Best Antivirus Software for Windows 10 | Top 10 Free and Paid Tools

The best antivirus software for Windows 10 will protect your system from unwanted spyware, malware, and ransomware attacks, along with other online security threats. With trusted Windows security and virus protection by your side, you’ll be able to browse the internet without worrying about anyone spying on you or digging into your private data.

But, with a truckload of options, finding the best antivirus software for Windows 10 is an uphill task. Here we’ve reviewed the best Windows 10 antivirus software after testing the tools on criteria like ease of use, price, compatibility, detection rates, customer support, and others. Read on to learn what top providers like TotalAV, McAfee, and Norton have to offer you, and how they compare.

The Best Antivirus Software for Windows 10 2023 | Quick Answer

In our testing, we found TotalAV to be the best internet security for Windows 10, thanks to features like real-time protection, system optimization, excellent compatibility, ease of use, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Is it the best for you? Compare it with these other leading antivirus products:

1. TotalAV — Overall, the Best Antivirus for Windows 10 for Real-Time Protection | Put it to the Test With the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
2. Norton — Quality Antivirus With the Longest Money-Back Guarantee of 60 Days | Try it Now Free for 7 Days.
3. Nord Threat Protection — The Best Combo of Antivirus And VPN without Any Renewal Hikes | See For Yourself With a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee.
4. Surfshark — Leading Lightweight Antivirus Program with Identity Theft Protection | Has a 30-Day Guarantee.
5. McAfee — The Best Windows Antivirus for Assistance From In-House Experts | Try It Now With a 30-Day Free Trial and a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
6. Avast — The Best Antivirus for Windows 10 Free | Free Forever Plan + Paid Plans With a 30-Day Guarantee.
7. Kaspersky — The Best Online Threats and Virus Removal for Businesses. Try it Risk-Free With the 30-Day Guarantee.
8. TrendMicro — A Free Antivirus for Malware Detection on All Devices on Your Home Network.
9. Intego — Popular Windows Antivirus with Specialized Solutions for Windows and Mac. Test it With the 30-Day Trial.
10. Avira — A Free Windows 10 Antivirus with a Special Spyware and Malware Cleaner. Offers a Free Plan + a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

The Top 10 Antivirus Tools for Windows 10 | Reviewed

Here, we delve into the details of the best antivirus software for Windows 10. This includes in-depth discussions of their best features, pricing, pros, and cons to give you a better idea of what these tools can do for you. Ready?

1. TotalAV — The Best Overall Antivirus for Windows 10, with Real-Time Protection

TotalAV is an award-winning Windows antivirus with over 30 million users worldwide — a solution worthy of crowning the #1 placement on our list of the very best. Its high-accuracy virus detection reports and intuitive interface make it the perfect package for every Windows user.

One of the best features of TotalAV is its real-time scanning and protection, which blocks and removes viruses and malware as soon as they’re detected, either on a new file on your system or on a website you’ve opened.

TotalAV’s quick action ensures that the virus will have no time to damage any part of your system or steal any data. You can either choose to quarantine the virus or destroy it immediately.

TotalAV’s Real-Time Protection is backed by an intuitive Web Shield that protects your device from shady websites, emails, and ads instantly.

Here’s how it works: anytime you click on a suspicious website, TotalAV will give you a warning and ask if you still wish to continue. Even if you do, it’ll do its best to ward off viruses and malware from entering your system.

On top of all this, you also get three other scanning options — Smart Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan.

Depending on how much time you have, you can either go for a Smart Scan to quickly check common virus hideouts such as new downloads or emails or a thorough full scan to look for viruses that might have slipped past the first two scans. If you’re suspicious of any folder, use the custom scan for the fastest results.

Pricing

TotalAV’s Antivirus Pro plan, at just $29 for the first year, is a reasonably priced package offering enough features for a small family. It’ll cover 3 devices and it comes with real-time protection and ‘Rare File Alert’.

