The 5 Best Antivirus for Windows 11 (2023 Update)

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How do we test the best antivirus for Windows 11?

Antivirus protection for Windows 11 goes beyond just detecting malware. The top antivirus programs provide comprehensive protection against various cyber threats, such as data breaches, malware attacks, phishing attempts, privacy violations, ransomware attacks, spyware infections, zero-day attacks, and more, for all major operating systems.

The best antivirus software should offer virus protection, identity theft protection, and privacy protection, all within a user-friendly interface and at a reasonable cost. To determine which antivirus provider is worth investing in, we subjected them to 15 tests.

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

Malware refers to malicious software that includes various online threats such as adware, keyloggers, ransomware, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. While some of these threats are known malware that cybersecurity companies have previously encountered, others are unknown malware, meaning they are new and have not been seen.

These latest malware threats can be especially problematic because traditional real-time protection relies on virus definitions to detect threats. This means that it scans the code of potential malware against a database of malicious code samples. However, this method is ineffective against unknown malware.

To address this issue, the best anti-malware software has evolved to use heuristic analysis, a method of behavior monitoring that allows the antivirus software to scan for suspicious patterns in the behavior of apps. This behavior-based detection can identify malware before its code is added to the database.

To determine which antivirus packages have the best real-time malware protection, we conduct our tests and consider evaluations from independent antivirus testing labs such as AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives.

In our tests, we infect a Windows PC with various viruses and malware using a USB stick. Then we assess the malware scanning capabilities of the antivirus software to see if it can remove all threats.

Among the independent test labs, AV-Test is our preferred source. We averaged their protection test results for Windows 10 and 11 since 2016 to find the best malware removal software.

> Test 2: False positives test

Antivirus software may mistakenly identify a legitimate program as malware, confuse a harmless file for malicious code, or block access to a safe website – this is a false positive.

While false positives are a regular occurrence for all antivirus programs and generally not a cause for concern, a high number of them can be annoying.

To help us understand the prevalence of false positives, we reference the findings from AV-Test’s large-scale analysis of false positives in their usability test.

> Test 3: System performance test

It’s essential to surf the web safely, but it can be problematic if antivirus software consumes all your PC’s resources. That’s why we measure the CPU load while the antivirus software runs quick and complete system scans. If the security software requires fewer system resources, you will have more of your computer’s performance left for other tasks.

We also consider the results from AV-Test’s performance section, which measures the slow-down caused by antivirus software on opening websites and downloading, installing, and launching software. These are good indicators of the impact on a device’s performance.

> Test 4: Firewall test

Firewalls are security systems that sit between a computer and a network (like the internet or a local area network) and filter incoming and outgoing data streams to prevent malware and hackers from gaining access.

They can be software-based, hardware-based, or provided as a service. The software-based firewalls are included with antivirus programs and consume some of a PC’s CPU and RAM. In return, however, they offer a high level of protection against malware, filter incoming and outgoing traffic, and allow for precise control over the connectivity of each program on a computer.

There are various types of firewalls, including packet-filtering, circuit-level gateway, application-level gateway, stateful inspection, and next-generation firewalls.

The most advanced next-generation firewalls are used by heavily regulated industries like finance and healthcare and combine deep packet inspection and stateful inspection with other network security systems like anti-malware. However, these firewalls are costly and require significant expertise and integration with other security systems.

We use the ShieldsUP! test of the Gibson Research Corporation to find out whether the antivirus software successfully blocks all ports.

> Test 5: Password manager test

A password manager is a tool that helps you generate and store strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts. It can also automatically fill in your login credentials when you visit a website or app, saving you the hassle of remembering and typing your passwords.

Using a password manager helps protect your online accounts from being hacked because it allows you to use long, complex passwords that are difficult for attackers to guess or crack.

It also helps you avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. This is a security risk because if one of your accounts is compromised, the attacker could potentially gain access to all your other accounts.

Some password managers also offer additional features such as two-factor authentication and alerts when one of your accounts may have been compromised. We test all these security features.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

A VPN is a service that creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This tunnel helps protect your online activity from being monitored or intercepted by third parties.

To ensure the quality of the built-in VPN, we assess its encryption strength and VPN protocol, log policy, download speed, and compatibility with streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime. We also determine whether it offers unlimited data and allows for torrenting.

> Test 7: Parental control test

Parental controls are features that allow parents to set boundaries on their children’s internet use and protect them from harmful or inappropriate content. These controls can include setting time limits, blocking certain websites and apps, and monitoring communication with others.

Our team tests the effectiveness of all parental control features by installing them on a test device and attempting to bypass them as a clever child might. We also verify that the parental control admin accurately and promptly reports our behavior on the test device.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

A phishing attack is a technique cybercriminals use to steal sensitive information from you, such as passwords or financial information. The attacker may try to disguise themselves as a legitimate entity, often through fake emails, social media messages, or text messages. In addition, they may use urgency or threats to get you to take action quickly.

