In certain instances, we may earn revenue when a reader makes a purchase or completes a form through our pages or on a partner’s website. We adhere to a strict Getting the best business antivirus software is vital for protecting your company’s data from criminals. Data breaches and ransomware activity have spiked in recent years, and cybercrime is predicted to cost the U.S. $452 billion this year, so it’s increasingly important to have strong antivirus protection in place for your firm.
These threats pose an existential risk to businesses, with the potential to lock up your infrastructure, drain your accounts, and expose the details and data of your employees and customers. Based on our assessment methodology, I’ve tested and compared the best antivirus solutions for business for this guide – with a longlist of 15 providers – to help you find the right tools for your needs.
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The Best Antiviruses for Business Tested By Our Experts
- TotalAV – Best antivirus for small businesses and best business antivirus overall.
- Norton – Best small business antivirus for usability with cloud backups and easy-to-use apps.
- Trend Micro – Best antivirus software for scaling firms, including a full security services suite.
- ESET – Best lightweight business antivirus for flexible management. Includes an intuitive dashboard.
- Intego – Best Mac antivirus for business with security and tune-up tools built for Apple devices.
- Avast – The best home office and small business antivirus with great tools for non-technical teams.
- Malwarebytes – Business antivirus for resource-limited IT teams, with AI security recommendations.
- AVG – Best small business antivirus for Windows-focused firms, including simple cloud management for business endpoints.
Do Small Businesses Need Antivirus?
Small businesses and startups generally have to work on a tight budget, so many entrepreneurs will wonder whether they need to pay for antivirus programs. The answer is that you absolutely do.
Smaller firms often have access to significant financial resources and substantial lines of credit but lack the specialist staff and advanced security of larger firms. Given this, they are often targeted by hackers as being easy marks.
If your business network is hit by ransomware, for example, you might have almost no choice but to give in if you want to restore your records and get your systems back online. Because of this, security software is essential.
Depending on the complexity of your systems, you should ensure that you have a personal antivirus serving as a small business antivirus to protect your devices and network, at the very least – though a small office solution may be a better investment. As you scale up, you’ll then need to ensure that you maintain effective antivirus software for your needs and requirements.
Best Business Virus Protection Tools Reviewed
Based on our comprehensive testing methodology, I’ve tested 15 tools to identify the best antivirus software for business. I looked into details like their security features, malware-removing capabilities, pricing, and device support to assess and compare them and establish their respective strengths as the best antivirus software in a business context.
1. TotalAV – Best Antivirus for Small Businesses
| Business Starter Cost | $19/year (5 devices) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | Free scans, 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 17.5/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 5.5, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 8 |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Why We Picked It
TotalAV is a low-cost antivirus that’s ideal for small businesses seeking effective malware protection with system optimization tools. As the vast majority of businesses will be looking for this, I rate TotalAV as the best business antivirus overall.
Features
- Beginner-Friendly Antivirus – TotalAV is a beginner-friendly antivirus, and its premium plans are a great pick for businesses looking for comprehensive protection for a small office. It’s the best, most affordable endpoint protection software I’ve seen for small firms.
- Malware Protection – TotalAV has reliable real-time antivirus protection for detecting and removing malware, viruses, and Trojans and can safeguard against phishing and ransomware. The product also includes an impressive set of web protection tools.
- System Optimization – The package also includes system clean-up tools, which I found to be great for removing duplicate files, potentially unwanted programs, and junk files.
- Security Tools – Other online safety tools included with higher-tier plans include ad and tracker blockers, a VPN, and a password manager, all of which can assist in further securing your business. TotalAV supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Antivirus Testing Results
TotalAV fared well in AV-Test’s most recent round of assessments, neutralizing 100% of malware samples. This went for both zero-day and common threats, so you can rest assured that your business operations are secure.
The antivirus scored 5.5/6 for performance and 6/6 for usability. It didn’t incorrectly flag any legitimate software, processes, or sites and had a generally lower-than-average impact on system resources.
