Best Antivirus For Windows 10: Top Protection Software In 2024

Looking for the best antivirus for Windows 10? You’re in good hands. In this piece, we’ll break down the best options to keep your PC safe.

Reigning supreme among 65% of Windows users, Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender, which does a decent job. However, a third-party antivirus will give you that extra layer of protection.

You can find the best defense against zero-day threats, be it malware, phishing scams, or ransomware in the anti-virus options below:

Best antivirus for Windows 10:

Here’s a quick look at the best options on the market. You can find more detailed information down below.

Antivirus	Features	Price
ESET HOME Security Essential	Minimal system impact, phishing protection, strong online defense	Free trial
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus	Lightweight, real-time protection, built-in VPN	Paid
Malwarebytes	Excellent malware detection, real-time protection, minimal system impact	Free and paid
Total AV	Excellent malware detection, real-time protection, minimal system impact	Paid
Guard.io	Device optimization, cross-platform support, user-friendly	Free trial
Intego Antivirus	Real-time protection, low system impact, ransomware defense	Paid
Norton Antivirus Plus	Low system impact, cloud backup, built-in VPN	Paid
Vipre	Robust real-time protection, email security, data loss prevention	Free trial
Kaspersky	Top-tier protection, low resource usage, cross-platform	Paid
Avast Free Antivirus	Strong free protection, behavior shield, silent mode	Free
Avira Antivirus Premium	Strong web protection, privacy tools, good detection rates	Paid

Need more information? Keep reading!

ESET HOME Security Essential – Best Windows 10 antivirus overall

PROS	CONS:
✅ Minimal power usage ✅ Gamer Mode ✅ Strong web-browsing and online payment protection ✅ Excellent phishing defense ✅ Military-grade encryption for passwords ✅ Install & forget the antivirus model ✅ Active web-browsing protection ✅ Ransomware and spyware shield ✅ Online banking & payment protection ✅ Suitable for Windows, macOS, and Linux	❌ UI can feel outdated compared to competitors

ESET HOME Security Essential is ranked as one of the best antivirus for Windows 10. It protects against malware, including viruses, ransomware, worms, as well as spyware.

Additionally, it offers military-grade encryption for all your passcodes when your device is lost or destroyed, so nothing leaks or gets stolen.

ESET HOME Security Essential

A lightweight antivirus that offers just the protection all your devices need against the latest malware.

Free Trial Visit Website

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – Most security features

PROS	CONS
✅ Cutting-edge lightweight technology ✅ Real-time protection ✅ Low system impact ✅ Excellent malware detection rates ✅ Built-in VPN (limited) ✅ Password manager included ✅ Protection against unauthorized use of your microphone and webcam ✅ Anti-theft features for your devices’ protection ✅ Gives you anonymity on public Wi-Fi ✅Built-in browser protection	❌ VPN limited to 200MB/day in basic plan ❌ Additional tools like file shredder and parental controls are missing

Bitdefender has an excellent antivirus technology approach proven to be a cutting-edge solution on Windows. You will soon see why we ranked it as the best antivirus for Windows 10 that doesn’t slow down your computer.

It’s an award-winning antivirus developer that has garnered wide appraisal over the years. This is thanks to its efficiency in fighting off malware balanced with a low system impact.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Secure all your devices with one plan using this reliable antivirus!

Check price Visit Website

Malwarebytes – Straightforward tool with award winning security

PROS	CONS
✅ Excellent malware detection rates ✅ Real-time protection ✅ Low system impact ✅ Free version ✅ Anti-theft features ✅ Built-in browser protection ✅ Simple, intuitive interface	❌ Lacks a built-in firewall ❌ Limited advanced features in free version ❌ No VPN in free version

Malwarebytes is known for its lightweight software, but don’t be fooled—it’s packed with powerful tools. It combines cutting-edge tech like anti-malware, anti-phishing, and ransomware protection, all with a simple and easy-to-use interface.

It runs quietly in the background with real-time protection, keeping your system safe without slowing it down. Further, it’s fairly affordable and includes a free version.

Malwarebytes

Get grade-A protection without breaking the bank or slowing down your system!

Check price Visit website

Total AV – Great for browsing security

PROS	CONS
✅Boost up PC with device optimization tools ✅ Cross-platform compatibility ✅ Excellent real-time protection ✅ WebShield for browser ✅ Built-in ad blocker ✅ User-friendly UI ✅ Data breach monitoring	❌ Expensive renewal pricing ❌ VPN is a separate paid feature

Total AV offers virus protection, safe web surfing, block tracking cookies, as well as verification for breach attempts. Thus we ranked it as one of the best antivirus for a Windows 10 Home user.

It also provides WebShield in your browser to browse the web safely and securely. Hence, it is a defense against fake, scam, or phishing websites that exploit unknowing users. Also, this means that Total AV lets you take control of the browsing experience for browsers.

Total AV

A simple solution for a complete package of protection.

Check Price Visit Website

Guard.io – Best for internet browsing

PROS	CONS
✅ Super lightweight browser extension ✅ Effective phishing and malicious site blocking ✅ Very easy to install ✅ Good privacy tools for web browsing ✅ Prevents browser-based data breaches	❌Limited protection outside of the browser ❌ No mobile device support

Firstly, Guard.io is a lightweight Chrome extension that basically works like an antivirus for your browser. It takes seconds to add, and provides immediate online security.

Harmful sites will be blocked immediately, while advanced anti-phishing protection will prevent all attempts to steal your data. Its machine learning and cloud infrastructure, and security research bring state-of-the-art web browsing protection.

Guard.io

Your browsing bodyguard for any online threats.

