We tested the best antivirus software on the market that supports multiple operating systems, VPNS, and robust protection. Here are our favourites.

The internet can be a dangerous place, with malware lurking around every corner. While many antivirus programs promise protection, choosing the right one can be surprisingly difficult. Which one should you download? Windows Security comes free with every Windows PC, and it’s a solid free option. Bitdefender boasts a fully loaded arsenal to protect your computer from bad actors. At the time of this writing, a subscription to Bitdefender Total Security costs $60 for a full year.

To save you time, I have compiled a list of the best antivirus apps for Windows computers. Each program in this roundup comes highly recommended. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but there is one clear winner.

ZDNET’s experts carefully test multiple antivirus programs on Windows, putting them through the ringer to provide you with the best advice on which software you should install to protect your computer.

Each of the antiviral programs on this roundup comes highly recommended. However, our pick for the best antivirus app on Windows is Malwarebytes. It has everything you could ever want in protective software: robust security, an easy-to-understand user interface, and a subscription service that builds on the free version. Read on to find out our other top picks and if certain apps better fit your needs.

Best antivirus software and apps for Windows

Best antivirus software for Windows overall

The aptly named Malwarebytes takes the top spot as the best antivirus for Windows. The app provides reliable protection against online dangers like malware, viruses, and phishing attacks. It’s also easy to install and has a user-friendly interface. Understanding the UI easily enables a fast startup, so you can quickly activate file scans without incident.

There are two versions of Malwarebytes: one is free, and the other is a paid subscription. The free version is quite solid, providing manual device and digital footprint scans without cost. However, it’s limited in what it can do. Malwarebytes premium plans offer much better protection.

The paid version gives people real-time protection against threats and automated scan scheduling. Windows users, in particular, can customize scans so that the tool focuses on specific folders and files. This is something Malwarebytes on MacOS lacks.

Other notable features include Trusted Advisor, which provides recommendations to improve protection, and Browser Guard, a browser extension that blocks threats. Malwarebytes offers a free 14-day trial to try out the subscription.

Most robust antivirus software for Windows

Bitdefender Total Security is a comprehensive antivirus program that offers multi-layered protection across different operating systems, although its functionality is more robust on Windows. The software provides essential tools like real-time scanning and malware quarantine. Users can perform full system scans to look through every file on their computer. Or, if you’re short on time, a quick scan option is available.

Unique features include Bitdefender Shield, which continuously scans apps, software patches, and files for potential threats. In addition, Traffic Light is a browser extension that actively stops phishing attempts. You even have several operation modes that let you tweak Bitdefender for specific use cases like gaming or streaming movies.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg–other notable features include a VPN, a password manager, crypto mining protection, and security against ransomware. To get the most out of Bitdefender, you will need to pay for a subscription, which can be rather expensive as it has a starting price of $60 a month. Other plans provide stronger protection.

Best low-cost antivirus software for Windows

TotalAV stands as one of the better budget antivirus options out there. Usually, it costs $100 for a yearly subscription to TotalAV Antivirus Pro. But right now, you can purchase the service for $30 for the first year. At that price, you’ll receive an in-depth software package capable of supporting up to five other devices.

Key protective features include real-time antiviral detection, protection against phishing scams, and defense against ransomware. Security extends to the internet, too, because TotalAV provides a VPN and an ad blocker to stop annoying advertisements. Interestingly, the company also provides a tune-up tool to clean up your system by clearing old junk folders and deleting duplicate files.

AV-Test, an independent IT security institute, praises TotalAV for its effectiveness in blocking “0-day malware attacks” while minimally affecting computer performance and being easy to understand. There aren’t any features stored behind a settings menu. Everything you want an antivirus app to do, from scheduling scans to uninstalling programs, is quickly accessible through the main screen.

I should mention that online reports have complained about the developer’s poor customer service. One Reddit user expressed frustration at how difficult it was to cancel their TotalAV subscription. 

Best AI protection on Windows

If money is not an issue and you want to turn your computer into a digital Fort Knox, I highly recommend McAfee. The security platform is famous for its powerful protection (and infamous for how often it is preinstalled in new laptops). There are two main versions of McAfee: McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee+. The former is antivirus software, while the latter offers so much more.

On top of having an antivirus, McAfee+ comes with a VPN, personal data cleanup to remove sensitive information from the internet, a password manager, a security freeze function, and identify theft coverage up to $1 million. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as a lot more is available to customers. Another big benefit of the plan is that it covers multiple operating systems, not just Windows. The service provides safety for macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS devices. Your smartphone can have the same level of robust protection as your PC.

