Best Antivirus Software of 2021

While surfing the web or streaming a video can seem innocuous, the fact is that using the internet can be fraught with danger. That's because there are plenty of people who want to monitor your online activity in order to steal your personal information – usually for financial gain, but sometimes just to cause trouble. Hackers do this through a variety of means, and their techniques are constantly changing. These techniques include various sorts of malicious software, such as:

All of this falls under the generic term "malware." Your devices can be attacked in other ways, too, such as through phishing attempts that try to trick you into using fake websites to steal your personal data.

The good news is that in addition to smart internet security practices like using strong passwords, you can protect yourself by purchasing antivirus software. Antivirus software scans the information and files sent to and from your computer when you're web surfing, emailing, or doing anything else online. If a website or file seems suspicious, the software will warn you not to click on it. And if you accidentally download a security threat to your computer, antivirus software will attempt to quarantine and eliminate the threat. Many antivirus programs also come with a virtual private network (VPN), which disguises your online activities; a firewall, which monitors network traffic; and parental controls to protect children.

To help protect you online, here's the Best Antivirus Software of 2021:

#1 Bitdefender
#2 Kaspersky
#3 Webroot
#4 Trend Micro
#5 Norton
#6 ESET
#7 AVG Technologies
#8 F-Secure
#9 Sophos
#10 McAfee

The Best Antivirus Software of 2021

To help you narrow down your search for an antivirus program for Windows, we've researched the Best Antivirus Software of 2021. These programs are designed for computers running Windows 10, Windows 7, or another version of Windows. When two prices are listed with a slash between them, the first price refers to the first year and the second price refers to subsequent years.

Bitdefender: Bitdefender has five different antivirus packages, each with different prices depending on the number of devices (usually three, five, or 10) and subscription length (one, two, or three years). Prices for these packages start at $19.99/$39.99 for one device for one year for Antivirus Plus. The most expensive plan costs $89.99/$149.99 for 10 devices for one year for Bitdefender Premium Security. On the downside, Bitdefender includes only limited VPN services and no identity theft protection.

Read more about Bidefender or check out the top Bitdefender coupons.

Kaspersky: Kaspersky antivirus software packages are available with three-, five-, 10-, or 20-device coverage and in one-, two-, or three-year subscriptions. Introductory discounts of 50% are available for all versions except the top-tier Security Cloud antivirus package, which has a 40% introductory discount. Annual prices range from $29.99 for three devices for the Windows-only Anti-Virus plan ($59.99 upon renewal) to $74.99 for 10 devices for Kaspersky Total Security ($149.99 upon renewal). None of Kaspersky's packages include a full VPN or identity theft protections.

Read more about Kaspersky or check out the top Kaspersky coupon codes.

Webroot: Webroot sells three antivirus software packages at prices lower than most other antivirus software vendors. They start at $29.99/$39.99 for a single year and a single device with basic malware protections and a few extras. At the high end, these plans cost up to $179.99/$239.97 for a more complete set of protections, a password manager, and 25 GB of cloud storage covering up to five devices for three years.

Read more about Webroot or check out the top Webroot promo codes.

Trend Micro: Trend Micro antivirus offers a range of antivirus software. On the cheaper side, it costs $29.95 for one year of the Windows-only Antivirus+ Security. The Maximum Security package covers up to 10 devices and costs $154.95 for a two-year subscription.Trend Micro's antivirus programs include minimal identity theft protection and lack a VPN, although the company sells a separate VPN.

Read more about Trend Micro or check out the top Trend Micro promo codes.

Norton: Norton has five primary antivirus/identity theft protection that range in price. Norton 360 Standard costs $39.99 for the first year and $79.99 thereafter. On the upper end is Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus, which costs $299.99/$349.99. If you just want antivirus protection, consider Norton Antivirus Plus for $19.99/$59.99.

Read more about Norton or check out the top Norton coupons codes.

ESET: ESET sells three antivirus software configurations in one-, two- or three-year subscriptions. The cheapest option costs $39.99 a year for basic malware defense for one device. The most advanced option is the Smart Security Premium package, which starts at $59.99 for one device for one year. Subscriptions cover a specific number of devices rather than a set number (such as five or 10), which is more common in antivirus plans.