However, if you’d also like a VPN and more security features, go with the Antivirus + Internet Security plan.

Although renewal costs are high, TotalAV has a lot to offer — it topped our research for a boatload of reasons. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee in place — try it completely risk-free today.

 

2. Norton — Quality Antivirus With The Longest Money-Back Guarantee of 60 Days

Norton is a powerful antivirus with a legacy of the highest threat detection rate and timely remediation on Windows devices.

Just like most other reliable antivirus solutions, it offers a variety of scans, including a Quick Scan, Smart Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan. What sets it apart from the other tools is the special ‘Norton Insights’ that marks up suspicious files for custom scans.

This feature will save you a lot of time. Instead of cluelessly scanning the whole system, you’ll simply be able to run custom scans on the most suspicious parts of your device.

To keep your important documents safe from malware, Norton offers secure cloud storage. Although the storage limit will depend on your plan, it’s quite generous and easy to access, no matter the device you’re on.

With the cloud backup feature, you can be assured that your confidential data will remain unharmed, even if a virus infiltration does happen.

One of Norton’s most impressive offerings is the ‘Dark Web Alerts’. Let’s say a virus crept into your system, and Norton removed it on time — how do you find out whether any of your data has been compromised?

The dark web monitoring feature will notify you if any of your personal data (banking credentials, emails, social account logins, and more) were leaked into the dark web so that you can take timely action to retrieve it.

Pricing

Norton starts at just $19.99 for the first year (renews at $59.99/year). This is its Antivirus Plus plan that comes with a password manager, virus protection promise, PC cloud backup of 2GB, and ample more.

With the premium plans, you can cover up to 5 devices and unlock parental control features, a VPN, and features like dark web monitoring and ‘SafeCam’. We recommend the Select + LifeLock plan, costing $99.99 for the first year or $9.99 for the first month.

With a 7-day trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee, you can check whether Norton is for you, and get a full refund if you don’t like it.

 

3. Nord Threat Protection — The Best Combo of Antivirus And VPN without Any Renewal Hikes

Did you know that NordVPN is not only highly respected for its VPN service but also for its antivirus capabilities?

It is not possible to obtain Nord’s Threat Protection feature without also using their VPN service. However, the combination of their VPN and Threat Protection can effectively protect your device from a variety of digital threats, including advanced ones.

Nord’s security features allow you to confidently browse the internet. Additionally, their VPN allows you to change your virtual location to improve ping and access better online deals. Nord’s Threat Protection feature will block you from accessing malicious websites, but if you choose to visit them anyway, the in-built Adblock will provide a smooth, ad-free experience.

In addition to its other security features, Nord also offers a URL trimmer to protect your device from tracking. This feature shortens URLs to remove any tracking parameters which contain information about the websites you visit.

As you spend more time online, you leave behind more digital footprints that can be used by tracking companies and hackers to locate you. However, Nord’s URL trimmer can prevent this.

Moreover, it includes a tracker blocker, which is designed to prevent third parties from tracking your online activities and collecting data about your device and browsing habits.

Pricing

If you’re looking for the best value for your money, Nord’s 2-year plan is a great option. Among the available plans, the Standard plan is especially good value, starting at just $4.19/month. It includes a high-quality VPN service, malware protection, and an ad blocker.

For even more security features, consider upgrading to Nord’s Complete plan. In addition to the features in the Standard plan, it also offers a data breach scanner, a cross-platform password manager, and around 1 TB of cloud storage. The best part is that there are no renewal price hikes.

 

4. Surfshark — Leading Lightweight Antivirus Program with Identity Theft Protection

Surfshark is a solid option, especially when looking for a combined package with VPN protection. With real-time protection and one of the best VPN services, your device will be shielded from even the most advanced digital threats.

One of Surfshark’s most recognized features is the highly flexible Custom Scan that lets you select a whole folder at once or manually drag and drop individual suspicious files to narrow down the search radar and neutralize threats quicker.

