PC Matic Antivirus Review (2023 Update): The Pros & Cons

PC Matic review: summary

PC Matic is ranked #13 out of 20 antivirus software.

PC Matic has excellent anti-malware protection, no impact on the speed of your PC, and a low price. However, it has many false positives, which means it frequently mistakes harmless files for malware.

On top of that, it lacks many security features. Compared to the industry leaders Norton, Bitdefender, McAfee, and Kaspersky, it misses a firewall, password manager, VPN, and more.

PC Matic is an acceptable choice if you’re looking for a lightweight and uncomplicated malware scanner. But if you want the best and most complete protection, we recommend Norton instead.

• Malware protection: 95%. PC Matic averaged 5.95 out of 6 in the last 10 protection tests. It is excellent at detecting and removing malware.
• Speed impact: 100%. PC Matic averaged 6.00 out of 6 in the last 10 performance tests. So it has no impact on your PC’s speed.
• Features: 40%. PC Matic offers anti-malware, anti-phishing, and identity theft protection, but lacks a firewall, password manager, and VPN.
• Price: 60%. PC Matic is affordable. But considering what features you get, Norton offers considerably more value for money.

If you want the best protection, we recommend Norton.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Specification comparison

Below, we have compared PC Matic to Norton 360 Standard. These are the most affordable products at each brand, which allow you to protect at least 1 PC with the core features:

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

Norton 360 is the best antivirus for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Test score comparison

We’ve compared the 10 most recent test scores of all antivirus brands. The tests were performed by AV-Test, the German anti-malware test lab. They use three factors:

• Protection (1-6): Antivirus protection against malware attacks.
• Performance (1-6): System slowdown caused by the antivirus.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of false alarms and disruptions.

We used their results, and this formula, to calculate the final score:

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

Brands not listed in the table haven’t participated in the analysis by AV-Test. This is usually not a good sign. Because most reputable brands, except Panda, ESET, and Sophos, partake in the test.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

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 Windows PC with the following 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.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

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. However, take these results with a grain of salt, as some brands actively attempt to increase their ratings.

Personally, we are wary of exceptionally high scores. Especially those by brands such as TotalAV, known for aggressive marketing and sales tactics.

We consider scores between 4.0 and 4.5 good and realistic. Higher scores are dubious, and lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Product analysis

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 your country.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

PC Matic antivirus review

Malware scanner

PC Matic Home Security employs a whitelist for malware scanning, blocking applications not in its legitimate programs database. This method has merits, but in the tests, PC Matic blocked several harmless programs, leading to false positives.

Premium antivirus programs like Norton and Bitdefender use more sophisticated techniques, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

PC Matic also identifies malicious scripts and offers some defense against brute force intrusions. While its approach to malware detection isn’t outstanding, it effectively thwarted all malware types during our assessment.

Comprehensive system scan

PC Matic examines devices for a variety of issues, including malware, unnecessary files, driver updates, and more. In our testing, the initial scan excluded malware scanning, but a second attempt succeeded and detected all malware samples. The scan scheduler is user-friendly and facilitates scheduling for both individual and group scans.

Although PC Matic’s whitelisting strategy is adequate, we believe the inclusion of more advanced malware-fighting technology, similar to Norton and McAfee, would be advantageous.

Report and cleanup

After a PC Matic scan, users receive a comprehensive, color-coded report. The information may prove useful, but it can be confusing. The cleanup process of the junk files is efficient, with the option to select issues to resolve. SSD disk users must take care to deselect the disk defragmentation option.

Supershield

SuperShield, a separate download for real-time malware protection, uses a global whitelist to identify and block threats. To activate it, users must perform at least one system scan. The SuperShield icon in the system tray indicates the current protection status.

We find SuperShield to be effective in blocking malware such as ransomware, viruses, and trojans. However, it also obstructs legitimate programs. Users can whitelist safe applications, while unknown ones are sent to the PC Matic team for review.

In conclusion, SuperShield provides decent real-time protection, but it falls short compared to competitors like Norton. We recommend a clear and user-friendly interface to improve the PC Matic experience.

Whitelisting

PC Matic obstructs all unknown applications but permits the approval of secure ones. Following a system scan, blocked applications can be swiftly authorized. The Quarantine tool enables the recovery of flagged files. To authorize a program obstructed by SuperShield, we suggest these steps:

• Click the SuperShield icon in the system tray.
• Hover over Protection Level > Block Notification Method.
• Choose Prompt for Override (advanced).
• Open the desired program.
• Opt for Always Allow.

It is crucial to revert SuperShield’s settings to default to avoid approving all blocked programs. We believe simplifying whitelisting within SuperShield would be beneficial, as competitors like Bitdefender provide more straightforward exception additions.

Dark web monitoring

PC Matic has collaborated with IdentityForce to deliver dark web monitoring. Registering with IdentityForce grants access to services such as listing wallet information, a basic password manager, and social media account monitoring.

