I tested the best antivirus software for Windows: Here's what I'd use to protect my PC - Crypto News

The internet can be a dangerous place, with malware lurking around every corner. While many antivirus programs promise robust protection, choosing the right one can be surprisingly difficult. Which one should you download? Windows Security comes free with every Windows PC, and it’s a solid free option. Bitdefender boasts a fully loaded arsenal to protect your computer from bad actors, and at the time of this writing, a subscription to it costs $60 for a full year.

To save you time, I have compiled a list of the best antivirus apps for Windows computers. Each program in this roundup comes highly recommended. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but there is one clear winner.

What is the antivirus software for Windows right now?

ZDNET’s experts carefully test multiple antivirus programs on Windows, putting them through the ringer to provide you with the best advice on which software you should install to protect your computer.

Each of the antiviral programs on this roundup comes highly recommended. However, our pick for the best antivirus app on Windows is Malwarebytes. It has everything you could ever want in protective software: robust security, an easy-to-understand user interface, and a subscription service that builds on the free version. Read on to find out our other top picks and if certain apps better fit your needs.

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Best antivirus software and apps for Windows in 2025

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Why we like it: The aptly named Malwarebytes takes the top spot as the best antivirus program for Windows computers. This app provides reliable protection against malware, viruses, and phishing attacks while also not overwhelming the user with clutter or forced subscriptions. The free version offers on-demand malware detection and digital footprint scans. If you want a robust defense, the paid version lets you give real-time protection plus automated scan scheduling.

Notable features include Trusted Advisor, which provides recommendations to improve protection, and Browser Guard, a browser extension that blocks threats. Malwarebytes offers a free 14-day trial to try out the subscription.

Review: Malwarebytes

Who it’s for: Malwarebytes is great for anyone who wants quick, reliable protection for their computer that doesn’t require a college degree to figure out. Its user interface is very friendly and easy to navigate. If you just want to occasionally scan your PC for any looming threats, the free tier is all you’ll need. But if you prefer a set-it-and-forget-it experience with features like ransomware protection, then I recommend getting a paid plan.

Who should look elsewhere: Many antiviral programs come with a mobile app to protection Android and iOS devices. Malwarebytes is one of them, but I wouldn’t recommend installing it on your smartphone. It’s not as robust as the desktop version, and signing up for a free trial is confusing.

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Why we like it: Bitdefender Total Security is a comprehensive antivirus program that provides a robust suite of protection tools to detect against online threats. Its real-time protection actively scans for malware, vulnerabilities in software, and recent patches without noticeably slowing down computers. The program also comes with a wide array of helpful features. Traffic Light, for example, flags suspicious hyperlinks that you may come across, and Anti-tracker blocks third-party data collection.

What’s great about Bitdefender is that it offers different operation modes. There’s one for gaming, one for streaming movies, and one for work. Activating one of these modes optimizes the system performance for certain workloads to deliver the best experience possible. Other notable features include a privacy firewall and protection against crypto mining.

Review: Bitdefender Total Security

Who it’s for: I would recommend Bitdefender Total Security to anyone looking for robust, all-in-one protection across multiple devices. It can secure PCS, smartphones, and tablets, too. It’s especially valuable for anyone who spends a lot of time watching online content or shopping. In those digital environments, it can be quite easy to fall for phishing attempts or be attacked by malware.

Who should look elsewhere: Bitdefender requires users to install multiple apps and browser extensions to get the full amount of protection. ZDNET Contributing Writer Emily Long found having all that software across several devices rather cumbersome. Also, while the software has many features, they can feel quite limiting. The VPN, for example, offers “protection for 200 MB of traffic per device, per day.” For many people, “200 MB doesn’t go very far”.

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Why we like it: Protecting your PC can be an expensive endeavor. Antivirus developers often charge a lot of money, but luckily, there are plenty of cheap options available, and TotalAV stands tall as one of the best. Usually, it costs $100 for a yearly subscription to TotalAV Antivirus Pro. But right now, you can purchase the service for $30 in just the first year. Upon subscribing, you’ll receive an in-depth software package capable of protecting up to five other devices at the same time.