In addition to this, you also get the basic Quick Scan and Full Scan, like every other antivirus solution. Selectively search the most vulnerable areas like suspicious emails and new downloads, or run a full-fledged checkup on the whole system — the choice is yours.

During our testing, we found that the scans take slightly longer to finish. For example, the Full Scan takes about 25 to 30 minutes, but on the brighter side, it manages to identify the threats. So, even if you might have to spend a little more time scanning, your device security remains uncompromised at all times.

What’s more? Surfshark can scan up to 5 devices at the same time. Whether it’s Windows, Android, or iOS, Surfshark’s multiple device compatibility and simultaneous scanning service make it a perfect tool for big families and one of the best antivirus software UK.

Pricing

At just $2.05/month, Surfshark’s 24 + 2 free months plan is a steal. Getting the most robust security features and a VPN at that price point is an absolute bargain — plus, there are no renewal hikes, either.

The best part is that Surfshark doesn’t reserve its premium features for a pricey plan — all its plans come with everything the provider has to offer.

Get Surfshark today and try it for a full 30 days without worrying about losing any money. If you don’t like it, get a full refund.

 

5. McAfee — The Best Windows Antivirus for Assistance From In-House Experts

McAfee is one of the most experienced antivirus solutions on the market right now. With over 30 years in the space, McAfee’s built to protect your device from ransomware, viruses, crypto-jacking, and other common digital threats.

Its powerful firewall feature will give you complete control over your devices — including blocking websites or IP addresses that seem suspicious to you.

McAfee’s robust firewall is further empowered by its ‘Net Guard’ feature, which lets you check the devices that tried to connect to yours.

If anyone suspicious — a stranger or acquaintance — tries to break into your device, McAfee will notify you right away so that you can take the necessary steps.

Device security and personal data protection are top-notch with McAfee. With a VPN, a password manager, and a file shredder, it’ll ensure that no virus or malware can leak your personal data.

On top of that, you also get a real-time ‘Protection Score’ of your device based on the security tools you use. This score represents how safe (or vulnerable) you are, helping you amp up security while there’s still time.

McAfee’s functions aren’t just limited to threat protection. It also helps keep your device in the best shape with its ‘QuickClean’ feature.

Clear out junk folders, temporary files, and cookies to save valuable hard drive space and boost your system’s speed. You’ll never have to worry about your system failing to keep up.

Pricing

At just $19.99 for the first year (renews at $64.99/year), the McAfee Antivirus Plus plan fetches you coverage for up to 10 devices — a steal, isn’t it?

If you’d like premium security features, such as identity monitoring and ‘Security Freeze’ — not to mention coverage for unlimited devices, too — bump your plan up to the Premium one. It costs just $44.99 for the first year.

Plus, McAfee comes with both — a 30-day free trial and a money-back guarantee of the same number of days. Try it risk-free, and cancel if you don’t like it without losing any money.

 

 

6. Avast — The Best Antivirus for Windows 10 Free

Avast is one of the biggest names in the antivirus industry and stands out with its generous free plan and rich features.

While other antiviruses only offer quick scans, full scans, and custom scans, Avast goes a step ahead with a few extra tools:

With such detailed scans, there’s no way malware will slip into your system without being detected.

Besides the scans, Avast’s finest feature is its powerful firewall — available to both free and paid users, that lets you block connections to specific apps that you deem suspicious.

Paid users get even more advanced features, such as identifying open ports and ARP spoofing attacks, allowing them to hide their confidential data from other networks.

On the whole, Avast is a champion of security against ransomware. Although this feature is only available with its premium plans, once the ‘Ransomware Shield’ is turned on, it won’t let any unauthorized application access your sensitive data.

Concerned about your device’s security? Don’t be. Avast will provide you with detailed security updates every 30 days to put your mind at ease and scan external devices such as CDs, DVDs, and USBs, too.