Pricing
TotalAV Antivirus Pro is available for $19/year. This supports five devices, so you may want to upgrade to the Total Security plan, which supports eight devices for $49/year and includes the VPN, the password manager, and ad and tracker blockers.
Even with the renewal price, this is the cheapest business antivirus on my list. There’s no free trial of the Total Security plan, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can access free on-demand malware scans.
Who It’s Best For
TotalAV is the best antivirus software for small business and is ideal for firms on a tight budget looking for comprehensive protection for their devices. If you’re not sure what product to pick, TotalAV is a safe bet. Based on its apps, I also rate the antivirus as the best antivirus for Android.
For more information, read our TotalAV review.
Pros
- Low-cost starter plan
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly
- Robust antivirus and web protection
- System optimization tools
- VPN and password manager included
Cons
- Limited free offering
2. Norton – Best Small Business Antivirus For Usability
| Business Starter Cost | $59.99/year (6 devices) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30 days, 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 17.5/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 5.5, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 20 |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
Why We Picked It
Norton is an affordable and user-friendly antivirus that’s a great pick for small businesses needing to secure their networks and mobile and desktop endpoints. The company’s Virus Protection Promise, meanwhile, gives you complete assurance that you’re protected.
Features
- Firewall and Network Protection – Norton Antivirus is extremely easy to set up and manage. It uses a robust firewall and intrusion prevention system to monitor, filter, and block suspicious activity at the network level.
- Malware Protection – There’s also 24/7 real-time monitoring to identify potentially malicious activity on your system and to find, quarantine, and eliminate infected files. Norton’s home plans, which share the same security system as the business packages, have consistently received excellent scores from AV-Test.
- Cloud Backups – The Small Business plan includes 250GB of cloud backup storage space, ensuring your most important files are backed up and secure. This can help mitigate against instances of device failure and ransomware attacks and goes a step beyond TotalAV’s offering.
- System Optimization – In addition, there’s a software updater that tracks supported apps on your device and ensures vulnerabilities are addressed. The Utilities Ultimate tool, meanwhile, cleans out junk and unwanted files to optimize your devices.
- Security Features – There are also additional security features, like a file recovery tool to retrieve deleted data, a password manager, and a private browser. Notably, Norton’s business plans also include data breach monitoring for five contacts to alert you if logins leak online. Upgrading to the premium business plan adds to that with a secure VPN, 500GB of cloud storage, and a driver updater.
Antivirus Testing Results
Norton scored 6/6 for protection and usability in AV-Test’s latest testing and 5.5/6 for performance. The antivirus had a limited impact on system performance during browsing and software usage, with a slight slowdown during the installation of frequently used software.
You shouldn’t expect nuisance interruptions, either, as Norton had only one false positive when scanning over a million legitimate software, process, and website samples.
Pricing
The Norton Small Business starter plan costs $59.99/year for six devices, and there’s a 30-day trial on offer. Norton Small Business Premium starts at $199.99/year for ten devices, and both plans allow you to scale up to 20 devices to cover a whole office. All plans get a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
Norton Antivirus for business is great for small businesses seeking affordable, multi-device security that’s simple to install and use across business endpoints. At the same time, its secure backups can ensure your most important files are safe and protected.
To find out more, read our Norton Antivirus review.
Pros
- Easy installation and intuitive to use
- Powerful firewall protection and intrusion prevention system
- 500GB cloud backup space
- Great security extras, including VPN and password manager
- 30-day free trial and 60-day guarantee
- Best suited to small-to-medium businesses
Cons
- Cloud backups only for Windows
3. Trend Micro – Best Antivirus Software for Scaling Firms
| Business Starter Cost | Custom quote |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30 days, 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 17.5/18 (Protection: 5.5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | Custom quote |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chromebooks, servers |
Why We Picked It
Trend Micro’s cloud-based Worry-Free services package is a robust, reliable corporate antivirus for endpoint protection, which scales to include Extended Detection and Response (XDR). The provider also offers numerous business-oriented standalone products, making it great for scaling firms.
