The best antivirus (AV) software program isn’t an easy task. Considerations include the number of devices you would like to protect, what features are most important and if the program will consume too many system resources. It is crucial to avoid false positives, which are tools that incorrectly identify safe programs and block them. The good news is that there’s a lot of reliable programs to choose from with some of them being cheaper than others.
Our chart of antivirus comparisons provides a quick overview by displaying aggregated scores for security, performance, and False Positives based on independent lab tests. You can filter the results to search for specific antivirus tools by name, or compare options using a variety of criteria. Included are the cost, the number of devices that are protected and, if applicable, an annual subscription fee.
Some of the most well-known names in AV industry include Avast, AVG, ESET and Trend Micro. Avast’s free AV tool is widely used and AVG has a great subscription-based product that includes a wealth of additional features. ESET offers a suite of tools that offer a variety of options, including protections for networks that are usually included in more expensive antivirus software. Some users are concerned about the recent scandal involving data sharing and marketing.
Trend Micro is another reputable name which is known for its top-of-the-line Mac malware detection. The basic free vpn antivirus program offered by the company is relatively cheap and its Internet Security Maximum Security option adds in the ability to manage passwords and secure vaults for files.