Pricing

As a free service, the Avast One Essential sells itself. Despite being free, it tags along with a truckload of features, including an advanced firewall, data leak alerts, ransomware protection, and more.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Avast One Essential is tough competition to some of the premium services out there as far as coverage for a single device is concerned.

Avast also has a VPN to offer, which you’ll get with one of its premium plans. Overall, we like the Premium Security plan the best. It costs a mere $3.33/month and covers 10 devices — perfect for your whole family.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try Avast Premium Security without any risk of losing any money. If you don’t like it, get a full refund. No hassle.

 

7. Kaspersky — The Best Online Threats & Virus Removal for Small, Medium & Large Businesses

Kaspersky antivirus boasts a user base of over 400 million users thanks to its fast scanning options and lightweight design.

Along with the basic scanning options — quick, full, and custom, Kaspersky also offers:

Unfortunately, background scans are a part of the vulnerability scan and can’t be launched independently. However, since the vulnerability scan only investigates weak areas, you won’t have to wait too long for the background scan to kick in.

One of our favorite features of Kaspersky is the ‘Rescue Disk’, which helps restore systems that are unable to start due to malware. So if you have an important meeting or task to get to, Kaspersky will prevent the malware from holding you up.

It’s also worth noting that Kaspersky’s recent testing in the fall of 2023 by major testing labs like AV-Test and AV-Comparatives showed that it’s 100% efficient in capturing and remediating zero-day malware and widespread malware with zero false negatives.

So it goes without saying that no malware can slip past the security nets and sabotage your device. Also, since it doesn’t report false positives, you won’t have to waste time investigating harmless files.

For further protection, Kaspersky also provides a two-way firewall with both incoming and outgoing network detection requests so that there are no vulnerabilities left for hackers to break in.

Pricing

At a mere $16.99 for the first year (renews at $56.99/year), the Kaspersky Standard plan is one of the most affordable antivirus solutions to provide protection for multiple devices — three, in this case.

However, you can cover 20 devices with Kaspersky’s Premium plan. What’s even more impressive is that it’ll cost you just $42.99 for the first year ($19.99 for 3 devices), and renewal costs aren’t unreasonably high either.

Plus, it also comes with additional features such as a data leak checker, 24/7 remote IT support, and an expert PC health check.

Thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee, you can find out whether Kaspersky meets your needs without losing a cent.

 

 

 

8. TrendMicro — A Free Antivirus for Malware Detection on All Devices On Your Home Network

TrendMicro has a free antivirus service on offer called HouseCall. If there’s any tool that can protect your system from viruses and malware without damaging your files in the process, it’s TrendMicro.

Its standout feature, ‘Folder Shield’, lets you select important files, folders, and images that you want unscathed, no matter what. Once the shield is on, no unauthorized program can make any changes to your selected protected files.

The shield also extends to files on your Google Drive, Dropbox, and USB — and you can add as many important files as you want.

This way, even if a virus attack does happen, your files will be safely quarantined until TrendMicro finds a way to remove the virus, meaning you won’t lose a single file in the process.

One of the exciting additions to TrendMicro’s list of features is ‘Real-World Protection’. While traditional antiviruses only recognize a threat once it has entered your device, TrendMicro will recognize and block the threat at its source.

Did you know that a virus, even after being removed from a device, could still temporarily hinder its performance and damage a few assets? This is why Real-World Protection, by removing a threat at its source, spares you a lot of time, trouble, and emotional distress.

The only downside to using TrendMicro is that it doesn’t offer simultaneous scans. However, it makes up for it with faster scans compared to the industry average.

Pricing

HouseCall is a completely free product by TrendMicro and comes with a lot of features for a free service. Although it’ll cover just a single Windows or Mac device, you’ll enjoy features such as threat reports and custom scan options.

If you’d also like advanced AI learning and protection from internet and email scams, sign up for TrendMicro’s most affordable paid Windows plan — the Antivirus+ Security plan, at just $19.95 for the first year.

For coverage for up to 5 devices, get either the Maximum Security or the Premium Security plan.