In 2024, McAfee introduced a new feature to combat future AI threats – a deepfake audio detector. Aptly named Deepfake Detector, this tool actively monitors what is playing on a computer and will alert you if the audio has been altered in some way by artificial intelligence. No third-party tools are needed. Earlier this year, the company released McAfee Scam Detector, which utilizes AI to sniff out “suspicious emails [or] flag risky messages”.

Best antivirus program for gaming

As someone who plays a lot of video games, there’s nothing more annoying than getting notifications from my antivirus app that block my view. Avast One is perfect for people like me because of its Do Not Disturb mode, which stops all notifications from hitting your screen. This includes messages from Windows, other apps, and even the software itself. What’s particularly neat is that the feature is included in the free version of Avast One. Text in the app points out how it can “eliminate distractions”, allowing users to experience “uninterrupted gaming sessions [and] movie marathons”.

Naturally, there is more to Avast One than just its one feature. The software can cover up to six different family members in a household with 30 devices between them. It is not limited to Windows since it can protect MacBooks, Android tablets, and iPhones. You’ll receive alerts if your personal identity has been compromised online. Avast One also monitors your social media profiles, looking for any potential signs of account hacking. And the company offers up to $2 million in coverage in the event of an identity theft. That’s twice as much as what McAfee offers.

Multiple Avast One plans are on sale at the time of this writing. You can get the Silver subscription for as low as $3 a month. It has most of the same features as the high-end Platinum minus the identity theft protection and limited coverage. 

Best free antivirus software for Windows

Initially, I hesitated to include Windows Security on this list because I assumed the first-party software wouldn’t be very good. But the more I used it, the more I realized it is a solid antivirus option that deserves a spot. 

It’s perfectly adequate for protecting users from online threats. Windows Security provides real-time protection against malware, device monitoring, and even parental controls. Parents can “set good screen time habits” through this software. It also comes with its very own firewall courtesy of Windows Defender. This makes Windows Security one of the few free options to have a firewall. Most companies lock this feature behind a subscription cost.

I should mention that some of the tools can only be used with Microsoft Edge. One of these is Isolated Browsing, which, as the name suggests, opens an “isolated browsing environment” on Edge to actively protect you from online threats. Windows Security is an integral part of Windows 11; it’s easier on resources. Certain aspects, such as its antivirus function, utilize Microsoft’s cloud computing tech to provide constant safety.

One downside is that it lacks more robust features like scheduled scanning. However, this lightweight nature is actually a benefit, as you can use the software alongside a third-party option without a performance drop.

Best ad blocker antivirus software for Windows

The presence of uBlock Origin on this list may seem strange. After all, it’s not an antivirus program; it’s an ad blocker. However, I would argue that this browser extension is so good at its job that it should be recognized as an antivirus tool.

Much of the extender’s effectiveness is tied to its filters. These features actively prevent malware, advertisements, spyware, and more from attacking users. The lists it utilizes can be found on the official GitHub page. One of them, the Malicious URL Blocklist, is massive. Everything on that page is constantly being stopped by the extender so you can browse the internet peacefully. It also sees frequent updates.

uBlock Origin also allows for some light customization. Users can add extra filters to the extension, letting it stop even more online threats and annoyances. Conversely, they can tweak the rules to allow certain elements or websites to pass through. 

In 2024, Google “killed” uBlock Origin when it introduced Manifest V3 into its Chrome browser. That’s sort of true. Manifest V3 prevents the extension from accessing the webRequest API and stops it from working normally. There is an alternate version known as uBlock Origin Lite. It functions similarly, although the Lite version isn’t as robust. However, this variant is still a must-have browser extension for Chrome in 2025. 

Because it shields your online identity at an affordable price, Malwarebytes is hands-down the best antivirus program for Windows machines in 2025. Below is a brief table comparing it to the rest of the list.

Best antivirus softwareStarting priceScheduled scanningPhishing protectionNotable feature
Malwarebytes$44.99/yrYesYesPrivate VPN
Bitdefender Total Security$59.99/yrYesYesCryptomining protection
TotalAV$29.99/yrYesYesSystem tune-up
McAfee+$80.99/yrYesYesDeepfake Detector
Avast One$35.88/yrYesYesDo Not Disturb Mode
Windows SecurityFreeYesYesFirewall
uBlock OriginFreeNoYesRobust ad blocking

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Source : https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-antivirus-software-for-windows/