The best antivirus software (2024)

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

Since the advent of personal computers, malicious forces have existed to undermine our individual and electronic security.

Hackers, phishers, spammers, scammers, and loads of unsavory characters work hard to steal our personal information, turn our computers into ghost machines, and break stuff.

So, it’s paramount that we continuously use software designed for our protection, like one of these antivirus programs.

Each antivirus software program provides a similar service to the next: protecting our devices and identities from malicious forces.

Because as much as some of us like to think we’re amateur-hour security experts, scammers have become more advanced and skilled.

So it’s integral to our personal safety and computer health that we suck up our pride and utilize the best antivirus software of 2024.

Best Overall

There’s a reason Norton 360 is one of the most popular and well-known antivirus software packages on the market.

It successfully defeats threats, using heuristic analytics and machine learning to kill the most advanced malware.

It has a firewall, password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, ransomware protection, and more.

The dark web monitoring is a nice touch. We might never enter the shadow world, but our data might. Norton 360 keeps it secret, private, and secure.

Best for Windows

Whelp, it goes without saying that if you have a Windows PC, you have one of the most competent but annoying antivirus programs in Windows Security.

Built into every new copy of Windows, Security does a nominal job of protecting your PC. It’s no slouch, but it’s not a feature-rich antivirus program.

Windows Security does offer real-time protection and regular updates itself, slogging your RAM as it does so. But it’s a small price to pay (nothing) for moderate protection without a premium.

It’s worth mentioning that Windows Security used to be called Microsoft Defender, but it was rebranded as Defender, and now the name of the security product included with Microsoft 365.

Best for Mac

If you are a macOS person, you’ll need an antivirus program optimized explicitly for macOS, which is Intego.

Intego enhances Apple’s built-in security features with real-time monitoring, Mac optimization tools and backup options, and toggle boxes for network security.

One standout feature is the customizable smart firewall. This ensures you get the best protection on your Mac no matter where you work.

Intego does offer a Windows antivirus scanner, but it’s a pale imitation of the Mac version.

Best for anti-phishing

Ironically, McAfee’s image is used just as much on malicious websites as phishing spam, even though it works to protect against it. Don’t let that put you off, though, as those sites are fraudulently using the logo to trick you.

The antivirus package is one of the best in the industry. McAfee’s best feature is its protection against phishing and web-based trojan attacks. If you have McAfee installed, you never have to fret when browsing even the most sus sites.

The subscription package can get expensive, but McAfee also offers some of the most comprehensive parental controls on the market.

There’s also a Wi-Fi scanner, which is especially helpful if you constantly connect to random Wi-Fi networks.

Best free antivirus

While Malwarebytes offers a comprehensive subscription plan with standard antivirus software features, the free version is the best option. While you must run it on-demand, you can use the free version forever.

The free version of Malwarebytes is one of the best ways to remove viruses and malware from your PC quickly. That’s not because it’s free, but because it has a constantly up-to-date database of the latest malware and is quick and easy to use.

Download, install, ignore the subscription buttons, and clean your PC of the crap you accidentally downloaded.

Best for businesses

Trend Micro offers many customization options, which is why it’s popular for enterprise-level protection.

IT managers can adjust permissions and features based on organizational needs, and it works with the most popular operating systems.

It’s robust in the password protection arena, with 256-bit AES encryption, unlimited password storage, password generation, and two-factor authentication.

While Trend Micro might not be the most well-known antivirus software, it still offers enough for consideration.

Best extra features

Panda’s VPN isn’t that great, but that’s a small thing in its sea of extra features.

The free plan offers essential virus protection for Windows and Android, but the subscription plan offers advanced ransomware protection, a password manager, parental controls, and a file encrypter.

But Panda’s best feature is its Rescue Kit. This bootable version resides on a USB drive, so if a virus obliterates your computer, you can salvage things. It’s much cheaper than scrapping your PC and starting over.

Best free trial

Sophos Home is a consumer-facing version of its enterprise-level malware protection software.

Its free version is pretty robust, offering supreme malware protection. Web pages packed with malware stand no chance against Sophos Home’s malware protection.

It’s all in how Sophos Home functions. It shuts down threatening processes when they are active and then automatically reverts data. Plus, it actively blocks websites known for dumping malware on computers, mitigating risk.

Best for online banking

While Kaspersky is a Russian company, it focuses more on capitalism than anything else.

Plus, with its safe, secure browser, anti-phishing protection, smart home monitor, and unlimited VPN, it’s one of the best security software for online banking and random financial transactions.

Kaspersky has a dangerous site protection feature and an antivirus engine that constantly updates itself.

While you might fear the call is coming from within the house, Kaspersky has done nothing but competently protect consumers from viruses for its entire existence.

Best budget

Bitdefender has two things that set it apart from its competitors. First, it has one of the most advanced antivirus engines backed by a killer malware database, AI detection, and machine learning.

Second, it has one of the best subscription tiers in its Total Security plan, which is less expensive than other services.

However, that plan doesn’t include a VPN, but the next tier does, and it’s an excellent VPN comparable to standalone products. If you have a budget for your protection, Bitdefender can save you a few bucks without sacrificing features.

Best for mobile

Avira is best for mobile for the same reason it’s best for old Windows XP computers: It’s a very lightweight program.

This is because its antivirus engine lives in the cloud rather than in temp files on your PC. You don’t have to download anything of substance.

It’s also packed with system optimization tools, such as a startup optimizer, game booster, and junk file cleaner.

That junk file cleaner is handy because while junk files may not be virus-laden, they still take up space and slow things down. Avira also has clean apps for mobile devices, so you can keep those tiny computers virus-free.

Best bundled VPN

TotalAV has all the stuff you’d look for in antivirus software, including a web shield that prevents you from even accessing scary websites.

But where it stands out as antivirus software is with its bundled VPN. It’s as good as or better than some standalone VPNs, totally secure, and works with streaming sites. Plus, it’s fast, which some VPNs struggle with.

Additionally, TotalAV has an excellent password product called Total Password that provides an encrypted box to store all your passwords and private data.

There’s even a tool to log you from all your accounts on any device remotely, a nice touch for antivirus software.

Things to consider when procuring antivirus software

1. Price

Many of the antivirus programs here list “subscription” under cost. Many have tiered pricing based on features like adding a VPN or monthly vs. annual billing.

But the gist is that before balking at $19.99, you should ask yourself what price you’d put on your computing security.

How much would you pay to ensure your identity isn’t stolen and your computer isn’t secretly used for doing crimes?

2. Features

Many antivirus software packages are just that. They are much more than antivirus protection. They offer password protection, dark web monitoring, VPN services, malware scanning, etc.

There’s no reason to get more than what you need. So, don’t spend the money if you don’t need ten licenses, enterprise protection, or a password locker. Buy the software and plan that contains the features you need.

3. Operating system compatibility

While most antivirus programs work with Windows and Mac, some are better suited for particular operating systems, especially mobile OSs like Android, iOS, and Chrome OS.

Pick the software that optimizes your security for your operating system or install Linux—your call.

Final thoughts on the best antivirus software of 2024

As technology progresses, so do the spammers, hackers, and phishers. Basic trojan horse viruses are a thing of the past (though still used), but we face new threats every day we use our computers.

Considering how much we spend annually on subscription services for entertainment and content, it’s a small thing to spend much less on software to protect that freedom.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Best PlayStation 5 accessories
• Galaxy Z Fold 5 vs OnePlus Open: Competition is good
• Best home security cameras
• The best pet tech

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.