Best Antivirus Reddit Recommendations for 2024

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Finding the best antivirus Reddit users recommend will help you zero in on genuine user feedback and the pros and cons of different products. From free plans to premium services with extra security features, you can learn how antiviruses perform based on the experiences of the Reddit community.

Combing through dozens of “Reddit best antivirus” threads and comparing user testimonials can be a tedious and lengthy process, though. In this guide, we’ve compiled details on which antivirus Reddit users recommend for a range of use cases, including the best real-time protection, online security, scanning, and more.

TotalAV – Superb antivirus software for complete, real-time protection

Free Scan Included
VISIT SITE

Norton – PC antivirus with a virus protection promise

30-Day Free Trial
VISIT SITE

Surfshark Antivirus – Great value antivirus protection with a VPN

7-Day Free VPN Trial
VISIT SITE

Avast – Free Antivirus Software With Smart Scan Functionality

Free-Forever Plan
VISIT SITE

McAfee – Reliable antivirus software for Windows 10 users

30-Day Free Trial
VISIT SITE

Intego – Beginner friendly antivirus solution for macOS users

30-Day Free Trial
VISIT SITE

The Best Antivirus Software Reddit Recommends at a Glance

  1. TotalAV — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for beginners
  2. Norton — Best Reddit antivirus for security
  3. Surfshark Antivirus — Best Reddit antivirus for privacy, with a leading VPN
  4. Avast — Best free antivirus Reddit users recommend
  5. McAfee — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for families
  6. Intego — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for Mac

Best Antivirus Reddit Picks Reviewed

To find the best antivirus software Reddit users recommend, we’ve considered user reviews and extensively tested each product to ensure they offer robust security, excellent malware detection rates, and transparent pricing.

1. TotalAV — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Beginners

TotalAV Logo

Starting Price $1.58/month (annual)
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Max Devices 8
Free Offering Free scans
Testing Results Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Why We Picked It

TotalAV offers numerous real-time protection and in-depth scans to safeguard your devices from viruses, adware, trojans, and other malware. Our favorite part about TotalAV is that it’s also easy to use, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Features

TotalAV is popular on Reddit because of its lightweight but powerful real-time antivirus protection that will keep your devices safe and running at top speed.

Redditors also praise its disk cleanup and system tune-up tools, which can help speed up your PC by cleaning its memory of junk, duplicate, and obsolete files.

In testing, TotalAV’s intuitive interface makes it easy to scan for malware and to schedule scans, and it had minimal impact on our system’s performance. It’s the best virus scanner Reddit users recommend. TotalAV can also thwart advanced zero-day threats with its real-time behavioral analysis.

In addition, TotalAV Reddit reviews rate it as one of the best anti-phishing tools. The WebShield feature blocks phishing attacks and malicious websites, keeping you safe as you browse the internet.

Pricing

With a starting price of just $1.58/month with an annual subscription, TotalAV is the most affordable antivirus Reddit users recommend.

The starting plan includes all core antivirus features, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware protection, but upgrading to higher tiers unlocks features Redditors appreciate, including a password manager, an ad blocker, and a VPN.

TotalAV Antivirus Pro $19/year
TotalAV Internet Security $39/year
TotalAV Total Security $49/year

The product supports a range of devices and appears at the top of our list of the best Chromebook antivirus solutions.

Who It's Best For

TotalAV offers an impressive package, and Reddit users recommend it for users with no prior antivirus experience – and for experienced users looking for a customizable solution.

Pros

  • Intuitive, modern interface
  • Generous free plan
  • Numerous extra features
  • Easy-to-schedule scans
  • PUP protection

Cons

  • Full scans can take time to complete
  • High renewal price
TotalAV
9.6
Review

2. Norton — Best Reddit Antivirus For Security

Norton logo

Starting Price $2.49/month (annual)
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Max Devices Unlimited
Free Offering 30-day trial
Testing Results Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 60 days
Why We Picked It

Norton offers an all-in-one approach to security even with its cheapest plan, as it provides you with a password manager, secure cloud backups, a 100% virus protection promise, and a robust set of core antivirus tools.

Features

Security-conscious Redditors praise Norton’s advanced features, including its strong password generator, robust malware protection, smart firewall, and dark web monitoring.