Features
- Security Services Suite – Trend Micro’s cloud-based Worry-Free Services Suite is designed to offload work from IT teams and safeguard employee endpoints and mobile devices. Everything runs from a single platform, from data correlation and investigation to targeted action reporting. The business antivirus performs consistently well under testing with near-perfect results.
- Email Protection – The Advanced package incorporates email protection, too, and can protect you from targeted attacks and phishing, as well as protecting online collaboration tools.
- XDR and MDR – Higher-tier plans incorporate XDR and Managed Detection and Response (MDR), providing investigation capabilities, automated root cause analysis, and advanced threat detection via cloud sandboxing.
- Multi-Platform Protection – Trend Micro’s Trend Service One package also employs MDR for server, endpoint, email, and business network protection. It ensures prompt product upgrades and delivers monthly security reports. Trend Micro is also among the best server antivirus solutions available.
Antivirus Testing Results
Trend Micro’s business solution dealt with 99.3% to 100% of zero-day malware and widespread threats in its most recent AV-Test review. The results were just as good for performance, with Trend Micro matching or beating industry averages across categories like file downloading and software installation and use.
Pricing
Trend Micro’s business plans have a wide range of offerings that firms can combine based on their needs. You’ll need to inquire with Trend Micro to get a quote for your business – but this ensures you get the protection you need.
The Worry-Free Services Suites and Trend Service One have a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
Trend Micro is ideal for overstretched IT teams working to protect scaling businesses, thanks to its cloud-based services and managed XDR. Based on my testing, the business security software can ensure consistent, multi-layered defenses across devices and operating systems to keep your firm safe.
For more information, check out our TrendMicro antivirus review.
Pros
- 24/7/365 managed security service
- Multi-layer threat detection with XDR
- Monthly security reports
- Standalone products for businesses of various sizes
Cons
- No upfront pricing
- Scans can take time
4. ESET – Best Lightweight Business Antivirus for Flexible Management
| Business Starter Cost | $179.99/year (5 devices) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30 days, 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 1,000+ |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
Why We Picked It
ESET is a highly versatile business solution and provides both on-premise and cloud-based security configurations. It’s also among the lightest business antiviruses you can find, based on my testing.
Features
- Flexible Deployment – ESET Protect Entry is pitched at small-to-medium businesses and is known for flexible on-premise and cloud-based deployments. It’s a notably lightweight solution and has minimal system impact, as shown by AV-Comparatives’ testing.
- Endpoint Security – Its modern endpoint protection systems assess vulnerable endpoints and block suspicious activities to protect your network from ransomware and phishing attacks.
- Security Rules and Dashboard – The customizable Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS), meanwhile, lets you tailor security rules based on your organizational needs, offering an additional degree of flexibility. ESET’s easy-to-use dashboard makes it simple to manage your team and licenses and provides a centralized location to keep your company’s endpoints secure. Beginners and inexperienced IT teams may still face a learning curve with its feature-heavy interface, however.
- Security Features and Scalability – With the advanced Protect plans, you get full disk encryption, mail server and mobile device protection, and patch management. The provider also supports Enterprise-scale firms with thousands of endpoints and incorporates XDR and MDR with higher-tier plans. This puts it on a par with Trend Micro – though with more transparency around pricing – and ahead of TotalAV and Norton for larger firms.
Antivirus Testing Results
In the latest AV-Test assessments, ESET had a 100% success rate in malware detection and removal and had minimal impact on PC resources. The antivirus received 6/6 marks for Usability and didn’t report any false positives while working in the background or during system scans.
Pricing
ESET Protect Entry costs $189.83/year for five devices on a three-year plan, scalable to 100 devices, and provides complete endpoint safety and server security.
There’s also a basic Small Business Security software package, priced at $179.99/year for five devices and listed with ESET’s home plans, and Enterprise plans that come with a custom quote. All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can request a 30-day trial.
Who It’s Best For
ESET Protect is a compelling choice for small and medium-sized businesses seeking robust endpoint protection and flexible deployment options without compromising system performance. It’s also a good option for growing firms and can provide solid antivirus protection for enterprise-scale businesses.
For more information, read our ESET Antivirus review.
