Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto,…
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With the growing number of online threats, finding the best antivirus for Windows 10 or 11 is a must nowadays. It’s a common misconception that you need powerful antivirus software only if you frequently visit dark parts of the web. However, in reality, around 10-20 million new computer viruses emerge every year.
If you don’t run any software protection, your device could be in great danger. Malware, ransomware, phishing sites, and worms are just some of the many online threats that could severely damage your computer. Read on to discover the best antivirus software for Windows 11, 10, and even older versions at bargain prices.
Editors' Choice
TotalAV – Superb antivirus software for complete, real-time protection
TotalAV – Superb antivirus software for complete, real-time protection
We tested over 20 antivirus solutions to present our readers with the best antivirus for Windows 10 and 11. Our main areas of focus included security, features, compatibility with WindowsOS, pricing, and more.
Here are our findings:
1. TotalAV – Best Antivirus for Windows 11
Cheapest Plan
$19.00/year
Max Devices
8
Free Trial
Free Scan
Money-Back Guarantee
30 Days
Why We Picked It
TotalAV provides comprehensive coverage at an affordable price. Despite being relatively new, this provider has positioned itself as the best antivirus for Windows 11, though it works equally well on previous versions as well.
Features
The best Windows antivirus program offers several applicable security features for both regular and advanced users. TotalAV offers real-time protection, meaning the antivirus will scan for malware in the background.
More importantly, this feature is automatic, so you don’t have to enable it manually every time you turn on your computer, and it’ll eliminate trojans, spyware, malware, adware, and worms.
Furthermore, TotalAV provides advanced identity protection. The web is packed with phishing sites and harmful viruses that aim to steal your online identity. Because of that, TotalAV will scan the internet and dark web, looking for potential identity theft.
If a person is impersonating your identity or misusing your social networks, TotalAV will identify the threat and eliminate it. This feature is handy to protect children while browsing, as they’re the most vulnerable.
TotalAV isn’t just the best computer antivirus for Windows. The app also allows browsing the web safely by altering your IP address. Though it can’t be compared to the world’s best VPN software, TotalAV’s IP protection will do the job.
On top of that, you can use the safe password vault and keep all your passwords in one place.
Pricing
TotalAV offers a free version of virus protection. However, despite being tempting, freemium has its downsides. For example, you won’t be able to enjoy real-time protection. On top of that, you’ll notice a significant difference between the freemium and paid version’s performance.
That said, you can get one of the fastest and most efficient virus-removal tools for only $19.00 for the first year of service. The basic version will protect up to 3 devices, while the pro keeps up to 6 devices from various online threats.
McAfee is one of the most recognized virus protection providers. You’ll often come across this antivirus software for Windows by downloading various files online, which is an interesting marketing strategy. It comes with several great features to keep your browsing safe and exciting.
Features
The app allows you to choose between the two basic security features – quick and full scan. The first option will quickly run through your system, looking for harmful software; however, a quick scan isn’t as thorough as the full option.
Also, the quick scan feature will impact your CPU a bit more than expected. Still, McAfee offers several options to make your browsing experience smooth and seamless. For example, the web boost feature aims to improve the overall website responsiveness.
It’ll work in the background and try to remove pop-ups and site animations. You’ll notice it stops any auto video on the website you visit to ensure your internet speed remains flawless.
McAfee firewall is another interesting feature that allows you to turn on the protection against viruses and prevent them from entering your operating system.
You can hide your PC from other devices using Stealth mode and check whether there was an attempt to connect with your device. You can do that via the NetGuard option.
Pricing
You can protect one device for the price of $39.99 per year. This deal will cover basic malware protection, including VPN usage. This will be more than enough for a general user.
However, we recommend the McAfee advanced account if you need ultimate protection. The service will cost you a bit more than the Plus version, but it offers several valuable features like transaction and credit monitoring, credit score & reporting and security freeze capabilities.
