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Antivirus · Updated April 30, 2026

Best Antivirus Software 2026

Safeguard your data from malware and online threats with the best antivirus software. Compare top antivirus for Android, iPhone, and PC to find the right computer security for every device.

Secure & Private Free to Compare Trusted by Millions
RANK #2
Save Up To 58% With Norton 360 Deluxe
Antivirus, Malware, Ransomware & Hacking Protection
Add Norton™ Secure VPN & Parental Control
NEW! Genie AI-Powered Scam Protection
60-day Money Back Guarantee**
RANK #3
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT: 40% OFF
Secure Your Digital Life & Identity
Block Phishing, Scams & Viruses
Safeguard Your Info & Purchases
One Plan to Secure All Your Devices
RANK #4
SAVE UP TO 50% ON ALL PLANS
Detects and Blocks Cyberthreats Instantly
Shields Against Malware, Ransomware and Phishing
Learns and Adapts to Stop New Threats
Try Risk-Free with a Full 30-Day Refund
RANK #5
Save Up to 60% - $2.60/Month
30-day Money-back Guarantee
Block Viruses, Spyware & Malware
Advanced Ransomware Protection & VPN
Available for PC, Mac, Android & iPhone/iPad
RANK #6
Save Up To 37% On Your 1st Year
Guards Against Ransomware, Spyware & Malware
Blocks Email Scams & Phishing Attempts
Secures Online Shopping & Banking Sessions
30-Day Free Trial for up to 5 Devices
RANK #7
SAVE $80 OFF TODAY
Eliminates Viruses, Trojans, Malware & More
Protects Windows, Mac®, Android & iOS
Safeguard Your Identity & Online Purchases
Trusted by Over 3 Million People Worldwide
RANK #8
GET 30% OFF ON ALL PLANS
Best for Windows & Android Devices
Antivirus & Antispyware Security
Intel Threat Detection Technology
Add Unlimited VPN & Identity Monitoring
In Depth

Full product reviews

Deep-dive into every product on our list. Click any card to expand.

Aura Antivirus Software
#1 · Best for Families

Aura Antivirus Software

4.9

Features

Malware Detection & Removal

AI-driven engine swiftly identifies and neutralizes viruses, spyware, ransomware, and trojans.

Anti-Adware

Stops advertisers from installing unwanted tracking software on your devices.

Real-Time Protection

Continuous scanning and proactive threat detection from new and emerging threats.

Additional Protection Tools

VPN with safe browsing, identity protection, credit monitoring, parental controls, and system optimization.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $3/mo (billed annually) — first year $35.99. Three plans: Antivirus, Antivirus Plus, and Ultimate. 60-day money-back guarantee.

Protect up to 10 devices from just $3/month.

See Offer ›
Norton Antivirus Software
#2 · Best for Windows PCs

Norton Antivirus Software

4.8

Features

Real-Time Threat Protection

Advanced AI detects and blocks viruses, ransomware, and hacking attempts in real time.

Secure VPN

Bank-grade encrypted VPN included with no-log policy for private browsing.

Dark Web Monitoring

Alerts you when your personal info appears on the dark web.

Additional Protection Tools

LifeLock identity alerts, 50GB cloud backup, parental controls, password manager.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $39.99/yr first year (reg. $109.99). Plans: Plus, Deluxe, 360 Premium. 60-day money-back guarantee.

Save up to 58% on Norton 360 Deluxe.

See Offer ›
Guardio Antivirus Software
#3 · Best for Browser-heavy users

Guardio Antivirus Software

4.6

Features

Phishing & Scam Detection

Browser extension blocks malicious sites, phishing attempts, and scam pages in real time.

Identity Protection

Monitors your personal information and alerts you to potential identity theft.

Leak Detection

Scans the web for leaked passwords and accounts tied to your email.

Additional Protection Tools

Browser cleanup, notification hijack blocker, SMS scam protection.

Compatibility

Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (browser extension)

Plans & Pricing

From $4/mo. Single plan covers all family devices. 30-day money-back guarantee.

40% off — secure your digital life for $4/mo.

