Best malware removal tools of 2025
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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Malware removal tools are essential for keeping your devices malware-free. These tools help protect your data, devices, and network by preventing unauthorized access, theft, or damage to your valuable assets. Malware can compromise your personal information, damage your devices, or spread across your network, causing devastating issues.
While antivirus software and malware removal tools serve different purposes, they do have some overlap. Antivirus programs are designed to prevent viruses from infecting your device, while malware removal tools focus on identifying and eliminating malware. Many modern antivirus solutions also include real-time protection, whereas some of the best malware removal tools work on demand.
With the help of the Cybernews research team, I have picked the best malware removal tools. The research team spent days conducting various in-house tests using real-world malware samples to assess each tool's effectiveness and overall performance in protecting against various types of malware.
Top malware removal tools for 2025
- Bitdefender Total Security – the best malware removal and protection tools in 2025
- Norton 360 Deluxe – antivirus with 100% protection against malware
- TotalAV Internet Security – affordable and effective malware removal
- ESET Essential – efficient malware removal tool for advanced users
- Malwarebytes Standard – solid malware remover with a free plan
The best malware removal and protection in 2025
Below is a list of the top 8 premium malware removal programs. Each tool ensures strong malware protection, excellent value for the price, and is easy to use across various operating systems.
1. Bitdefender – the most effective malware removal tool overall
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Price: | From $9.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF |
Bitdefender is the overall best malware removal tool in 2025. It consistently demonstrates excellent malware detection and cleanup results in third-party and internal evaluations. Moreover, it includes impressive features to keep customers secure against various malware and other online threats, such as ads and trackers.
In-house and lab testing. Our in-house Bitdefender tests showed that the service’s real-time protection is 83.3% effective, while its deep scanning feature found 80.6% of the malware samples we tested against it. Regarding scanning options, Bitdefender offers quick and deep scans. Although the quick scan lives up to its name (elapsed less than one minute), I was disappointed that it couldn’t detect any malware samples. Thankfully, the deep scan found 80.6% of malware in 33 minutes among 180k files.
I’ve also checked the latest September-October 2024 Bitdefender analysis from AV-TEST, which showed that Bitdefender provides 100% protection against 0-day malware attacks. It also detected 100% of widespread and prevalent malware, where more than 11,000 samples were used.
Features. Bitdefender offers strong malware protection, along with extra security features like microphone and webcam protection. I found these especially useful, as they alerted me whenever an app tried to access my camera or microphone, reassuring me that no one was watching me without my knowledge. It also has web protection that blocks access to malicious websites and a system optimization tool that frees up space by clearing temporary, old, or junk files.
Who is it for? I recommend Bitdefender to anyone seeking comprehensive antivirus software. It excels at detecting and removing various types of malware while also offering protection against phishing, ransomware, and other online threats.
2. Norton 360 – feature-rich malware removal tool
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Price: | From $29.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get up to 58% OFF Norton Antivirus |
Norton 360 is an excellent alternative to Bitdefender if you’re looking for one of the best malware removal tools. It’s similarly priced and equally effective, according to independent labs.
In-house and lab testing. When testing Norton 360, its real-time protection was 76% effective, and its deep scan reached 89% effectiveness. While these results are solid, they fall slightly short compared to Bitdefender.
I have also reviewed AV-TEST Norton 360 results, where it scored a perfect 100% in both protecting against 0-day malware attacks and detecting widespread malware, showcasing its excellent malware protection capabilities.
Features. Norton 360 offers comprehensive security features. It comes with a password manager, which I found particularly useful for keeping my passwords secure in one place. It also comes with a VPN, that will hide your true IP address. Additionally, the SafeCam feature will protect your webcam from unauthorized access.
Who is it for? I think Norton 360 is best suited for more tech-savvy users. While it provides excellent security with a range of advanced features, beginners might find it a bit overwhelming. However, for those looking for well-rounded online security, it’s an excellent option.
3. TotalAV – affordable anti-malware software
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Price: | From $19.00/year |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF |
TotalAV is an affordable and effective alternative to the top two providers on our list. Unsurprisingly, its more affordable price leads to slightly less effective performance, which is confirmed by our tests.
In-house and lab testing. In our in-house tests of TotalAV, its real-time protection detected 78.6% of the malware samples, and its deep scan identified 81.3%. While these numbers are a bit lower than some competitors, they don't mean TotalAV is ineffective, but it's something to keep in mind when considering your options for malware removal.
According to AV-TEST's TotalAV 2024 September-October results, it received perfect scores in protection and usability and 5.5 out of 6 for performance.
Features. Despite its affordable price, TotalAV comes packed with useful features. I found the VPN, WebShield, and Total Ad Block particularly beneficial, as they helped protect my anonymity and block intrusive ads. The Breach Scan feature was also handy for monitoring potential breaches.