Free Trial Visit Website

Intego Antivirus – Most descriptive AV report

PROS	CONS
✅ Full bulletin virus report on Windows & Mac ✅ Excellent real-time protection ✅ Low impact on system performance ✅ Great ransomware protection ✅ Full system cleanup tools ✅ Advanced reports on malware activities ✅ Cross-platform (Windows & macOS)	❌ No mobile app support ❌ Lacks advanced features like VPN or parental control

Intego is the next tested antivirus and it delivers competitive antivirus technology with real-time virus prevention. This antivirus will generate a complete report with every security aspect, and provide cutting-edge tools for malware removal.

You can thereby stop complex cyber threats like Zero-day or phishing attacks that put your Windows PC at risk.

Intego

Keep threats away using Intego’s advanced security system!

Check price Visit website

Norton Antivirus Plus – Best for home PC

PROS	CONS
✅ Low system impact ✅ Frequently updated ✅ Excellent real-time malware protection ✅ Cloud backup (2GB) included ✅ Built-in VPN and password manager ✅ Dark web monitoring (premium tiers)	❌ Can be expensive on a per-device basis ❌ VPN and cloud storage are limited in basic plans ❌ Intrusive notifications

Norton works silently in the background, having minimum impact on your system’s resources. It has a multi-layered approach that covers all bases: antivirus, email scan, anti malware, and cloud backup.

You receive up to 2GB of cloud backup space to save and defend essential files and documents from hard disk failure and hardware theft. The drawback of Norton is that it is pricey per device.

Norton AntiVirus Plus

Multi-layered, smart encryption helps safeguard your devices from arising from various malware threats.

Check price Visit Website

Vipre – Best email security

PROS	CONS
✅ Robust real-time protection ✅ Excellent email protection (great for business users) ✅ Low system impact ✅ Data loss prevention features ✅ Good for home and business environments	❌Lacks features like VPN or parental controls ❌ Some users find the UI to be too basic ❌ Limited mobile device support

With award-winning endpoint protection, email security, and data loss prevention, Vipre is one of the industry leaders. It creates security layers from every possible angle to ensure your data is safe

Additionally, anti-malware, anti-phishing, and smart email verification features protect all online activities from threats. Furthermore, you will experience web browsing without ads, unnecessary notifications, and spam pop-ups for the time being. Vipre works to create the best user experience.

Vipre

Fight off malware, phishing and other threats with this industry leading AV!

Check price Visit website

Kaspersky – Best malware protection

PROS	CONS
✅ Top-notch malware, ransomware, and phishing protection ✅ Low resource consumption ✅ Works across PC, Mac, and mobile ✅ Advanced transaction protection ✅ Built-in password manager ✅ Affordable pricing	❌Data privacy concerns (especially in the US and EU) due to alleged ties with government ❌ Limited features in the free version ❌ Lacks advanced tools like optimization or a VPN

Kaspersky Antivirus is one of the best antivirus apps for Windows 10. It is an anti-malware tool with a long history in the industry.

It is useful if you work remotely and suspect someone is spying on you and intends to steal your work. Get a year-long license, and you never have to worry about malware regarding your home and business.

Here are the perks of using Kaspersky:

• Easy-to-use
• Light resource usage
• Transaction protection
• Built-in password manager
• Works for PC, Mac, and mobile devices

Kaspersky

Kaspersky uses advanced monitoring systems to detect both known and unknown harmful spyware.

Free Trial Visit Website

Avast Free Antivirus – Best free antivirus option

PROS	CONS
✅ Comprehensive free version with great malware protection ✅ Behavior shield monitors suspicious app activity ✅ Built-in browser cleaner ✅ Frequent updates ✅ Low resource footprint ✅ Silent mode for gaming and streaming	❌ Privacy concerns due to past data-sharing practices ❌ Intrusive upgrade prompts ❌ Advanced features require a paid upgrade

First, we love the Behavior Shield. With this function, Avast monitors the behavior of individual apps on a computer to counter anything suspicious.

Also, Avast Omni, Premium Security, and Free Antivirus have CyberCapture, which automatically detects questionable files. Additionally, the free version may assist with password management, browser cleansing, and network security. It also has a Do Not Disturb mode, preventing popups when viewing movies or playing games.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast scores first in malware blocking and anti-phishing testing and scanning of the network.

Free Download Visit Website

Avira Antivirus – Great free protection

PROS	CONS
✅ Strong protection against web-based threats and ransomware ✅ Includes privacy-focused features like system tune-up tools ✅ Excellent detection rates ✅ Built-in driver updater ✅ Good free and paid options	❌ Can use more system resources compared to competitors

Avira is one of the best antivirus apps for Windows 10. The developer has improved the software significantly over the past year to be competitive enough.

Additionally, Avira Free Security can detect and prevent emerging threats and zero-day exploits.

Also, you receive several privacy and performance utilities, including a VPN and password manager, driver updates, and memory optimization.

Avira Antivirus

Best free antivirus software with enticing upgrade options if you want better protection.

Free download Visit Website

Does Windows 10 need antivirus on top of Windows Defender?

Yes, Windows 10 certainly needs an antivirus. Even though Windows constantly updates the OS for better security, you’ll always need to use an antivirus that can quickly detect, block, and remove threats. 

Such tools can block access to malicious sites, stop intrusive pop-ups, prevent/detect spam, and protect your privacy against spyware, data theft, hackers, and phishing attacks.

Good cyber hygiene also goes a long way, but no matter how well-versed you are in online security, you can never be too sure. New threats arise daily.

Summary

That concludes our list of the best antivirus tools for Windows 10. We will update the list once more information is uncovered to provide you with the most updated and relevant information.

If interested, check out our guide on Antivirus statistics to know more about the importance of security tools. And finally, check out our antivirus market share report to find out which antivirus is topping the charts.

Did you download the best antivirus for Windows 10? Let us know by leaving your feedback in the comments below.