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10 BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE [2021]: WINDOWS, ANDROID, IOS & MAC

Bjorn Johansson
Updated on: November 1, 2021
This article contains
 * How I Rated the Best Antivirus Software of 2021
 * 🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus for Windows + Android
 * 🥈2. Bitdefender Total Security — Advanced Malware Protection with Tons of
   Additional Features
 * 🥉3. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac
 * 4. TotalAV — Easiest Antivirus Software to Use
 * 5. McAfee Total Protection — Best for Online Security
 * 6. Avira Prime — Excellent Antivirus Scanner + System Optimization
 * 7. Kaspersky Internet Security — Best for Online Shopping + Banking
 * 8. BullGuard — Best Antivirus for High-Powered Protection (and Gamers)
 * 9. Panda Dome — Best for Flexible Pricing
 * 10. Trend Micro — Best for Phishing Protection
 * Bonus. Malwarebytes — Minimalistic Antivirus (with Good Web Protections)
 * Bonus. Cylance Smart Antivirus — Simplest Antivirus Solution
 * Comparison of the Best Antiviruses of 2021


SHORT ON TIME? HERE’S THE BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR 2021:

 * 🥇 Norton: Excellent virus and malware protection, with tons of extra
   features like a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls. Get the best
   protection of 2021 here.

There are hundreds of antiviruses out there — and they all claim to offer the
best protection at the best price. But I tested 66 of the top antivirus software
on the market and only a few of them are strong enough, secure enough, and
effective enough to be considered one of the best antiviruses of 2021.

At a minimum, antivirus software needs to include strong virus protection
against new and advanced forms of malware — spyware, rootkits, worms, trojans,
ransomware, etc. — and every antivirus on this list offers world-class malware
protection against all kinds of internet security threats.

But most antivirus packages nowadays include more than just an antivirus scanner
— they come with features that add additional protection, like a network
firewall, a virtual private network (VPN), a password manager, and parental
controls (among a lot of other things). These extra features provide
improvements for your device’s native security systems. Because the more secure
your device is, the less likely you are to get hacked or expose your sensitive
data online.

So how do you know which antivirus products offer the best security, the best
malware protection, and the best value? I compared the top antiviruses on the
market and ranked them on security, functionality, speed, and price.


QUICK SUMMARY OF THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR 2021:

 * 1.🥇 Norton — Best overall antivirus in 2021.
 * 2.🥈 Bitdefender — Most comprehensive internet security suite.
 * 3.🥉 Intego — Best antivirus for Mac (only for macOS systems).
 * 4. TotalAV — Best for ease of use (recommended for beginners).
 * 5. McAfee — Best web protections (with a great family plan).
 * Numbers 6-10 of 2021‘s top antiviruses.
 * Comparison table of all top picks.
 * FAQ about antivirus software.


HOW I RATED THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE OF 2021

 * Strong malware protection. I only recommend products that have proven to
   protect against the most advanced malware threats — not only viruses, but
   also spyware, rootkits, ransomware, and anything else that could cause me or
   my devices harm. I personally conducted dozens of malware tests,
   stress-tests, and CPU performance tests to make sure that these products can
   provide rock-solid protection against all viruses, malware, and other
   dangerous internet security threats.
 * High-quality features. Most antivirus brands offer additional internet
   security features in their paid antivirus packages. But a lot of times, these
   extras are just flashy additions that will weigh your computer down and
   affect your device’s performance (not to mention increase the price). I
   personally tested each of the features for each of the products on this list
   to guarantee that each antivirus’s features are genuinely useful and
   effective, not just expensive, flashy extras.
 * Speed and efficiency. The best antiviruses are lightweight and run smoothly —
   even on older or slower computers — across all of the software’s intended
   operating systems. I personally tested and measured how quick and efficient
   each antivirus on this list performed against all the other antiviruses on
   the market.
 * Easy-to-use. Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, you need virus
   protection for your computers, your phones, and your tablets. But if the
   software is so technical that you need to be an IT expert to stay protected,
   then most users will get too frustrated to even receive basic protection. I
   personally tested each antivirus software here to make sure that pretty much
   anyone will be able to set it up easily and use it properly.
 * Good value. Antivirus software can be a big investment. I considered all
   relevant factors such as web and browsing protection features, how many
   devices are covered, and whether or not there’s a free trial or money-back
   guarantee. I personally feel that all of these top antiviruses provide great
   value.