It also has a dedicated Full-Screen Mode for gamers, which makes it one of the best antiviruses for gaming PCs and ensures you won’t be interrupted by anything less than a critical security alert.

Unlike most competitors, Norton offers up to 500GB of cloud backups, allowing you to store sensitive data on its secure servers. It’s also one of the only antivirus providers with a 100% virus protection promise, meaning you’ll get a full refund if it can’t remove a virus from your devices.

Pricing

Norton’s entry-level plan, AntiVirus Plus, can protect a single device for $2.49/month, while its most advanced plans can cover an unlimited number of devices.

The Norton 360 Deluxe plan is a favorite with Redditors, as it offers even more security features for users looking for a VPN, parental controls, and more encrypted cloud storage.

Norton AntiVirus Plus $29.99/year
Norton 360 Standard $39.99/year
Norton 360 Deluxe $49.99/year
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select $99.99/year
Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage $191.88/year
Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus $299.88/year
Who It's Best For

Redditors recommend Norton to users seeking a comprehensive, unified security platform. It’s the go-to antivirus for many Reddit users because of its fast scans, password manager, and near-flawless malware detection rates.

It also ranks well with the best business antiviruses.

Pros

  • Top-tier plans offer robust identity theft protection features
  • Secure cloud backups with each plan
  • Excellent ransomware protection
  • 100% virus protection promise
  • One of the best Windows antiviruses

Cons

  • Reddit users complain about notifications
  • Limited VPN functionality
Norton
9.3
Review

3. Surfshark Antivirus — Best Reddit Antivirus for Privacy

Surfshark VPN logo

Starting Price $2.69/month (two years)
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Max Devices 5
Free Offering 7 days for VPN
Testing Results Protection: 4.5/6, Performance: 4.5/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Why We Picked It

Surfshark is the best VPN Reddit users recommend, and opting for its Surfshark One plan extends its offering by adding antivirus and identity theft protection.

Features

Surfshark is often recommended as a budget-friendly solution on Reddit, as it combines robust antivirus protection with one of the fastest, most secure VPNs on the market at an affordable price.

The platform offers fast scans that take just a few minutes to complete and detect even the most persistent, well-hidden malware.

Redditors are also fans of its real-time data breach alerts, which will notify you if your email address, ID, or credit card information leaks on the internet.

During our testing, we found Surfshark to perform as effectively as Norton, but it outshone the competition with its spyware detection rates.

It’s also one of the few antiviruses that offers webcam protection, which stops unauthorized apps from spying on you. In addition, the app easily detects keyloggers, spy apps, and screen recorders.

Pricing

Surfshark’s cheapest plan to include its antivirus features is Surfshark One, which costs $2.69/month with a two-year subscription.

Besides detecting malware and spyware, it lets you search the internet with a private search tool, sends you data security reports, and can even remove your information from company databases with its top-tier plan.

24 months + 2 free 12 months + 2 free 1 month
Surfshark One $2.89/month $3.49/month $15.95/month
Surfshark One+ $4.49/month $5.49/month $17.95/month
Who It's Best For

Redditors recommend Surfshark for privacy-conscious users who want to stay anonymous online, and the VPN is far better than those offered by competing antiviruses.

At the same time, its antivirus features are praised by users who value performance and security.

Pros

  • One of the best antiviruses with a VPN
  • False flags while scanning are rare
  • Lightweight solution
  • User-friendly mobile and PC interface

Cons

  • Full system scans can take time
  • No free version
Surfshark Antivirus
9.5
Review

4. Avast — Best Free Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend

Avast antivirus logo

Starting Price $2.99/month (annual)
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Max Devices 10
Free Offering Free plan, 30-day trial
Testing Results Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Why We Picked It

Avast is the first choice of more than 435 million users worldwide, including many Redditors, and its comprehensive free plan is an excellent starting point for new users.

Features

Searching Reddit best free antivirus threads is guaranteed to lead you to Avast, and Redditors praise the free plan’s effectiveness against malware and ransomware. It certainly includes a lot more than TotalAV, even extending to a VPN with the Avast One Basic plan.

Besides its excellent performance against common malware, it offers the best free Wi-Fi network protection to combat unauthorized connections, eavesdroppers, and other threats.