3. Norton – Award Winning Antivirus Protection for Families
Cheapest Plan
$29.99/year
Max Devices
Unlimited
Free Trial
14 days
Money-Back Guarantee
60 Days
Why We Picked It
Norton is one of the best Windows PC antivirus tools and one of the most affordable. It’s been used by millions so far and has excellent online ratings. Plus, the Norton app will have a minimal impact on your computer performance.
Features
When it comes to average users, your computer speed will slow down around 10% – 15% while browsing. However, we noticed our computer speed dropped 24% while downloading larger and more demanding files.
Still, we can conclude Norton delivers excellent performance and deserves to be included among the best Windows protection tools. The Parental Control option also allows you to create a separate account for each family member, including children.
This is especially great for parents as it allows you to choose which websites your child can access and which will be forbidden. You can select the type of content your children can see in just one click.
Pricing
Norton’s pricing list includes four different packages. You can get basic protection for only $29.99.
However, suppose you wish to protect more of your devices. In that case, you’d need to go for the Select account, which allows you to protect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making Norton one of the best antivirus software for Windows PCs for your entire family.
Avast has been delivering one of the best free virus protection solutions for decades. It boasts over 435 million users and blocks over 66 million threats daily, plus it’s one of the most recognizable antivirus software tools on the market.
Features
Avast offers a simple and user-friendly app everyone can use. You’ll find your way around the software with no fuss, as the app will do most of the job for you. Like other popular antivirus programs, Avast also offers a smart scan option.
This feature will locate browser threats (if there are any), look for outdated apps and scan your computer against viruses and malware. It’ll also point out if your computer is vulnerable to phishing sites or if some of your files can be used for ransomware.
A smart scan is available in both the free and paid versions of Avast. But there’s one crucial difference – only with a paid version will you be able to resolve security issues.
Also, by subscribing to Premium or Ultimate accounts, you can get a bunch of exciting and useful security features such as Secure Line VPN, Cleanup Premium, Anti-Track software, and others.
Pricing
Avast is among the best free antivirus software for Windows. The freemium version offers basic protection against viruses and malware and will keep them in quarantine or effectively remove them from your device.
However, it has some limitations, which is only normal. If you need to increase your firewall protection and prevent files from being used for ransomware, we advise you to get the Premium version, which is $69.99 for the first year of your subscription.
5. Nord Threat Protection – Reliable VPN and Antivirus Software for Windows PC
Cheapest Plan
$107.73 for two years
Max Devices
10
Free Trial
No
Money-Back Guarantee
30 Days
Why We Picked It
Nord isn’t only one of the best VPN providers but also one of the top malicious program removal tools. Nord Threat Protection will scan your computer for malware and viruses and safeguard your device from any potentially unwanted software.
Features
You can get the Threat Protection feature once you obtain the Nord VPN service. It works as a great combo and adds to your existing firewall protection. Beyond this, the Nord Antivirus program will protect you against malware and ransomware.
Also, it’ll block web trackers and access to malicious websites; plus, you can check files for threats and filter DNS at request. The app is customizable, and you virtually select which defensive shield you wish to use, thus optimizing your computer performance.
Admittedly, the app lacks some features like parental control. This would be a great addition to the existing safety net. Still, Threat Protection is a relatively new feature, so it’s tough to judge. There’s still room for improvement, and Nord takes all the necessary steps to compete.
Pricing
Nord offers several subscription plans, with 1-year and 2-year plans being more budget-friendly.
Paying $107.73 for an antivirus in development may seem like too much at first. However, remember that you’ll get one of the most efficient VPN services for two years for the same price. Unless you’re working for a top-secret service, this VPN and antivirus combo will be a perfect choice.
6. Surfshark – Lightweight Antivirus for All Windows Devices
Cheapest Plan
$72.63 for 2 years
Max Devices
Unlimited
Free Trial
7 Days on Google Play Store
Money-Back Guarantee
30 Days
Why We Picked It
Surfshark is another popular VPN that offers protection from potentially unwanted applications. It offers a beginner-friendly interface and decent protection against malware attacks.