TOP BRANDS THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT:

 * Avast/AVG. Avast (who also owns AVG) has been credibly accused of tracking
   and selling user data for profit. Because of this, we no longer recommend any
   Avast product on this site. You can read more about the allegations and our
   decision over here.
 * ESET. ESET makes great contributions to the field of cybersecurity.
   Unfortunately, its current home antivirus product is not user-friendly enough
   for me to put on this list.
 * Comodo. Comodo is one of the best antivirus products for Linux, but that’s
   largely because there’s less competition on Linux. Comodo’s cross-platform
   antivirus product currently has too many bugs, and certain features don’t
   work properly.


🥇1. NORTON 360 — BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR WINDOWS + ANDROID

Norton 360 offers unbeatable virus and malware protection. It’s a well-built and
well-maintained internet security suite that fully ensures all information stays
secure, private, and protected — and it works well across all operating systems
(especially Windows + Android).

Norton’s antivirus software uses a unique scanning engine powered by heuristic
analysis and machine learning, making it capable of scanning, finding, and
removing all of the newest and most advanced types of malware. It scored a 100%
protection rating during all of my independent tests, and it consistently scored
higher on detection and threat prevention than built-in antiviruses (like
Windows Defender). One of my favorite things about Norton 360, especially the
Windows version, is that it’s both very easy to use and still offers many
advanced settings for more technical users who want to customize their security
protections.

Norton 360 comes with:

 * Secure firewall.
 * Password manager
 * Webcam protection.
 * VPN (with unlimited data).
 * Dark web monitoring.
 * Cloud storage.
 * Ransomware protection.
 * And a lot more…

Norton provides excellent features across all of its 360 packages. Even on
Norton 360 Standard (the cheapest plan), you get real-time malware protection,
unlimited VPN access, a password manager, and 10 GB secure cloud storage, for
€29.99 / year. While the password manager is not amazing, getting all of this in
one package is a really good value for an entry-level, paid antivirus.

There are also some pretty big benefits to upgrading to Norton 360 Deluxe — for
€29.99 / year, you get more licenses (up to 5), more storage space (up to 50
GB), and access to some of the best parental controls on the market. Starting at
€88.19 / year, Norton 360 with LifeLock also adds identity theft protection and
credit monitoring via Norton’s sister company, LifeLock — but these advanced
plans are only available for US customers.

Norton 360 is simply a great antivirus — it’s strong, affordable, reliable, and
easy to use. It’s the best choice for home users looking for a complete,
intuitive antivirus with some of the best cybersecurity protections out there,
all for a low-cost yearly subscription.




BOTTOM LINE:

Norton 360 provides the best antivirus protection in 2021. Norton offers one of
the strongest cybersecurity packages around — complete protection from all
malicious threats alongside a ton of excellent extra features, like a VPN (with
unlimited data), a password manager, secure cloud storage, parental controls,
and a lot more. You can try Norton risk-free with the company’s 60-day
money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Norton Now

Read the full Norton review here >


🥈2. BITDEFENDER TOTAL SECURITY — ADVANCED MALWARE PROTECTION WITH TONS OF
ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Bitdefender has an extremely advanced antivirus engine — it uses a massive
malware database together with machine learning and artificial intelligence to
detect and protect against malware more effectively than almost any other
competitor on the market.

During my testing, Bitdefender found and removed every single malicious threat
from my system. And because Bitdefender’s engine is cloud-based, all of
Bitdefender’s malware scans take place on Bitdefender’s cloud server, offloading
the strain on your device. Bitdefender caused virtually zero system impact to
both my Windows and Mac laptops, even during intensive, full-disk scans.

Similar to Norton, Bitdefender includes advanced settings for users who know how
to customize their antivirus protection. You can set custom scan settings for
specific areas of your computer, like scripts, network shares, boot sectors, and
even new/modified files. Bitdefender’s advanced settings help further its
reputation as one of the most powerful and customizable malware scanning engines
out there.

But Bitdefender isn’t just an anti-malware scanner — Bitdefender Total Security
is one of the most comprehensive security suites available, providing some of
the best protection for both computers and mobiles, with features like:

 * Web protections.
 * System optimizer
 * VPN (200 MB/daily).
 * Parental controls.
 * Password manager.
 * Webcam protection.
 * Ransomware protection.
 * And a lot more…

Bitdefender’s web protections are excellent — the anti-phishing protection
blocked the vast majority of phishing sites in my testing, and I’m a big fan of
Safepay, which is a secure, encrypted browser window for online banking and
shopping. I particularly love Bitdefender’s multi-layer ransomware protection,
which adds a data-protection layer over your important files so that they can’t
be encrypted during a ransomware attack.

