Top 10 Antivirus Software in 2023

Antivirus Product Overview

Discover the top 10 antivirus software in 2023 to protect your devices from malware, viruses, and cyber threats.

We’ve compiled a list of the best antivirus programs to keep your data and devices safe, including both free and paid options.

Norton 360 Deluxe

Norton 360 Deluxe offers comprehensive protection for your devices, including real-time threat protection, a password manager, a VPN, and a cloud backup feature. With its user-friendly interface and advanced security features, Norton 360 Deluxe is an excellent choice for comprehensive cybersecurity.

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender Total Security provides complete protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It offers multi-layer ransomware protection, a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls. Bitdefender consistently scores high in independent antivirus tests for its excellent detection rates and minimal impact on system performance.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection offers robust antivirus protection along with a suite of additional features, such as identity theft protection, a VPN, and a password manager. It also includes performance optimization tools to help keep your devices running smoothly.

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender, formerly known as Windows Defender, is the built-in antivirus solution for Windows 10 and 11. It provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing attacks. With continuous updates and integration with the Windows operating system, Microsoft Defender offers a reliable and free antivirus option for Windows users.

Kaspersky Total Security

Kaspersky Total Security is a top-tier antivirus solution that offers protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes a VPN, a password manager, and parental controls. Kaspersky is known for its excellent detection rates and low impact on system performance.

ESET Smart Security Premium

ESET Smart Security Premium offers a comprehensive security suite, including antivirus protection, a password manager, a secure file encryption tool, and a VPN. ESET’s antivirus engine consistently performs well in independent tests, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate.

Avast Premium Security

Avast Premium Security provides comprehensive protection for your devices, including real-time antivirus protection, a firewall, and a VPN. It also offers additional features such as a password manager and a webcam shield to protect your privacy. Avast’s antivirus engine is known for its excellent detection rates and low system impact.

AVG Internet Security

AVG Internet Security is a reliable antivirus solution that offers real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It includes a firewall, email protection, and a secure DNS feature to protect against malicious websites. AVG is well-regarded for its ease of use and effective antivirus engine.

Trend Micro Maximum Security

Trend Micro Maximum Security provides comprehensive protection for your devices, including real-time antivirus protection, a firewall, and parental controls. It also offers advanced AI learning technology to detect new and evolving threats quickly. Trend Micro is known for its high malware detection rates and minimal impact on system performance.

Malwarebytes Premium

Malwarebytes Premium offers an easy-to-use antivirus solution with real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It also includes a browser extension to protect against malicious websites. Malwarebytes is well-regarded for its excellent detection rates and lightweight design.

Table of features per product

Here’s a table of features for the top 10 antivirus software listed in the article:

This table provides a quick comparison of the key features of each antivirus software. Keep in mind that each software may have additional features not listed in this table, so it’s essential to visit their respective websites for more in-depth information.

Antivirus Product comparison based on type of attack

To provide a fair comparison of the antivirus products’ protection capabilities against various types of attacks, we have used AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs as the primary sources for determining their performance scores.

However, it’s essential to note that the scores given to these antivirus products can change with time due to regular updates, new tests, and evolving threat landscapes. Please check the respective testing organizations’ websites for the most up-to-date information.

Here’s a table of the protection capabilities for the top 10 antivirus software:

Sources:

1. AV-Test: https://www.av-test.org/en/
2. AV-Comparatives: https://www.av-comparatives.org/
3. SE Labs: https://selabs.uk/

It’s crucial to consider that each antivirus product may perform differently depending on the specific attack type and the device it is protecting. To get the best protection, it is essential to keep your antivirus software up-to-date and follow best practices for overall cybersecurity.

Antivirus Performance strain per product

To create a table comparing the performance impact of each antivirus product on a device, we have used AV-Test and AV-Comparatives as the primary sources. These organizations conduct regular tests to evaluate the system impact of antivirus software.

Please note that these scores can change over time due to updates and new tests. Always check the respective testing organizations’ websites for the most up-to-date information.

Here’s a table comparing the performance strain on a device for the top 10 antivirus software:

Sources:

1. AV-Test: https://www.av-test.org/en/
2. AV-Comparatives: https://www.av-comparatives.org/

The table above provides an approximation of the performance impact of each antivirus software on a device. Keep in mind that the actual performance strain may vary depending on the device’s hardware and software configurations. It’s crucial to choose an antivirus solution that provides robust protection without significantly affecting your device’s performance, choose wisely.

Antivirus – Top 3

Based on the information provided in the tables above, we have curated a top 3 list of the best antivirus tools in 2023 for both personal and business use. The ranking takes into account protection capabilities against various types of attacks, system performance impact, and the overall feature set.

Winner

1. Bitdefender Total Security takes the top spot due to its excellent protection capabilities, scoring a perfect 10 in overall protection. It provides comprehensive coverage against malware, ransomware, phishing, zero-day attacks, and potentially unwanted applications (PUA). Additionally, Bitdefender has a minimal impact on system performance, scoring 5.5/6 in the AV-Test and 99.1 in the AV-Comparatives performance test. It offers a wide range of features, including a VPN, password manager, and parental controls, making it an all-around top choice for antivirus protection for both individuals and businesses.

Runner-up

1. Kaspersky Total Security comes in second place, also offering exceptional protection capabilities with a perfect 10 in overall protection. It excels in defending against various types of attacks and has a low system performance impact, scoring 6.0/6 in the AV-Test and 99.7 in the AV-Comparatives performance test. Kaspersky provides a comprehensive suite of features, such as a VPN, password manager, and parental controls. While it offers similar protection and performance as Bitdefender, the overall feature set of Bitdefender gives it a slight edge in the ranking. Kaspersky’s business solutions also make it a strong contender for corporate environments.

Third Place

1. Norton 360 Deluxe ranks third due to its robust protection capabilities, scoring 9.9 in overall protection. It effectively protects against malware, ransomware, phishing, zero-day attacks, and PUA. Norton 360 Deluxe has a low system performance impact, scoring 5.5/6 in the AV-Test and 98.3 in the AV-Comparatives performance test. The software also comes with a comprehensive suite of features, including a VPN, password manager, and cloud backup. While Norton 360 Deluxe offers excellent protection and performance, Bitdefender and Kaspersky slightly outperform it in terms of protection capabilities. Norton’s business solutions also make it suitable for corporate use.

Special Mention:

Microsoft Defender, the built-in antivirus solution for Windows 10 and 11, deserves a special mention from a business perspective. While it may not score as highly as the top 3 in terms of protection capabilities (8.9 in overall protection) and system performance impact (moderate), it offers seamless integration with the Windows operating system and is available at no additional cost. For businesses, Microsoft Defender can provide a solid baseline of protection, especially when combined with other security measures, such as firewalls, security policies, and employee training. Its ease of use and integration with other Microsoft products make it an attractive option for businesses looking for a cost-effective antivirus solution.

Antivirus Conclusion

These top 3 antivirus tools, along with Microsoft Defender, provide robust protection against various types of cyber threats while maintaining low system performance impact. The combination of effective protection, minimal system strain, and a comprehensive feature set makes these antivirus solutions stand out among their competitors for both personal and business use.