Page Contents
Protecting your PC is a top priority for most users; however, it can also be frustrating trying to figure out which ones are the best. There are probably some names you have heard, such as Norton or McAfee are of course among the top 10 antivirus software for PC, but there may be others you have not heard of, such as Kaspersky or Bitdefender.
Norton and McAfee often come pre-loaded on PCs but sometimes when you may want to use something else, these options will be useful. The pre-loaded applications often come with short trials, but then the fees begin to add up. If you are looking for some good antivirus software, check out the following antivirus software, listed alphabetically.
Avast is an older name in antivirus software. They also own the AVG brand of products. Though they have recently came under fire recently for using and selling customer data, they have publicly stated that they have ended the practice.
According to the Avast website, Avast works for PC, Mac, Apple and Android products. The free version includes virus protection in real-time, while the premium version blocks fake sites, ransomware and webcam hacking. There is also firewall protection, and protection of internet connections available. The free version and paid version goes for 69.99/year for 1 pc and 89.99/year for 10 devices respectively.
Avast is the one that I usually use for my pc and laptop at home. For a free antivirus tool, this software is well-equipped with the features that I want, and its web and email protection and its browser plugin that warns you of spammy links are useful too. However, what I don’t like is that for certain features, such as protection and privacy, only a few of the features are available in the free edition, and the majority are all for premium users.
AVG Antivirus software is developed by AVG Technologies, a subsidiary of Avast above. It provides free virus protection for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android but for technical support, a premium plan needs to be purchased. Prices start from $49.99 per year for AVG Internet Security and goes up to $79.99 per year for AVG Ultimate for up to 10 devices.
Although AVG features most of the common features available in modern antivirus and internet security programmes such as scans of emails, repair of virus-infected files and quarantine virus vault, it has stopped providing updates for older Windows XP and Windows Vista. Its best feature is perhaps its LinkScanner, a technology which allows real-time updated protection against exploits and drive-by downloads and includes a safe search component that scans the contents of a website in real-time.
Like most programs, Avira offers home and business protections. The home protections come in multiple plans and a tiered pricing format. The pro plan goes for $44.99 per year, with a privacy protection, ad blocking, safe surfing, and real-time antivirus protection, while the security plan
goes for $99.99 per year, with the pro and prime versions come with features such as password storage, protection of online accounts, software repairs, secure payment, anonymous web surfing, premium mobile apps and more, depending on your package.
What I like about Avira is its customization potential, add-ons and firewall manager, but I don’t like the fact that it only can handle basic malware protection and many of its so-called free features are actually just trials. Also, it has a heavy impact on my pc’s system performance.
Bitdefender is newer to worldwide use but has been in business since 2001 in Romania. They can be accessed through their website. They have free, home, and business tools available.
The Internet Security plan is $39.98 per year, with Windows antivirus protection, upgrades and support for 3 devices, the total security plan for Mac, Android and iOS is $44.99 per year for 5 devices, while the family plan goes for $99.99 per year for up to 15 devices.
Though new, Bitdefender is probably one of the better antivirus software for your pc on the market. It works great for all operating systems and not just Windows and they even have plans for Mac, iOS and Android users. Its strength against malware and ransomware is also one of the strongest among all the antivirus software for pc because it keeps a bank of every new virus it detects, and instantly remove it.
Cylance is associated with Blackberry products and has a unique website. They boast that all plans cover the same thing, they just add more devices as they increase in price.
Some notable features include cloud-based supercomputers, rapid detection and protection against new malware. Prices range from $29 per year for 1 device to $69 and $99 per year for 5 and 10 devices respectively.
Cylance is a light-weight software and does not use a lot of system resources in order to keep your pc safe. Easy to install, it works well with new virus threats. Overall, PCMag gave Cylance 89% for threat detection, which is a good rating, but not as high as some of the bigger names in the antivirus software industry.
However, it has been reported to block many software that are used daily in some companies. Cylance has itself said that it does not aim to be a spam filter, firewall or pop-up blocker, but just a reliable solution for antivirus protection.
Eset offers home and business plans, like many other companies. They allow some plan customization in that you can decide how many devices you need to cover rather than having a set number through the plan. They offer three plans with add-ons for more devices or complex needs.
The antivirus plan is $39.99 per year and it comes with virus and spyware protection, phishing protection, gamer mode, advanced scanners and protections, “UEFI Scanner”, exploit blocker and ransomware while the Internet Security plan is $49.99 per year, which includes the features above plus payment protection, firewall, spam, network and botnet protection, parental controls, webcam and home monitoring features and anti-theft feature. There is also an Ultimate plan at $59.99 per year with all of the above plus password manager and data security.
Eset’s antivirus software does not slow down your pc’s system, and I like its ability to scan fast as well as its file encryption and webcam protection features. However, it does not offer as good a protection against viruses as the other antivirus software solutions in the market and does lack some features that the other brands offer.
This UK based company was founded in 1997 and opened its US labs in 2004. They have plans for home or business and even separate the business plans based upon business size.
As of this writing, they are having a sale for new customers, but their regular prices are reflected here. Their home plans are tiered, with the Antivirus plan at $59.99 per year with 3 pcs included, and ransomware and virus protection. Their Internet Security plan goes for $79.99 per year on 3 devices, plus pc, mac and mobile compatibility and privacy and online shopping protections. There is a top-tier plan Total Security at $99.99 per year on 5 devices, with all the features above as well as safe kids package, password storage and management and file protection.
Kaspersky is probably one of the world’s best-known antivirus software out there, and the strongest. Customers love its powerful real-time malware protection, easy-to-use interface, cloud protection, VPN, password manager and the fact that it does not heavy-load your pc system too. However, I’ll take note of the company’s privacy policy and data collection practices, which has come under scrutiny a few years before.
This UK based company was founded in 1997 and opened its US labs in 2004. They have plans for home or business and even separate the business plans based upon business size.
As of this writing, they are having a sale for new customers, but their regular prices are reflected here. Their home plans are tiered, with the Antivirus plan at $59.99 per year with 3 pcs included, and ransomware and virus protection. Their Internet Security plan goes for $79.99 per year on 3 devices, plus pc, mac and mobile compatibility and privacy and online shopping protections. There is a top-tier plan Total Security at $99.99 per year on 5 devices, with all the features above as well as safe kids package, password storage and management and file protection.
Kaspersky is probably one of the world’s best-known antivirus software out there, and the strongest. Customers love its powerful real-time malware protection, easy-to-use interface, cloud protection, VPN, password manager and the fact that it does not heavy-load your pc system too. However, I’ll take note of the company’s privacy policy and data collection practices, which has come under scrutiny a few years before.
Scam Vigilante
Sharing and exposing online scams to keep everyone safe online!
