Best Trojan removers in 2025
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Trojans are some of the most dangerous types of malware. They can disguise themselves as legitimate programs while silently infecting your system. If left undetected, they can steal personal data, install additional malware, or even take control of your device. Since not all antivirus programs effectively detect and remove Trojans, choosing the best Trojan remover is essential.
After thorough testing, I concluded that Bitdefender is the best antivirus for removing Trojan malware. Read this article to find out why Bitdefender stands out from other providers.
Top 5 Trojan removers to protect your devices
- Bitdefender – best overall antivirus to remove Trojan malware
- Norton – well-rounded antivirus with 100% confirmed Trojan detection
- TotalAV – excellent antivirus for dealing with various threats, including Trojans
- Surfshark Antivirus – an excellent antivirus with included top-notch VPN
- NordVPN Threat Protection Pro – a great VPN with tools to remove Trojan malware
Is Windows Defender effective against Trojans?
Windows Defender is only somewhat effective against Trojans. While Windows Defender performs relatively well, during the independent AV-TEST analysis, it demonstrated some glitches. For example, Microsoft's online inquiry page has several questions related to false threat alerts or other issues.
False threat alerts aren’t just intimidating. They can mislead you into considering legitimate programs to be Trojans. While the antivirus itself wouldn’t take action against programs that are safe, simply getting a false alert is enough for the user to take unnecessary precautions, like uninstalling the program.
So, while Windows Defender is quite good at dealing with various threats, it has its setbacks. It might be worth opting for another antivirus, as some offer free versions. This way, you would avoid issues that some users complain about and would be able to use an antivirus on other operating systems.
The best Trojan protection tools in 2025
It’s not difficult to find a reliable antivirus, especially if you’re already familiar with some of the notable providers. Finding one that excels in a specific area is less simple. Our research team and I tested 27 options to present you with 5 antiviruses that excelled in Trojan protection.
1. Bitdefender – the best Trojan malware protection
| Max devices covered: | 10 |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Current deal: | Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF |
Bitdefender stands out among its competitors for providing top-notch protection against Trojans, thanks to its advanced security features, available even in the free version. With the help of real-time malware detection, it efficiently blocked planted Trojans and performed well during our in-house test.
Test results. Bitdefender had a success rate of 100% in detecting Trojans. When it scanned for potentially unwanted applications (PUA), command lines, and scripts, it found all the planted Trojans. Bitdefender may not have any specific Trojan-related features, but the ones it has effectively identified and neutralized the threats. Bitdefender also performed exceptionally well in independent AV-TEST tests, so its reliability and effectiveness are undeniable.
Security features. Bitdefender has an extensive list of security features. It has multiple different scan types, real-time monitoring, several web protection tools, and ransomware remediation. The latter is particularly useful to those who have been affected by Trojans, as Bitdefender not only reverses the damage done by ransomware but also restores encrypted files. Additional features include anti-spam, a password manager, a VPN, parental controls, and more.
In our antivirus review, we have tested Bitdefender's ability to deal with malware, and it performed exceptionally well.
Price. Bitdefender has a free plan with basic antivirus protection, but also multiple paid ones to choose from. The most expensive is the Family pack, but if you don’t have over ten devices that need coverage, then far more affordable plans are available. The cheapest paid subscription starts at $9.99/year, which really isn’t a lot for such a high level of security. Its premium plans are also available for a 30-day free trial, so you can test Bitdefender’s features yourself without spending anything.
2. Norton 360 – extensive antivirus software with proven Trojan detection
| Max devices covered: | 10 |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get up to 58% OFF Norton Antivirus |
Norton is another great antivirus for dealing with Trojans. While it doesn’t have Trojan-specific features, its malware detection and removal proved to be watertight during our test.
Test results. Norton, just like Bitdefender, had no issue finding all planted Trojans, putting its success rate at 100%. It also managed to completely resolve them and even quarantined some programs as a security measure. Overall, Norton proved to be a reliable Trojan detector.
Security features. Depending on which plan you choose, you will get thorough protection. Even the most basic plan has full security coverage, 2GB of cloud backup, and a password manager. Additional features available with slightly pricier subscription plans include a VPN, dark web monitoring, and parental controls. The most advanced plan, LifeLock, has special identity theft protection software. Moreover, all plans now include the AI-powered tool Genie Scam Protection, which keeps you safe from scams in messages, emails, and online. We thoroughly reviewed Norton antivirus and its features if you want to read more about it.
Price. Norton is not the cheapest antivirus program, but it’s not expensive either. Norton Antivirus Plus – the cheapest plan – costs $29.99/year. Other plans, particularly the most extensive Norton 360 with LifeLock, are quite pricey, starting at $99.99/year. However, you can certainly get a good level of protection with just the basic package. You can certainly get a good level of protection with just the basic package.
