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For most Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the sensible free choice. It is built into Windows and scored 17.5 out of 18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test, while also earning AV-Comparatives’ highest Advanced+ award. If you want one paid subscription for several platforms, Bitdefender Total Security is the strongest all-round recommendation. Norton 360 Deluxe is a good alternative when bundled privacy and family features matter more than choosing a minimal antivirus.
Best antivirus software at a glance
| Best for | Recommendation | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Most Windows users | Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Built into Windows 10 and 11, free, and highly rated in current independent testing. |
| Paid cross-platform protection | Bitdefender Total Security | 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test and coverage for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. |
| Privacy and family bundle | Norton 360 Deluxe | Five-device protection with VPN, 50 GB cloud backup, and parental controls. |
| Free third-party Windows antivirus | Avast Free Antivirus or AVG AntiVirus Free | Both scored 18/18 in AV-TEST and earned Advanced+ in AV-Comparatives’ current real-world test. |
| Mac protection | Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac | One of eight products to score 18/18 in AV-TEST’s March 2026 macOS test. |
| Android’s ordinary-user default | Google Play Protect | Already built into Android and scored 17.5/18 in AV-TEST’s March 2026 test. |
| iPhone and iPad | Usually no traditional antivirus app | iOS sandboxing prevents third-party apps from performing normal device-wide antivirus scans. |
1. Microsoft Defender Antivirus: best for most Windows users
Microsoft Defender is the default recommendation if you use a supported Windows PC and want dependable malware protection without paying for a separate product. It is included with Windows 10 and Windows 11 and is managed through the Windows Security app. It is different from the business-focused Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
In AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows 11 evaluation, Defender scored 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance, and 6/6 for usability. AV-Comparatives also gave it the highest Advanced+ award in its February–May 2026 real-world protection test.
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To check its main settings, open:
Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
Make sure Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, Automatic sample submission, and Tamper protection are enabled unless you have a specific reason to change them.
When Defender is enough
- You mainly use one Windows computer.
- You do not need a bundled VPN, cloud backup, or parental-control service.
- You install software carefully and keep Windows and applications updated.
- You are comfortable using Windows Security rather than a more polished third-party dashboard.
Do not run Defender’s real-time protection alongside another full antivirus product for “double protection.” Microsoft says that two real-time antivirus engines can reduce performance, cause instability, and interfere with installation or updates. When a compatible third-party antivirus registers with Windows Security, Defender normally turns off its real-time protection automatically.
Useful Defender features
Controlled folder access can block unknown or untrusted applications from changing protected folders, making it particularly relevant to ransomware protection. You can find it under Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage ransomware protection. A legitimate application may need to be allowed manually.
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Smart App Control is separate from ordinary antivirus scanning. It is located at Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control settings. It can block untrusted or malicious applications, but may interfere with unsigned programs, developer tools, or older software. Availability also varies by Windows build; Microsoft has historically limited it mainly to new Windows 11 installations or freshly reset systems.
Use exclusions sparingly. The path is Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Add or remove exclusions. An excluded file, folder, file type, or process is left out of scanning. A process exclusion can also exclude files opened by that process, so it should use a precise full path and filename whenever possible.
2. Bitdefender Total Security: best paid cross-platform antivirus
Bitdefender Total Security is the best general paid choice when one subscription needs to cover a mixture of Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones, and iPhones or iPads. Bitdefender offers plans for five or 25 devices, depending on the plan.
It scored a perfect 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test and received AV-Comparatives’ Advanced+ award in the February–May 2026 real-world test. Those results support its malware-protection credentials, but they do not mean every bundled feature is equally valuable.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
The package includes a limited VPN allowance of 200 MB per day, which Bitdefender describes as 6 GB per month. Unlimited VPN traffic requires a higher plan. That distinction matters if you are buying the suite primarily for VPN use rather than antivirus protection.
Bitdefender’s U.S. consumer page currently lists Total Security Individual at $59.99 and Total Security Family at $79.99 as first-year prices, before applicable sales tax. It also advertises a 30-day full trial without requiring a credit card. Prices and renewal terms can change, so check the checkout page rather than treating the introductory price as the long-term cost.