Bitdefender’s VPN is also one of the best on the market, providing
lightning-fast access to encrypted servers around the globe — unfortunately,
unlike Norton’s VPN, Bitdefender’s VPN limits your daily data usage. If you want
to get unlimited daily data, you have to pay an additional fee (but
Bitdefender’s VPN is still cheaper than many standalone VPNs).

Bitdefender has a very limited free version of its paid antivirus (which is just
simple malware detection). There’s also Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which is
priced at €12.00 / year and has many of Bitdefender’s premium features (except
webcam protection, parental controls, and a device optimizer), but it’s only
available for Windows. Bitdefender Internet Security adds on parental controls,
a firewall, and coverage for up to 3 Windows computers for €18.00 / year. And
Bitdefender Total Security provides all of Bitdefender’s premium features, and
it’s available on all other operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, and
iOS). Priced at €24.00 / year, Total Security is one of the cheapest
full-featured internet security suites on this list — but if you also want a VPN
with unlimited data, Norton 360 Deluxe is a better deal.




BOTTOM LINE:

Bitdefender Total Security offers cloud-based antivirus scanning and a wide
range of cybersecurity tools for a cheaper price than most competitors. I
recommend Bitdefender if you’re confident with computers and looking for a
comprehensive cybersecurity suite with extras like a VPN, parental controls, and
password manager. And you can try out Bitdefender risk-free with a 30-day
money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Bitdefender Now

Read the full Bitdefender review here >


🥉3. INTEGO — BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC

Intego is the best macOS antivirus out there. Most antivirus brands only focus
on protecting Windows PCs — even competitors like Norton and Bitdefender offer
far fewer features for their macOS programs than they do for their Windows
versions — but all of Intego’s Mac antivirus packages were exclusively designed
to provide high-quality internet security and optimization tools to macOS —
greatly enhancing Apple’s built-in safety features with things like:

 * Real-time malware protection.
 * Mac optimization and cleaning tools.
 * Advanced Mac backup options.
 * Network security options.
 * Parental controls.

Intego’s antivirus engine scored a perfect detection rate against all of my test
malware (both macOS and PC malware). And its scans are fast — scanning over
800,000 files in under 2 hours. And subsequent scans take only a few minutes,
thanks to Intego’s file caching system that ignores already-scanned files
(Norton uses the same technology to skip over previously scanned files).

Intego has a lot of pretty cool features — I particularly like how you can
connect an external drive or an iOS device to your Mac and run an antivirus scan
of it with Intego’s virus scanner. Because Intego doesn’t offer internet
security protection for mobile, this saves you from needing to get multiple
antivirus packages to protect your iOS devices — but if you want to do more than
run antivirus scans on iOS, you’ll still need to get another antivirus program.

Intego has a few package options. The Mac Internet Security X9 plan only has
real-time malware protection and a firewall, but the excellent Mac Premium
Bundle X9 bundle comes with all of Intego’s best features, including disk
optimization tools and parental controls. Starting at €24.99 / year, Intego is a
bit more expensive than the competitors, but then again, most competitors offer
very basic programs for Mac users (typically only malware scanners).

Intego also has a Windows product, Antivirus for Windows, but it’s just a simple
virus scanner and not full-suite security software like Intego’s Mac products.
If you need a Windows antivirus, any of the other ones on this list are better
choices.




BOTTOM LINE:

Intego’s excellent protection against Mac-based malware makes it the best
antivirus for macOS in 2021. It greatly enhances and improves upon Apple’s
already built-in security and device optimization tools, and it comes at a great
price. And there’s a 30-day no-risk money-back guarantee, so you’ll be able to
see if it offers the best protection for you.

Get Protected with Intego Now

Read the full Intego review here >


4. TOTALAV — EASIEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE TO USE

TotalAV has an excellent antivirus scanner and a couple of really good extras,
all inside a very intuitive dashboard — making TotalAV a particularly great
choice for beginner and non-technical users.

TotalAV’s antivirus scanner — largely powered by Avira’s virus protection
technology — is fast, reliable, and has near-perfect malware detection rates.
The scanner caught 99% of all of my test malware, from viruses and trojans to
ransomware, missing only a couple of tricky files (which Norton and Bitdefender
managed to catch).

TotalAV also provides a full range of extra internet security features, like:

 * Phishing protection.
 * Performance optimization.
 * VPN.
 * Password manager.