Pros
- Flexible deployment options
- Lightweight solution
- Scales from small businesses to enterprise firms
- Mobile device protection
Cons
- Learning curve for beginners
- Relatively expensive plans
5. Intego – Best Mac Antivirus for Business
| Business Starter Cost | $37.50/year (one Mac) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30 days, 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 17/18 (Protection: 5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | Custom quote |
| Compatibility | macOS and Windows |
Why We Picked It
Intego is the best business antivirus for Mac-focused companies. Its robust security features prevent unauthorized system access, while its clean-up and organization tools can ensure your devices are optimized and in good working order.
Features
- Mac Protection – Intego is the go-to antivirus solution for businesses primarily using Macs. Like Norton, Intego offers its consumer security system for business customers. Its flagship tools, NetBarrier X9, a two-way firewall, and the VirusBarrier X9 malware scanner monitor, quarantine, and eliminate threats from your business systems in real time.
- Security Features – There’s application monitoring, an advanced firewall, and the ability to scan external drives and iOS devices for malware and ransomware. The tools score an impressive 17/18 in AV-Test’s assessment, with full marks for usability. The advanced plans include the Mac Washing Machine system tuning and clean-up feature, as well as personal backups and a VPN.
- Windows Protection – While Intego is geared toward Mac businesses, there’s a separate Windows product with zero-day protection, scheduled and smart scans, and automatic updates, though it doesn’t have all the advanced features of the Mac version.
Antivirus Testing Results
Intego blocked 99.1% of Mac malware and 93% of potentially unwanted applications in recent AV-Comparatives tests, while its Windows threat protection stood at 100% against 500+ samples. The usability results were similarly positive, with no false alarms or pop-ups to interrupt your work.
In AV-Test’s most recent assessments, Intego detected 99.5% of prevalent malware and got full marks for Performance and Usability. It matched or beat industry averages in all categories for its impact on system performance and didn’t incorrectly block any items when scanning over 70,000 programs and processes.
Pricing
Intego’s Mac-based business starter plan costs $37.50/year (two-year plan) for one device or $124.99/year for five devices. There’s a 30-day trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
Who It’s Best For
Intego is a good pick for small businesses using Macs, which prioritize well-rounded security to block unauthorized access and malware. The addition of secure backups and an enhanced firewall only add to the value of the package.
For more information, read our Intego Antivirus review.
Pros
- Built for macOS
- Two-way firewall and malware scanner
- Real-time monitoring and safeguarding
- Ransomware and phishing protection
Cons
- Limited mobile support
- Limited transparency on business pricing
6. Avast – Best Home Office and Small Business Antivirus
| Business Starter Cost | $24.15/year (1 device) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30 days, 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 999 |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, servers |
Why We Picked It
Avast’s home office and small business anti-virus solutions provide solid endpoint protection and user-friendly management tools for non-technical staff. It’s also very affordable and gets great scores in independent testing.
Features
- Malware Protection – Avast’s home office plan includes advanced protection and has tools to combat phishing attacks and ransomware. It can also flag fake and malicious sites that might trick team members into entering confidential data.
- Endpoint Protection – Avast Small Office Protection Security offers thorough endpoint protection for up to ten devices, mitigating vulnerabilities and blocking anomalies with behavior analysis.
- Centralized Platform – Essential Business Security adds a centralized online management platform and allows you to add up to 999 devices, including servers. Higher-tier plans add web controls, USB protection, a VPN, and patch management to address app vulnerabilities.
- CloudCare Management – Avast for Business offers the CloudCare management platform for larger businesses and channel partners. It’s a sophisticated SaaS platform with detailed reporting that provides the ability to add endpoint and network security services as needed.
Antivirus Testing Results
In AV-Test’s latest trials, the Avast business solution blocked 100% of malware samples, including web and email threats, and the provider has consistently scored perfect 18/18 results for both its consumer and endpoint security products.
Avast Premium Business Security also got full marks for performance when downloading, launching, and using popular software applications. Avast proved to be unintrusive, as well, with only one false positive when tested against over a million legitimate software samples.
