around protection suite. It doesn’t offer special plans tailored to businesses, but the provider is well-known for its market-leading VPN service and overall security-focused approach, including lightweight virus protection. If you're a small business with few employees and looking to start protecting your data and online privacy, this provider might be the one.
Security suite. Surfshark offers three types of malware scans: manual, scheduled, and real-time. Apart from them, Surfshark’s Cloud Protect system will analyze unfamiliar files to block zero-day threats. Another important feature to note is the Alert, which monitors emails, credit cards, and personal IDs, informing you about data breaches.
Other security features:
- Ad blocker
- Tracker blocker
- Country-specific search results
- Webcam protection
- Built-in next-gen VPN
Performance. A less competent performance was revealed during our in-house Surfshark One tests. Surfshark's anti-phishing protection didn't perform as well as competitors such as Norton or Bitdefender. It only caught 50% of phishing sites. However, Surfshark has made significant strides. In the most recent AV-TEST lab evaluations from June 2024, Surfshark not only improved but excelled, earning a perfect 6/6 score in protection against malware infections. This remarkable improvement helped Surfshark secure the prestigious AV-TEST "Top Product" award.
Compatibility. There’s no control panel that the manager could use to track security performance across the company’s devices. Nevertheless, the application is one of the most intuitive on the market, making it an excellent choice for fresh antivirus users. The Surfshark Antivirus app works on Windows, macOS, and Android devices, and you can protect up to 5 gadgets at once.
Surfshark Antivirus is an all-around security suite that helps small organizations stay safe from viruses, online tracking, and other online threats. The pricing starts from $34.86/year, and you can choose between 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans. The provider also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. TotalAV Antivirus – beginner-friendly antivirus for small businesses
| Max simultaneous connections: | 6 |
| Antivirus plan for business: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF |
TotalAV stands out as a top-notch antivirus choice, boasting excellent malware detection. While it lacks a specific business plan, it's highly recommended for enterprises looking for beginner-friendly options. A premium TotalAV subscription comes with many impressive and easy-to-use cybersecurity benefits.
Security suite. TotalAV's malware scanning is crucial for real-time protection, actively monitoring and detecting threats on your device. You can opt for an automatic or manual scan, the latter being useful if you suspect an infection. TotalAV’s service offers three scanning options: Smart Scan, Full System Scan, and Custom Scan. Smart Scan is most efficient as it checks key areas where malware is likely to hide.
Other security features:
- WebShield
- Total Adblock
- Built-in VPN
- Total Pasword
- Phishing Scam Protection
- System Tune-Up
- PUA protection
Performance. TotalAV’s anti-phishing protection worked pretty well in our tests – it caught almost all phishing sites, apart from 2-3 risky sites that competitors like Norton and Bitdefender blocked. Independent lab AV-Test gave it a high 5.5/6 rating for performance and 6 points for usability and protection. Detailed reports reveal TotalAV blocked over 97% of zero-day malware attacks in 2023 and achieved perfect detection with older widespread malware without any false positives.
Compatibility. TotalAV antivirus supports popular devices and operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This broad compatibility makes it perfect for individuals or families with diverse devices that require protection.
TotalAV's most affordable plan begins at $19.00/year, making it one of the more budget-friendly choices out there. If you're aiming to save money while still getting a reliable antivirus for your small business, opting for TotalAV's basic plan is a wise move.
How we tested these business antiviruses
We picked the best antivirus providers by testing them in-house and considering independent lab results. Our focus is on antivirus performance, detection rates for known and new threats, and the range of security features.
We also prioritize user-friendly apps, device compatibility, and a good value-to-price ratio. These factors are essential for users, ensuring the antivirus software for businesses provides comprehensive security.
| Providers tested: | 25 |
| Operating systems used: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Minimum virus detection rate: | 95% |
| Features tested: | Management dashboard, endpoint security, real-time protection, scanning options, web protection, spam filters, firewall, email protection, extra features |
Different size businesses may need specific security features for the antivirus to include. Additionally, the security software must be compatible with work-focused devices. With this in mind, we have run thorough tests on over 20 antivirus suites following the criteria below:
- OS support. We ensured the antivirus supported the most common operating systems. For our tests specifically, we used 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.
- Malware detection rates. We’ve tested each software to reach a higher than 95% success rate in malware detection and if they flag any false positive attacks.
- Malware protection. To curate our list we took into account what malware protection each provider offers. The highest placements covered most of the possible cyber-attacks.
- Price. Business antivirus software can be pricey, especially the ones with lots of features. Therefore, we looked for the providers that offer a fair price-to-quality ratio.
- User support. For businesses it’s important to get help in case of emergency ASAP. Thus, we ensured the antivirus provider offers the possibility to have a dedicated customer support agent or at least general 24/7 customer support available.
Business antivirus software comparison
Here is a quick side-by-side comparison of all the providers mentioned on this list.
| Norton | Bitdefender | Trend Micro | ESET NOD32 | Avira | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Rating | |||||||
| Money-back guarantee | 60 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 60 days for annual sub. 14 days paying monthly | 30 days | 30 days |
| Device support | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Best for | Small businesses | All-size businesses | All-size businesses | Small businesses | Small businesses | Small bussineses | Small bussineses |
| Endpoint security | ❌No | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ❌No | ❌No |
| Management console | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ✅Yes | ❌No | ❌No | ❌No |
| Review | Norton 360 review | Bitdefender review | Trend Micro review | ESET NOD32 review | Avira review | Surfshark Antivirus review | TotalAV review |
How to choose an antivirus for business?
