The best antivirus software for 2021

While modern operating systems do an outstanding job of protecting against malware and viruses, the world of malicious software is a rapidly evolving one, and now random acts of destruction that were once the goal of viruses have been replaced with identity theft, phishing, ransomware, and intercepting internet traffic.
Sometimes it feels heartening to know that antivirus providers are out there fighting the good fight - constantly updating their internet security software packages to protect against ever-increasing threats to your online life. The best antivirus choices combine watertight virus protection, extra features to keep you safe from scams, and are an absolute doddle to install and use.
If you're looking for the best antivirus protection and antivirus software, malware protection or virus detection that offer broad internet security coverage across all your devices, including from ransomware and phishing, or need to remove a computer virus or malware from your PC right now? Here's where to start.

The best 6 antivirus software today

1. Bitdefender Total Security

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). It combines watertight security tools with an array of other excellent security features:

• Top-level threat detection to stop sophisticated malware

• Multi-layer ransomware protection

• Rescue Environment for removal of sophisticated malware such as rootkits

• Secure VPN for online privacy, limited to 200MB/day/device

• Battery Mode for reduced power consumption on laptops

• Advanced parental controls

• Minimal impact on your system performance

It’s also really easy to use and, best of all, offers extremely good. 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.

2. Norton

Norton uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features included in it are e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection. There are also extras you don’t normally get with other antivirus applications, including a bundled backup tool which offers 2GB of online storage (it’s very user-friendly, too, ensuring that backing up is a breeze), and some useful PC maintenance utilities.
Norton AntiVirus runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. Windows 7 support was in development for versions 2006 through 2008. Version 2009 has Windows 7 supported update already. Versions 2010, 2011, and 2012 all natively support Windows 7, without needing an update. Version 12 is the only version fully compatible with Mac OS X Lion. With the 2015 series of products, Symantec made changes in its portfolio and briefly discontinued Norton AntiVirus.
Norton has five primary antivirus/identity theft protection packages 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.

3. Kaspersky Antivirus

Kaspersky really does the basics brilliantly. Kaspersky Anti-Virus features include real-time protection, detection and removal of viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, adware, keyloggers, malicious tools and auto-dialers, as well as detection and removal of rootkits. It combines one of the world's top-rated malware-detection engines with a ton of useful features. Kaspersky Internet Security introduces an intelligent firewall (which hardly ever bothers you with any queries), plus a secure browser, and it offers coverage for Macs, along with Android and iOS mobile devices.
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).
Kaspersky Anti-Virus lacks certain features found in Kaspersky Internet Security. These missing features include a personal firewall, HIPS, Secure Keyboard, AntiSpam, AntiBanner and parental control tools. Also, Kaspersky, like the majority of its competitors, is incompatible with many other anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

4.Trend Micro

Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security offers simple but effective protection, with a user-friendly interface that spells out its various options in plain English without resorting to confusing jargon. Another strong suit is the fact that this antivirus is currently top dog when it comes to blocking phishing sites (according to AV-Comparatives), and it provides great web browsing protection including Pay Guard as a secure environment for the likes of online banking.
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.

5. McAfee Antivirus

McAfee Total Protection is antivirus purpose-built to detect and destroy threats like viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware and others. McAfee Antivirus offers a variety of ways to scan for threats. Real-time scanning, when turned on, scans files whenever they are accessed, which helps to protect your computer while you are using it, while keeping resource consumption to a minimum. On-demand scanning provides flexibility to scan comprehensively or selectively.
You can access these scans within the product itself (via Quick Scan or Full Scan) or by right clicking on a file/folder to scan specific items.

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).
When you purchase a qualifying McAfee antivirus suite and opt-in for automatic renewal, you will gain access to Virus Protection Pledge. With this, you have our 100% Guarantee that if a supported device gets a virus, a McAfee expert will remove it, and if they can’t, they will offer a refund on your purchase price. From the moment you subscribe, you can rest easy knowing that they’re here to help keep your devices virus-free with their multi-layered protection.

6. 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.
One difference from many of its competitors is that ESET packages are priced to protect a specific number of devices, which means you pay only for the protection that you need. For instance, if you need to protect six devices, that's what you'll pay for whereas some other companies would require you pay to cover up to 10 devices.
All three of ESET's antivirus packages are powered by ESET NOD32 Antivirus technology, which is thoroughly explained on its website. ESET even offers a downloadable white paper that provides details about when and how threats are detected and/or blocked by ESET's technologies. Moreover, the software includes 150 different different settings to fine-tune protections to suit specific users.
Pros:

• Plans priced to cover a specific number of devices
• Variety of extra functions and features included in basic package
• Website features detailed definitions and explanations of protection technologies

Cons:

• No identity theft monitoring
• VPN not included in any package or sold separately

Each entry in this list has been carefully chosen for its business features. Each one of these features offers improvements to your device’s native security systems. Because the more secure your device is, the less likely you are to expose your credit card numbers, your login information, and all of your sensitive data to internet hackers. The best business antivirus software will have enterprise-level protection against threats, but that doesn't mean they have to cost a lot of money, either. After read this article, it’s actually pretty easy to find the right antivirus software for you.