Features
One of the best Windows antivirus providers comes with a simple navigation app that allows your computer to stay protected while maintaining optimum performance. The Surfshark app won’t affect your CPU much, and most of the time, you’ll forget it’s even there.
The real-time protection feature will automatically scan and search for threats during your online activity. Simultaneously, it won’t slow down your computer by more than 5%. You can also fully scan your machine.
While this is useful, you should bear in mind this action will take a couple of hours. Still, it’ll be worth your time once you see how efficient Surfshark can be. During our testing, Surfshark antivirus has recognized 18 out of 20 threat types on our system, which is a pretty good result.
Pricing
You can grab your Surshark antivirus for $72.63 for the first 2 years. The monthly cost of this antivirus software is only $15.95 for the month-to-month subscription.
If your job requires sharing delicate files and visiting dark corners of the web, you can probably get more efficient Windows antivirus software for the same money.
However, if you’re a casual user who wants to increase computer’s protection levels while browsing the web anonymously, Surfshark would probably be the best choice.
7. Intego – Best Beginner-Friendly Antivirus for Windows and Mac
Cheapest Plan
$79.99/year
Max Devices
5
Free Trial
14-day free trial
Money-Back Guarantee
30 Days
Why We Picked It
Intego was primarily built to protect Mac computers. However, it’s an equally great antivirus for Windows 10 and 11.
Features
Intego boasts a simple and beginner-friendly Windows app that protects your PC 24/7. The antivirus has its own integrated Intego Web Shield that aims to prevent viruses from entering your operating system in the first place.
Also, Intego boasts advanced technology to block Zero Day Attacks. No malware or hacker can surprise Intego software, which is why this provider enjoys 34 million users.
Pricing
You can try this antivirus at no cost, as it offers a 15-day free trial. If you like its service, you can get Intego protection from anywhere between $39.99 and $69.99.
The price depends on the type of package you choose and whether you wish to combine both the Windows and Mac antivirus. Protect one device for the price of $39.99.
However, if you want to share the same antivirus with your family, this will cost you $69.99 a year for 5 devices.
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.
Does My Windows Device Need an Antivirus?
While it’s true that many operating systems actively work on improving their protection, the number of online threats still implies you need a strong antivirus in 2024. Because most cyber threats specifically target Windows, having the best antivirus for Windows is a must.
An excellent antivirus protects you while browsing the web. Even if you take extra care and avoid downloading files from untrusted malicious websites, your operating system may be vulnerable.
The best antivirus software for Windows will actively scan, identify, and prevent cyber threats from attacking your computer. Antiviruses will either quarantine infected files or delete them for good. The most common threats you can encounter online are:
Malware – A virus that infects your OS
Ransomware – Steals your information and holds it for ransom
Phishing – Deceives you into revealing personal information
Password attacks – Steals your passwords (most commonly for online banking)
Trojans – Malicious code that takes over your machine
Even occasional web visitors can have unexpected encounters with any of the mentioned threats. It’s rare, but it happens. So, the question is – is the mere possibility of getting your computer infected by trojan enough to make you buy an antivirus?
If all your work is on your computer or if you only keep your family photos, it would be worthwhile considering getting increased online security. After all, can you put a price tag on your favorite memories?
Equally, if you’re working in a business context, consider getting the best server antivirus you can.
Factors to Consider When Picking the Best Antivirus Apps for Windows
When looking for the best antivirus for Windows 11 or 10, you should consider these features:
PerformanceEase of UseCostCustomer SupportExtra Features
Performance
Naturally, providers should have high malware detection rates. But, at the same time, it needs to be lightweight o not slow down your Windows device. Every provider from this list will allow your machine to use 100% of its speed.
Additionally, we suggest checking performance results that independent testing labs, like AV-TEST, present.
Ease of Use
Not all of our readers are tech-savvy. Some of you may be looking to use antivirus software for the first time. Thus, every provider comes with a simple installation and easy-to-navigate Windows app.