Most Reddit reviews recommend opting for Avast’s paid plans, though, to unlock its advanced security features. The Real Site feature, for example, flags fake and scam websites to help you avoid identity theft and phishing attacks, while the firewall keeps hackers from hijacking data from your PC.

Avast is one of the only antiviruses with a Sandbox feature. This lets you run downloaded files in a safe environment to ensure they’re virus-free before you extract them onto your device.

Pricing

Besides its free forever plan, Avast offers two premium plans. Premium Security offers the Sandbox, Real Site, firewall, and file shredder features.

The Ultimate plan adds a VPN, a digital footprint disguiser, and a system cleanup app.

Avast Free Antivirus Free
Avast One Silver Individual (for security, privacy, or performance) $35.88/year per module
Avast One Silver Family (for security, privacy, or performance) – 30 devices $59.88/year per module
Avast Premium Security – 1 device $49.99/year
Avast Premium Security – 10 devices $69.99/year
Avast Ultimate Security – 1 device $49.99/year
Avast Ultimate Security – 10 devices $69.99/year
Avast One Gold Individual $83.88/year
Avast One Gold Family – 30 devices $131.88/year
Who It's Best For

Reddit users recommend Avast for users on a budget and anyone looking to test an antivirus program before committing to a subscription.

Avast is also popular on Reddit as one of the best antiviruses for Android devices.

Pros

  • Great malware detection and removal rates
  • Free plan includes ransomware protection
  • Automatically installs security updates for apps
  • Fast background scans

Cons

  • Relatively expensive overall
  • Full system scans may slow down devices
Avast
8.6
Review

5. McAfee — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Families

McAfee antivirus logo

Starting Price $3.33/month (two years)
Compatibility Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Max Devices Unlimited
Free Offering 30-day trial
Testing Results Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Why We Picked It

McAfee may not be the cheapest antivirus on the market, but finding one with more features won’t be easy. From identity theft protection to VPN protection and a password manager, McAfee has it all for comprehensive security, making it a great pick for families.

Features

Reddit users recommend McAfee for individuals and families seeking extensive offline and online antivirus and privacy protection. Besides keeping your device malware-free, McAfee can help you secure your social media accounts and scan data brokering sites for your personal information.

With protection scores included for every user, you and your family will always know what security measures to implement to maximize your online and offline security. Opting for a family plan also lets you use the platform’s parental controls to ensure your children are safe while browsing the internet.

In addition, McAfee is the go-to antivirus for Redditors looking for first-class identity theft protection features based on its credit monitoring feature, which can help you prevent fraud.

The lost wallet protection feature is also invaluable and lets you quickly cancel lost IDs and credit cards.

Pricing

McAfee’s entry-level plan for individuals covers five devices and costs $3.33/month. The cheapest family plan costs $5.41/month, protects unlimited devices, and offers two accounts for adults and four for children. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try its services risk-free.

McAfee Essential (two-year plan) $39.99/year
McAfee Premium $49.99/year
McAfee Premium Family $64.99/year
McAfee Advanced $89.99/year
McAfee Advanced Family $119.99/year
McAfee Ultimate $199.99/year
McAfee Ultimate Family $219.99/year
Who It's Best For

Reddit users recommend McAfee to individuals and families seeking robust security, identity theft protection, parental controls, and other tools that complement the core antivirus features.

Pros

  • Flags scam emails and text messages
  • Up to $2 million of ID theft coverage
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Robust firewall and malware protection
  • Great parental control tools

Cons

  • Some device performance impact
  • Relatively expensive on renewal
McAfee
8.5
Review

6. Intego — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Mac Devices

Intego antivirus logo

Starting Price $3.13/month (two years)
Compatibility Mac, Windows
Max Devices 5
Free Offering 30-day trial
Testing Results Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5/6, Usability: 6/6
Money-Back Guarantee 30 days
Why We Picked It

Intego will protect your Macs from all types of malware, and it provides anti-phishing protection and a two-way firewall to ensure no cyber threats can infect your device.

Features

While most of Intego’s competitors develop security tools for Windows, Android, and iOS devices, with limited protection for Macs, Intego’s popularity on Reddit stems from its Mac-focused security packages.

NetBarrier, its two-way firewall, ensures hackers can’t extract data from your Mac, and it stops the device from being infected with malware.