They’ll be protected against malware, phishing attempts, and ransomware. Notable features include a built-in VPN, ad blocker, plus a system tune-up tool that can speed up computers by clearing out junk files. AV-Test, an independent IT security institute, praises TotalAV for its effectiveness in blocking “0-day malware attacks” while minimally affecting computer performance and being easy to understand.

I also appreciate the simple and clean interface. It makes scheduling scans really easy. You won’t have to hunt down the tool by scouring through menus.

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Who it’s for: I recommend TotalTV to anyone who wants an affordable antivirus program to protect their computer and smartphone. It’s ideal for users or families on a budget who want the nice extra it provides, like the aforementioned VPN. Tech novices will appreciate the clear user interface.

Who should look elsewhere: Interestingly enough, the problems with TotalAV don’t have anything to do with the app itself, but rather the company behind it. Some users have complained online about the developer’s poor customer service. One Reddit user expressed frustration at how difficult it was to cancel their TotalAV subscription.

And while it covers the basics well, power users might be disappointed by the lack of deeper customization or advanced security controls.

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Why we like it: If money is not an issue and you want to turn your computer into a digital Fort Knox, I highly recommend McAfee. The security platform is famous for its powerful protection (and infamous for how often it is preinstalled in new laptops). There are two main versions of McAfee: McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee+. The former is antivirus software, while the latter offers so much more.

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McAfee+ comes with a VPN, personal data cleanup to remove sensitive information from the internet, a password manager, and identify theft coverage up to $1 million. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. In 2024, McAfee introduced a new feature to combat threats from generative AI. Aptly named Deepfake Detector, this tool actively monitors what is playing on a computer and will alert you if the audio has been altered in some way by artificial intelligence.

Who it’s for: McAfee Total Protection is one of the best antivirus programs out there, and I would highly suggest it to professionals managing sensitive data across several devices. In addition to Windows machines, it provides protection to devices running iOS, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS. Families and users worried about emerging AI threats or identity theft will appreciate everything it offers.

Who should look elsewhere: I consider McAfee to be one of the best antivirus programs out there (if not the best) in terms of the level of protection it provides. But the main reason it’s not at the top of the list is that it’s expensive. Prices start at $90 a month for McAfee+, and that’s with the discount.

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Why we like it: As someone who plays a lot of video games, there’s nothing more annoying than getting notifications from my antivirus app that block my view. Avast One is perfect for people like me because of its Do Not Disturb mode, which stops all notifications from hitting your screen. This includes messages from Windows, other apps, and even the software itself. What’s particularly neat is that the feature is included in the free version of Avast One. Text in the app points out how it can “eliminate distractions”, allowing users to experience “uninterrupted gaming sessions [and] movie marathons”.

Naturally, there is more to Avast One than just its one feature. The software can cover up to six different family members in a household with 30 devices between them. Avast One also monitors your social media profiles, looking for any potential signs of account hacking. And the company offers up to $2 million in coverage in the event of an identity theft. That’s twice as much as what McAfee offers.

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Who it’s for: Avast One is perfect for anyone who wants zero interruptions while playing games, watching movies, or working. Families also benefit from the software’s multi-device, multi-user coverage. It alone can provide up to 30 devices at the same time. If that’s not enough, it’s pretty cheap too. You can get the Silver subscription for as low as $3 a month.

Who should look elsewhere: While the free version of Avast One is a generous package, some of its most advanced features are locked behind the most expensive plans. Power users wanting an all-in-one security suite with deep customization options may find this program too limiting.

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Why we like it: Initially, I hesitated to include Windows Security on this list because I assumed the first-party software wouldn’t be very good. But the more I used it, the more I realized it is a solid antivirus option that deserves a spot.

It’s perfectly capable of protecting users from online threats. Windows Security provides real-time protection against malware and device monitoring. It comes with its very own firewall courtesy of Windows Defender, making Windows Security one of the few free options to have a firewall. Most companies lock this feature behind a subscription cost. I should mention that some of the tools can only be used with Microsoft Edge. One of these is Isolated Browsing, which opens an “isolated browsing environment” on the browser to actively protect people from online threats.

