Kaspersky Antivirus Standard Review (2026) The right choice?

Full Review

Kaspersky is ranked #9 of the 28 best antivirus of 2026.

Kaspersky offers a robust antivirus scanner alongside a variety of features aimed at enhancing online security. Its anti-phishing protection uses multi-layered detection to block harmful sites, and the Safe Browsing mode integrates well with popular browsers. Additional tools like the on-screen keyboard and Safe Money add protection against keyloggers, particularly useful for secure online transactions.

The VPN is another standout, offering industry-standard security with fast performance for browsing, streaming, and torrenting across all servers. However, split-tunneling is limited to Windows 10 or later, which may not affect many users.

The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate for beginners. Installation is quick, taking just 5 minutes, with protective features automatically activating post-setup.

Kaspersky offers three subscription plans: Standard, Plus, and Premium, covering up to 20 devices in select regions. There’s also a free basic antivirus option, and all paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Anti-malware

Kaspersky’s anti-malware engine employs a dual-layered system combining a local virus database with a cloud-based machine learning engine to detect all kinds of malware. When a suspicious file is encountered, it is uploaded to the cloud scanner for in-depth evaluation using advanced algorithms to determine its nature. This hybrid approach ensures constant updates and responsiveness to emerging threats. 

During testing, Kaspersky achieved flawless malware detection, matching the top-tier results of Norton and Bitdefender. It offers six types of scans, including Quick, Full, Background, Selective, Removable Drive, and Application Vulnerability scans. Users can schedule scans by time or after specific system events, offering flexibility and proactive protection. 

The Quick Scan inspects startup and memory files within two minutes, efficiently identifying immediate threats. Although it doesn’t catch dormant malware, it accurately suggests running a Full Scan when necessary. The Full Scan takes about 45 minutes, detecting all malware samples without impacting system performance. Unlike McAfee, Kaspersky maintained system stability throughout. 

Kaspersky’s quarantine management is robust, allowing restoration of mistakenly deleted files without generating false positives. Overall, the anti-malware suite offers exceptional protection, performance, and adaptability, with a comprehensive range of scanning tools for both novice and advanced users.

Anti-phishing

Kaspersky’s anti-phishing and web protection tools deliver layered defense mechanisms for safer browsing. The Safe Browsing extension compares visited sites against a database of known threats while using heuristic analysis to detect emerging malicious URLs. During testing, it successfully blocked most phishing sites, performing closely to Norton and Bitdefender. 

The URL Advisor visually marks safe websites with green icons in search results, enhancing user confidence while navigating. Private Browsing prevents data tracking by social networks and ad services, though by default it allows limited data collection by Kaspersky and its 80+ partner sites, which can be disabled manually. 

An on-screen keyboard is also included to safeguard against keyloggers, particularly when paired with the Safe Money browser. Safe Money provides a secure environment for online banking and shopping, checking for rootkits and invalid certificates before completing transactions. Although loading times can exceed 10 seconds, it reliably identifies financial websites. 

Some issues arise with Google’s cloud services, which may require adding exceptions manually, but these are easily resolved. Overall, Kaspersky’s web protection combines dependable anti-phishing detection, ad-blocking, and secure browsing utilities, making it a comprehensive choice for online safety.

Firewall

Kaspersky’s firewall efficiently shields Wi-Fi networks from unauthorized access and exploit attempts. It successfully blocked the majority of intrusion simulations during testing, outperforming Microsoft Defender’s default firewall. Users receive detailed information about each application’s network activity, including trust levels and permissions. 

Advanced users will appreciate granular control over port access, packet rules, and DNS permissions. This makes the firewall adaptable to complex configurations, ideal for users managing sensitive environments. Port access detection and packet customization enhance security by allowing precise control over data transmission paths. 

However, Kaspersky’s firewall interface can feel fragmented. Some functions reside under network settings rather than the firewall menu, unlike Norton’s unified layout. Additionally, Mac users receive a simplified version with only a network attack blocker, limiting protection compared to Intego’s advanced Mac firewall. 

Despite interface limitations, Kaspersky’s firewall delivers outstanding network defense and configuration depth for Windows users. It reliably identifies unauthorized connections and blocks intrusion attempts without slowing system performance, offering security and visibility that rivals top-tier competitors.

Password manager

Note: Kaspersky’s password manager is not included in Standard. You’ll need to upgrade to Plus or Premium.

Kaspersky’s password manager provides secure storage for passwords and sensitive data, employing AES 256-bit encryption and a strict zero-knowledge policy. It supports unlimited password storage on premium plans, while the free version allows up to five entries, which can be restrictive for active users. 

Setup is straightforward: users create a master password to access their vault, which cannot be recovered if lost. Although this ensures privacy, it lacks account recovery or emergency access options offered by competitors like Dashlane or LastPass. Once configured, the browser extension supports automatic password saving and form filling, functioning reliably across multiple browsers. 

The vault’s interface is minimalistic yet practical, organizing entries for passwords, bank cards, and notes into customizable folders. The built-in password generator creates strong passwords up to 99 characters long, with options for symbols, numbers, and mixed case. A password history tool tracks the last five generated passwords, aiding account updates.

Kaspersky also integrates a one-time password generator for two-factor authentication, eliminating the need for separate authenticator apps. While basic compared to dedicated password managers, it delivers solid protection and usability for most users seeking integrated security.

