The best antivirus software to protect your computer in 2026
ZDNET experts put every product through rigorous testing and research to curate the best options for you. Our favorite antivirus software protects your PC, laptop, and mobile devices from malware without costing a fortune.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites.
Antivirus software helps keep your computer safe from bad guys who try to steal your information or mess up your computer. It's like having a superhero on your computer, watching out for you and keeping you safe.
Analysis
Top Picks for Antivirus Software in 2026
While today's OS defenses are better than they were a decade or so ago, it's still useful to have standalone, dedicated antivirus software for your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile devices. This allows you to run real-time scans if you think you might be infected with malware like ransomware, Trojans, and worms.
The kind of protection you can expect from antivirus software today goes far beyond basic, signature-based scanning. Antivirus software, such as those on offer by Bitdefender, Norton, Malwarebytes, and Avast, can also provide you with real-time online monitoring that warns you when you visit a phishing website. These programs also alert when your sensitive information and passwords have been leaked in new data breaches. They may also offer a VPN to protect your online communication and activity, and can even help clean up your devices, wiping away junk and legacy files.
For our August 2026 update, we reviewed our top picks and updated our guide to include new features, new use cases, and pricing. We also answered more of your frequent questions concerning antivirus software.
What to Look for in Antivirus Software
When choosing the best antivirus software for your needs, there are several factors to consider. These include the level of protection offered, the ease of use, and the cost. You should also consider the features offered by the software, such as real-time online monitoring and VPN protection.
Our Top Picks for Antivirus Software
Our overall pick for the best antivirus is Bitdefender Total Security. This multi-platform software protects your personal data, including passwords and financial details. It handles advanced security threats and stops them from wreaking havoc on your system, all for $30 per year. We also recommend Norton's affordable solution for users who need a highly rated antivirus for a single device at $30 per year. ESET Protect is our pick for business customers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having standalone, dedicated antivirus software for your desktop PC, laptop, and mobile devices is still useful today. Our top picks for antivirus software offer a range of features and protection levels, and can help keep your devices and personal data safe from malware and other cyber threats.
Key points
- ZDNET experts put every product through rigorous testing and research to curate the best options for you.
- Our favorite antivirus software protects your PC, laptop, and mobile devices from malware without costing a fortune.
- Bitdefender Total Security is our overall pick for the best antivirus software.
- Norton Antivirus Plus is our pick for the best affordable antivirus software.
- ESET Protect is our pick for business customers.
If you choose the right antivirus software, you can rest assured that your computer and personal data are protected from malware and other cyber threats. This can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other things.
If you don't choose the right antivirus software, you may be vulnerable to malware and other cyber threats. This can lead to problems such as data breaches, identity theft, and system crashes.
