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Best Antivirus Software of 2020

The first layer of protection for your computer

n the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, when computers on every desk and the internet in every home was still an emerging concept, viruses were a hacker’s weapon of choice. The earliest ones were designed to clog up systems until the hard drive was full or using the internet was impossible due to non-stop pop-up ads. Later, these virus attacks became more malicious, burrowing into databases. Antivirus software was designed to detect these viruses before they could get into the system. 

Today, hackers have moved on to more sophisticated types of cyberattacks, but antivirus software remains the first layer of protection for computers. Current antivirus software has moved beyond detecting viruses to providing malware and other attack protections. A cyberattack on a company is costly; for every record compromised, companies will pay on average $150, and mitigating an attack, including downtime and repairs, costs an organization more than $1 million.1

There are hundreds of antivirus software solutions available. We investigated 20 options recommended by cybersecurity experts as their software of choice. Taken into consideration were the software’s antivirus, malware, and ransomware protections, as well as multiple device protections and free version offerings. Here are our top picks.

The 7 Best Antivirus Software of 2020

Best Overall: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

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Our choice for the best overall antivirus software because its paid version offers the most well-rounded protection.Pros

  • Ransomware detection
  • Offers “Do Not Track” for better data privacy
  • Password manager
  • Frequent updates with subscription

Cons

  • VPN available but with a separate subscription

Bitdefender was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Bucharest, in southern Romania. The company has over 1,600 employees with offices all over the world. 

Bitdefender Plus is the company’s entry-level antivirus software offering, making it ideal for home users without technical skills and anyone who wants basic defense against threats. Because viruses aren’t the only cybersecurity risks, Bitdefender Plus offers an array of security-first features, including ransomware prevention, monitoring online purchases and web-based transactions, and password management that lets users create unique passwords for everything, all managed through an easy-to-use dashboard.

Bitdefender Plus is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

A free version of Bitdefender is available that offers real-time detection, advanced threat defense, web attack prevention, and anti-fraud/anti-phishing protection. The paid version includes Safepay for financial transactions, multi-layer ransomware protection, and vulnerability assessments. A virtual private network (VPN) is also offered with an additional subscription fee.

One year of coverage for one device is $26. There is a 30-day free trial.

Best for Windows: Norton 360 With LifeLock

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Norton 360 with LifeLock keeps improving on its history as a top antivirus option with its PC maintenance features, making it the best for Windows computers.Pros

  • PC protections including firewall and backup
  • Excellent malware protection
  • Password manager
  • LifeLock identity theft protection

Cons

  • Ransomware detection could be improved
  • Slows the computer during full scans
  • One of the more expensive offerings

Norton introduced its first antivirus software in 1991 under the Symantec umbrella. Symantec purchased LifeLock in 2017, and in 2019, after the enterprise division of the company was sold, the name was changed to NortonLifeLock. The company is based in Tempe, Arizona.

Norton 360 with LifeLock won best antivirus for Windows because of how it has continued to build on its history of protecting Windows machines. The identity theft capabilities of LifeLock alone give this product an edge. There are a number of versions of this product, so users can pick the features they need, but even the lowest level offers PC maintenance utilities (including the ability to produce a faster bootup) and 2GB of cloud backup. Norton 360 Standard offers dark web monitoring, a VPN, and 10GB of cloud backup.

The number of devices and amount of cloud storage increases based on the package level. The mid-range Norton 360 with LifeLock Select is $99.99 per year with licenses for up to five devices (including Mac) and 100GB of cloud storage. It also offers parental controls, school time/remote learning controls, VPNs for all devices, and webcam protections. Norton Antivirus Plus is $14.99 per year with one license.

Norton 360 Standard is $39.99 a year for one license. There is a one-month free trial. Xfinity customers have access to a free version of Norton Online.

Best for Mac: Webroot SecureAnywhere for Mac

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Webroot SecureAnywhere for Mac offers excellent phishing detection and fast scanning ability specifically designed for Macs.Pros

  • Excellent phishing detection
  • Fast virus scanning
  • Labels malicious links during online searches

Cons

  • Limited testing data

Webroot is based in Broomfield, Colorado, and has offices through Europe, Australia, and California. The company was founded in 1997 and introduced its first antivirus product in 2006. The company was acquired by OpenText in 2019.