Anti-phishing software is a tool that helps protect you from phishing attacks by detecting and blocking malicious websites and emails. It works by scanning the links and content of websites and emails and comparing them to a database of known phishing threats. If a threat is detected, the software will block you from accessing the website or email and warn you of the potential danger.

We test the anti-phishing capabilities of the antivirus software.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

A ransomware attack is a cyber attack in which an attacker encrypts your data and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. In addition, the attacker may threaten to delete your data or publish it online if you do not pay the ransom within a specific time frame. Ransomware attacks can devastate businesses, resulting in lost data, productivity and revenue.

Anti-ransomware software is a tool that helps protect your computer from ransomware attacks by detecting and blocking malicious software that may try to encrypt your data. It works by scanning your computer for known ransomware threats and stopping them before they can do damage.

We test the anti-ransomware capabilities of the antivirus software.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

An antivirus program can come with various entry-level functions, such as spam filters and secure browsers, and premium options like online storage with enhanced security. We consider the following bonus features worthy of your consideration:

• Ad Blocker
• Anti-theft
• Dark web monitoring (identity protection)
• Email protection
• File encryption
• File shredder
• Gaming mode
• Microphone protection
• PC maintenance features
• Secure browser (hardened browser to protect your online banking)
• Secure cloud storage (cloud backup)
• Spam filter
• Startup optimizer
• Tune up tools
• Virtual keyboard
• Webcam protection

> Test 11: Operating system and multiple devices test

Ensuring that antivirus software can protect all operating systems is crucial. It might not seem like a big deal, but it’s surprising how many antivirus programs only cater to Windows 11 and 10 computers. However, security for Mac, Android, and iOS devices should also be addressed. That’s why we test all antivirus software on every operating system.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

Some antivirus companies have a questionable reputation when handling customer data. For example, Avast was found to have tracked and sold the browsing habits of millions of its users via its Online Security browser extension and subsidiary, Jumpshot. While the company claims to have stopped these practices and has since been sold to Norton, the damage to its reputation remains.

When evaluating cybersecurity companies in our tests, we carefully review press releases, news articles, and privacy policies, especially for browser extensions and VPN services, to ensure that they have a good reputation regarding customer data.

> Test 13: Interface test

Since cybersecurity isn’t a thrilling subject for many people, antivirus software needs to be quick, easy to install, and intuitive. Therefore, we test the installation speed of each program, as well as how easy it is to use on the default settings and how complicated it is to adjust the advanced settings.

> Test 14: Customer support test

While it would be nice to live in a perfect world where everything goes smoothly, the reality is that things often go wrong. People may click on dangerous links, open malicious files, fall for phishing scams, or answer spam emails. In these situations, it’s essential to have good customer support to rely on.

That’s why we check whether antivirus companies offer 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support. We also review their knowledge base, forums, and FAQs. Finally, we test the support team by contacting them with complicated questions to gauge their speed and capabilities.

> Test 15: Value for money test

While it would be ideal to download the best free antivirus software and have complete protection, that’s not how it works. While some free antivirus programs may offer entry-level antivirus protection, they rarely do more than that. Essentially, this makes them free malware removal tools, which both Windows and Mac already have built-in.

On top of that, some free antivirus products may track your habits and sell that data to marketing firms. By installing one of those tools, you would be protecting yourself from malware by installing spyware. Not a great trade-off. So instead, opt for a paid version.

How to choose the best antivirus for Windows 11?

You only need to ask yourself three questions when buying the right antivirus software:

• What devices do you want to protect?
• What security features do you need?
• Should you use free antivirus software? (No, you shouldn’t).

What devices do you want to protect?

Protection is straightforward if you only have a Windows 11 PC to protect. The five brands recommended on this page will all do a great job.

However, you likely have more devices to protect. Perhaps you must secure an iOS device, Android phone, or Mac computer as well. In those cases, you can look to one of your comparisons below to find the right security software for you:

• The best antivirus software of 2023. This is a comparison of the best multi-device antivirus software that you can install on any operating system. Search for security software that offers complete protection on Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Android, and iOS.
• The best antivirus for macOS. Apple’s desktop operating system, macOS, is safer than Windows PCs because less malware exists for it. However, there are also fewer full-featured antivirus software for Mac. So search for a security app that combines anti-malware with a two-way firewall, VPN, and password manager.
• The best antivirus for Android devices. Google’s mobile operating system, Android, is the most popular mobile OS in the world. But, sadly, it’s less safe than that of Apple. Therefore, having an excellent anti-malware scan, VPN, and password manager is very important on Android.
• The best antivirus iPhone and iPad. Apple’s mobile operating system is the safest in the world. Its apps live in closed-off spaces from which they cannot infect the device. So the threat of malware is limited. However, it’s still essential to have a VPN and password manager.
• The best antivirus with a VPN. If you spend a lot of time online, especially on public Wi-Fi networks, you must use a VPN. Man-in-the-middle attacks are more common than we would like. Look for security software with an advanced and unlimited VPN that’s included for free.
• The best VPN providers. If you prefer to separate your antivirus and VPN provider, you can look at our comparison of VPN providers. Core features to look for are security (encryption standard and protocol), privacy (log policy), speed (download and upload), and security features (Kill Switch, Auto-Connect, and more).

