Are you looking for the best antivirus protection? Well, you are not alone.
Anyone using the internet should have some form of antivirus security — it doesn’t matter if they are an individual or a business.
Antivirus software gives you the necessary protection against innumerable online cyber threats. However, the challenge is to figure out which antivirus protection is right for you.
In this article, we will look at the best antivirus protection for 2022. If you are in a hurry, then check out the table where we listed all the antivirus protection software listed in the article.
Table 1: Best Antivirus Software 2022
| Antivirus Software | Maximum devices supported | Platforms Support | Pricing | Trial/Money back guarantee |
| Bitdefender Antivirus | 10 | Windows | Starts from $29.99 per year | No |
| Norton Antivirus | 1 | Windows, Mac | Starts from $19.99 per year | No |
| Kaspersky Anti-Virus | 5 | Windows | Starts from $29.99 per year | 30-days trial |
| ESET NOD32 Antivirus | 5 | Windows, MacOS, Linux | Starts from $39.99 per year | 30-days trial |
| F-Secure Antivirus SAFE | 3 | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Starts from $35.99 per year | No |
| Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus | 3 | Windows, MacOS | Starts from $29.99 per year | 70-days money back guarantee |
| Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security | 1 | Windows, MacOS | Starts from $29.95 per year | No |
| G Data Antivirus | 10 | Windows | Starts from $29.95 per year | 30-days money back guarantee |
| Malwarebytes Premium | 5 | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Browser | Starts from $39.99 per year | 14-days free trial |
| Comodo Windows Antivirus | 3 | Windows | Starts from $29.99 per year | No |
Features To Look For In An Antivirus Software
There are many things that you look out for in antivirus software. However, there are few features that are crucial for any good antivirus software. Let’s list them below.
- Real-time scanning: Any good antivirus solution should have the option to run real-time scanning on your computer. This way, it can provide the most effective way to protect you against malware or any other malicious actor.
- Easy to install: Not all consumers are tech-oriented, and that’s why antivirus solutions should be easy to install.
- Automatic and regular updates: With time, there will be new threats. These new threats leave any computer at risk. That’s why you will see signature updates for antivirus. As a user, you need to make sure that your antivirus software gets regular updates and that too automatically.
- Lightweight: With PCs becoming more powerful each passing day, antiviruses are free to use more resources compared to before. However, any good antivirus should have as little impact as possible on a computer’s performance when doing other tasks such as working with Photoshop or playing video games.
- Auto-clean: Antivirus should be able to auto-clean when it detects malicious software or code on your machine. This means, putting the code in quarantine, from which you can take manual action to delete it permanently.
How Do We Know Which One is The Best?
Security is a big market. Just like these antivirus protection solution providers, there are independent testers. These independent antivirus testers are serious about their job where they cover every single aspect of the antivirus solution.
We reference three testing reports released by the likes of AV-Test Institute, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. We have kept good faith in them and use them as our source of knowledge.
On top of that, we also make another testing like usability, ease of installation, performance impact, and other factors to figure the best ones out there.
The Best Antivirus Protection For 2022
You will have tons of free and paid antivirus protection software in the market. However, not all of them are good and do things that they promise. That’s why we have created a list of antivirus protection software for 2022.
Let’s get started.
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
If you are looking for an all-rounded performance from your antivirus, then Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is for you.
It is at the top of the list because it is a leader when it comes to testing labs such as AV Comparative and AV-Test. It constantly performs better than its competition and gets a high score every year.
But, how does it perform from a user’s perspective?
With Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, you get access to a complete package, including support for multi-devices.
Setting up Bitdefender is easy. All you need to do is download and run their installer. However, you do need to register a one-time account with them so that you can manage your antivirus solution.
Once installed, you can forget about it as it protects your pc with real-time protection.
In terms of features, it offers secure file deletion, password manager, banking protection, Wi-Fi security scanning, and even vulnerability scanner. On top of all of these, you also get access to a basic VPN, which adds more protection to your internet connection.
With their basic plan, you can protect three devices.
Pros
- Excellent independent lab testing results
- Amazing ransomware protection
- Banking protection
- Comes with a free VPN solution
Cons
- Resource intensive
- Expensive
Pricing
You can completely customize your antivirus plan when buying Bitdefender. The basic plan starts at just $29.99. It offers 3 devices protection and all the essential features that you will need to protect your devices.
You can choose to change the device number up to 10 or the duration of up to 3 years. For more pricing information, check their pricing page.
| Operating System Support | Windows |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
| Price | Starts from $29.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | No |
| Other features | Multi-layer ransomware protection, password manager, and Wi-Fi security scanning |
2. Norton Antivirus Plus
If you are a Windows user and are looking for an entry-level antivirus solution, then Norton Antivirus is a good choice.
As a whole, they offer excellent packages. If you take their Plus annual plan, then you get access to a smart firewall, password manager, real-time threat protection, and a handy 2 GB cloud backup.
With Norton, you do not have to worry at all as it offers real-time protection and manual scanning. It also comes with a URL blocker, which is a handy tool as it automatically ads malicious sites to the block list.
Norton is not a new company and is offering their services for quite some time. The best plan that they offer is the Norton AntiVirus Plus, but you can also get started with their Basic plan. The only thing that holds them down compared to other security solutions providers is their one device limit per plan. So, if you want to protect multiple devices at home or office, you should look for other antivirus protection software.
Lastly, you also get access to their Norton Identity Safe — a password manager which comes handy while accessing sensitive sites.
Pros
- Norton regularly score high in the independent lab tests
- Their data protector feature offers protection against new threats including ransomware
- They also offer access to online backup, ransomware protection, and firewall
Cons
- No multi-license pricing
- Expensive
- Ransomware protector is not as reliable as suggested
Pricing
Their pricing starts from $19.99 per year which is their Plus plan. They also offer other advanced security solutions with added functionalities that go up to $99.99 per year.
| Operating System Support | Windows, Mac |
| Maximum devices supported | 1 |
| Price | Starts from $14.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Firewall, Ransomware protection, password manager, online backup |
3. Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Our third antivirus in the list is Kaspersky Anti-Virus. The Kaspersky Anti-Virus is an ideal solution for beginners who are looking for a simple-to-use antivirus solution.
In terms of functionality, it offers a good malware protection system where it can effectively detect and prevent malware from infecting your computer. Moreover, it blocks malicious URLs by offering web filtering.
It is also effective in blocking crypto mining, ransomware, and crypto lockers, which are now becoming more common on the web. Infact, some famous sites get infected with web miners and do not know that they are infected.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install, ideal for beginners
- Great results from independent testing labs
Cons
- Malware protection can sometimes not work as intended.
Pricing
The pricing of Kaspersky Anti-Virus starts from $29.99 per year for 3 PCs. That’s value for money, considering that you can install the license on three machines.
It comes with a 30-day trial period, so if you are not happy with their service, you can always get a refund.
For more information, you can check their pricing page.
| Operating System Support | Windows |
| Maximum devices supported | 5 |
| Price | Starts from $29.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Ransomware protection, blocks cryptominers and cryptolockers |
4. ESET NOD32 Antivirus
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is yet another popular choice for protecting your device against malware.
By using ESET, you can be assured that your PC is protected against any malware. The antivirus is an excellent choice for slower PCs as it requires less taxing on system resources. So, if you want interruption-free protection from worms, ransomware, viruses, and spyware, then it is a good pick.
It offers heuristic detection, malware protection, exploit protection, an anti-ransomware layer, and malicious site URL blocking.
One of its top features is that it provides real-time protection with no interruption or popups. So, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a perfect fit for personal entertainment computers.