Put TrendMicro to the test risk-free with a 30-day free trial. No risk. No hassle.

 

9. Intego — Popular Windows Antivirus with Specialized Solutions for Windows and Mac

Although Intego is recognized as one of the best Mac antiviruses, its Windows security service is also pretty commendable.

One of our favorite features of Intego is that it automatically quarantines suspicious files and sends you a notification about them.

As one of the best spyware removal tools, Intego offers a separate Quarantine section where you’ll get all the details about the file (name and location) and threat name. From there on, you can either choose to delete the quarantined file or restore it in case it was a false positive.

This prevents the suspected file from infecting other important files with the same virus until the problem is fixed. In case it was a false positive, you can exclude the file from future scans to save time.

Intego’s ‘Prevention Engine’ feature uses behavior analysis technology to detect and prevent zero-day attacks from unknown threats that are extremely hard to catch on standard scans.

This way, even if your system security is compromised by a threat that’s yet to be discovered, Intego can at least avert or quarantine it until a solution comes around.

Like TrendMicro, Intego, too, has lengthy scan durations, which can last up to 3 hours or more. But there’s no denying that it’s a well-rounded antivirus solution for those looking for an affordable, reliable, and user-friendly tool, especially for macOS devices.

Pricing

Since Intego has two completely different solutions for its Windows and Mac users, the pricing is different as well.

The most affordable plan for a Mac user is the Mac Internet Security X9 plan, costing just $19.99/year. However, if you’d also like parental controls and improved system performance, bump your plan up to the Mac Premium Bundle.

Oddly enough, Intego doesn’t extend its services to multiple Mac devices on a single plan. That said, Windows users can cover up to 5 devices simultaneously if they choose either the Family or Extended plan at $39.99/year and $79.98/year, respectively.

You can try Intego risk-free, thanks to its 30-day free trial + 30-day money-back guarantee combo. Don’t like it? Ask for a full refund.

 

10. Avira — A Free Windows 10 Antivirus with a Special Spyware and Malware Cleaner

Avira has over 500 million users worldwide who swear by its simple interface, powerful security features, and, more importantly, its generous free version.

While most antiviruses only protect your system from potentially dangerous websites, Avira goes a step ahead and scans your emails too.

Thanks to this feature, if you get a malicious email or even if a friend accidentally sends a virus-infected email, you’ll be notified and shielded before any damage can happen.

Along with the basic quick, full, and custom scans, Avira offers a unique feature called ‘Manages Scans’.

Here, you can check the record of all your previous scans and identify the common sources of attack or the most vulnerable areas of your system.

Besides all this, Avira has consistently proved itself as one of the best antiviruses to fight ransomware — a deadly software that hijacks your confidential data and blackmails you for ransom to release it.

With Avira constantly updating its virus database and intuitive scanners, any ransomware in your system will be caught and quarantined even before it can make its first move.

Although every Avira plan comes with firewall protection, unfortunately, it’s not an extra layer of security. All it does is simply let you manage the Windows firewall.

Even then, this feature is pretty useful, considering Avira’s interface is much simpler than the Windows security tab. You can easily enable/disable or change the firewall settings without having to go through multiple steps and tabs.

Pricing

Without paying a cent, you’ll get a 500MB/month VPN and an ‘Update Scanner’, thanks to Avira’s free antivirus plan.

For more features, such as real-time data breach alerts and automatic cleaning and updates, upgrade to Avira Antivirus Pro. It’ll cost you a mere $26.99 for the first year (renews at $44.99/year).

You can try Avira for a full 60 days without risking any money, and if you don’t like it, return it and get a full refund.

 

The Best Antivirus Programs for Windows 10 | Compared

If you’re pressed for time, here’s a summarized view of all the main differences between the best antivirus programs for Windows 10 in the form of a crisp, easy-to-read table:

Why You Need an Antivirus for Windows in 2023

Virus attacks are no joke. Here are four reasons why you need an antivirus and how it’ll benefit your device:

Better PC Performance 

If your PC is under a virus attack, it’ll be evident in its performance. Your device will drastically slow down to the extent that the screen might frequently be freezing.

