Best Antivirus for Windows 10: Defend Against Malware

Free antivirus programs do not cost anything to install or maintain, though you may have to re-register yearly. Be sure to consider our list of the best antivirus programs for other excellent tools we recommend. While running antivirus software can consume system resources and potentially slow down your computer, most modern antivirus programs are designed to minimize their impact on system performance.

Most of the key Avast protections are also available, such as scanning new files added to your system, watching for malicious behavior from installed programs, a web browsing shield, and an email shield. We also made sure they weren’t resource hogs, because software that slows down your PC is a pain in the rear, even when it’s free. You can’t go wrong with any of them, although I would opt for apps that are easy on the computer’s resources. As Asus explains on its website, installing multiple apps can slow down systems and cause errors, leading to “protection mechanisms failing due to conflicts”. Antivirus programs demand a lot of resources from the host computer, and having multiple security programs simultaneously will cause a performance slowdown.

Most antivirus companies don’t provide full lists of the specific companies that information is shared with, but you should at least be able to see the types of companies (like email marketing services and payment processors). This is one of the few options on the list offering month-to-month subscriptions, a model that’s confoundingly rare in the antivirus market. If you’re choosing antivirus software bundled with other services like identity monitoring, it’s even more crucial to ensure you’re signing up for quality services. If you want to explore more, check out our guides on the best malware removal services, the best antivirus protection for Windows, and the best free antivirus software. This adds data removal services from Incogni, which deletes your information from company databases and people search sites. Pricing depends on how many devices you’re covering and whether the plan includes extras like a VPN or identity theft protection.

However, it’s important to vet the antivirus software you use by reading reviews from trusted sources so you understand the companies’ trustworthiness and the products’ effectiveness. For most people, the best free antivirus is the one already built into your computer (Microsoft Defender for Windows and XProtect for MacOS). We pay close attention to how easy it is to perform these scans, the system resources (mainly CPU) they use and how long they take. As such, they’ve been subjected to the same testing process, starting with an analysis of background usage while performing regular activities like browsing the internet.

However, you can also try out the free 30-day subscriptions before you choose a plan. A lesser- softmesa.com/en known entry on the list, F-Secure Internet Security is a good pick if you’ve tried the big names and still want something different. The entry-level Antivirus app ($29.99) only covers desktop PCs.

**Ideal for essential virus defense**

AVG offers a free virus scanner and malware removal tool which takes seconds to install. Our top score means you know you’re in good hands with our PC security software. Open the setup file, approve, and run the installation. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

The Extras Worth Having on Windows

Each month, we stop over 1.5 billion cyberattacks all around the globe thanks to an unrivaled threat detection network, which is why professionals and amateurs alike love our free and paid antivirus protection. We’ve added 25 new accolades in the past two years to the hundreds we’ve won since we started in 1991 — so you know you’re in good hands. But it’s got more to offer than improved detection.

**Our review of alternative antivirus plans**

In fact, I would argue that having an antivirus program on your computer is more important now than ever before. OmniDefender is a robust antiviral app that features “AI-driven threat detection.” Below is a brief table comparing it to the rest of the list. Because it shields your online identity at an affordable price, Malwarebytes is hands-down the best antivirus program for Windows machines in 2025. You don’t have to tweak the features or install some random extension.

**Bitdefender’s malware identification performance during evaluations**

Unfortunately, Avira’s antivirus used enormous amounts of resources — 80% to 90% of my CPU — during active scans I ran while testing it. Additionally, Avira used a lot of my system resources, to the point where scans actively interfered with my daily activities. AVG’s core antivirus and safe browser can be accessed for free, giving you more protection than the free version of Bitdefender, which only includes the antivirus. Furthermore, AVG’s identity theft insurance caps out at $1 million, so people with particularly high assets might want to choose a company like Bitdefender or Malwarebytes.

Bitdefender is the one I would install on an older machine without hesitating, because 11% CPU and 183 MB is roughly a third of what Norton asks and its 97.6% offline detection is the best here. In June 2024 the US Department of Commerce barred Kaspersky from selling software or issuing updates to US persons on supply chain grounds, and the company withdrew from the market. Telemetry normally covers file hashes, detection events, suspicious URLs and system configuration.

You don’t need an antivirus for your iPhone—unless your iPhone is jailbroken, iPhone security apps can’t even see what other apps you have installed on your phone. An older version of an antivirus program may not be receiving definition updates, which means it won’t spot new viruses. You should absolutely leave Microsoft’s antivirus running if you don’t want to install another one. Antivirus software runs in the background on your device, scanning everything in real time for viruses, worms, Trojans, and other types of malware.

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. After all, it’s not an antivirus program; it’s an ad blocker. But the main reason it’s not at the top of the list is that it’s expensive. ZDNET’s experts carefully test multiple antivirus programs on Windows, putting them through the wringer to provide you with the best software advice. While many antivirus programs promise robust protection, choosing the right one is surprisingly difficult. These services protect your PC from malware and keep you safe from online threats.

Moreover, Bitdefender’s comprehensive cybersecurity tools include tools for safer browsing, data monitoring and identity theft protection. Malwarebytes offers identity theft protection to some folks outside of the US, so it may have an advantage for select international users. The biggest difference for most people is the better value of Bitdefender’s family plans, which cover 25 devices instead of Malwarebytes’ 20 devices. Malwarebytes is a little better for international users who want identity theft protection, while Bitdefender is a better choice for family plans. Avast One free is the best free antivirus for Windows 11 that also covers a phone, and the build AV-TEST certified at a perfect score.