Most of TotalAV’s features are very good, except for the password manager, which
I think needs a lot of improvement — if you want a good password manager bundled
with an antivirus, I recommend Norton or Avira. On the other hand, I
particularly like TotalAV’s performance optimizer — during my tests, it cleaned
up more space on my computer than most other competitors. I also like TotalAV’s
VPN, which didn’t significantly slow down my connection and enabled me to remove
geo-blocks and access content that’s otherwise unavailable in my country.

TotalAV Antivirus Pro is a good entry-level package for users looking to protect
up to 3 devices, and it costs €19.00 / year. However, TotalAV Internet Security
is a much better value — it adds the VPN and coverage for up to 5 devices, for
€39.00 / year. TotalAV Total Security adds a password manager, ad blocker, and
protection for up to 6 devices for €59.00 / year.


BOTTOM LINE:

TotalAV has a powerful antivirus engine and a good range of features inside a
user-friendly dashboard — I recommend TotalAV for first-time users just needing
something safe, secure, and easy to use. TotalAV’s packages all have a wide
range of features, and they’re all designed for maximum ease of use. And all
TotalAV purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with TotalAV Now

Read the full TotalAV review here >


5. MCAFEE TOTAL PROTECTION — BEST FOR ONLINE SECURITY

McAfee Total Protection has almost every internet security feature you’ll ever
need — malware protection, encrypted storage, a password manager, a browser
extension, and a VPN.

McAfee’s excellent virus protection abilities alone make Total Protection a
great product — scoring a perfect 100% detection rate against all of the malware
samples during my series of tests. But unlike Norton and Bitdefender, McAfee
slowed down my computer during a full system scan — while I was able to browse
the internet and use Microsoft Office, I couldn’t watch videos or play games.

On the other hand, McAfee has some pretty good extra features. One standout
feature of McAfee’s security software is “My Home Network”. This provides an
easy-to-read map of all devices on your home Wi-Fi network, giving you total
control over your online security and allowing you to lock out intruders.

And you never know when you’re going to need this. A few months ago, my partner
downloaded the notorious “Switcher Trojan” virus on her Android phone. The virus
infected our Wi-Fi router, giving hackers a backdoor into our entire home
network. McAfee alerted me to this unauthorized access attempt and immediately
stopped the attack!

McAfee Total Protection Single Device is a good choice for users looking to
cover just 1 device. However, users who want to protect multiple devices should
consider the Multi-Device plan that also includes identity theft protection for
US users or the Family package which adds excellent parental controls.

Users who need coverage for more than 10 devices should take a look at McAfee
Ultimate Coverage, which provides protection for an unlimited number of devices
as well as a $1 million dollar identity theft insurance policy — this plan is
McAfee’s best-value plan, but it’s only available in the US.

The Multi-Device, Family, and Ultimate Coverage plans also include McAfee’s iOS
app which ranked as the #1 iOS antivirus app of 2021 — phishing protection,
theft protection, a VPN, and lots more.

Ranging from €34.95 / year - €44.95 / year, McAfee’s 1-year subscription plans
are pretty expensive when compared to competitors like Norton and Bitdefender,
but McAfee offers amazing discounts on its 2-year plans for multiple devices,
making it one of the best long-term deals out there.


BOTTOM LINE:

McAfee Total Protection offers an impressive range of internet security
protection for all computers and mobiles. McAfee’s “My Home Network” feature is
exceptionally good, offering centralized security control over every device on
your network. This makes McAfee Total Protection particularly great for families
looking to keep a highly secure Wi-Fi network. All Total Protection packages
include a commitment-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with McAfee Now

Read the full McAfee review here >


6. AVIRA PRIME — EXCELLENT ANTIVIRUS SCANNER + SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION

Avira has one of the strongest and most robust antivirus engines on the market —
it consistently earns high scores during independent testing (and scored a 100%
detection rate during all of my tests), and it’s so good that Avira’s
anti-malware technology has been licensed out to several competitors, including
TotalAV. And since Avira’s antivirus engine operates entirely in the cloud, it
won’t slow down your devices like many other competitors that download bulky
software packages to your system.

Avira Prime also comes with a lot of really good features, such as:

 * Real-time malware protection.
 * Advanced ransomware protection.
 * Privacy optimization.
 * System optimization.
 * VPN.
 * Password manager.
 * Premium apps for Android and iOS.