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Who it’s for: Windows Security is a perfectly fine antivirus program for people who want basic online protection and don’t want to pay for a subscription or install extra apps. It is an integral part of Windows 11, so it is easy on resources. Certain aspects, such as its antivirus feature, utilize Microsoft’s cloud computing tech to provide constant safety.

Who should look elsewhere: Windows Security is pretty barebones for an antivirus program. It lacks advanced features like schedules scans, identity theft protection, and an integrated VPN. Plus, to get the best possible protection, you have to use Microsoft Edge. Third-party browsers won’t get the same level of support.

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Why we like it: The presence of uBlock Origin on this list may seem strange. After all, it’s not an antivirus program; it’s an ad blocker. However, I would argue that this browser extension is so good at its job that it should be recognized as an antivirus tool.

Much of uBlock Origin’s effectiveness is tied to its filters. These features actively prevent malware, advertisements, spyware, and more from attacking users. The lists it utilizes can be found on the official GitHub page. One of them, the Malicious URL Blocklist, is massive. Everything on that page is constantly being stopped by the extensions, allowing you to browse the internet peacefully. And it sees frequent updates, so uBlock Origin is always at the top of its game.

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Who it’s for: uBlock Origin is a good choice for people who want lightweight, browser-level protection. The extension actively stops malware-infested ads, sketchy redirects, and tracking scripts. Tech-savvy users will appreciate the light customization options. You can add extra filters to uBlock Origin, enabling it to block even more online threats, or you could lessen the restrictions to allow certain elements to pass through.

Who should look elsewhere: As stated earlier, uBlock Origin is not a proper antivirus program, so it doesn’t provide full system-wide protection. It is limited to just browsers. Also, due to changes in Chrome, the original version no longer works on Google’s browser. uBlock Origin Lite is a decent substitute; however, it isn’t as robust.

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Because it shields your online identity at an affordable price, Malwarebytes is hands-down the best antivirus program for Windows machines in 2025. Below is a brief table comparing it to the rest of the list.

Best antivirus software	Starting price	Scheduled scanning	Phishing protection	Notable feature
Malwarebytes	$44.99/yr	Yes	Yes	Private VPN
Bitdefender Total Security	$59.99/yr	Yes	Yes	Cryptomining protection
TotalAV	$29.99/yr	Yes	Yes	System tune-up
McAfee+	$89.99/yr	Yes	Yes	Deepfake Detector
Avast One	$35.88/yr	Yes	Yes	Do Not Disturb Mode
Windows Security	Free	Yes	Yes	Firewall
uBlock Origin	Free	No	Yes	Robust ad blocking

Finding the right antivirus app can take a surprising amount of work. You have to consider whether or not you’re happy with the free version or if you should cough up some money for a premium subscription. At that point, you have another choice to make: should you pay for an antivirus program with many features or opt for something simpler?

These are questions that must be answered. Below is a table briefly explaining each recommendation and why you should get it. The following information can help narrow down your search.

Choose this antivirus software…	If you want…
Malwarebytes	The best antivirus program for Windows. It provides strong protection against malware, and the service offers security recommendations.
Bitdefender Total Security	The most robust antivirus for Windows. This app comes loaded with features from anti-spam filtering to a password manager.
TotalAV	A low-cost software. For about $30, you’ll receive real-time protection against threats, plus a VPN.
McAfee+	The best AI protection. McAfee+ recently added two new features: Deepfake Detector, which can uncover audio produced by AI and Scam Detector to protect against scam emails.
Avast One	The best gaming antivirus. Do Not Disturb mode blocks all notifications and alerts, keeping your screen distraction free.
Windows Security	The best free antivirus software solution. Coming pre-installed on Windows PCs, the software comes with a free firewall, which not many programs have.
uBlock Origin	An ad-blocker for Windows. This is an open-source solution that lets people customize it to better suit user needs

When deciding on an antivirus app for your PC, you should consider the following:

Protection: Research the antivirus program’s protection features. You’ll need to find out whether the software can protect your computer from trojans, third-party trackers, and spyware, just to name a few.
Features: I suggest antivirus solutions with advanced features to help cover your bases. Some come bundled with a VPN, while others can have a firewall.
Resource usage: Antiviral apps can be quite demanding on hardware, so it’s essential to check whether your computer can run the software or if it will struggle. Some are better optimized than others.
User interface: In my experience, people don’t often think about an app’s user interface, but I find it a deeply underrated feature. A good UI means the software is easy to navigate and understand, which, in turn, bolsters device safety.
Price: Many antivirus developers offer a free version of their software that protects users against threats but may lack robust features like firewalls. Paid plans are an option, but ensure the costs fit within your budget and be wary of any subscription hikes.

