Best Antivirus Software — every ranking, by use case and budget
We paid for every suite here, installed each on the same machines and tested them the same way. Scores are locked before any affiliate link is added.
ESET HOME Security Essential
Good
8.2
Bitdefender Total Security
Very Good
8.9
Microsoft Defender
Good
8.1
By use case indexed
By price page 1 indexedpage 2+ noindex
In-depth antivirus software reviews
Bitdefender Total Security
Top lab scores year after year, the lightest footprint of the paid suites, and a first-year price under $50 — the suite we would install for most people
Read Bitdefender Total Security ReviewESET HOME Security Essential
A lean, configurable suite from a lab-award regular that treats you like an adult — no bundles, no nagging
Read ESET HOME Security Essential ReviewMicrosoft Defender
Already on every Windows PC, free, and now good enough that the paid suites have to justify themselves
Read Microsoft Defender ReviewNorton 360 Deluxe
The most complete bundle: strong protection plus an unlimited VPN, 50 GB cloud backup, a password manager and parental controls — at the highest renewal price
Read Norton 360 Deluxe ReviewAvast One
The best free suite after Defender, with a paid tier that adds a VPN and cleanup tools — from the company fined for selling browsing data
Read Avast One ReviewMalwarebytes Premium
The cleanup tool everyone reaches for after an infection, now a real-time suite with the best removal of adware and PUPs we tested
Read Malwarebytes Premium ReviewMcAfee+ Premium
Unlimited devices, an unlimited VPN and identity monitoring for a family, with the steepest renewal in the ranking
Read McAfee+ Premium ReviewGuides that send readers to these rankings
Do You Still Need Antivirus? Windows Defender vs Paid Suites
What Defender caught and missed in our tests, the three things paid suites actually add, and who should pay.
Antivirus Renewal Prices: What You Really Pay in Year Two
First-year offers against renewal for every suite we tested, and how to avoid the jump.