While many antivirus products include tune-up tools designed to help your device
run smoothly and free up hard drive space, I think Avira’s system optimization
tools are some of the best on the market — they include:

 * Startup optimizer. Saved a full 2 minutes from my PC’s start time!
 * Game booster. Automatically allocates system resources and stops background
   processes to improve system performance.
 * Junk file cleaner. Removes duplicates, unused files, and some cached files.

Avira Prime is a particularly good antivirus if you have an old or slow PC
that’s often low on hard disk space. Avira’s system optimization tools had my
old Windows 7 computer running like new — in fact, it almost seemed faster than
my new Windows 10 PC!

At €59.95 / year, Avira Prime is a good value, but it’s pricier than some
top-rated antivirus packages. Avira does have cheaper plans, including Internet
Security (€31.87 / year), but Prime is the only package that includes advanced
system optimization, the VPN, and mobile apps.

If Avira sounds like a good antivirus, but you don’t want to spend any money
right now, Avira’s free version is the best free antivirus software on the
market — coming with free real-time protection, free ransomware protection, and
even a free version of Avira’s VPN.


BOTTOM LINE:

Avira’s cloud-based scanner and excellent system optimization tools make it the
most lightweight security suite on my list. Avira’s Prime package also has a
VPN, password manager, and coverage for up to 5 devices across all operating
systems. You can try out Avira risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Avira Now

Read the full Avira review here >


7. KASPERSKY INTERNET SECURITY — BEST FOR ONLINE SHOPPING + BANKING

Kaspersky Internet Security takes Kaspersky’s well-known antivirus protection
and adds some impressive bonus features that will help keep you safe online.

Kaspersky’s antivirus engine consistently delivers some of the best results in
the industry against all types of malware — the program was 100% effective in
all of my anti-malware testing.

Kaspersky also includes a good variety of cybersecurity features, such as:

 * Anti-phishing protections.
 * Safe Money secure browser.
 * VPN (200 MB/daily)
 * Webcam protection.

I really like Kaspersky’s Safe Money feature — the program detects when you’re
about to make a payment online or access a banking website, offering to launch a
safe, sandboxed browser window that’s impenetrable to malware and spyware. While
I’m a fan of Safe Money, I slightly prefer Bitdefender’s secure browser,
Safepay, which loads much faster than Kaspersky’s. Kaspersky also lets you use a
virtual keyboard when handling online payments to avoid keyloggers.

In my opinion, Internet Security is Kaspersky’s best-value plan, providing
malware scanning, web protections, and the Safe Money secure browser for up to 5
users, for €41.96 / year — this is a good deal, but it’s still slightly more
expensive than some higher-ranked competitors. However, parents will want to
check out Kaspersky Total Security, which provides some of the best parental
controls on the market for up to 10 PCs, Macs, Androids, and iOS devices, for
€69.96 / year.


BOTTOM LINE:

Kaspersky offers a well-designed antivirus package with a good anti-malware
scanner and useful extras like a secure browser for online finances. Parents
should consider upgrading to Kaspersky’s premium Total Security plan which adds
excellent parental controls. All of Kaspersky’s plans have a 30-day money-back
guarantee.

Get Protected with Kaspersky Now

Read the full Kaspersky review here >


8. BULLGUARD — BEST ANTIVIRUS FOR HIGH-POWERED PROTECTION (AND GAMERS)

BullGuard offers powerful anti-malware protection, along with many additional
features — including an excellent gamer booster, a customizable firewall, a
performance optimizer, intuitive parental controls, and identity theft
protections.

BullGuard’s antivirus engine scored very well in all of my recent tests —
detecting every single piece of malware I placed on my computer. I also think
BullGuard has one of the best phishing protections around, scoring perfect
results when I tested it against hundreds of fake websites.

One BullGuard feature I really like is Game Booster — it frees up system
resources to enhance CPU performance during gaming. During my tests, Game
Booster increased my frame rate and decreased my load times while playing
high-performance games like Destiny 2: Beyond Light and Apex Legends — I was
honestly impressed! This feature helped BullGuard rank as the #1 best antivirus
for gamers.

I also like BullGuard’s identity theft protections, which provide live credit
monitoring and identity theft insurance to users in the US, Canada, and much of
Western Europe (Norton and McAfee only protect US users with their identity
theft protections).

On the other hand, I’m not a big fan of BullGuard’s parental controls, and I
don’t like that the company doesn’t include a VPN as part of its antivirus
packages, like Norton and McAfee do.