Cost
The list contains antivirus tools suitable for every budget. Occasional users can find several free versions, while tech geeks can choose from dozens of extra features. Plus, you’ll notice that many of them come with insane discounts.
Customer Support
Having someone to talk to is vital if you find yourself at a dead end. Thus, look for providers that offer live chat, email, and phone support. Plus, in case you’re unsure, almost all offer a lengthy guarantee or free trial.
Extra Features
Since the number of threats keeps rising, we want you to be fully protected against different cyber attacks. Besides saving you from various types of malware, the best antivirus for Windows should offer features like password managers and protection from malicious software.
How to Use the Best Windows Antivirus
If you’ve never used any antivirus protection before, we’ll provide you with detailed instructions on how to register and download the best antivirus for Windows 10 and 11.
Step 1 – Visit the Official Website
Type in the name of your desired antivirus in your search engine. We’ll take TotalAV as an example, but you can choose any provider you wish. Once you find the official page, you should see a download button. Download the app and then go for the installation.
Step 2 – Create an Account
If you already have an account, select the login option. Enter your email and password to access your account. At the bottom of this pop-up window, you’ll notice a registration button.
You can create your account either through the login or by clicking the Protect your PC now button. Both options will guide you to the ordering page.
Step 3 – Pick a Package
Choose between the three main packages and click on Buy Now.
Step 4 – Payment
TotalAV will offer you a payment option depending on your region. The website will guide you and help you to finish your payment. Once you confirm the transaction, you’ll be able to activate your TotalAV package and enjoy maximum protection.
Avast has a long tradition of being one of the best free antivirus providers on the market. Indeed, this antivirus is used by millions of people and has proven to be trustworthy. However, Avast’s free version doesn’t cover advanced Windows security.
After TotalAV rebranded and updated its software, it started to take over the free antivirus market. The free version of TotalAV offers a quick scan and full scan options for your computer.
It includes protection from malware, viruses, and worms. At the same time, TotalAV will have minimal impact on your PC’s speed.
Windows Antivirus FAQs
What is the best antivirus software for Windows 10?
McAfee antivirus is one of the best security software tools for Windows 10. It offers a quick scan option for those who occasionally visit the web and don’t need detailed protection. On the other hand, if you have a more valuable file on your Windows device, McAfee offers a range of services that’ll keep your computer away from potential abusers, like the stealth mode, NetGuard, and Web Booster features.
What is the best antivirus software for Windows 11?
If you run Windows 11, your best option for protecting your PC is TotalAV. While most antivirus software nowadays runs on all OS, TotalAV was among the first to adapt to the new environment. As a result, TotalAV is the most effective for devices that operate on Windows 11.
What antivirus should I use for Windows 10 free?
Avast was one of the best free antivirus protection until recently when TotalAV reorganized and offered its recently launched antivirus software. The free version of TotalAV will protect you from malware, ransomware, and phishing sites at no cost.
Is it better to have 2 antiviruses?
Statistically, two antiviruses might have a better chance of identifying malicious programs. However, it’ll significantly impact your computer performance and put your patience to the test. Instead, we recommend choosing one antivirus that best suits your needs. This way, you’ll have optimal protection and allow your computer to work flawlessly.
Will an antivirus slow my device?
Yes, but to a certain extent. The best antivirus for Windows, such as TotalAV, will have a minimal impact on your computer performance. For the most part, you can expect your computer to be 5%-10% slower, which is nothing considering it’ll be 100% protected all the time.
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Techopedia’s editorial policy is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.
Aleksandar Stevanovic spent 10 years honing his craft as a freelance content writer. He has a degree in Economics, and extensive experience in software, crypto, and cybersecurity industries. He covers a multitude of topics, writing factual and informative articles, helping individuals better understand the intricacies of the online world. Over the last two years, his research focus shifted more towards tech and software content, as evidenced by his publications on CEX.IO, Business2Community, and Techopedia. He believes in simplifying complex topics and bringing them closer to like-minded individuals. His work is as detail-oriented as it is creative, and is designed to…