Top10Antivirus

Best Antivirus Software For Windows PC in 2024

The best antivirus for securing your Windows PC or laptop and protecting your personal data - tested and reviewed by our experts. By clicking on the product name in the list below you can easily get updated prices, technical specs and additional info about each product. All antivirus programs in our list have been tested and found compatible with Windows OS.

Advertiser Disclosure

product of the year 2024
Save 84%
up1
TotalAV

Award-winning antivirus. Trusted by 25 million users around the world.

  • In 2024 TotalAV ranked No1 in AV-TEST industry testing scores
  • Multi-level virus protection and outstanding detection rate
  • Includes VPN, Firewall and many other security enhancements
  • Unbeatable in terms of Value-For-Money
TotalAV 2024 Special Deal: SAVE 84% off today!
9.8
Best Overall
$119.00
Only $19.00
Visit Website
TotalAV 2024 Special Deal: SAVE 84% off today!
Save 58%
2
Norton

Norton is one of the most well-known brands in the competitive antivirus business - and with good reason...

  • Protect your PC, Mac® or mobile device
  • Won the 'Best Protection Award' from AV-TEST
  • Virus Protection Promise (Money Back Guarantee)
  • Best Parental Control features
9.5
Great
$119.99
From $49.99
Visit Website
Save 55%
3down
Panda

Advanced machine learning antivirus with many added features at an incredible price + a FREE VPN. Highly recommended new security package!

  • Highest levels of protection
  • A free VPN included in every package
  • Clean user interface
  • No performance impact
9.3
Very Good
$59.99
From $27.00
Visit Website
Save 50%
up4
Bitdefender

Bitdefender security solutions are constantly collecting top marks from various testing centers worldwide.

  • PC MAG Editor's Choice - 6 years in a row!
  • Absolute security for Windows, Android, Mac® and iOS
  • 500 million satisfied users worldwide
  • Parental control offers parents additional online security
9.1
Very Good
$84.98
From $42.49
Visit Website
Save 84%
5
PC Protect

This 'ultimate antivirus' offers an antivirus engine, real-time protection, firewall, ad blocking, disk cleaning, startup program management, a browser manager and more.

  • One of the most accurate malware detectors
  • Received 4.6/5 Trustscore on Trustpilot (from 673 reviews)
  • Offers tune-up tools for optimizing system performance
  • Does not hog resources or slow you down, even on an old PC
8.8
Very Good
$119.00
From $19.00
Visit Website
Save 50%
6
Avast

Avast protects your computer well and contains several important security tools to keep your system free from viruses and hackers.

  • Excellent Scores in Third-Party Lab Testing
  • Very good free version of the software
  • E-Mails without spam - keeps your inbox clean
  • Gamer mode is a must if you play many games online
8.6
Very Good
$99.99
From $49.99
Visit Website
Save 50%
7
AVG

AVG Antivirus is an award-winning anti-malware solution. It provides on-the-go protection and tons of extra features without compromising your computer’s performance.

  • Trusted by 435 million users worldwide
  • Excellent Trustpilot rating of 4.3 from 14,322 reviews
  • Offers webcam and ransomware protection
  • Enjoy a 60-day free trial!
8.5
Good
$99.99
From $49.99
Visit Website

Here's why you need antivirus software for Windows PC security


Think about it this way, would you leave your front door wide open at night? Doing so would be like an open invitation to intruders and burglars. In the same manner, leaving your Windows PC unprotected will attract all sorts of malicious threats - viruses, botnets, DDoS attacks, ransomware, malware infection, phishing, among others.


Your free antivirus program is not sufficient for PC protection


Being the most popular operating system in the world certainly makes Windows a magnet for viruses and malware. Thankfully, every PC from Windows Version 8 and up now comes with a built-in free antivirus called Windows Defender. But the question is, is it even enough? Is it able to fend off serious threats such as ransomware and spyware? Is it good enough on its own or would you need to bundle it with yet another free software?

The reality is that you can’t really rely on free antivirus software to keep your computer and personal info safe. Even the enhanced Microsoft Defender version that comes pre-installed on your Windows 10 is not entirely foolproof.

Studies also showed that Defender lags behind other antivirus software when it comes to protection against ransomware and zero-day attacks. It also failed to block malware as it was coming in and there were instances when the malware scans failed altogether. Another thing is that it lacks all the useful extras that now come with other antivirus solutions: password manager, parental control, backup up options, and more.

Just like any free antivirus program, Defender does basic cybersecurity protection but we wouldn’t trust it to keep our devices 100% protected. After all, our computers are chock-full of sensitive information such as passwords, credit card info, bank account details, and personal photos. Decent Internet Security for Windows now costs less than $40 per year on average so you're better off getting protection than risk everything just to pinch a few pennies.


What to look for in decent antivirus software for Windows


Choosing the best antivirus solution can be an overwhelming task with so many options available. Considering that your online identity, personal data, and financial information are at stake, it’s definitely not something to be hasty about. In general, there are a few factors we consider important regardless of your individual needs.

First of all, you need something that offers 24/7 protection through constant updates and automatic scans. This guarantees the maximum detection rate so you can detect the presence of any malware or adware before it’s too late.

It is also worth noting that phishing and ransomware attacks are often sent through attachments and email links. Your spam filter is usually able to keep most of these phishing emails out of your inbox but not all. Thus, it is important to have antivirus software that offers an extra layer of protection to prevent phishing attacks.

Another thing that should be on your checklist is compatibility. There are antivirus programs that work best on Mac and others that are more suitable for Windows devices. If you’re a Windows user, make sure you are choosing the right version for your specific OS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need antivirus software if I already have Windows Defender?

Yes. Windows Defender is a standard antivirus protection plan that comes with Windows 10 and while it’s certainly better than no protection, it’s not enough to give you optimal protection. Because it is so common and works the same for every computer, it has made it that much easier for cybercriminals to predict and circumvent, which may leave you vulnerable to attacks.


What else do I get from a paid antivirus software that I’m not already getting from Windows Defender?

While Microsoft’s built-in security software has improved quite a lot in recent years, it still doesn’t offer the same arsenal of protection that the best third-party vendors do. For example, many antivirus packages nowadays offer handy extras such as backup protection, a password manager, parental controls, security for your mobile and tablet, and even a built-in VPN. In terms of protection against threats like viruses, malware, and spyware, Microsoft Defender is OK, but certainly not the best. Often, high-quality antivirus suites provide far more protection and will do a better job at keeping you and your computer safe.


Do I need to turn off Windows Defender when running another antivirus software?

Not necessarily. Most of the antivirus software we recommend on this page is compatible with Microsoft Defender and should not cause any issues. It can run simultaneously with your paid antivirus plan.

Disclaimer

Top10Antivirus.Review is offered as a free service. We are reader-supported and only receive commissions from the Antivirus companies we recommend on this page if you click our links and make a purchase via our site. This impacts the ranking, score, and order in which the services we work with (and their products) are presented. Antivirus listings on this site DO NOT imply endorsement. We do not feature all of the available Antivirus providers, only those we have reviewed. We try to keep all of the information on this site as up-to-date and fresh as possible, but cannot guarantee that this will always be the case. All prices quoted on this site are based on USD so there could be slight discrepancies due to currency fluctuations.