Who is it for? I recommend TotalAV for those looking for either free or comprehensive antivirus protection. If you're seeking basic, no-cost security, TotalAV’s free antivirus provides effective malware protection. For those needing all-around security, TotalAV’s more comprehensive plans offer extra features like a Secure VPN, Password Vault, and an Ad blocker, making it a great choice for those looking for more robust protection.
4. ESET – efficient and effective malware removal tool
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Price: | From $34.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get ESET, save up to 30% |
ESET is a robust malware removal tool with decent results from independent and internal tests. However, it’s vital to note that this service is best suited for intermediate and advanced users due to its extensive customization capabilities and user interface.
In-house and lab testing. When testing ESET, it showed perfect malware removal results, successfully detecting and eliminating all malware samples.
In AV-TEST’s ESET September-October results, it scored a perfect 100% in both protection against 0-day malware and detection of widespread malware. Additionally, ESET earned the AV-Comparatives Advanced+ award for Real-World Protection and Malware Protection during their July-October and November tests.
Features. ESET includes a useful anti-theft feature that allows you to track a lost device, access its webcam, and monitor its activity. It also comes with a password manager and a VPN, both of which I find beneficial for enhancing overall security.
Who is it for? I believe ESET is a great option for everyday browsing. It offers strong ransomware protection and malware removal capabilities. While I wouldn’t fully rely on its real-time protection, I would recommend it for solid daily security, especially since it also safeguards your device if it gets stolen.
5. Malwarebytes – solid malware remover with a free plan
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Android, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS |
| Price: | From $44.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get Malwarebytes, now 30% OFF |
Malwarebytes is a solid malware removal tool with a popular free version. However, the premium tier isn’t particularly feature-rich, while the free version lacks real-time protection. Therefore, I would suggest opting for the paid plan for effective malware protection and removal.
In-house and lab testing. In our hands-on testing of Malwarebytes, it performed best when paired with its browser extension. Specifically, its real-time protection was 88.6% effective at detecting malware when visiting dangerous websites.
That said, recent independent lab results are limited. According to AV-TEST’s October 2023 Malwarebytes tests, it scored 5.5/6 in both the performance and protection categories and received a perfect score in usability.
Features. Malwarebytes isn't as feature-rich as competitors like Bitdefender or Norton 360 but it does offer some valuable tools. The Browser Guard extension is particularly useful, as it blocks ads and trackers, while the Website Protection feature helps protect you from scams and phishing websites.
Who is it for? Malwarebytes is a great choice for users who only need basic antivirus protection. Although it lacks many extra features found in other malware removal tools, it’s a solid and easy-to-use option for everyday protection.
6. McAfee Total Protection – well-renowned antivirus with many features
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Price: | From $39.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get McAfee, save up to 70% |
McAfee Total Protection is a well-established anti-malware service with numerous extra features. While its performance is not entirely perfect, it offers solid well-rounded security.
In-house and lab testing. When testing McAfee, I noticed that similar to Malwarebytes, it worked significantly better with the web extension installed. McAfee had a 90% success rate against malware.
In the latest McAfee Total Protection evaluation by AV-TEST in September-October 2024, it scored a perfect rating in protection and performance and 5.5/6 in usability.
Features. McAfee comes packed with a range of valuable security features. One standout is the file shredder, which securely overwrites files, ensuring they're completely erased and unrecoverable. It also includes a tracker remover, which clears cookies and junk files, enhancing your security and performance of your device.
Who is it for? McAfee is an excellent choice for anyone looking for strong malware protection and a well-rounded security suite. It offers a reliable malware removal service, and its additional features make it an even better investment. However, it might not be the best option for budget-conscious users, as its pricing leans toward the premium side.
7. Avira Antivirus – excellent malware remover for gamers
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Price: | From $26.99/year |
| Current deal: | Get 1 year of Avira at 58% OFF |
Avira Antivirus is a great malware removal tool that can also improve your online gaming experience. Besides the usual antivirus package, Avira includes the Game Booster feature, which minimizes resource allocation to other apps while gaming.
In-house and lab testing. Avira Antivirus offers three scanning tiers for detecting issues – full, quick, and smart. During our Avira tests, the research team started with a quick scan, which proved to be somewhat unreliable but indeed quick. It didn’t find any malware, but each time elapsed less than one minute. Conversely, the full scan was 70% successful and took roughly six minutes to scan over 200k files. During this time, the CPU load was between 54 to 92%.
As for AV-TEST Avira antivirus tests, it scored 100% in protecting against 0-day malware attacks and detection of widespread malware.
Features. Avira, similarly to Norton 360, includes a VPN and a password manager. It also includes a Game Booster feature that I found particularly useful. It automatically closes all background applications, and stops unnecessary processes to free up RAM space.
Who is it for? I believe Avira Antivirus is ideal for gamers because of its Game Booster feature. It’s also a great malware removal tool with excellent malware detection capabilities and is an affordable option.
8. Trend Micro – one of the cheapest malware removal tools
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Price: | From $19.95/year |
| Current deal: | Get Trend Micro, now 54% OFF |
Trend Micro is one of the most budget-friendly malware removal options in 2025. Naturally, its affordability means the tool isn’t the most effective or feature-packed alternative. As such, I’d recommend increasing your cybersecurity budget to avoid greater issues in the future.
In-house and lab testing. During internal Trend Micro tests, performance was somewhat underwhelming. Scanning effectiveness topped at 40%, while real-time protection was a solid 70% successful at detecting malware.
That said, in the May-June 2024 Trend Micro AV-TEST evaluations it scored perfectly in the protection, performance, and usability categories.
Features. One unique feature I found was the ransomware file decryptor, which helps recover files encrypted by ransomware. Another useful tool is Pay Guard, designed to create a more secure environment for online shopping, banking, and other sensitive transactions.
Who is it for? I recommend Trend Micro for those seeking reliable malware protection on a budget. Although it didn't perform the best in our internal tests, its perfect scores in lab testing show its potential. Trend Micro offers a solid range of features for the price, making it a good value choice.
How we tested and selected malware removal tools
Whether you’re looking for a paid or free malware removal software version, it’s important to evaluate how safe it’ll keep you and what value you can get. To provide these insights, we followed these criteria to provide you with the best malware removal tools:
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Malware detection rates (30%). A great malware removal tool must effectively detect and eliminate 98-100% of all malware on your device. To select the most reputable services, we evaluated our and other trusted testers results, such as AV-test and AV-comparatives.
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In-house tests (25%). We ran in-house antivirus software tests to provide a transparent look into each software’s ability to detect and eliminate malware threats.
- Features (20%). Free antivirus solutions sometimes offer limited security and anti-malware features compared to their paid versions. We looked into features available in both – free and paid packs of selected anti-malware tools and reviewed crucial features like real-time protection, scanning, and file quarantine.
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Compatibility (15%). Nowadays, we do more operations on our mobile devices than computers. Therefore, it was essential to identify how the best anti-malware program works on the most popular operating systems, such as iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
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Price (10%). Our suggestions include paid and free anti-malware software. It’s important to test the best price-to-quality ratio so you don’t break the bank while keeping cybervillains away.
What is malware removal?
Malware removal is the process of eliminating harmful software from a device. This can include various types of malware, such as worms, spyware, adware, ransomware, trojans, and botnets.
Malware removal tools work by continuously scanning files on your device, and searching for known malware signatures. These tools rely on large, regularly updated databases to recognize and identify malware. Many anti-malware tools also use behavior-based detection to spot new or unknown threats.
When malware is detected, the tool alerts you to its severity, isolates it to prevent further damage, safely removes it, and cleans up any traces or damage left behind.
Ways to protect your device from malware
There are several ways you can protect your device from malware. Besides enabling specific software, you must also follow common cybersecurity practices to avoid dangerous situations. Here are a few tips you can combine to protect yourself from malware and other online dangers.
Malware removal software
One of the best things you can do for your device is to use malware removal software like Bitdefender.
Many anti-malware software run real-time scans. This means that whenever your device encounters malware, such software detects and removes it before any damage is done.
It's an essential feature you should look for in an anti-malware provider.
Firewall
Enabling a firewall or choosing anti-malware software that includes such a feature is also crucial for protecting yourself against malware.
A firewall is a feature that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic of your device. The purpose of such a feature is to protect your device against threats coming from external sources.
Password manager
Keeping your password strong is another essential step in avoiding harmful threats. A reputable password manager with advanced security features can help you prevent unauthorized access to your device and avoid infecting it with malicious software.
Secure browsing and downloading
Practice secure browsing and downloading. For example, only download apps from authorized platforms, such as Google Play and Apple App stores. And, of course – keep your device up to date to ensure robust security without any vulnerabilities.
Which malware removal tools do we recommend?
Based on our in-house testing of malware removal and protection capabilities, Bitdefender stands out as the best malware removal tool in 2025. It comes with a broad range of malware protection features and other essential cybersecurity tools, such as a VPN. Most importantly, it was extremely effective in internal and independent anti-malware tests. It even has a free tier if you want to test it yourself before committing to a paid subscription. However, remember that it doesn’t guarantee the premium tier’s effectiveness. Though Bitdefender is our top choice for malware removal, the perfect malware removal solution will vary from person to person based on individual needs.
FAQ
What tool is best to eliminate the malware?
Bitdefender is the best tool for eliminating malware because it has a 100% malware protection rate. It is able to detect and remove 10 malware out of 10 in real-time.
Is anti-malware better than antivirus?
Anti-malware and antivirus tools are similar, but anti-malware is more effective at removing and protecting against a wider range of threats, including newer, less common types of malware. While anti-malware is ideal for removing harmful software, antivirus focuses more on protecting your device during everyday browsing.
Is there a truly free malware removal tool?
Yes, there are free malware removal tools like Bitdefender, TotalAV, and Malwarebytes. While their paid versions offer more features, the free version offers solid protection against malware.