With its Mac Washing Machine feature, Intego is one of the only antiviruses to provide Mac system cleanup tools, so it can systematically find and remove redundancies on your machine.

During testing, Intego impressed us with its blazing-fast scans, intuitive menus, and malware detection rates.

We also tested its backup feature, which is a favorite with Redditors as it lets you back up your files on another device or a bootable drive – a feature that Apple’s Time Machine doesn’t offer.

Pricing

Intego splits its services into three tiers, with the entry-level plan priced at $3.13/month with a two-year subscription. For personal backup and Mac Washing Machine features, you’ll need to upgrade to its slightly more expensive Mac Premium Bundle, while the top-tier plan also adds a VPN.

1 year, 1 device 2 years, 1 device 1 year, 3 devices 2 years, 3 devices 1 year, 5 devices 2 years, 5 devices
Mac Internet Security X9 $39.99/year $37.50/year $54.99/year $50/year $69.99/year $62.50/year
Mac Premium Bundle X9 $69.99/year $65/year $94.99/year $87.50/year $119.99/year $110/year
Mac Premium Bundle + VPN $89.99/year $75/year $114.99/year $97.50/year $139.99/year $120/year
Who It's Best For

While Redditors prefer using TotalAV to protect most devices, Intego is their top recommendation for Mac users looking to improve their security online and offline.

For more recommendations, see our best Mac antivirus guide.

Pros

  • Can detect malicious files on connected iOS devices
  • Excellent parental controls
  • Automatic and scheduled scans
  • Easy to set up and use

Cons

  • No dedicated protection for iOS or Android
  • Limited antivirus features for Windows
Intego
8.6
Review

Comparing the Best Antivirus Reddit Recommendations

Here’s a quick head-to-head comparison of the best anti-virus software Reddit users recommend.

Antivirus Provider Best For Starting Price Compatibility Max Devices Free Trial/Plan Money-Back Guarantee
TotalAV Beginners $1.58/month (annual) Windows, Mac, Android, iOS 8 Free scans 30 days
Norton Security $2.49/month (annual) Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Unlimited 30-day trial 60 days
Surfshark Antivirus Privacy $2.69/month (two years) Windows, Mac, Android, iOS 5 7 days for VPN 30 days
Avast Free Users $2.99/month (annual) Windows, Mac, Android, iOS 10 Free plan, 30-day trial 30 days
McAfee Families $3.33/month (two years) Windows, Mac, Android, iOS Unlimited 30-day trial 30 days
Intego Macs $3.13/month (two years) Mac, Windows 5 30-day trial 30 days
Methodology

How We Review And Test Antivirus Software

15 Antiviruses Tested

20 Datapoints Measured

300+ Hours Testing

500+ User Reviews Read

We base our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the Antivirus products we suggest, have been tested based on the following criteria:

  • Core Security Features: We make sure that the antivirus software is fully equipped with features like real-time protection, scanning, a firewall, web protection, and more.
  • Malware Detection Rates: We test malware detection rates ourselves by running both in-depth and quick scans on our devices. Additionally, we check independent lab tests.
  • Compatibility: We check which devices and operating systems the antivirus software is compatible with. Often, different-looking dashboards and slightly different packages of features may be available.
  • Performance Impact: A reliable and functional antivirus should not slow down your device significantly. So, we examine our device performance with and without the antivirus running.
  • Customer Experience: Alongside our own experience, we are curious to know what real users have to say regarding the services. So, we’ve scoured the web for feedback on each of our tested antiviruses.
  • Value for Money: We always consider value for money and how much each product is offering for the set price point.

Can I Trust Reddit Recommendations for Antiviruses?

Reddit is an excellent source of unbiased user reviews and feedback that can help you identify products worth your time and money. We often turn to Reddit and similar websites to get a broader perspective on the full customer experience from long-term users on the best antivirus software on the market.

