Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor Windows 11, Bitdefender Total Security and Microsoft Defender are strong Norton alternatives to consider; Malwarebytes Premium is another independently tested option. No single test establishes a universal winner: the results below measure different aspects of protection, and false alarms matter alongside detection.
How the leading Norton alternatives compare
Recent independent Windows 11 tests show that all three products performed well, but their results should be read within each lab’s methodology. AV-TEST scores protection, performance, and usability out of 18; AV-Comparatives reports protection rates and false alarms in a separate test. Those figures are not directly interchangeable.
| Product | AV-TEST Windows 11 score | AV-Comparatives March 2026 malware protection | What to take from it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Total Security | 18/18 in April and August 2026. AV-TEST | 99.94% online protection; 4 false alarms. AV-Comparatives | A strong paid-suite candidate in these tests. Compare the suite’s current features and device coverage with your needs. |
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus | 18/18 in April and 17.5/18 in August 2026. AV-TEST | 99.93% online protection; 3 false alarms. AV-Comparatives | A capable built-in Windows baseline for readers who do not want to buy another security suite. |
| Malwarebytes Premium | 17.5/18 in April and 18/18 in August 2026. AV-TEST | 99.59% online protection; 23 false alarms. AV-Comparatives | An independently tested alternative, with a higher false-alarm count than the other two in that March test. |
AV-TEST says its Windows 11 home-user evaluations use current publicly available versions and default settings, permit updates and cloud queries, and score protection, performance, and usability separately, up to six points each. A score of 17.5 or more earns its Top Product distinction. The scores above are therefore not malware-only detection rates. AV-TEST methodology and results
What the malware test results mean
AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Malware Protection Test examines malicious files that may already be on a computer or arrive through sources such as a USB device or network drive. It scans samples on access and on demand, online and offline, then executes samples that were missed while allowing cloud access and behavioral defenses to respond. A sample counts as a miss if the product does not prevent or reverse system changes. The reported online protection percentages therefore reflect more than signature detection before a file runs. AV-Comparatives test description
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 3 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qw3FS3qLL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 3 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
False alarms provide important context. In that same March 2026 test, Bitdefender recorded four, Microsoft three, and Malwarebytes 23. A false alarm can interrupt legitimate work or lead a user to distrust a warning, so a small difference in protection percentage should not be considered in isolation.
Which option fits your needs?
Choose Bitdefender if you want a paid suite to evaluate
Bitdefender delivered 18/18 in both cited AV-TEST rounds and 99.94% online protection in AV-Comparatives’ March test, with four false alarms. It is a sound candidate if you want to compare a third-party suite with Norton. Those lab results do not establish which extras, device limits, or platform coverage are right for you; check the product’s current terms and features before choosing.
Rank #2
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Choose Microsoft Defender if you want built-in Windows protection
For a Windows 11 PC, Defender is a sensible no-extra-purchase baseline. It scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s April 2026 round and 17.5/18 in August, and recorded 99.93% online protection with three false alarms in AV-Comparatives’ March test. This evidence supports Defender as an option to consider, not a claim that it includes the broader suite features of a paid product.
Consider Malwarebytes, weighing its test trade-off
Malwarebytes Premium matched Bitdefender’s 18/18 in AV-TEST’s August 2026 round, after scoring 17.5/18 in April. Its AV-Comparatives March result was 99.59% online protection and 23 false alarms. That higher false-alarm count is a relevant drawback when comparing it with the other tested options.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Standard 2027 Antivirus, 1 Device, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41x4znw3OyL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 1 PC, Mac, iOS or Android device in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Why Trojan protection depends on the scenario
A Trojan is malware that may arrive disguised as a legitimate download or through a deceptive link. AV-Comparatives’ February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test includes malicious URLs that directly deliver executable malware, including scenarios in which a user is tricked by spam or a website into installing it. In that kind of attack, protection may intervene at several points: when a URL is opened, a file is downloaded or accessed, or the file is executed. AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test
This differs from a test centered on malicious files already on a device or arriving through removable media. Results from one scenario cannot by themselves settle which product is best for every Trojan-delivery route. AV-Comparatives also cautions that products within the same statistical cluster may be similarly effective and that false-positive rates affect awards.
Rank #4
![Norton 360 Premium 2027 Antivirus, 10 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41JNWru8mYL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 10 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
What to check before replacing Norton
- Operating system: The cited comparative results are Windows 11-focused. They do not establish equivalent performance on macOS, Android, or iOS.
- Protection scenario: Look for evidence on both web-delivered threats and malicious files that are already present or arrive by USB or network.
- False alarms: Consider how often a product incorrectly flags legitimate files, not just its protection percentage.
- Performance and usability: AV-TEST includes these factors in its total score, but a combined score does not tell you how each category affects your own use.
- Devices and suite features: Check current device limits and whether you need features such as a firewall, parental controls, VPN, backup, or vulnerability scanning. Feature availability changes and is separate from lab protection results.
These test results are snapshots of named 2026 evaluations, not guarantees of future detection or protection. Test scores from different labs use different methods and should not be merged into one ranking.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![Norton AntiVirus Plus 2027, 1 Device, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41VAV7G019L._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for your PC or Mac in minutes!
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- SAFEGUARD YOUR PASSWORDS Easily create, store, and manage your passwords, credit card information and other credentials online in your own encrypted, cloud-based vault.
- 2 GB SECURE PC CLOUD BACKUP Help prevent the loss of photos and files due to ransomware or hard drive failures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