Automatic renewal can be managed through Bitdefender Central > My Subscriptions > My Payments.
3. Norton 360 Deluxe: best for bundled privacy and family tools
Norton 360 Deluxe is a good fit for households that want more than malware scanning in one subscription. The currently advertised package covers five devices and includes a VPN for five devices, 50 GB of PC cloud backup, and parental controls.
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For comparison, Norton’s advertised tiers currently list:
| Plan | Devices | Notable extras | Displayed first-year price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norton AntiVirus Plus | One PC or Mac | 2 GB PC cloud backup | $19.99 |
| Norton 360 Standard | One device | 10 GB PC cloud backup and VPN for one device | $25.99 |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | Five devices | 50 GB PC cloud backup, VPN for five devices, parental controls | $29.99 |
Norton’s renewal prices, effective March 2026, may be higher than the initial promotional prices and may change. Check the renewal amount before completing the purchase and review the subscription settings if you do not want automatic renewal.
4. Avast Free or AVG Free: best free third-party alternatives
Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free are credible alternatives if you want a third-party interface and additional features rather than Microsoft Defender. Both products scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test, and both earned Advanced+ in AV-Comparatives’ February–May 2026 real-world protection test.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Avast’s product structure changed in May 2026. Avast One is now modular: the free starting package includes antivirus and real-time threat protection, while paid modules can add VPN, breach monitoring, device cleanup, and AI-agent protection. Avast One is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
That means older reviews describing Avast One as a fixed traditional suite may no longer match what appears on the current product page. Check which modules are free and which require payment before installing.
AVG is a straightforward choice if you prefer its interface or already use other AVG products. The current lab results do not show a meaningful protection disadvantage compared with Avast Free.
Best antivirus for Mac
The claim that Macs do not need antivirus is outdated. macOS includes useful built-in defenses such as Gatekeeper, notarization checks, and XProtect, but current Mac malware still exists. Apple’s XProtect signatures are updated independently of normal macOS system updates.
Recommended Free Tools
AV-TEST’s March 2026 test on macOS Tahoe 26.3 used more than 400 Mac-specific malware samples, over 40,000 clean files, and nearly 200 harmless applications. The following consumer products scored 18/18:
- Avast Security
- AVG Antivirus
- Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
- ESET Security Ultimate
- F-Secure Total
- Intego One
- Kaspersky Premium
- Norton 360
For U.S. readers, exclude Kaspersky. The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security prohibits Kaspersky from providing certain antivirus and cybersecurity products or services to U.S. persons. Restrictions on signature and codebase updates and Kaspersky Security Network operation took effect on September 29, 2024.
Bitdefender is the clearest Mac recommendation from this group if you also want Windows, Android, and iOS coverage under one paid subscription. If you only use a Mac, compare the product’s price and impact on your workflow with the value of its extra features.
Best antivirus for Android
For ordinary Android users, start with Google Play Protect. It is built into Android and scans apps installed from Google Play as well as apps from other sources. In AV-TEST’s March 2026 test, it scored 5.5/6 for protection, 6/6 for performance, and 6/6 for usability.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
For additional web protection, privacy tools, anti-theft functions, or a cross-platform subscription, AV-TEST gave 18/18 to Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender Mobile Security, F-Secure, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton 360, and Sophos. Again, Kaspersky is not an appropriate recommendation for U.S. users.
Android antivirus apps have less visibility than desktop antivirus. Their effectiveness depends on permissions, app-store behavior, real-time monitoring, and whether you sideload APK files. AV-Comparatives’ May 2026 review tested 3,156 unique malicious APKs and 500 clean apps, along with battery consumption, anti-theft tools, web protection, and privacy features on Android 16.
Keep Play Protect enabled even if you install a third-party security app, and avoid installing APKs from links in unsolicited messages or unfamiliar websites.
Do iPhones need antivirus software?
Usually not in the traditional sense. iOS third-party apps are sandboxed, so an antivirus app generally cannot freely scan or modify other apps and files across the device. Apple also checks installed third-party apps for known malware.