VPN

Note: Kaspersky’s VPN is not included in Standard. You’ll need to upgrade to Plus or Premium.

Kaspersky’s VPN is included with its Plus and Premium plans and offers a comprehensive set of privacy features. These include unlimited data, a kill switch, split tunneling, Smart Protection, and servers in over 70 countries. Its encryption safeguards user activity from ISPs and hackers, ensuring privacy during online sessions. 

Performance-wise, the VPN experiences a noticeable speed drop, particularly in download rates when connected to the fastest available server. Upload speeds remain acceptable, but browsing slowdowns are perceptible. Despite this, the VPN maintains stable connections and strong leak protection. 

Kaspersky’s VPN supports major streaming platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, a capability that sets it apart from competitors like Avira’s VPN. It also prevents IP and DNS leaks, maintaining anonymity when accessing restricted content. 

Although its speeds lag behind standalone VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, Kaspersky’s offering remains a practical inclusion for users seeking convenience, robust encryption, and streaming support within a single antivirus suite.

Other security features

Kaspersky supplements its core defenses with an extensive array of additional tools. System cleanup utilities such as PC Speed-Up, Quick Startup, and Privacy Cleaner optimize system performance and privacy by deleting redundant data and managing startup applications. The Hard Drive Health Monitor warns of potential drive failures, though it doesn’t guide users on solutions. 

The suite includes a robust parental control system, Safe Kids, offering content filtering, app management, YouTube monitoring, geofencing, and screen-time controls. It performs well on Android and Windows, though iOS functionality is limited. Social media monitoring is restricted to VK, limiting cross-platform visibility. 

Additional privacy features include webcam and microphone access alerts, Intrusion Prevention with process-level permissions, and Stalkerware Detection that identifies unauthorized monitoring applications. The Smart Home Monitor and Wi-Fi Inspector provide network oversight but lack direct blocking capabilities. 

Kaspersky’s Rescue Disk enables system recovery from severe infections, while Backup and Restore offers simple file redundancy through Dropbox integration. A built-in gaming mode suppresses notifications during gameplay. Lastly, Identity Theft Protection—available in Premium plans—helps users recover from data breaches, although its regional coverage is limited. Overall, these supplementary features significantly enhance Kaspersky’s utility and user value, making it a well-rounded cybersecurity suite.

Plans and pricing

In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.

The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.

Note: Kaspersky has rebranded its products. Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Total Security are now Standard, Plus, and Premium. The Kaspersky Security Cloud is also no longer available.

Plan description

Kaspersky has three main plans—Standard, Plus, and Premium. All come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re looking for free basic protection, Kaspersky Free offers minimal antivirus features.

Kaspersky Standard

Priced at $38.49/year, the Standard plan covers 3 to 10 devices. It offers essential features like malware scanning, anti-phishing, and a firewall. If you only need basic protection for more than one device, this is a solid start. However, Norton AntiVirus Plus offers similar features for a slightly lower price for a single device.

Kaspersky Plus

This middle-tier plan is $52.99/year and covers up to 10 devices. It adds perks like an unlimited-data VPN and a password manager. This plan packs good value, offering features like file shredding and a data leak checker for up to 50 emails. Most users will find this plan the best fit for a mix of security and privacy features.

Kaspersky Premium

The high-end plan is $74.99/year and can cover up to 20 devices. It includes everything in the Plus plan, along with identity protection and parental controls for one year. However, the premium support option feels a bit redundant given their already robust 24/7 customer service.

Final Thoughts

Kaspersky Plus is the sweet spot for most, delivering both security and extra features like an unlimited VPN. The Premium plan is best for families wanting to test out Kaspersky’s strong parental controls. Overall, Kaspersky offers flexible and feature-rich plans, but make sure to compare with competitors like Norton or McAfee for the best value.

Test score comparison

We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:

• Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
• Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.

We calculate a final score using this formula:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:

• The best antivirus for Android.
• The best antivirus for Mac.

Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.

Source: AV-Test (Last updated: November 2025).

Price comparison

We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a  single Windows PC with the most essential features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

A few notes:

• Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
• Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
• Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).

Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.

User reviews

We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform. 

We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: November 2025.

Company Profile

Kaspersky is a leading cybersecurity firm, privately held with its holding company based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1997, the company has amassed over 25 years of experience in the industry, and it protects more than 400 million individuals and 240,000 corporations across 200 countries and territories.

The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, regularly participating in independent tests to evaluate the effectiveness of its technologies against evolving threats. This has earned Kaspersky a strong presence in public TOP3 metrics and numerous awards.

At the core of Kaspersky’s operations is a team of 4,000 highly qualified specialists. They focus on developing innovative and user-friendly solutions that allow people to use technology without worrying about cybersecurity risks. The company’s portfolio is diverse, offering various security solutions that cater to a wide range of customer needs.

In terms of corporate values, Kaspersky prioritizes transparency, innovation, simplicity, and a human-centric approach. The company aims to build a safer world by adopting a “Cyber Immune” security model, which focuses on creating systems that are inherently secure. This approach is guided by the philosophy that the cost of launching a successful cyberattack should exceed its potential benefits. Eugene Kaspersky, the CEO, is a key proponent of this forward-thinking strategy.

By consistently delivering high-quality, effective solutions and maintaining a strong set of values, Kaspersky has established itself as a market leader in cybersecurity.

How we test antivirus software

At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:

For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.