Pricing
Avast’s Small Office Protection plan costs $98/year with a three-year plan and covers up to 10 devices. The Avast Essential Business Security plan, which offers a relatively limited feature set, starts at $24.15/year (three years) for one device and can be scaled to 999 devices. Upgrading to Avast Ultimate Business Security, meanwhile, adds automatic patch management for $37.21/year.
Avast’s small business cybersecurity solutions come with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
The Avast business hub is perfect for home offices and small businesses seeking robust endpoint defenses. It offers all the essential security features you need in one centralized, user-friendly platform.
For more information, check out our Avast Antivirus review.
Pros
- Cost-effective home office plans
- Centralized management tools
- Advanced behavior recognition tools
- Highly scalable
Cons
- Limited features for macOS
- Lacks mobile device management
7. Malwarebytes – Business Antivirus for Resource-Limited IT Teams
| Business Starter Cost | $345/year (5 devices) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | Live demo |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 17.5/18 (Protection: 5.5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 100 |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook |
Why We Picked It
Malwarebytes’ ThreatDown solution offers advanced antivirus features that are bolstered by AI technology to provide ironclad endpoint protection. It’s relatively expensive, but it’s a great option for larger businesses.
Features
- Malware Protection – ThreatDown from Malwarebytes is a lightweight, easy-to-use business antivirus that’s fast to deploy and comes with robust endpoint protection features.
- AI Threat Detection – It simplifies workflows for IT teams with generative AI technology by enabling the use of natural language to execute requests. This can surface recommendations to optimize security, details on unprotected or vulnerable endpoints, and opportunities to automate update processes. Ultimately, it can help teams to be more efficient and make better use of their resources.
- Security Features – The Core plan includes incident response tools, application blocks, and vulnerability assessment. Upgrading will get you patch management, endpoint detection and response, ransomware rollbacks, MDR, and DNS filtering. You can also add protection for servers and mobile devices as add-ons for each plan.
Antivirus Testing Results
Malwarebytes successfully dealt with 98.5% of zero-day and 99.8% of common malware in its most recent AV-Test trials.
Its performance metrics were solid, too, as the software had minimal impact on both average and high-end PCs. Malwarebytes also scored 6/6 for usability, with no false positives, while testing over a million samples.
In addition, the AVLab Cybersecurity Foundation gave the antivirus a product-of-the-year certification for advanced, in-the-wild malware testing and labeled it “Excellent.” ThreatDown is also the only antivirus to receive all MRG Effitas certifications for ten consecutive quarters.
Pricing
ThreatDown’s Core plan costs $69/endpoint/year. There’s a five-endpoint minimum, which brings the plan to $345/year, though this goes down to $55.20/endpoint/year with a three-year subscription. You can add up to 100 endpoints with all plans and extend protection to Linux servers.
Malwarebytes also offers a Small Office plan for $519.99/year for 20 devices and a Teams plan for Sole Proprietors for $119.99/year for three devices.
There’s no money-back guarantee, but you can request a live software demo. For more Linux-compatible options, consider the best antivirus for Linux.
Who It’s Best For
Malwarebytes’ ThreatDown is great for IT teams with limited resources seeking comprehensive, lightweight business protection. It’s also easy to scale and is a top option for protecting servers.
Pros
- Great integration of AI tools
- Strong test scores
- Wide range of enterprise-level features
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- No money-back guarantee
- Core plan has five endpoint minimum
8. AVG – Best Small Business Antivirus for Windows
| Business Starter Cost | $36.18/year (one user) |
|---|---|
| Free Business Trial | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Business Antivirus Testing Results | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) |
| Max Devices | 999 |
| Compatibility | Windows, servers |
Why We Picked It
AVG business antivirus is packed with top-rated security features and provides simple cloud management for Windows-based companies. It also fares very well under testing for performance and usability.
Features
- Malware Protection – AVG’s business plans provide advanced defenses against suspicious software, malware, and spam for small companies with Windows endpoints and servers. As with Avast, businesses with limited technical resources will appreciate the cloud management console’s user-friendly interface and remote management capabilities.
- Security Features – The package provides multi-layered protection, including real-time scanning, a firewall, remote access blocks, and email, web, and file monitoring. There’s also a file shredder to permanently remove sensitive files, and the higher-tier plan comes with additional email and password protection features for added peace of mind.
- Independent Testing Results – As proof of its protective capabilities, AVG blocked 100% of malware in real-world protection testing with AV-Comparatives, earning it 3/3 stars. The plans support up to 999 devices but don’t include enterprise-level features like XDR or MDR.
Antivirus Testing Results
AVG got perfect scores across the board in testing, with 6/6 for protection, performance, and usability in AV-Test’s latest assessments. The antivirus successfully dealt with all 11,000+ malware samples it was confronted with, including zero-day and widespread threats.
AVG was also highly unintrusive, only flagging one piece of legitimate software from a sample pool of over 1 million apps, processes, and sites.
Pricing
The AVG AntiVirus Business Edition costs $36.18/year for one user, with support for up to 999 devices. The product includes antivirus scanning, a firewall, a web shield, and file server security, as well as ransomware protection.
Upgrading to AVG Internet Security Business Edition ($43.88/year) adds additional email server and password protection. While there’s no free trial, you do get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
AVG is ideal for small companies using Windows that require a user-friendly console and a wide range of security features. When it comes to endpoint protection, it’s also a highly scalable solution.
For more information, check out how AVG fares against the competition in our AVG vs Avast Antivirus comparison.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly cloud management console
- 100% malware protection testing results
- File shredder
- Centralized remote management
Cons
- Limited to Windows
- No free business trial
Comparing the Best Corporate Antivirus Solutions
Here’s a table featuring the key features of all the business security software solutions discussed in this guide so you can easily compare them and find the business anti-virus software that’s right for your needs.
| Best Antivirus for Business Comparison | Best For | Business Starter Cost | Business Antivirus Testing Results | Max Devices | Compatibility | Free Business Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TotalAV | Small businesses on a budget and best overall | $19/year – 4 devices | 17.5/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 5.5, Usability: 6) | 8 | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Free scans, 30-day guarantee |
| Norton | Easy set-up and usability | $59.99/year – 6 devices | 17.5/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 5.5, Usability: 6) | 20 | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | 30 days, 60-day guarantee |
| Trend Micro | Growing businesses | Custom quote | 17.5/18 (Protection: 5.5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | Custom quote | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chromebooks, servers | 30 days, 30-day guarantee |
| ESET | Flexible management options | $179.99/year – 5 devices | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | 1,000+ | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | 30 days, 30-day guarantee |
| Intego | Mac-using businesses | $37.50/year – one Mac | 17/18 (Protection: 5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | Custom quote | macOS and Windows | 30 days, 30-day guarantee |
| Avast | Home offices | $24.15/year – 1 device | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | 999 | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, servers | 30 days, 30-day guarantee |
| Malwarebytes | Resource-strapped IT teams | $345/year – 5 endpoints | 17.5/18 (Protection: 5.5, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | 100 | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook | Live demo |
| AVG | Small businesses using Windows | $36.18/year – one user | 18/18 (Protection: 6, Performance: 6, Usability: 6) | 999 | Windows, servers | 30-day guarantee |
How We Reviewed And Tested Business Antivirus Software
- 15 Antiviruses Tested
- 20 Datapoints Measured
- 300+ Hours Testing
- 500+ User Reviews Read
We base all our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the business antivirus products included in this guide have been tested and compared based on the following criteria:
Core Security Features I made sure that the business antivirus software I tested was equipped with features like network scanning and endpoint protection, network firewall functionality, and real-time protection.
Malware Detection Rates We thoroughly test malware detection rates ourselves with both in-depth and quick scans. We also check the results of independent lab tests for additional analysis, and I’ve incorporated the results of third-party business antivirus testing in my guide.
Performance Impact The best business antiviruses won’t have a meaningful impact on your network. I’ve tracked and examined performance at the network level to gauge what effect each product will have on your systems and have factored this into my reviews.
Compatibility I assessed the devices and operating systems that each business antivirus product was compatible with and whether they would support endpoint protection for desktop and mobile devices.
Customer Experience Alongside my own testing experiences, I researched what business users, tech professionals, and system admins had to say about these security products. I’ve collated user reviews and feedback on each of the security products listed here.
Value for Money Value for money and return on investment are key considerations for us when comparing products. I’ve looked at what each provider offers for different business use cases, scaling from home office settings to enterprise firms.
What Does Business Antivirus Software Do?
Business antivirus software is used to protect a company’s IT infrastructure from cyber threats. Given the growing threat of cybercrime and the increasing frequency of ransomware attacks, with the number of victims as much as doubling year-on-year, it’s very important to have protection in place.
Here’s how antivirus software can protect your business:
- Malware Detection and Real-Time Protection – Business antiviruses can detect and block malware by running scans of your drives, offering endpoint protection solutions, and monitoring software for anomalous behavior.
- Online Anti-Malware for Business – Web protection features will warn you about suspicious links and websites and scan downloads for malware.
- Ransomware Protection – Modern antiviruses can scan incoming traffic for malware, block processes that may be attempting to encrypt files, and ensure backups are made so files can always be recovered.
- Spyware Protection – Hackers and competitors engaged in corporate espionage may attempt to use spyware to monitor your business activities and steal your passwords and account details. This can result in substantial cases of fraud and in confidential information being stolen from your company if it isn’t stopped.
- Email and Phishing Protection – Mail protection tools scan your emails for malicious attachments and links and can filter messages to curb phishing attacks on your staff.
- Firewall – This is an essential first line of defense for any sophisticated antivirus program. It monitors network traffic for potential threats, preventing malware from accessing the network and monitoring suspicious traffic leaving the network.
- Internal Network Security – The best enterprise antivirus software can track activity within your security perimeter to detect unusual patterns of behavior – such as individuals accessing files and programs they don’t usually use. This can catch both intruders and rogue members of staff.
- Server Protection – Company servers host sensitive data, including customer information and financial records. Server security ensures systems are protected against unauthorized access and malware.
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR) – Enterprise business antiviruses offer XDR to collate data from multiple security layers, accelerating threat detection and resolution.
- Centralized Security – Having centralized controls over all organizational security processes simplifies administration and makes it easier to monitor threats and respond to incidents.
- Compliance – In many regions, businesses are required by law to protect user information and to promptly notify users of breaches. Having online security in place to protect digital records and systems is an essential first step toward meeting these requirements.
- Additional Tools – Business antivirus software may include additional security tools, like VPNs, password managers, and ad and tracker blockers, which further improve security.
Consumer vs Business Antivirus Protection Software – What’s the Difference?
Consumer antivirus solutions are simple and easy to install and offer robust protection against online threats. Small businesses with tight budgets, limited endpoints, and simple IT needs may hence opt for consumer antivirus software. Larger firms and enterprise businesses, meanwhile, will require the features offered with purpose-built corporate antivirus software solutions.
Here are some of the specific benefits of using business-specific antivirus solutions:
- Advanced Security Features – Business antivirus solutions provide more comprehensive offerings such as vulnerability scanning, patch management, network endpoint protection, and automated updates.
- Scalable Device Support – As companies grow, so does the number of their networked devices. Antivirus corporate tools are highly scalable, often supporting over 100 devices. Businesses can also receive custom quotes tailored to their needs.
- Centralized Management – Business antiviruses typically provide IT teams with unified dashboards to manage security across devices and simplify administration and maintenance.
- Configurability – Business antivirus software offers greater customization options to meet the needs of different organizations.
- Integrations – Integration with third-party software applications can be crucial for businesses, and many corporate antiviruses integrate with a range of enterprise software and systems.
- Dedicated Support – Many business antivirus solutions include 24/7 support for threat detection and management.
- Pricing – Businesses will often need to secure dozens or hundreds of devices. Providers can offer discounts with scale as well as custom quotes to bundle specific features and functionality with anti-virus software for business.