See Offer ›
Bitdefender Antivirus Software
#4 · Best for Power users

Bitdefender Antivirus Software

4.8

Features

AI-Powered Threat Defense

Behavioral detection engine learns and adapts to stop zero-day threats before they execute.

Ransomware Remediation

Automatically backs up targeted files when ransomware is detected and restores them after cleanup.

Webcam & Mic Protection

Prevents unauthorized access to your camera and microphone by untrusted apps.

Additional Protection Tools

Anti-phishing, VPN (200MB/day free), password manager, file shredder.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $29.99/yr first year (reg. $89.99). Plans: Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, Total Security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Save up to 50% on all Bitdefender plans.

See Offer ›
Avast Antivirus Software
#5 · Best for Budget buyers

Avast Antivirus Software

4.5

Features

Behavior Shield

Monitors apps in real time for suspicious behavior and blocks threats before they can cause damage.

Wi-Fi Inspector

Scans your network for vulnerabilities and unauthorized devices.

Sandbox

Run suspicious files in an isolated environment to test them safely.

Additional Protection Tools

Email guardian, webcam protection, firewall, ransomware shield.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $2.60/mo. Free version available. Paid plans: One Individual, One Family. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Save up to 60% — protection from $2.60/month.

See Offer ›
Trend Micro Antivirus Software
#6 · Best for Anti-phishing

Trend Micro Antivirus Software

4.4

Features

Pay Guard

Opens a hardened browser for online banking and shopping to prevent credential theft.

Fraud Buster

Analyzes emails and texts for scam patterns using AI.

Social Media Privacy Scanner

Audits your social media privacy settings and recommends improvements.

Additional Protection Tools

Parental controls, Folder Shield ransomware protection, password manager.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook

Plans & Pricing

From $15/yr first year (reg. $39.95). Plans: Antivirus+, Internet Security, Maximum Security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Save up to 37% on your first year.

See Offer ›
TotalAV Antivirus Software
#7 · Best for First-year deals

TotalAV Antivirus Software

4.3

Features

Smart Scan

One-click scan checks for threats, junk files, and privacy issues simultaneously.

WebShield

Browser extension blocks dangerous websites and phishing pages before they load.

System Tune-Up

Optimizes startup programs, clears cache, and removes duplicate files.

Additional Protection Tools

Ad blocker, unlimited VPN, password vault, data breach monitoring.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $19/yr first year (reg. $99). Plans: Antivirus Pro, Internet Security, Total Security. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Save $80 off today — plans from $19/year.

See Offer ›
ESET Antivirus Software
#8 · Best for Low-impact systems

ESET Antivirus Software

4.5

Features

NOD32 Scanning Engine

Award-winning detection engine with minimal system resource usage.

UEFI Scanner

Checks firmware for threats that hide below the operating system level.

Banking & Payment Shield

Secures online transactions with a protected browser.

Additional Protection Tools

Anti-theft for laptops, script-based attack protection, network inspector.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

Plans & Pricing

From $30/yr first year (reg. $49.99). Plans: NOD32, Internet Security, Smart Security Premium. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get 30% off all ESET plans.

See Offer ›

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need antivirus software in 2026?

Yes. While operating systems have improved their built-in security, dedicated antivirus software provides additional layers of protection against zero-day threats, ransomware, phishing attacks, and sophisticated malware that basic OS security cannot catch.

What is the difference between free and paid antivirus?

Free antivirus provides basic malware scanning but typically lacks advanced features like real-time threat monitoring, ransomware protection, VPN, password managers, identity theft protection, and priority customer support.

Will antivirus software slow down my computer?

Modern antivirus solutions are designed to have minimal impact on system performance. Top-rated products use cloud-based scanning and intelligent scheduling to run scans during idle periods.

How many devices can I protect with one subscription?

Most antivirus subscriptions cover between 3 and 10 devices, depending on the plan. Many providers offer family plans that cover unlimited devices across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

How do you evaluate and rank antivirus software?

Our editorial team evaluates products across five criteria: Protection (malware detection rates), Performance (system impact), Features (VPN, password manager), Value (price per device), and Usability (interface, support).