There is no single best antivirus: there is the right one for how you use your devices. These are the four solutions we recommend, in order, with the precise reason each one is on this list.
1. Kaspersky Premium — the most complete
It scores best in independent lab detection tests, and the Premium plan covers practically everything: ransomware, protected payments, parental controls, VPN and password manager.
It is the right choice if there are several devices and several people at home, if you use Windows daily and if you bank online from your computer.
2. Malwarebytes Premium — the fastest at cleaning up
When a computer is already infected, full of pop-ups or painfully slow, Malwarebytes fixes what other products merely flag. It is very light and works well on Mac too.
It has no parental controls, so it is not the first choice for a family with children.
3. NordVPN — the best for privacy
If you often work away from home, use public Wi-Fi or travel, the problem is not only malware: it is who can read your traffic. NordVPN encrypts the connection and adds threat protection and tracker blocking.
It does not replace an antivirus on Windows: it protects the connection, not the device.
4. Surfshark One — the best value
It covers unlimited devices on a single subscription, and the One plan includes antivirus and VPN. It is the right option when a household has many devices and per-licence pricing gets expensive.
Its antivirus is less mature than the long-established vendors, but for everyday use it does the job.
How to choose in thirty seconds
- Family, Windows, maximum protection → Kaspersky
- Already infected or slow computer → Malwarebytes
- Privacy, travel, public networks → NordVPN
- Many devices, tight budget → Surfshark
How we built this ranking
We do not rely on vendors' promises. For each solution we look at four things: results in independent lab tests such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, impact on computer performance, the features actually included in the plan, and the gap between the first-year price and the renewal price. Ease of use for non-experts and real apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone matter too.
A solution that protects very well but makes the computer slow, or costs little in year one and double from year two, drops down the list.
Quick overview of the differences
- Malware and ransomware protection: Kaspersky is the most solid, Malwarebytes excels at removal, Surfshark One covers everyday use well, NordVPN mainly protects browsing.
- VPN included: NordVPN and Surfshark are VPNs first; Kaspersky Premium includes one in the suite; Malwarebytes offers it as a separate product or bundle.
- Number of devices: Surfshark unlimited, NordVPN up to 10, Kaspersky and Malwarebytes depending on the plan.
- Parental controls: included in Kaspersky Premium, missing in Malwarebytes.
- System impact: Malwarebytes is the lightest, Kaspersky scores low impact in tests, VPNs only affect the connection.
What about Microsoft Defender?
Windows already includes Microsoft Defender, which offers solid free baseline protection. For many people it is a starting point. Its limit is that it stops at the Windows PC: it does not protect the phones and Macs at home, includes no VPN or password manager, and its web protection works best only in Microsoft Edge. A complete suite adds layers of defence and covers the whole family with one subscription.
A note on Kaspersky
Kaspersky's holding company is registered in the United Kingdom, with development historically tied to Russia. It has not been sold in the United States since 2024, and some European authorities have expressed reservations about its use, especially in public bodies and businesses. In technical tests it remains among the best: if this matters to you, Malwarebytes or Surfshark One are valid alternatives.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing
- Buying the biggest plan "just in case": you pay for devices and features you will never use.
- Running two full suites together: they get in each other's way and slow the PC. The only sensible combination is one suite plus Malwarebytes as a second opinion.
- Forgetting phones and tablets: most scams today arrive on smartphones.
- Ignoring auto-renewal: note the expiry date and compare prices again before it renews.
One thing that matters more than the brand
The first-year price is almost always discounted, the renewal is not. Before buying, always check the small print under the plan: that is what you will pay from year two.
If you would rather not decide alone, our free quiz tells you in a minute which of these four fits your case, with a link to the lowest price available today.