The antivirus focuses more on its core features rather than providing password managers or file shredders.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t slow down your PC
- No interruption
- Focuses on core malware protection
- Comprehensive device control
Cons
- Doesn’t come overloaded with features
- Phishing protection can be improved
- Can be complex for beginners
Pricing
The pricing of ESET NOD32 Antivirus is decent as it starts from $39.99 per year for one device per year.
The 30-day trial also lets you try out their antivirus without the need to pay anything.
| Operating System Support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Maximum devices supported | 5 |
| Price | Starts from $39.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | UEFI Scanner, ransomware shield, cloud powering scanning, exploit blocker |
5. F-Secure Antivirus SAFE
If you are looking for an antivirus solution for multiple devices with different operating systems, then F-Secure Antivirus SAFE can be a great option. It comes with the support of three major operating systems, including Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Installing F-Secure Antivirus SAFE is also easy, and you can get started with it in no time.
F-Secure provides advanced protection for your device by actively looking for malware. It also protects you against infected email attachments, spyware, and viruses.
To ensure that you are protected against modern threats, they actively provide automatic signature updates. Their real-time response guarantee makes sure that you are protected against new threats.
Apart from that, it also protects you during online shopping by providing banking protection and other safety tools. Also, if you install it on your mobile device, it provides a locator that helps you to find your iOS or Android device if they are lost.
Pros
- Easy to install
- User friendly
- Good value for money
- Support mobile devices
Cons
- Can give some false positives
Pricing
The pricing starts from $35.99 per year, which protects three devices.
| Operating System Support | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
| Price | Starts from $35.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | No |
| Other features | Real-time protection, banking protection, supports multiple devices and operating systems |
6. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus
Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is one of the affordable antivirus solution providers out there. Their offering includes identity theft protection, no-interruption workflow, and faster run scan time. A US-based company manages the product.
It is also lightweight and only takes 15 MB of data on your hard disk. They also offer real-time anti-phishing solutions that protect your browsing by actively looking for malicious websites. It is also 60x times faster when it comes to scans and can take around 20 seconds of time.
Identity and privacy theft is also becoming mainstream, and that’s why it offers webcam protection.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t slow down PCs
- Identity theft protection
- Real-time anti-phishing protection
- Great score in malware-blocking test
Cons
- Anti-phishing protection can be improved
- Some tools are advanced for average users
Pricing
Their basic plan starts from just $29.99 per year, where it offers support for one device. If you choose to protect three devices, then it will cost you $37.49 per year.
However, the most impressive thing about this is their 70-day, money-back guarantee. That’s impressive for any Antivirus solution provider out there!
| Operating System Support | Windows, MacOS |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
| Price | Starts from $29.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Identity Theft protection, firewall monitor, real-time anti-phishing |
7. Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security
Trend Micro is known for its antivirus protection solutions. Their Antivirus+ Security plan is ideal for any modern PCs out there.
With it, you can protect your machine from different types of malicious actors and browse safely as it protects you from malicious sites.
They have gained quite a reputation when it comes to protecting online users against spams and ransomware.
The antivirus also provides ransomware protection by blocking web threats and other online dangers. Apart from that, it is also effective against phishing emails where you get protected against scams and frauds.
It is easy to install and use. The intuitive dashboard makes sure that it is welcoming to the new users.
With the Antivirus+ Security, you can protect one of your devices, which can be limited for modern homes and offices where people carry multiple devices at any given time. You can get hold of other plans, but they fall under Internet Security.
Pros
- Great pricing
- Simple to install and use
- Excellent protection
- Amazing ransomware protection
Cons
- Can be resource-intensive
- Some limiting options
Pricing
They offer decent pricing of $29.95 per year for one device support. If you opt for a two years plan, then you need to pay $59.90.
| Operating System Support | Windows, MacOS |
| Maximum devices supported | 1 |
| Price | Starts from $29.95 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Ransomware protection, intuitive dashboard, block web threats |
8. G Data Antivirus
Our next candidate in the best antivirus protection for 2022 is G Data Antivirus. It offers complete protection from viruses, malicious actors, ransomware, trojans, exploits, and keyloggers. The good news is that it also performs well in malware protection tests and is ideal for users looking to get the best protection possible.