Upon registration, PC Matic scans user data and issues alerts for breaches. While dark web monitoring demands extra registration, it furnishes extensive tools, making it a valuable addition to PC Matic’s features.

Ad blocker

PC Matic’s Ad Blocker, utilizing uBlock Origin, effectively prevents ads on websites. Nonetheless, it offers no additional features, leading users to consider downloading uBlock Origin directly. Rival TotalAV has developed its ad blocker independently.

Installation and user experience

PC Matic boasts an intuitive interface and multilingual support. It is an ideal option for novices and those with limited technical expertise. Installation is straightforward, and the official website supplies tutorials, videos, and FAQs.

Following installation, executing scans and activating SuperShield is a breeze, but some SuperShield aspects can be challenging. PC Matic’s website offers useful guides for such instances. Overall, we contend that is easy to set up and use, with detailed instructions for installation and troubleshooting.

Mobile app

PC Matic provides two rudimentary mobile apps for Android and iOS users. The Android version allows scanning of apps and files, while the iOS app serves as a content blocker. The iPhone app additionally monitors all devices under PC Matic coverage, a feature absent in the Android version. Rivals like Norton and Bitdefender offer more comprehensive mobile solutions.

Customer support

PC Matic does not offer phone support or human live chat. However, it provides a chatbot for basic inquiries, swift email support, and a knowledge base with user guides. Despite lacking live chat or phone assistance, the available resources prove helpful and efficient.

Conclusion

PC Matic (formerly PC Pitstop) is a respectable antivirus program, employing a whitelist-based malware scanner that demonstrates strong performance in tests. Nonetheless, it does not utilize sophisticated malware detection methods and falls short of some features found in leading antiviruses with internet security.

In the near future, PC Matic will also add a VPN to its feature-list. Until then, consider CyberGhost and NordVPN instead.

The mobile apps are basic but user-friendly, and customer support responses are prompt. We consider a PC Matic subscription suitable for users seeking an uncomplicated antivirus and system optimization scanner with fundamental protection capabilities.

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

How do we test antivirus software?

The best antivirus software offer virus protection, identity theft protection, and privacy protection for Windows, macOS, and Android. Some also offer security features for iOS and Linus.

To evaluate which providers are worth your money, we run 11 tests:

> Test 1: Anti-malware protection test

We analyze antivirus software’s capability to detect and eliminate known and unknown malware, using heuristic analysis for behavior monitoring.

We conduct in-house tests and analyze those from labs like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to determine the best malware protection.

Malware includes adware, keyloggers, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, trojans, viruses, worms, and more. Other cyber threats, usually not classified as malware, are (zero-day) exploits, hacks, identity theft, phishing attacks, scams, and social engineering.

> Test 2: False positives test

False positives occur when antivirus software misidentifies legitimate software, files, or websites as malicious. We rely on AV-Test’s large-scale analysis of false positives in its usability test to guide our evaluations.

> Test 3: System performance test

We measure the CPU load during antivirus software system scans and consider AV-Test’s performance results on the slowdown caused by antivirus software when opening websites and handling software.

> Test 4: Firewall test

We evaluate two-way firewalls that filter incoming and outgoing data and allow users to set rules to regulate data streams. We use the ShieldsUP! test to determine if the antivirus software blocks all ports.

> Test 5: Password manager test

We assess password managers’ ability to create, store, and autofill secure passwords, as well as additional features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.

> Test 6: Virtual Private Network (VPN) test

We evaluate built-in VPNs on their security, privacy, speed, compatibility with streaming services, unlimited data access, and support for peer-to-peer networks and torrent clients.

> Test 7: Parental control test

We examine parental control features, such as screen time rules, website/app blocking, and real-world location tracking. We test these features on a device and attempt to circumvent them, checking if the activity is accurately reported in the parental control admin.

> Test 8: Anti-phishing protection test

We evaluate antivirus browser extensions that block phishing sites by installing them and attempting to visit dangerous URLs.

> Test 9: Ransomware protection test

We assess security suites’ ability to prevent data encryption through exploit prevention and behavioral detection during ransomware attacks.

> Test 10: Bonus features test

We test any additional cybersecurity tools such as:

• 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

Operating system and multiple devices: We test antivirus software on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and award bonus points for unlimited device protection.

> Test 12: Ownership and reputation test

We analyze the trustworthiness of antivirus companies, especially concerning customer data. We read press releases, news articles, and privacy policies to determine their reputation.

Sources and tools

Below are the sources and tools we’ve used to test the antivirus software:

• Apple Platform Security
• AV-Comparatives Consumer
• AV-Test Android
• AV-Test macOS
• AV-Test Windows
• GRC Firewall Test
• Microsoft Defender
• SpeedTest VPN
• Trustpilot Security Software

Click the links to compare the prices of the best antivirus software:

🥇 Norton Antivirus - The best of 2023
🥈 Bitdefender Antivirus
🥉 McAfee Antivirus

Or read our complete comparison of the best antivirus of 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions.