We consulted third-party antivirus labs to identify the unquestionably best antivirus tools. In our assessments, we explored the strengths and weaknesses of the top 3 antivirus solutions that ultimately made the final selection. Explore our detailed findings by reading the descriptions below.
1. TotalAV
TotalAV emerges as the premier antivirus software in 2024, delivering a feature-rich package with an intuitive interface. It's an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable and efficient cybersecurity tool that is easy to manage.
Testing Results: Our evaluation of TotalAV commenced with real-time protection tests, showcasing favorable results. Specifically, TotalAV successfully blocked 90% of prevalent malware samples we subjected it to. However, the full scan exhibited a 60% effectiveness against concealed malware samples in the main drive. Conversely, a quick scan, lasting around 2 minutes, failed to detect malicious files hidden in obscure locations.
The AV-TEST summary for September-October 2023 presented a generally favorable outlook for TotalAV, though not without some drawbacks. The provider lost a point in the protection category due to substandard September results. Additionally, it incurred a half-point loss in performance for causing slowdowns in popular applications.
Features: TotalAV distinguishes itself from most antivirus services with its robust free plan, offering a malware scanner and anti-phishing protection at no cost. Opting for a paid subscription significantly expands security coverage with real-time protection, ransomware shields, a Cloud Scanner, a Disk Cleaner, and other optimization tools. These features help optimize your hard drive space and enhance startup efficiency. TotalAV also includes a VPN with unlimited data, a password manager, and an ad blocker for secure online browsing.
Pricing: In addition to the free plan, TotalAV offers three other plans with prices starting from $19.00/year. Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring a full refund if unsatisfied with the service.
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Pros |
Cons |
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Only covers six devices ·
The browser extension isn’t particularly user-friendly ·
Safe Search doesn’t always work |
2. Norton 360 Antivirus
Norton stands out as an affordable and effective antivirus solution, although it may require some adaptation due to its user interface. The antivirus performed reasonably well in our tests and received solid endorsements from independent lab assessments, despite facing usability challenges.
Test Results: Norton 360 displayed mixed outcomes in our in-house evaluations. Real-time protection against 10 malware samples achieved an 80% success rate, and the full system scan, covering 350K files, also achieved an 80% success rate but took over 5 minutes. However, the Power Eraser feature proved disappointing as it failed to detect any malware in our rigorous tests.
In independent lab tests, the September-October 2023 AV-TEST reports showcased nearly flawless results for Norton, with only a half-point deduction in performance for causing slowdowns during frequently-used application installations.
Features: Norton Antivirus introduced an AI-powered tool called Genie to detect scams, available for free on mobile devices. Additionally, the antivirus offers a software updater that effectively checks for updates in popular software such as Microsoft Visual C++, Edge, and Google Chrome.
One standout feature of Norton Antivirus is its VPN service, regarded as one of the best in the market. The VPN ensures adequate security with AES-256 encryption and supports the OpenVPN or IKEv2 tunneling protocols, although it may not be particularly fast as it lacks WireGuard.
Pricing: Starting at $19.99/year for the Plus plan, Norton provides robust malware protection at an affordable price. Users can explore more advanced and feature-rich Norton 360 plans like Deluxe and Select through a 7-day free trial. Furthermore, even the Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium plans offer a free 7-day trial for users to experience their enhanced features.
Pros | Cons |
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Excellent protection ·
Plenty of extras ·
Powerful identity-theft suite ·
Free 7-day trial ·
Easy-to-use
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Optimization tools | ·
On the pricier side ·
Some features require extra apps |
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender is one of the best antivirus solutions, offering impeccable malware protection rates and comprehensive defense against a wide range of online threats. Depending on the selected plan, Bitdefender can transform into an all-encompassing cybersecurity suite, featuring a VPN and a password manager. Whether it's real-time protection, thorough system scanning, or maintaining secure VPN connections, Bitdefender excels in all aspects with outstanding results.
Test Results: In our in-house tests, Bitdefender's real-time protection effortlessly handled all 10 malware samples, while deep scanning achieved an impressive 90% detection rate. Furthermore, Bitdefender earned a perfect score in the September-October 2023 AV-TEST independent evaluation.
Features: Bitdefender stands out for its diverse range of bonus features. Notably, Scamio, an AI-powered chatbot, analyzes suspicious messages and links to determine their trustworthiness. Advanced Threat Defense monitors real-time suspicious activity and prevents zero-day attacks. Online Threat Prevention ensures the security of the web pages you visit. The package also includes a password manager and a VPN with a daily data limit of 200 MB for online anonymity. While the VPN is suitable for anonymity, it may not be ideal for data-intensive activities like video streaming and gaming.
Overall, Bitdefender's features are easily accessible through neatly categorized menus, although the abundance of features may initially seem overwhelming.
Pricing: Bitdefender offers competitive pricing starting at $29.99/year for the Antivirus Plus plan, providing essential features for up to 3 Windows devices. The provider offers various plans catering to different needs, with options for additional simultaneous devices and enhanced security features. Users can also explore the free plan and take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to experience Bitdefender without commitment.
Pros | Cons |
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Solid malware protection ·
Feature-rich ·
Offers a free version ·
Excellent value for money ·
Frequent updates
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Exceptional scores in independent tests | · Full VPN access requires paying extra |
In 2024, the need for antivirus software remains crucial, irrespective of your level of IT skills or online browsing habits. Here are some reasons why investing in antivirus is essential:
1. Visiting Suspicious Websites: If you frequently visit unreliable websites, premium antivirus tools can block malicious sites and intrusive ads, protecting your devices from various cyber threats.
2. Regular Online Shopping: For individuals who shop online frequently and enter credit card details regularly, using an antivirus with an encrypted secure browser screen enhances the security of transactions.
3. Children Using Your Device: For parents, antivirus with parental control features, such as webcam blocking, ensures the safety of children even when the user is not at home. Home antivirus solutions can protect multiple devices connected to the home Wi-Fi simultaneously.
4. Lack of All-Around Protection: Even if you use separate cybersecurity tools like a password manager, VPN service, or secure email, a quality antivirus suite can incorporate these tools, providing comprehensive security for your device.
As cybersecurity evolves, antivirus solutions have become feature-rich and cost-effective compared to purchasing individual security tools like file encryptors.
Antivirus software protects against various security threats, including:
- Malware (Various Forms): Ransomware, spyware, rootkits, adware, cryptojackers, viruses, etc.
- Protection Across Devices: Computers, smartphones, routers, and IoT home appliances.
In addition to malware protection, top antivirus services can block malicious online ads, enhance device performance, and monitor the dark web for data leaks. Some providers also offer VPNs and password managers.
Not all antivirus services are equally effective, as the threat landscape changes constantly. Choosing trustworthy providers that frequently update their tools is crucial. Independent antivirus labs like AV-TEST and third-party reviews can help identify the best options.
Regarding free vs. paid antivirus
- Free Antivirus: Offers basic protection but may have limitations and potential downsides, such as pop-up ads or even malicious programs. Choose free services from reputable companies for better security.
- Paid Antivirus: Provides reliable and comprehensive security, often with advanced features like custom scanning, ransomware protection, and firewalls. It ensures that antivirus companies are funded either through premium plans or personal data, minimizing the risk of selling information to third parties.
In conclusion, while free antivirus options exist, paying for a premium plan ensures more reliable and robust protection against cybersecurity threats.
