The number of extra features each program has varies, but the sweet spot in the lineup is Norton 360 Deluxe.

The best antivirus software you can buy todayĪll of Norton's antivirus products offer excellent malware protection, and the once-heavy system-performance load is much lighter. We remain committed to helping our readers to source and find the best products and will offer multiple alternatives in the categories affected.

Our free rankings immediately follow our paid rankings below.Įditor's note: Future, the parent company of Tom's Guide, has chosen to stop doing business with Russian companies, including Kaspersky. See our section on how to choose the best antivirus software below, or our stand-alone antivirus buying guide. It doesn’t have a lot of extra features but you do get parental controls, a gaming mode and protections for Microsoft’s Edge browser.Īny of these three will serve you well but the ideal choice depends on your circumstances. While it’s not as effective as Norton, it still managed to beat a number of paid programs when it comes to malware detection. If you want to save even more, Windows Defender is the best free antivirus software available today. It offers a ton of features including a password manager, a secure browser, a Wi-Fi network scanner, a file shredder and ransomware protection, for a lot less than Norton. However, all that comes at a cost – $99/year for the first year ($150 on renewal).Īt just $20/year for the first year ($40 on renewal), the entry-level Bitdefender Antivirus Plus plan is the best bargain in antivirus software. Our top choice for the best antivirus software is Norton 360 with LifeLock Select as it offers excellent malware protection and a ton of extra features, including an unlimited VPN and LifeLock identity protection.

ESET Smart Security Premium (opens in new tab)Ħ. Trend Micro Maximum Security (opens in new tab)ĥ. McAfee Internet Security (opens in new tab)Ĥ. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (opens in new tab)ģ.

Top antivirus for free download