The most affordable Norton plans are still more expensive than Bitdefender’s, and it doesn’t have a free version. Additionally, its cheapest plans offer significantly fewer features. With Norton 360, you’d have to pay more to get an equal set of security features. So, while they both performed equally well in our Trojan test, Bitdefender’s better value for money caused it to rank higher than Norton.
3. TotalAV – tested and thorough Trojan malware remover
| Max devices covered: | 6 |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Current deal: | Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF |
TotalAV offers total protection in most situations, but it stumbled a bit during our Trojan testing. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to rate it lower due to price and other security features.
Test results. Overall, TotalAV did not perform poorly. It detected most of our planted Trojans, missing only one, putting its success rate at 80%. However, it does not specify that it offers Trojan detection, so it was just the service’s basic malware protection that spotted threats. If anything, the result proves how sneaky Trojans can be when avoiding detection.
Security features. TotalAV is great software for regular day-to-day use. If you don’t usually visit particularly suspicious sites and know not to click any links that a scammer might send, then TotalAV can confidently handle the rest. Just like Bitdefender, TotalAV offers a free antivirus as well. The free version offers basic internet and malware protection, while the three paid versions have significantly more features. We have performed an in-house test on TotalAV's ability to deal with malware threats, and it performed really well.
Price. Depending on the features that you need and your budget, you can choose from four versions, one of which is free. The paid versions are subscription-based with a single yearly payment starting from $19.00/year. So, it’s apparent that TotalAV is comparatively one of the cheapest options there is.
4. Surfshark Antivirus – a well-rounded antivirus with a VPN
| Max devices covered: | 5 |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireTV |
| Current deal: | Get Surfshark Antivirus - 85% OFF + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark is better known as a VPN, but its antivirus definitely deserves a special mention. It performed well during our antivirus test and really excelled in detecting Trojans.
Test results. Surfshark had a success rate of 100%, detecting all the planted Trojans during our latest tests, outperforming more established antivirus programs like TotalAV. This result is a significant improvement compared to our previous evaluation of Surfshark Antivirus. Furthermore, this strong performance aligns with the recent recognition Surfshark received from AV-TEST, where it earned the Top Product award for its exceptional protection, performance, and usability.
Security features. Surfshark One has an antivirus, data breach alerts, and a private, ad-free web search function. One+ comes with an additional Incogni feature, which removes the data that various companies have collected about you. Both of these plans include a VPN and an Alternative ID – a way to completely mask your digital identity by having a duplicate email and other identity protection tools. And while the features that it does have do not seem as extensive as those of our top-ranking antiviruses, overall, Surfshark has great tools to protect your data and identity.
Price. There is no free version of Surfshark antivirus. The difference between the two offered plans, One and One+, is minor. Opting for One+ would grant you just one additional, albeit excellent, feature. The price difference is also not severe.
One costs $2.69/month while One+ costs $4.29/month.
5. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro – a VPN and Trojan malware protection in one
| Max devices covered: | 10 |
| Free version: | No |
| Platforms: | Windows, macOS |
| Current deal: | Get NordVPN antivirus with 76% OFF + free gift card |
NordVPN also offers its own security features. They are available on all platforms and subscription plans, so you can get basic protection no matter how much you spend. Most importantly, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro successfully proved its antivirus capabilities during our in-house test.
Test results. Despite Threat Protection Pro being just one of NordVPN’s features, it did not disappoint. With a success rate of 100%, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro detected and eliminated all Trojan malware. So, it’s fair to say that Threat Protection Pro is enough to safeguard your device.
Security features. All NordVPN plans include a secure VPN, malware protection, and an ad blocker. With pricier plans, you could get a data breach scanner and even cyber insurance. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro offers real-time web, file, and vulnerability monitoring. And if you already have NordVPN but didn’t know that this feature is accessible, our team wrote a more insightful NordVPN review about its features and capabilities.
Comparatively, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro does not have as many security features as, for example, Bitdefender. But its success during our Trojan malware test, general features, and market-leading VPN still make it one of the best options for your device.
Price. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is not free. You need to have a NordVPN paid subscription to access it. NordVPN is also slightly pricier than, for example, Surfshark, but even with the cheapest plan, costing $3.39/month, you could get decent malware protection. Moreover, you can test it out for 30 days and get your money back if you’re not satisfied.
How we tested Trojan protection tools
We tested 27 popular antivirus systems and selected 5 that were the best at detecting and removing Trojans. Our hands-on experience with these programs allowed us to observe each antivirus software’s user interface, speed, and effectiveness in dealing with Trojan threats. Overall, these 5 antiviruses excelled in the following categories during our thorough antivirus testing process:
- Trojan detection (30%). Not all antivirus tools are equally effective. We turned off real-time protection and planted 5 Trojan files in our virtual machine (VM) with Windows 11 installed on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 laptop. We then used different antivirus providers to scan the system for malware. We rated their effectiveness depending on how many threats they detected, and ranked them accordingly.