Choosing the best antivirus software option is crucial for business owners. With most of your data being online, security is most important. But just blindly picking the most popular or expensive antivirus software isn’t smart. You need to know what features are a must to keep your business safe.
To invest in the best antivirus software option, it needs to cover these main features:
- Protection against malware. The main purpose of an antivirus is to secure your systems from dangerous viruses or phishing attacks. So, any good provider has to offer software with a high-security score and not flag false-positive attacks. To get an idea of each provider's performance, you can always check independent AV-TEST lab results, as they are held monthly. Also, antivirus should be updated often, to offer the best quality protection. You can search for any relevant updates on each provider's website.
- Scalability. When selecting antivirus software, it's essential to ensure it can grow with your needs. It should protect your current devices and easily adapt to new ones as your organization expands. You can conduct a search and check which providers can offer antivirus to cover a variety of devices. Additionally, check the options for switching plans as your needs grow and see what plans they offer.
- Compatibility. Not all antivirus providers offer the same support for different devices. So it’s smart to check before buying the package if it works with your systems. And, if you’re using different iOs, Windows, macOS, and other gadgets, it’s crucial to check if you get the same amount of support for each.
- Email security. Another important feature to have since a lot of business information goes through email. Securing your email box will prevent data leaks and phishing attacks.
- A safe browser or VPN. The best antivirus software offers both of these features, but at least one of them is mandatory. This helps protect your identity and activity online. Also prevents from visiting malicious websites.
- Price. Businesses have a lot of expenses, so blindly choosing the cheapest or the most expensive antivirus software isn’t too smart. You need to pick the provider that is within your budget but still offers the necessary features you need.
Personal vs Enterprise antivirus: what’s the difference?
While some might think that enterprises and individual users can rely on the same antivirus software to protect their devices and data, the reality is a little different. Enterprise and personal antiviruses are not the same, and here are some of the most significant differences:
- Management. While a consumer antivirus control panel is usually easy to navigate, and the product is ready for use once installed, enterprises most often have more than one device to protect. Moreover, these devices are connected to one network, and each is regarded as an endpoint of that network. Thus, enterprise security requires more sophisticated management which often involves a control panel in the cloud that provides an overview of the whole business network.
- Features. Enterprise antiviruses often have a lot more advanced security features, which may include internet security for businesses, and sophisticated endpoint security. They often include machine learning and behavioral analytics to catch advanced threats and prevent data breaches.
- Versatility. While consumer antivirus software may be available for the most common operating systems, an enterprise antivirus has to be compatible with a great variety of devices, cloud services, servers, and more.
- Cost. Enterprise antivirus will always be a lot more expensive than personal antivirus software, simply because it is much more complex, more difficult to maintain, and requires more advanced security solutions.
Conclusion
Security is crucial for small businesses as they often overlook investing in malware protection, making them more susceptible to threats. It's essential for them to use antivirus software, but finding the right fit can be tough. Each company has unique requirements based on industry, employee count, and data sensitivity. Therefore, choosing a reliable antivirus is vital to safeguard the company and its employees' and clients' information.
Our tests showed that the top pick for small businesses is Norton Small Business robust protection suite that covers up to 205 devices. It stands out with easy-to-set up apps and real-time solutions for various phishing attacks and malware.
More antivirus reviews from Cybernews:
Best antivirus software for Windows 11: choose the most reliable antivirus for Windows 11
Best antivirus apps for iPhone and iPad: ensure security wherever you go
Bitdefender antivirus review: learn about market-leading antivirus software
Best cloud-based antivirus in 2024: enjoy unaffected device performance during scans
FAQ
What’s the best antivirus for business?
Norton Small Business is the best antivirus software for business use. It offers the best protection for the price of the software package. This antivirus protects from malware, phishing, or adware attacks, ensuring online identity protection and security from malicious websites.
How much does antivirus software cost for a business?
Antivirus software for business can cost anywhere from $19/year for 3 devices and up to $59.99 per year for 5 devices.
Is Bitdefender good for small business?
Yes, Bitdefender is one of the best antiviruses for businesses. It has the widest range of features to provide small-to-mid-sized businesses with the best protection against viruses or malware.
Can a business use free antivirus?
Yes, you can use a free antivirus for a business but there are factors to consider. Free antivirus software has fewer features and lower security levels compared to a paid subscription. Moreso, there’s no customer support that’s crucial for all-size businesses.
Can I use a personal antivirus plan for my small business?
Yes, technically, you can use a personal antivirus for a small business. However, it’s not recommended, as dedicated corporate antivirus programs include multiple device protection and a central security dashboard. Additionally, a separate antivirus would vigilantly monitor business data only, resulting in better data protection
What antivirus do most businesses use?
Most businesses use Norton Small Business and Bitdefender antivirus software as independent tests show their strong reliability. These two providers score high ratings in security, performance, and usability, which makes them all-around market leaders.