System crashes will become daily trouble, and many files will be accidentally deleted or damaged. Without an antivirus, your device will be in ruins following a virus attack.

Personal Data Protection 

Viruses do not only damage your device. Their bigger aim is to steal your personal information like name, contact details, government IDs, banking details, etc.

Sometimes, they even break into your email or other social media accounts and take complete control over them to run their illegal businesses.

Once they gain access to your device, there’s hardly much you can do to reverse the damage. So better be safe than sorry and get an antivirus installed right away.

Anti Spyware Protection

Our PCs get to see the most confidential side of our lives. Whether it’s your personal search history, a confidential work document that cannot be compromised, or your financial records, these you don’t want anyone to see, especially hackers.

But without an antivirus, a malicious third party won’t take long to plant spyware in your device and record everything you do. Whatever you type or see on the screen will immediately go to them, leaving you with no privacy.

Minimal Virus Transmission

Even if you aren’t worried about your own device, you certainly don’t want to be that person who is known for transmitting viruses to other devices.

Whether through your emails or shared USBs, if you don’t want to take the responsibility of damaging the devices of your friends, family, or at work, get an antivirus as soon as possible.

Free Antivirus VS Paid Antivirus Services

Services like TotalAV, Avira, and Avast offer totally free antivirus solutions. You get all the basic features, such as real-time virus scans and protection against multiple types of security threats like ransomware, malware, spyware, etc.

In addition to that, this software is lightweight, easy to set up, and compatible with multiple device types — yet, despite all these benefits, paid antivirus solutions will always stay ahead.

For example, services Norton and McAfee offer additional features like a file shredder, webcam protection, a VPN, and a protection score for premium security.

Also, with paid plans, you get multiple simultaneous connections, whereas free plans usually cover 1-2 devices simultaneously — and all come with solid, lengthy money-back guarantees so you can try them risk-free.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Antivirus Security Software for Windows 

You must have a checklist of essential features before heading out for some antivirus shopping. Here’s a list of four things you need to look for in every antivirus software:

Malware Protection

Hackers are coming up with newer attack strategies every single day. So you need an antivirus that can keep up with protection and immunization at the same pace.

Basic virus detection and remediation won’t do. Whatever service you pick should protect your device from all types of threats, including malware, ransomware, spyware, and Trojans.

It should also cover all points of invasion, like emails, ad pop-ups, shady websites, and USBs. Only a comprehensive security shield can give your device the protection it deserves.

Device Compatibility

Even if your primary concern at the moment is to protect your Windows device, you’ll need protection for other devices like Androids or iOS in the future.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of finding another service that caters to those operating systems, pick any antivirus with multiple device compatibility.

For example, TotalAV, although an excellent antivirus for Windows, is also compatible with Android, Mac, and iOS. So even if your device changes, your antivirus can remain the same.

Pricing and Plans  

Antivirus protection is necessary, but it shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket. To make digital protection accessible, we’ve selected software with multiple plans ranging from affordable to premium. No matter what your needs and limitations are, you’ll surely find software to match it.

If you’re not ready to invest yet, tools like TotalAV, Avira and Avast offer free plans, whereas McAfee and Norton have free trials — there are plenty of pocket-friendly options for everyone.

Customer Support

Setting up your own antivirus tool, turning on real-time protection, and running scans can seem a little techy for some. That’s why we’ve only picked tools with a beginner-friendly installation and setup process.

Along with that, always look for tools that offer customer support. Whether through email, phone, or live chat, you should always have the team within your reach.

How to Get Started with the Best Windows Antivirus Tool

Installing an antivirus tool is a piece of cake. Here’s a quick example with TotalAV:

That’s all you had to do. TotalAV will now automatically scan your device for viruses and alert you whenever it detects a threat.

Windows Antivirus FAQs