Read more about ESET or check out the top ESET promo codes.

AVG Technologies: AVG sells two paid subscription antivirus software packages. AVG Internet Security runs on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Subscription prices range from $39.99 ($69.99 after the first year) for one computer to $49.99 ($89.99 after the first year) for up to 10 devices. AVG's Ultimate package includes a VPN and AVG PC TuneUp. It covers 10 devices for one year for $79.99 ($119.99 thereafter). AVG sells a separate VPN as well.

Read more about AVG Technologies or check out the top AVG coupons.

F-Secure: F-Secure sells three antivirus software packages, including the least expensive subscription in our ratings. You’ll pay $35.99 for the company's basic, single-device "viral scanner" with no introductory discount. F-Secure SAFE costs $69.99 and covers three devices for 12 months, while F-Secure TOTAL costs $129.99 a year, covers seven devices, and includes both a VPN and password manager. F-Secure sells only single-year subscriptions.

Read more about F-Secure or check out the top F-Secure coupons.

Sophos: Sophos sells a single antivirus software package, Sophos Home Premium, in one-, two-, and three-year subscriptions. Home Premium on a one-year plan costs $42 for the first year and $60 for each subsequent year. A two-year plan costs $78 the first year and $120 for each year thereafter. A three-year plan costs $99 the first year and $180 after renewal. The free version, Sophos Home Free, protects a combination of up to three Windows computers.

Read more about Sophos. or check out the top Sophos coupons.

McAfee: McAfee antivirus software ranges in price from $29.99 for one device for the first year ($79.99 upon renewal) for McAfee Total Protection to $39.99 for McAfee LiveSafe, which covers an unlimited number of devices for one year ($119.99 upon renewal).

Read more about McAfee or check out the top McAfee promo codes.

How to Buy Antivirus Software

Although antivirus software may seem complicated, purchasing it isn't difficult if you follow a few simple steps.

For more information, see How to Buy Antivirus Software.

Do I Need Antivirus Software?

You need antivirus software, but it’s important to still follow safe online behaviors or replace unsafe habits. According to John Hawes, chief operating officer of the international nonprofit Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), doing risky things online while relying on antivirus software to protect you is like driving an otherwise safe car "with your eyes shut" – it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Always make sure you're using common-sense precautions, like implementing hard-to-guess passwords, refraining from opening email attachments from people you don't know, not giving out your Social Security number or other personal data, and not sending private data over public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN connection.

Even if you follow all of these precautions, you still need antivirus software to protect you from malware and other online threats. Peter Stelzhammer, co-founder and chief operating officer of testing lab AV-Comparatives, notes that many online threats are difficult or impossible to defend against without antivirus software. That's partly because these attacks can be used individually or in combination, depending on the sophistication and goals of the hacker.

Moreover, new threats are being invented all the time. Andreas Marx, a CEO and founder of testing lab AV-Test, says his company is seeing more than 350,000 new and unique types of malware every day – or about four every second. Antivirus software can identify both novel and existing threats, providing a critical layer of security.

What Should I Look for in Antivirus Software?

When purchasing antivirus software, look for the following features and characteristics:

Performance/Reliability: Any antivirus program should be able to detect, block, and remove all types of threats, including viruses, adware, worms, and phishing attempts. For a list of effective antivirus programs, see our Best Antivirus Software of 2021 and Best Antivirus Software for Macs of 2021 ratings.

Pricing/Value: It's important to get antivirus software that you can afford and provides the features you need, while avoiding extraneous features you don't want to pay for. Focus on the annual renewal price, which is what you'll pay annually after the first year. Your antivirus software should cover all of your computers, tablets, and phones.

Comfort/Ease of Use: Most antivirus software comes with a free trial, and you'll want to take advantage of it. Use this trial to make sure the software is easy to use and doesn't slow down your computer. Also verify that customer service is helpful and available 24/7.

How Does Antivirus Software Work?

Stelzhammer, of AV-Comparatives, notes that the term antivirus software is a bit of a misnomer. That's because this type of software doesn't just protect against viruses; it also scans for and guards against many types of malware, including worms, adware, and ransomware. An antivirus program also looks out for phishing attempts, where someone may send you an email with a link to a fake (but real-looking) website that will steal any personal information you type into it.

Different types of internet threats require different antivirus solutions. These include, among others:

Signature Analysis: This technique is similar to fingerprinting. The antivirus software analyzes various types of malware it encounters and records the malware's unique signature in a database. It then uses that database to help identify new threats.

Heuristic Analysis: Because many hackers know how to get around signature analysis, antivirus programs also use heuristic analysis. This approach looks for suspicious characteristics in a potentially malicious file that might match those of known malware.

Sandbox Detection: If a file looks suspicious but isn't obviously malware based on signature and heuristic analysis, some antivirus software will open and run it in a secure area called a "sandbox." That way, if the program turns out to be malware, it won't harm your computer.

Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence: Machine learning and artificial intelligence – two ways computers "learn" about the outside world – are relatively new technologies that can help identify malware and other new threats. The software then adds information about these threats to its detection database.

Behavior Monitoring: Hawes, of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization, explains that behavior monitoring involves watching the traffic between your computer and various devices like disk drives and printers to "stop them when they do something suspicious" and even undo any authorized changes these external devices make.

For more information, see our How Does Antivirus Software Work? guide.

Best Antivirus Software for Macs of 2021

The antivirus software on this page is designed to run on Windows computers. If you have a Mac, you also need antivirus software. Don't be swayed by suggestions that Mac computers don't need virus protection; these devices are just as vulnerable to malware and other online threats as Windows computers. As a result, we've found the Best Antivirus Software for Macs of 2021. See the list below and click on the company names for more information.

Learn More

Still looking for more information about antivirus software or trying to find the best antivirus software for you? Explore the directory below to learn more.

How U.S. News Evaluated Antivirus Software

The purpose of 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report is to evaluate products and services from multiple, diverse vantage points. We make recommendations based on an assessment of what matters to consumers, experts, and the community of professional reviewers. We convey what’s most important about antivirus software based on an unbiased evaluation of products commonly in the consideration set. Our overarching goal is to empower consumers with the information and tools needed to make their own informed decisions.

The following describes our 360 approach to researching and analyzing Antivirus Software companies to provide guidance to potential customers in the market for an Antivirus Software.

1. We researched the companies and products people care most about.

U.S. News analyzed and compared a variety of publicly available data, including internet search data, to determine which antivirus software companies consumers are most interested in. After additional analysis of consumer and professional reviews, we narrowed the list down to the ten Best Antivirus Software Companies and the ten Best Antivirus Software Companies for the Mac Operating System(OS). We then researched and explained the most important features of Antivirus Software to help readers with their purchasing decisions.

2. We created objective 360 Overall Ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews.

Our scoring methodology is based on a composite analysis of the ratings and reviews published by credible third-party professional and consumer review sources. The ratings are not based on the personal opinions, tests, or experiences of U.S. News. To calculate the ratings:

(a) We compiled two types of third-party ratings and reviews:

Not all professional and consumer rating sources met our criteria for objectivity. Those that did not were excluded from our model.

(b) We standardized the inputs to create a common scale.

The third-party review source data were collected in a variety of forms, including ratings, recommendations and accolades. Before including each third-party data point into our scoring equation, we had to standardize it so that it could be compared accurately with data points from other review sources. We used the scoring methodology described below to convert these systems to a comparable scale.

The 360 scoring process first converted each third-party rating into a common 0 to 5 scale. To balance the distribution of scores within each source’s scale, we used a standard deviation (or Z-Score) calculation to determine how each company that a source rated was scored in comparison to the source’s mean score. We then used the Z-Score to create a standardized U.S. News score using the method outlined below:

(c) We calculated the 360 Overall Score based on a weighted-average model.

We assigned “source weights” to each source used in the consensus scoring model based on our assessment of how much the source is trusted and recognized by consumers and how much its published review process indicates that it is both comprehensive and editorially independent. The source weights are assigned on a 1-5 scale. Any source with an assigned weight less than 2 was excluded from the consensus scoring model.

Finally, we combined the converted third-party data points using a weighted average formula based on source weight. This formula calculated the consensus score for each product, which we call the 360 Overall Rating.