I considered multiple factors when creating this list, and they include:

Performance: Performance is arguably the most important aspect of an antivirus program. You need an app that actively protects you and can quickly detect malware on your system while also limiting any negative impact on your workflow.
Features: With so many threats lurking on the internet, I looked for products with the right set of features to protect people. Real-time scanning is necessary as it actively scans your computer’s files when accessed. Other tools like firewalls and VPNs are nice additions.
User interface: To repeat what I said earlier, good UIs are underrated. I give a lot of credit to software that is easy to use because it means the barrier of entry is lower. Being able to understand something enhances its efficacy.
Price: Paying for a security service improves your computer’s security, but I don’t believe you should pay an arm and a leg for peace of mind. For that reason, I hunted apps with paid plans that are worth the cost. Of course, if you don’t want to pay, Microsoft’s very own Windows Security offers decent protection.
Customer support: There’s always a chance that you’ll encounter some sort of hiccup or issue when using one of these programs. Developers with good customer support can help you troubleshoot if you do and improve your relationship with the software. It’s not uncommon to hear people uninstall apps because of bad customer service.

Artificial intelligence will be the future of antivirus programs. The technology will play an increasingly important role in protecting sensitive data, and we’re already seeing machine learning being implemented. OmniDefender is a robust antiviral app that features “AI-driven threat detection”.

According to the developer’s official website, artificial intelligence powers scans to detect zero-day exploits. The idea is that users will be able to “stop… advanced cyber attacks before they spread.” Things don’t stop there as AI is used to boost malware detection and the service’s own VPN tool. Currently, OmniDefender is still in development — it’s not ready for release yet.

However, upon release, three versions will be available for download: one will be free, and the other two will be subscription-based. Each one will offer an AI Custom Scan, although the paid versions will offer unlimited “AI-powered conversations”.

Absolutely. In fact, I would argue that having an antivirus program on your computer is more important now than ever before. Technology improves over time, and unfortunately, that includes viruses, too. Bad actors are always enhancing their malware.

It’s vital that users stay vigilant. In addition to downloading an antivirus, I urge people to install Windows patches as soon as they arrive. These patches commonly include security updates to protect against new online threats.

Windows Defender provides all the protection you’ll need to ward off malware. It comes with a firewall, Smart App Control, plus support for reputation-based protection for defending users against websites and apps known to be malicious. However, it’s not all-powerful.

The software doesn’t match up to paid services that provide better protection. I recommend downloading a third-party antivirus like Bitdefender alongside Windows Defender to provide extra security and cover your bases.

You don’t need more than one antivirus software on your computer. Antivirus programs demand a lot of resources from the host computer, and having multiple security programs simultaneously will cause a performance slowdown.

As Asus explains on its website, installing multiple apps slows systems down and can also cause errors, leading to “protection mechanisms failing due to conflicts”. In fact, Windows could become unstable, resulting in BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors.

Any one of the entries on the list will be a good fit for any laptop. You can’t go wrong with any of them, although I would opt for apps that are easy on the computer’s resources. Stress on the hardware can drain the battery quickly on top of causing slowdown. I suggest sticking with Windows Security as your primary defensive software and Malwarebytes as a backup.

No, they’re not. Free versions of antiviral programs provide basic protection against common threats, whereas paid software delivers more advanced security. Bitdefender is a perfect example of this.

Bitdefender Free Antivirus guards computers from phishing attacks and fraudsters. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus bumps up safety by adding the ability to encrypt personal files, block web trackers, and check your system for vulnerabilities. Things improve with Bitdefender Total Security because it adds a password manager and VPN.