Security apps for iPhone and iPad can still be useful for phishing protection, malicious-website blocking, VPN access, identity monitoring, and breach alerts. Those are different from the device-wide malware scanning commonly associated with Windows antivirus software. Keep iOS updated, install apps only from the App Store, and treat unexpected login, payment, and package-delivery messages as potential phishing attempts.
How to choose an antivirus
- Identify every platform. A Windows-only free product is not enough if you also need to protect a Mac or Android phone. Check whether the subscription covers all required operating systems.
- Separate malware protection from extras. A VPN encrypts network traffic; it does not replace antivirus scanning, ransomware protection, or operating-system updates. Evaluate cloud backup, parental controls, password managers, and identity monitoring separately.
- Check current independent tests. Look at protection, performance, usability, false positives, and the test date. A single perfect score does not prove permanent superiority.
- Inspect renewal pricing. First-year promotions can be substantially cheaper than later renewals. Record the renewal date and amount before buying.
- Use only one real-time antivirus on Windows. Remove or disable the old product before installing another full antivirus suite.
- Keep the operating system supported. Antivirus cannot supply missing security patches. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025; upgrade to Windows 11, use eligible Consumer Extended Security Updates, or replace the device.
What antivirus cannot protect you from
No antivirus can reliably stop every phishing page, scam call, fraudulent payment request, or account takeover caused by reused or stolen credentials. Independent real-world malware tests measure whether malicious software compromises a test system; they do not prove that a product recognizes every social-engineering message.
Use unique passwords with a password manager, enable multifactor authentication, update your operating system and apps, keep backups disconnected or versioned, and do not approve unexpected login prompts. These measures address threats that antivirus alone cannot solve.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Other products worth considering
ESET HOME Security Ultimate is a current U.S. consumer tier replacing older names such as ESET Internet Security and ESET Smart Security Premium. ESET’s HOME plans support Windows, macOS, and Android, with VPN and identity-protection features varying by tier. It scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test.
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Malwarebytes Free is better understood as a cleanup or second-opinion tool than as a complete always-on replacement for a primary antivirus. Malwarebytes’ own support documentation distinguishes its free checking and removal function from the broader protection features in paid plans.
Avira, F-Secure, McAfee, and Trend Micro remain viable products, but their current Windows AV-TEST scores were not identical: Avira scored 16.5/18, Surfshark 16.5/18, and Trend Micro 17/18 in the June 2026 test. That does not make them unusable; it simply gives the higher-scoring recommendations stronger current test support.
FAQ
Is Microsoft Defender good enough in 2026?
For most Windows users, yes. Defender scored 17.5/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test and earned AV-Comparatives’ Advanced+ award. Keep its real-time, cloud-delivered, and tamper-protection settings enabled, and keep Windows and applications updated.
Should I pay for antivirus software?
Not necessarily. Microsoft Defender, Avast Free, and AVG Free all performed strongly in current independent Windows tests. Paid software is most useful when you need cross-platform management, a VPN, cloud backup, parental controls, or identity-monitoring features.
Can I run two antivirus programs at the same time?
Do not run two full real-time antivirus products simultaneously on Windows. Microsoft warns that they can reduce performance, cause instability, and interfere with installations or updates. A separate on-demand scanner may be different, but configure it so it does not compete for real-time protection.
Does antivirus protect against phishing and scams?
Only partly. Antivirus can block some malicious files and websites, but it cannot guarantee protection from convincing phishing messages, scam calls, fraudulent payment requests, or stolen credentials. Use multifactor authentication, unique passwords, updated software, and careful verification of unexpected requests.
The Bottom Line
Choose Microsoft Defender if you want free protection on a supported Windows PC. Choose Bitdefender Total Security if you want the strongest all-purpose paid cross-platform package. Choose Norton 360 Deluxe if five-device coverage, VPN access, cloud backup, and parental controls are more important than keeping the package minimal. On Android, Play Protect is a sensible default; on iPhone and iPad, focus on updates, phishing protection, and account security rather than traditional antivirus scanning.
Whichever product you choose, it cannot compensate for an unsupported operating system, unpatched applications, unsafe downloads, weak passwords, or social-engineering scams.
Quick Recap
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