BullGuard Antivirus includes malware and phishing protection, game booster, and
coverage for 1 device. BullGuard Internet Security adds multi-device coverage,
performance optimization, and parental controls. BullGuard Premium Protection
also includes a home network scanner and identity theft protection. BullGuard’s
plans are a good mid-price choice for both casual users and avid gamers, with
plans starting at €23.99 / year.


BOTTOM LINE:

BullGuard provides a good malware scanner, lots of added features, and a
specialized game booster that improves performance for PC gamers. Users looking
for extras like identity theft protection and coverage for up to 10 devices can
download BullGuard Premium Protection, while gamers looking for a simple
antivirus for 3 devices should check out BullGuard Internet Security. All of
BullGuard’s plans include the game booster and come with a 30-day money-back
guarantee.

Get Protected with BullGuard Now

Read the full BullGuard review here >


9. PANDA DOME — BEST FOR FLEXIBLE PRICING

Panda offers its advanced virus scanner and easy-to-use interface across 5
different pricing plans — I love that Panda provides its excellent security
solution to everyone, regardless of budget.

During testing, Panda’s malware scanner performed well (95% malware detection
rate and 100% ransomware detection rate), and I also liked most of the
additional features. One Panda extra I really like is the Rescue Kit, which is a
bootable version of Panda that can be operated from a thumb drive (in case your
computer gets heavily infected by malware).

Panda’s flexible pricing options include:

 * Free. Includes real-time virus protection for Windows and an app scanner for
   Android, plus a Rescue Kit and a VPN (limited to 1 server and 150 MB per
   day).
 * Essential (€20.99 / year). Adds Android and macOS real-time malware
   protection, a Windows firewall, and Wi-Fi protection.
 * Advanced (€25.26 / year). Adds parental controls for Windows, protection
   against ransomware, and safe browsing.
 * Complete (€35.49 / year). Adds a password manager, device optimization tools,
   and a file encrypter and shredder.
 * Premium (€59.49 / year). Adds unlimited VPN access, an update manager, and
   24/7 priority technical support.

All of Panda’s plans offer a good value. Even the free plan is pretty good,
offering real-time virus protection — something that many free antivirus
products lack.

All of Panda’s features are great, but I was pretty disappointed with Panda’s
VPN — it didn’t perform well in speed tests, and the unlimited VPN is only
available on the most expensive plan. If you’re looking for a VPN included in an
antivirus package, I’d recommend Bitdefender or TotalAV.


BOTTOM LINE:

If you want a simple free malware scanner with real-time protection or a
full-featured internet security suite, Panda has an option for you. Panda comes
with lots of extras, including advanced ransomware protection, a Rescue Kit for
saving malware-infected PCs, a password manager, parental controls, a file
encrypter and shredder, and more. And all of Panda’s premium plans are backed by
a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Panda Now

Read the full Panda review here >


10. TREND MICRO — BEST FOR PHISHING PROTECTION

Trend Micro has a decent anti-malware engine as well as some of the best
phishing protection on this list.

Trend Micro’s antivirus scanner scored pretty well in my testing, catching the
majority of viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware on my system, though it
didn’t score as well as top competitors like Norton and Bitdefender.

However, phishing protection is where Trend Micro’s antivirus really stands out.

Phishing scams are increasingly common, and they can be very difficult for
antivirus software to detect. Cybercriminals can create duplicate websites (a
tactic known as “domain spoofing”) designed to trick you into giving up your
personal information and passwords.

Web browsers such as Chrome and Firefox integrate some phishing protection. But,
Trend Micro’s anti-phishing feature detected more phishing websites in my
testing than Chrome, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Trend Micro Antivirus + Security protects 1 Windows device with malware
protection, advanced ransomware protection, and a secure browser for online
finances. Trend Micro Internet Security protects up to 3 devices (PC only) and
adds device optimization tools, social networking protection, and parental
controls. Trend Micro Maximum Security protects up to 5 devices (including
Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Chromebook) and adds a password manager. Trend
Micro’s plans start at €26.55 / year.


BOTTOM LINE:

Trend Micro offers a strong set of security and privacy features for Windows,
Mac, Android, and iOS users — the company even has a Chromebook app! Trend Micro
is particularly good at phishing protection, and it will help you avoid
malicious websites seeking to steal your credit card numbers or passwords. All
Trend Micro plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Trend Micro Now

Read the full Trend Micro review here >


BONUS. MALWAREBYTES — MINIMALISTIC ANTIVIRUS (WITH GOOD WEB PROTECTIONS)

Malwarebytes is a simplistic, easy-to-use antivirus that offers good virus
protection for all operating systems and devices. During my tests,
Malwarebytes’s advanced malware scanner detected around 90% of my test malware,
which is pretty good (but not as good as top competitors like Norton or
Bitdefender).