How to Choose the Best Antivirus for Business Use
Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing an antivirus for your business, whether you’re considering TotalAV, ESET, or Avast premium business security:
Security Requirements
Select an antivirus that offers the relevant security features for your business requirements, whether you need the best small business firewall or enterprise endpoint protection. It’s worth considering if you need to protect servers as well as desktops and mobile devices and whether you need XDR or MDR functionality.
Malware Protection
The level of malware protection that each business package offers is a key metric for comparing different options. Independent testing labs provide objective results that can validate vendor claims and help you establish the reliability of products in real-world scenarios to ensure data protection.
Scalability
Having flexible configuration options can be very important as your business grows. Scalable antivirus solutions should support multiple platforms and device types and allow you to increase the number of devices on your plan as needed.
Business Support
Being able to call on IT support from an antivirus provider can be invaluable. Many corporate antiviruses also offer 24/7 managed endpoint services that relieve the burden on overstretched IT departments.
Some endpoint security companies, like Trend Micro’s Service One, even provide a designated service manager.
Pricing Plans
To select the most cost-effective antivirus for your business, consider both the initial price and potential upgrade expenses.
If you’re requesting a custom quote for a managed endpoint antivirus service, for example, make sure to get clarity regarding the pricing structure to avoid unexpected costs.
How Can Businesses Effectively Implement Antivirus Software?
When considering the best antivirus protection for your firm, there are several steps to keep in mind for implementation.
Define Your Requirements
Before looking for the best small business antivirus security solution, you should assess your vulnerabilities and define how the security software will fit into your software stack. It’s also worth exploring whether new software needs to be coupled with employee security training for your staff.
Identify a Solution
Once you’ve confirmed your requirements, you can look at the best products on the market and identify likely candidates for your company.
Test Your Security Solution
Before fully rolling out a solution, you should thoroughly test it, assessing how it integrates with your workflow and software, how easy it is to implement and maintain, and how well it works. Be mindful that this may take some time and will require committed security resources, but it is a key part of acquiring the best endpoint protection for business.
Launch Across the Organization
Having confirmed the suitability of the product, you can now complete the rollout process and run the product across your systems.
Can You Use a Free Business Antivirus?
You’re unlikely to find free antivirus software for businesses. Using the free version of a consumer antivirus is a bad choice, though, as free antivirus solutions won’t provide comprehensive network security, will generally be limited to a single device, and often won’t include features like firewalls that are generally included with anti-virus software for small businesses.
A better solution is to look for the best antivirus for small business that includes a free trial or a money-back guarantee so you can be confident that it suits your needs – and I recommend using TotalAV. For free alternatives, see our guide to the best free antiviruses.
Conclusion – What’s the Best Business Antivirus Software?
Given the online threat landscape today, it’s essential to have security software in place for your firm. Businesses must be alert to issues ranging from malware, viruses, and phishing scams to ransomware attacks, spyware, and corporate espionage. If you don’t have comprehensive digital protection, your firm will be easy prey for hackers and scammers.
Based on my testing, I rate TotalAV as the best small business antivirus. It provides comprehensive protection, a VPN, and a password manager, and it will protect five devices at a very low cost. For larger firms, I recommend Trend Micro as the best enterprise antivirus.
FAQs
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References
- The Growing Threat of Cyberattacks (The Heritage Foundation)
- Why Data Breaches Spiked in 2023 (Harvard Business Review)
- Trend Micro Apex One testing (AV-Test)
- Norton Internet Security testing (AV-Test)
- TotalAV testing (AV-Test)
- ESET Endpoint Security testing (AV-Test)
- Business Security Test 2023 (August – November) (AV-Comparatives)
- Intego Mac Internet Security X9 testing (AV-Test)
- Avast Antivirus Business testing (AV-Test)
- AVG Internet Security testing (AV-Test)
- Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection testing (AV-Test)
- Malwarebytes information (The AVLab Cybersecurity Foundation)
- ThreatDown wins every MRG Effitas award 10 quarters in a row (ThreatDown)
- AVG testing information (AV-Comparatives)
- The impact of cybercrime on companies in the U.S. – Statistics & Facts (Statista)
- Mac Security Test & Review 2024 (AV-Comparatives)