What security features do you need?

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s safest operating software yet. In addition, its built-in security features, called Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Firewall, are competent. But cyber safety is not Microsoft’s core business. So we can’t expect the same level of protection as a cybersecurity company can offer.

Essential security features:

Anti-malware

Anti-malware protects you from adware, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. The antivirus included with Windows 11 is good but can’t yet compete with Norton’s perfect anti-malware test results.

Anti-phishing

Anti-phishing protects you from malicious links and sites. It does this by blocking dangerous links and websites before they can open. This is a security feature that should be installed in your internet browser.

Microsoft is only responsible for Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. So it doesn’t offer protection for other browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. However, the best antivirus software for PC, like Norton, have created browser extensions for nearly every browser available.

Two-way firewall

A two-way firewall blocks dangerous in- and outgoing connections and allows you to edit any of its rules. The firewall built into Windows 11 is quite good and can compete with most firewalls.

Password manager 

A password manager creates and stores unique and secure passwords for all your accounts. It also automatically fills in these passwords when you log in to a website. 

Windows 11 does not have a multi-device and multi-browser password manager. Instead, it only has a password generator in its Microsoft Edge browser. But that one won’t work on other operating software or in different browsers.

That’s why we recommend the password managers by Norton, Kaspersky, Panda, or McAfee. They are all excellent and will significantly improve your safety.

Optional security features:

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN hides your IP address and makes you anonymous online. It is an essential security feature if you spend a lot of time on public Wi-Fi networks. It will keep your data safe, even if you shop or bank on unsecured networks.

Anti-Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are increasingly common, especially if you are a small business owner. Sadly, over a third of ransomware victims who pay the ransom never see their data back. Of all the cybersecurity software we’ve tested, Bitdefender offers the most reliable ransomware protection.

Parental Controls

Kids are born into a digital world. But it’s hard to protect them online in the same way that you can offline. Parental controls can help by allowing parents to set filters on the internet, blocking categories of websites like adult entertainment and gambling.

They also allow parents to set screentime rules after which the device blocks certain apps, like YouTube, computer games, or the internet browser. 

Is it safe to use free antivirus programs?

In short: No. We only recommend paid antivirus software. If you don’t have any money to spend on cybersecurity, stick with Microsoft Defender. There is no need to replace it with a free antivirus program.

Even the best free antivirus software for Windows 11 offer nothing more than the basics: An on-demand malware scan and some web protection.

What antivirus for Windows 11 have we tested?

We tested security programs from 20 brands. These includes free and paid antivirus programs, full-featured internet security suites, and VPN services. Below is a list of all the software we have tested:

• Avast Antivirus Free, Avast Premium Security & Avast One
• AVG Antivirus Free & AVG Ultimate
• Avira Free Security & Avira Prime
• Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Premium Security & Bitdefender Premium VPN
• BullGuard Antivirus & BullGuard Premium Protection
• Comodo Antivirus
• ESET Internet Security Premium Protection
• F-Secure Safe & F-Secure Total
• Intego Mac Internet Security X9 & Mac Premium Bundle X9
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus (Kaspersky Antivirus), Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Security Cloud, Kaspersky Total Security & Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection
• MacKeeper Antivirus
• Malwarebytes Free & Malwarebytes Premium
• McAfee Antivirus Plus & McAfee Total Protection Premium
• Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender)
• Panda Dome Essential & Panda Dome Premium
• Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton Norton 360 Premium & Norton Secure VPN
• Sophos Home Premium
• TotalAV Antivirus Pro & TotalAV Total Security
• Trend Micro Antivirus Security & Trend Micro Maximum Security
• Webroot Antivirus (Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus) & Webroot Internet Security

The best ones are Norton, Bitdefender, Panda, Kaspersky, and McAfee.

Frequently asked questions

Languages, comparisons and Sources

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Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to analyze the antivirus software and write our article.

• Apple 1
• Apple 2
• Aura
• AV-Comparatives
• AV-Test 1
• AV-Test 2
• AV-Test 3
• AV-Test 4
• Bitdefender 1
• Bitdefender 2
• Bitdefender 3
• Browserleaks
• F5
• Google
• Harvard
• Hotspot Shield
• GRC
• Kaspersky 1
• Kaspersky 2
• Kaspersky 3
• McAfee 1
• McAfee 2
• Microsoft 1
• Microsoft 2
• Mimecast
• Norton 1
• Norton 2
• Norton 3
• Norton 4
• Norton 5
• Norton 6
• Panda 1
• Panda 2
• Panda 3
• Panda 4
• Sophos
• SpeedTest
• Vice