Webroot SecureAnywhere for Mac is our choice for antivirus protection that’s best for Mac computers. There is still a belief that Mac computers are safe from cyberattacks, and while most viruses are targeted at Windows computers, Macs are vulnerable to other malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and even Apple-targeted viruses. 

This software boasts a very small footprint on your computer’s operating system but offers very fast security scans and is one of the best at phishing detection. Offering an email address when installing Webroot gives the user 24/7 customer support and alerts for new threats. For those who use both Windows and Mac, Webroot’s interface is more similar across platforms than other antivirus software. The main difference is Webroot for Mac doesn’t include a firewall.

Webroot also offers SecureAnywhere products for antivirus alone (Mac/PC), internet security (for mobile devices as well as Mac/PC), and internet complete that offers backup storage.

One year of Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus costs $29.99 and covers one device. There is a 14-day free trial.

Best for Multiple Devices: McAfee Antivirus Plus

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McAfee Antivirus Plus is our top choice as best for multiple devices because its subscriptions offer protection for every device in the home for a reasonable cost.Pros

  • Offers protection for all devices, including Android and iOS
  • Good malware detection
  • Good firewall
  • Offers a number of bonus features in the price

Cons

  • No parental controls
  • Fewer features for Apple products

McAfee was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. 

McAfee Antivirus Plus is the one antivirus platform that recognizes the growing number of devices used in a single household and that this could include four or more different operating systems. While the protections and features are better for Windows and Android, the protection is still good enough for all devices, so families don’t need to purchase multiple antivirus subscriptions.

The basic package supports up to 10 devices, support, and secure web browsing as well as antivirus; however, you get a better price deal if you purchase a two-year subscription. The MTP 10 Device plan is for one year for 10 devices, but also includes features such as full protection for the home network, password manager, encrypted storage, and identity theft protection. Unlimited device protection is also available in one-year subscriptions.

The two-year basic subscription is $19.99 per year, and MTP 10 is $44.99 for a year. Unlimited device protection is $109.99 and includes five VPN licenses. There is a 30-day free trial available.

Best for Free: Kaspersky Free Antivirus

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Kaspersky Free Antivirus is our choice for the best free option because it is almost as good as the paid version and the Security Cloud version offers a lot of features that are provided in other companies’ paid accounts.Pros

  • A lot of free extra features in the security cloud offering
  • Reliable antivirus
  • User friendly

Cons

  • No phone support for free version
  • Company’s relationship with Russian leadership has raised questions about computer security

Kaspersky Lab was founded by Eugene Kaspersky in 1997 and is based in Moscow, Russia, with offices worldwide. Its antivirus and security products are among the most used in the world.

Kaspersky Free Antivirus offers a product almost as good as its paid version, which is repeatedly considered one of the best antivirus and antimalware solutions available. And now Kaspersky added a Security Cloud free version that includes its excellent antivirus coverage, but also offers a surprising number of features, including a free VPN, password management, online account management to check for security issues, and personalized security checks. There are options missing from the free offering—you won’t get the Safe Money or PC Cleaner features, and the password manager is limited—but overall, you’ll get as many features in this free version as you would in some other software’s low-end offering.

The free version of Kaspersky Antivirus and Security Cloud runs on Windows PCs, but is also available for Android and iOS. While many antivirus vendors offer free trials, Kaspersky Lab’s free version is truly free and available for as long as you want it. There are paid versions available to add more features and also for Mac computers. The paid versions offer a 30-day free trial.

Best Premium Option: Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security

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Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security has an aggressive antivirus system at a reasonable price, making it our pick for best for premium options.Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Easy-to-use dashboard
  • Protects online financial transactions
  • Many bonus features

Cons

  • Not up-to-date with social network protections
  • Resource intensive
  • Only works on Windows

Trend Micro was founded in 1988 in Los Angeles, California, and now has headquarters in Irving, Texas; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and Tokyo, Japan, with offices worldwide.

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security not only has an aggressive antivirus system at a reasonable price, but it also offers a number of security tools, including layered ransomware protections, firewall booster, and hardened browser that provides the safest levels of protections for online banking. Every version of this antivirus software also includes Trend Micro’s Advanced AI Learning feature that detects new ransomware strains and other emerging threats and stops them before they do damage to the computer network. Password management and protection are only offered in the product family’s highest tier.