Malwarebytes also comes with excellent web protections, which successfully
identified and blocked most of the phishing sites I tried visiting during
testing. And Malwarebytes also offers a VPN with unlimited data, servers in 30
countries, and decent speeds. However, Malwarebytes’s VPN isn’t a good choice
for Netflix or torrenting (if you’re looking for a good VPN to access streaming
sites and torrent files, I recommend ExpressVPN).

Unfortunately, Malwarebytes doesn’t have any additional features that the other
antiviruses on this list offer (like a firewall, PC optimization tools, parental
controls, etc.). While I’d like to see Malwarebytes add some of these extra
features, I still think it’s a pretty good choice for users looking for a
minimalistic antivirus program that they can install and forget about.
Malwarebytes starts at €16.00 / year.


BOTTOM LINE:

Malwarebytes offers a good malware scanner, excellent web protections, and a
decent VPN, but not much else. While Malwarebytes lacks a lot of the features
I’d like to see in a premium antivirus in 2021, it’s still an overall good
choice for users looking for a simple, no-frills antivirus. Malwarebytes comes
with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

Get Protected with Malwarebytes Now

Read the full Malwarebytes review here >


BONUS. CYLANCE SMART ANTIVIRUS — SIMPLEST ANTIVIRUS SOLUTION

Cylance is the only antivirus program on my list that relies exclusively on
artificial intelligence to detect and eliminate malware.

Several other companies — such as McAfee and BullGuard — integrate machine
learning along with traditional scanning technology in their antivirus engines.
But Cylance claims its AI scanner doesn’t need the additional support of a
malware database or advanced heuristics to keep your device 100% safe.

Cylance caught the majority of the malware on my test computer — more than free
antiviruses like Windows Defender — but it still ranked lower than advanced
antivirus suites like Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender.

Cylance Smart Antivirus is affordable, with packages starting at €25.71 / year,
but it doesn’t come with any extra features. There are no pricing plans — except
for discounts for purchasing multiple licenses. If you want a powerful,
simple-to-use, and cost-effective antivirus solution, Cylance is a good choice.


BOTTOM LINE:

Cylance offers smart and simple malware protection. Cylance will help keep your
computer malware-free — but if you need things like a password manager, secure
browsing, a VPN, etc., you’ll need to look elsewhere for all-around protection.

Get Protected with Cylance Now

Read the full Cylance review here >


COMPARISON OF THE BEST ANTIVIRUSES OF 2021

Antivirus Firewall Cloud-Based Scanning Included VPN Free Version Starting Price
Money-Back Guarantee 1.🥇Norton Yes No Unlimited data No €14.99 / year 60-days
2.🥈Bitdefender Yes Yes 200 MB/day Yes €12.00 / year 30-days 3.🥉Intego Yes No
No No €24.99 / year 30-days 4. TotalAV Yes Yes Unlimited (with TotalAV Internet
Security) Yes €19.00 / year 30-days 5. McAfee Yes No Unlimited data (with
automatic subscription renewals) No €44.32 / year 30-days 6. Avira No Yes
Unlimited data (with Avira Prime) Yes €27.95 / year 30-days 7. Kaspersky Yes Yes
300 MB/day Yes €34.96 / year 30-days (USA) and 14-days (UK) 8. BullGuard Yes No
No No €23.99 / year 30-days 9. Panda Yes No Unlimited (with Panda Dome) Yes
€20.99 / year 30-days 10. Trend Micro No No No No €26.55 / year 30-days Bonus.
Malwarebytes No No Unlimited (with Malwarebytes Premium + Privacy) Yes €16.00 /
year 60-days Bonus. Cylance No No No No €25.71 / year 30-days


BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR 2021 — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 * What’s the best antivirus software for Windows 10?
 * Do I really need an antivirus in 2021?
 * What’s the best antivirus software for Mac?
 * How do I choose the best antivirus software for me?


WHAT’S THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 10?

I recommend Norton 360 as the best antivirus software for most Windows 10 users.
It provides the best antivirus protection according to my tests, and it includes
some excellent extra features — phishing protection, Wi-Fi protection, a
password manager, a firewall, a VPN, and a lot more. But all of the antiviruses
on this list will work for all Windows 10 users (and many even work on older PCs
that run on Windows 7 and Windows XP).