- Malware removal (25%). Detection isn’t everything. If the antivirus not only detected but also deleted malware, mainly our planted Trojans, then it naturally ranked higher. For example, Bitdefender was able to delete the Trojans and reverse the damage done by malware, and Norton quarantined additional programs, which might’ve posed additional risks.
- General antivirus features (25%). The more security guarantees an antivirus offers, the higher we rate it. We ensured that the antiviruses we included on our list didn’t detect any false positives, that the detected files’ names matched the ones we planted and that the antivirus included security measures, like a VPN. We also took into consideration additional tests that our team or independent researchers completed.
- Pricing (20%). We compared the subscription costs of all antiviruses, making sure that mainly the ones that offer the best value for money make it into our final list. For example, McAfee performed well in our test but was more expensive than our top picks, so it didn't make it to our list.
Comparison of the best Trojan remover tools
| Brand | Rating | Trojan detection | Free version | Subscription price | Max devices covered | Platforms supported |
| Bitdefender | 100% | Yes ✅ | From $9.99/year | 10 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | |
| Norton 360 | 100% | No ❌ | From $29.99/year | 10 | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | |
| TotalAV | 80% | Yes ✅ | From $19.00/year | 6 | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | |
| Surfshark | 100% | No ❌ | From $36.31/year | 5 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireTV | |
| NordVPN Threat Protection Pro | 100% | No ❌ | From $4.39/month | 10 | Windows, macOS |
How to remove Trojans from your devices
Once a Trojan is in your device, it can be really difficult to remove it. The malware's ability to mask itself as a safe program makes it difficult to remove Trojan spyware from your device. If you notice that your device has started behaving strangely and things seem different than they usually are, it’s likely that it’s infected with Trojan malware.
Fortunately, there are some basic things you could do to fix this. You should disable all programs that are from less trustworthy sources. Anything you might have downloaded recently could be infected. Reboot your device into safe mode before you attempt to change anything. And make sure you don’t remove any programs that your device actually needs to function.
Once you've cleaned your device, you should consider additional security measures. You might get targeted with ransomware or other types of malware. That’s why you should get a reliable antivirus, like Bitdefender. Only a trustworthy and tested security system can detect and remove malware, protecting your device and the data in it.
How to prevent Trojan malware
Trojans may be very common, but if you take certain precautions, they can be entirely avoidable. There are several actions you can take to protect your device from Trojans:
- Install a reliable antivirus and keep it up to date. This way, you will protect your device from all types of malware, even if you were to accidentally get it. You should select an antivirus that offers real-time protection, like Bitdefender.
- Contact the sender before opening any links. A funny video sent by your friend, a work email from a trusted colleague, or a parcel tracking link from your local post office – all of these could be infected with malware. Ask your friend if they sent you anything and what it is about, contact your colleague through other channels to confirm the email, and double-check the contacts of organizations on their official websites.
- Get a VPN when connecting to a public network. It’s best to assume that all public Wi-Fi is risky to use. To prevent Trojans, other malware, or data leaks, use the best VPN to protect your private information. Some antivirus subscriptions also include a VPN, so make sure you remember to use it.
- Do not visit lesser-known websites unless absolutely necessary. Do not download any files from untrustworthy sources, and stick to reputable websites and secure connections (HTTPS).
- Update your device. Smartphones and computers regularly conduct system updates. Those come with patches and security fixes that make your device more resistant to various threats.
Can a free antivirus protect my device against Trojans?
Only a reliable free antivirus can protect your device from Trojans. A free version of a reputable antivirus is entirely different from just a simple free antivirus. Mixing the two could end up with you paying for it with your data and security.
Our highest-rated option, Bitdefender, has a free version that you could use, and our expert team has already tested it, so you know it’s safe. But it’s also worth investing in paid subscriptions, as they tend to offer a greater number of security features. It is quite affordable, so you wouldn’t be too much out of pocket. Considering that it covers up to 15 devices, it definitely offers good value for money.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to detect and effectively remove Trojans, a reliable antivirus is a worthy investment. Not only can it protect your device from Trojan malware, but it could secure your device from more severe security breaches. I tested multiple antivirus providers and found Bitdefender to be objectively better than most.
It performed remarkably well in both in-house and independent antivirus tests, found 100% of planted Trojans, and has a free version as well as highly affordable subscription options. So, overall, if you were to get an antivirus to protect your devices from Trojans, you can’t go wrong with Bitdefender.
FAQ
What is the best antivirus to find Trojans?
Bitdefender is the best antivirus for Trojan detection and removal. It has a well-rounded security system to protect your device from Trojan malware. Additionally, Bitdefender offers a free version.
Can I scan my device for Trojans with an antivirus?
Yes, a reliable antivirus performs scans to detect any real-time threats. With antivirus like Bitdefender, you can also manually select to perform malware scans whenever you want.