Here’s why you can trust antivirus Reddit recommendations on the whole:

  • Reviews come from genuine antivirus users – You’ll find honest, first-hand product reviews on Reddit, and they’ll often come from users with the technical know-how to explain what the antivirus does well in detail.
  • Fake posts are easy to spot – Every user profile on Reddit is public, which allows you to check if a suspicious and excessively positive product review has been written by a user who only writes about a single brand. Fake posts often also contain sponsored links and endorsements.
  • Redditors engage in discussions – Nearly every Reddit antivirus thread has more than one person commenting on the product’s features, such as usability, performance, and customer support. That means you’ll learn more about each product from long-term users with experience.
  • Reddit users have high standards – Redditors are notoriously hard to please, meaning highly positive reviews are rare. If you find a thread in which multiple comments praise an antivirus, it’s likely a product that really delivers.
  • Subpar antiviruses are criticized – Reddit users will gladly point out the flaws of a product they’ve used so you’ll know if an antivirus isn’t working as advertised.

Not every Reddit post you’ll see is written by a genuine user, though, as anyone can make a Reddit account, including product marketing staff and PR professionals. Because of this, it’s worth being wary of new users, suspiciously positive posts, and threads with limited responses.

Best Free Antivirus Reddit Recommendations – Are Free Tools Enough?

Many Reddit posts about the best free antiviruses point to Avast and TotalAV as the best options, with Avast being mentioned more often. However, experts recommend Avast’s paid plans, as they offer more advanced features and protect multiple devices, while its free plan protects just one.

Reddit users have varying opinions when it comes to free antiviruses in general, as many users have had negative experiences in the past.

Although they agree that free products are capable of protecting you from known viruses, Redditors point out that free antiviruses often track your activities, have frequent ads, and lack advanced features for multi-layered security.

While some Reddit users appreciate Avast or TotalAV’s free plans as the cheapest options around, most users agree that it’s better to opt for paid services, especially when they offer long money-back guarantees and trials that let you try services for free.

Does Reddit Recommend Windows Defender?

Redditors report having had positive experiences with Microsoft Defender, also known as Windows Defender, as it has high malware detection rates, doesn’t slow your system down, and is easy to use.

However, several threads point out its limitations, such as its subpar ransomware protection and dependence on other apps for some features.

In addition, its phishing protection tool, Windows Defender SmartScreen, only really works with Microsoft Edge, meaning you’ll have to switch browsers for the best results.

Generally, Reddit users recommend subscribing to third-party antiviruses because of their flexibility, enhanced security features, and coverage for multiple devices – whereas Microsoft Defender can only protect one PC.

How to Choose the Best Reddit Antivirus For You

You absolutely need an antivirus today, but you should consider your needs and requirements when researching the best anti-virus Reddit recommendations before committing to an antivirus provider.

Here’s a list of factors to consider before you make a decision:

FeaturesUsabilityCustomer SupportPerformancePrice

Core Features – Look for a product that provides scans, real-time protection, and a firewall. Getting a VPN, a password manager, and parental control tools can also be very valuable, and you may also want features like phishing protection, identity protection, and automatic updates.

Check out our guide to getting rid of a virus on your computer for more tips.

Usability – If you’re looking for a good antivirus Reddit users recommend for protecting multiple devices, ensure that the product is compatible with all the devices and operating systems you use and that its apps are user-friendly and intuitive.

Customer Support – Reddit is an excellent source of first-hand product reviews from long-term users who’ve dealt with the provider’s customer support and refund process. Avoid providers that Redditors flag as being uncooperative or dishonest.

Performance – Although most antiviruses boast high malware detection rates and offer numerous advanced features, finding one that has minimal impact on your device’s performance and battery life can make a big difference to your experience.

Price – When evaluating value for money, consider the security features you need. For example, TotalAV offers the most value for money, but McAfee offers far more features.

FAQs

What’s the best antivirus, according to Reddit?

What’s the best free antivirus Reddit users recommend?

What’s the best Mac antivirus Reddit recommends?

Can you trust Reddit antivirus recommendations?

How does Reddit rate TotalAV vs Kaspersky?

What’s the worst antivirus, according to Reddit users?

Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer
Ilijia Miljkovac
Technology Writer

Ilijia Miljkovac is a Techopedia writer with seven years of experience covering all things tech. He writes about cybersecurity topics, spanning VPNs, antiviruses, and hosting, helping to inform B2B and B2C audiences about the latest products and services. He's written for publications such as Business2Community, TheTechReport, Comparitech, and more. When he's not working, Ilijia spends his time hiking in nature or holed up in his apartment gaming.

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