This is the antivirus software option for those who don’t want to have to micromanage their security. This version is Windows-only, but Trend Micro does offer a Mac version that does not include Pay Guard protection (it doesn’t work with Mac’s browser).

A one-year subscription to Antivirus+ Security is $29.95. A free trial is available for 30 days.

Best Malware Scanning: Malwarebytes

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Our top choice for malware scanning, Malwarebytes is the best at removing malware on demand among any of the providers.Pros

  • Removes malware
  • Works with antivirus software
  • Real-time detection

Cons

  • Good free version

Malwarebytes was founded in Santa Clara, California, in 2008 and specializes in protecting home computers and mobile devices.

Malwarebytes isn’t antivirus software, but it complements antivirus solutions by eliminating malware and viruses that make it into your network. It doesn’t detect or prevent ransomware, but what Malwarebytes does extremely well is capture and quarantine malware that is wreaking havoc in your system. You can run a full or quick scan of the free version whenever needed, and it will create a report on your system.

The paid version of Malwarebytes offers 24/7 monitoring, protects vulnerabilities from exploits until the software is patched, blocks ransomware, and shields against infected websites. The premium version can be used as antivirus software. The free version runs on demand, scanning for and removing malware. The free version should always be used in tandem with antivirus software. 

While the software is available for multiple operating systems, premium offerings only work on Windows. 

A one-year paid subscription is $29.99. A free trial is available for 14 days, but the free version remains on your computer to be used on demand.

What Is Antivirus Software?

Antivirus (AV) software is designed to detect, block, and/or remove malicious software on a computer or network. AV software is an advised layer of any cybersecurity system, as it is often the first line of defense to protect the computer before the malicious software burrows too deep. It offers protection to a computer or network and helps prevent the virus or other malicious code from spreading to other devices.  

Do You Really Need Antivirus Software?

Computers are constantly under attack from outside threat actors, making antivirus software necessary. Windows continues to fight viruses designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the operating system, and until those vulnerabilities are patched, AV software is the first line of defense. Windows 10 is the first version to include its own AV software built into the operating system. Microsoft Defender is a good free option and offers basic protection that users don’t have to think about. But if you want something that offers specific protections, the best option is to add a paid version that covers your needs. 

However, there is a long-standing misconception that computers using Mac or Apple operating systems are immune to viruses and other malicious software attacks. That was true two decades ago, but as Apple products became more popular, cybercriminals found value in designing viruses and malware for those systems. Also, increasing numbers of attacks can bypass the operating system and go directly for applications and web portals, putting every type of computer system at risk.

What Does Antivirus Software Cost?

While there are free options out there, you get better protection and more features with a paid subscription. Paid versions offer features such as VPN, password management, and parental controls. Prices range from $20 to over $100 a year, depending on the number of licenses, number of devices you want covered, and the features you prefer. 

Is It Worth Paying for Antivirus Software?

Free AV software has improved greatly over the years, and again, anyone using Windows 10 already has free AV software that works pretty well. If all you want is software that detects malicious software, blocks it from doing damage, and scans your system, then free is good. Paid versions, however, will offer protections on web browsing, protect identity, or offer VPN services, as well as password managers and parental control across multiple devices and operating systems. All of these are more essential now, as more people are working remotely or using a single device for work and personal computing. 

What Is the Difference Between Antivirus Software and Antimalware?

Viruses are designed to replicate and spread, while malware is a catchall name for all types of malicious code aimed at doing damage to a computer or network. All viruses are malware, but not all malware is a virus. AV software identifies threats through signature detections based on what is already known in the signature database. This is why AV software needs to be updated regularly. Antimalware software detects more sophisticated malware attacks. The two types of defense software complement each other, and some AV software has antimalware built in, but the two are different and protection against both is necessary for true protection.

How We Chose the Best Antivirus Software

There are hundreds of antivirus software solutions available. We investigated 20 popular solutions often considered the software of choice by cybersecurity experts. Of critical importance was ease of use with all providers, making it something every consumer could navigate and use. We then considered whether or not the provider had offerings beyond antivirus software. This included malware, ransomware protection, multiple device protections. Those that had a free version or trial were given preference. We gave particular importance to platforms that were easy to use and integrate. 

Originally published by Sue Poremba. Best Antuvirus Software November 3rd 2020. [online] Investopediac Available investopediac.com

ARTICLE SOURCES

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy .

  1. IBM Security. “IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report.” Accessed October 15, 2020.

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