They are utilizing their innovative BEAST and DeepRay technologies to protect their users from malicious actors. These technologies utilize behavior analysis and artificial intelligence to find malware that tries to camouflage as harmless identities. It also offers a smart way to recognize apps’ behavior and identity them if they are going to attack or not.
Other key features offered by G Data Antivirus include exploiting protection, anti-ransomware, email scanning, G Data Bankguard, update management, and USB keyboard guard.
Pros
- Excellent scores against malware protection
- Protects against a wide variety of threat including ransomware, keyloggers, trojans
- Includes spam filter
- 24/7 support
- Comes with 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Can be intensive on resources
Pricing
You can get G Data Antivirus for $29.29 per year for one device. They support up to 10 devices, which means that you can customize your plan according to your needs.
They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support.
| Operating System Support | Windows |
| Maximum devices supported | 10 |
| Price | Starts from $29.95 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Keyloggger protection, protects against trojans, exploits, 30-day money back guarantee |
9. Malwarebytes Premium
If you are looking for a premium service that goes beyond a traditional antivirus, then you should check out Malwarebytes Premium. It offers smarter protection for your PC and protects you in four ways. You can also use it to complement your antivirus protection as well!
Malwarebytes Premium is lightweight and takes fewer CPU resources while scanning. You can also turn off notifications if you are gaming or watching movies.
It comes with free scanners that help clean your PC in a matter of minutes. Moreover, it protects your privacy and files using real-time protection, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to safeguard you from online threats.
Next, it also protects you online from malicious links, infected sites, and online scams. It can also identify phishing sites and block them when needed.
Lastly, it offers excellent ransomware protection that stops hackers from holding your machine against ransom.
Pros
- Intuitive user experience
- Can work with other antivirus solutions
Cons
- Protection system can be complex compared to other solutions
- Doesn’t perform well in traditional antivirus designed tests
Pricing
You can try their 14-days trial before deciding to buy their paid version. The premium version starts from $39.99 per year, which protects one device. For five devices, you need to pay $79.99 per year. For more information about their pricing, you can check their pricing page.
| Operating System Support | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Browser |
| Maximum devices supported | 5 |
| Price | Starts from $39.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | Yes |
| Other features | Exploit protection, behavior-based detection, works great along with other antivirus protection solution, protects your online presence |
10. Comodo Windows Antivirus
Our last contender in the best antivirus protection for 2022 is Comodo Windows Antivirus. It offers complete protection and is best suited for newbies who are new to the PC world.
When it comes to features, it protects your PC using cloud-based antivirus scanning. This means that it protects you against new threats. Moreover, it also comes with a firewall that keeps away malicious actors from accessing your computer when connected to the internet.
The auto-sandbox technology is used to store harmful programs from interfering with your PC.
Moreover, it also offers default deny protection that keeps your PC safe while executing new applications. Other key features include spyware scanning, personalized protection, cloud-based whitelisting, and so on!
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Comes with firewall
- Game mode
Cons
- Complicated setup
Pricing
Their pricing is $29.99 per year for one PC. However, if you need to protect more devices, then you can get three licenses for $39.99 per year.
They also offer 24/7 support on their site.
| Operating System Support | Windows |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
| Price | Starts from $29.99 per year |
| Real-time scanning | Yes |
| Malicious URL blocker | No |
| Other features | Spyware scanning, cloud-based protection, game mode, one-click scanning, application control |
Conclusion
Choosing an antivirus in 2022 has become challenging, considering that we now have multiple offerings from different companies. On top of that, these companies offer varied packages, which can further confuse the consumer. We hope that you can quantify the available best antivirus solutions listed here. In most cases, Bitdefender is a good pick. It provides an overall good value for money and performance out of the box.
So, which antivirus are you choosing for your device? Comment below and let us know.