For Windows users looking for a free product that’s better than Microsoft’s
built-in Windows Defender antivirus, I’d recommend Avira Free Security for
Windows (scoring as the top choice for 2021’s best free antivirus software).

Read more about the best antiviruses for Windows 10 here >


DO I REALLY NEED AN ANTIVIRUS IN 2021?

If you’re using the internet, you need to stay protected against online threats.
The good news is that you’re probably already using an antivirus — if you’re on
Windows, Mac, or mobile OS, your devices already have antivirus protection. And
these built-in antiviruses are not bad. But they do leave a lot of holes in your
cybersecurity.

The top antivirus packages all offer advanced protections — full-suite
anti-malware engines (including phishing protection, ransomware protection,
webcam protection, and Wi-Fi protection), security enhancements (including
customizable firewalls, parental controls, and device optimization) and extra
features (like password managers, file shredders, and VPNs. Norton 360 and
Bitdefender Total Security both have all of these things and more.

So the question of buying an antivirus isn’t so much about if you need it —
because you do — but it’s more about what level of protection you want to have.


WHAT’S THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR MAC?

I recommend Intego as the best antivirus for Mac. It’s designed exclusively for
macOS, and it performed exceptionally well in my tests. It’s got a lot of cool
features like real-time protection and a customizable network firewall.

That said, most of the antivirus products on this list have highly capable Mac
applications as well. And they all run without any issue, even though there may
be certain conditions.

For example, Norton 360 is a great choice for Mac users, but certain features
(such as Cloud Backup and Parental Control) are limited on Mac due to Apple’s
restrictions.

Read more about the best antiviruses for Mac here >


HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR ME?

Choosing the right antivirus software package can be challenging — there are so
many choices, and the most expensive products don’t always offer the best
protection.

Here’s what you should do to help you find the right antivirus product:

 * Decide what features you need. Basic antivirus protection is essential, but
   other internet security features are also important. If you use public Wi-Fi
   networks, you should choose a product that includes a VPN. If you have kids,
   you should find an antivirus with parental controls. The more comprehensive
   products on this list, such as Norton 360, provide these advanced features
   (and a lot more).
 * Consider which and how many devices you need to protect. You might have more
   than one device that requires antivirus protection. All the products on this
   list offer plans with multiple licenses — for example, you can use the top
   McAfee plan on up to 10 devices (US users can also get McAfee for unlimited
   devices), including smartphones. However, some antiviruses don’t have mobile
   apps — BullGuard doesn’t provide an iPhone app, but it’s amazing for PC
   gamers.
 * Take advantage of a free trial/money-back guarantee. There are several brands
   on this list that offer a no-commitment free trial. For example, your first
   month using Panda is totally free. And almost every other brand offers a “no
   questions asked” money-back guarantee — for example, TotalAV offers a 30-day
   refund period, and Norton’s refund period is a generous 60 days.
 * Test out the software. Spend some time testing the product you’ve chosen. If
   you’re not happy, reach out to customer support. Or simply get a refund —
   these brands have seriously good reputations to maintain, and they will 100%
   honor any valid refund request. You could conceivably test every product on
   this list — at no expense whatsoever — before settling on the right one.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bjorn Johansson
Cybersecurity researcher and digital rights advocate
Updated on: November 1, 2021


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bjorn is a cybersecurity researcher and digital rights advocate. Originally from
Sweden, he now lives on the Maine coast with his wife and their two kids. When
he’s not helping keep the internet safe for everyday people, he enjoys boating
with his family and woodworking.
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Bjorn Johansson
Updated on: November 1, 2021
This article contains
 * How I Rated the Best Antivirus Software of 2021
 * 🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus for Windows + Android
 * 🥈2. Bitdefender Total Security — Advanced Malware Protection with Tons of
   Additional Features
 * 🥉3. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac
 * 4. TotalAV — Easiest Antivirus Software to Use
 * 5. McAfee Total Protection — Best for Online Security
 * 6. Avira Prime — Excellent Antivirus Scanner + System Optimization
 * 7. Kaspersky Internet Security — Best for Online Shopping + Banking
 * 8. BullGuard — Best Antivirus for High-Powered Protection (and Gamers)
 * 9. Panda Dome — Best for Flexible Pricing
 * 10. Trend Micro — Best for Phishing Protection
 * Bonus. Malwarebytes — Minimalistic Antivirus (with Good Web Protections)
 * Bonus. Cylance Smart Antivirus — Simplest Antivirus Solution
 * Comparison of the Best Antiviruses of 2021

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