The Best Antivirus Software in 2025
The Best Antivirus Software in 2025
Have you wondered what one of the most recognized terms in the world of tech security is? this is a Computer virus.
In the year of 1971, a Virus appeared in our technology in response, the antivirus was created to identify and remove malicious software. In this blog, I recognize the Best Antivirus Software below, with our type of evaluations, assessments, and especially years of experience. Comparison of their specs by their rankings, and a guide on how you choose the best antivirus software for you.
1. Total Antivirus
Overview:
When I first tried Total Antivirus, I was surprised by how user-friendly it is. If you’re new to antivirus software, Total Antivirus makes everything simple and easy to navigate, which I appreciate. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something clear interface and effective in defending against malware and ransomware.
Upside:
The interface is super straightforward, so it’s perfect for first-time users.
It offers solid protection against common threats, especially for malware and ransomware.
Compared to some other premium options, it’s affordable just for only 19$ for the first year avails in both desktop and mobile phone covers.
Downside:
The free version has limited features when it comes to security compared to advanced features, like has built-in VPN or a password manager, so I recommended that you avail paid version for strong security compared to the free.
Based on our testing, TotalAV failed to stop downloads of harmful files, but it detected and isolated those files immediately when we attempted to open them.
Special Feature:
I liked the privacy scanner in Total Antivirus. It checks which apps might be compromising your data, which is a great feature if you care about your privacy.
2. Bitdefender
Overview:
Bitdefender is one I’ve used for years and always come back to because it offers such a comprehensive security solution. If you’re looking for something that’s both powerful and easy to use, this is one of the best antivirus software options out there. From real-time protection to its AI-driven security features, it’s clear that Bitdefender stays ahead of the curve when it comes to protecting against the latest threats.
Upside:
I’ve never been let down by its ability to detect and remove malware seriously, it’s top-tier.
I tested The AI-powered protection in a week and it is fantastic, what I love the most is that it’s proactive rather than just reactive to identify harmful threats.
It runs smoothly without noticeably slowing down my system especially when I opened more applications.
Downside:
For beginners, the interface might feel a bit overwhelming at first.
The premium versions are a little bit pricier compared to other software out there.
Special Feature:
Bitdefender’s Multi-Layer Ransomware Protection is hands down my favorite feature. It blocks ransomware before it can even start encrypting my files, which gives me peace of mind when I’m dealing with sensitive documents like company information.
3. Avast
Overview:
I’ve always been a fan of Avast, especially for its free version, which provides solid protection without asking any of your money. but I recommended the full version because it offers a lot of extra features, and I tried to navigate it in others and they say it should be known for being very user-friendly. If you’re looking for a balance between protection and affordability, Avast might just be the way to go.
Upside:
The free version covers all the basics, which is perfect if you’re not looking to spend money right away.
The interface is not easy to learn, and you can tweak settings to your liking.
Includes a password manager, network scanner, and more.
Downside:
From what I see, The free version does have limitations, and some features are locked compared to the premium version.
Avast has had some privacy concerns in the past, but they’ve made changes since then.
Special Feature:
One of the coolest things about Avast is its Wi-Fi Inspector. It checks your home network for vulnerabilities, which is great for anyone who wants to make sure their IoT devices are secure from potential threats.
4. Kaspersky
Overview:
there’s been some debate over Kaspersky’s ties to Russia, but putting that aside, Kaspersky has ranked as one of the best antivirus software choices for its ability to detect and stop all sorts of threats, from malware to phishing attacks. It’s one of the most reliable tools I’ve used for keeping my system safe.
Upside:
Based on our testing of downloading malicious files, Kaspersky software is good at identifying malware and blocking phishing attempts before they do any harm.
The full system scans don’t slow down my computer too much even though I have so many applications open during that time.
Customer support is excellent, and I always feel I have the help I need especially with detailed concerns.
Downside:
The free version is quite limited, which means you’ll probably need the paid version for full protection.
We conduct testing to others and some users may still be uneasy about the company’s origins despite its transparency efforts.
Special Feature:
Kaspersky’s Advanced Parental Control is an excellent tool for families. I recommend this for family needs if you have kids, this feature gives you a lot of control over what they can access online, which I think is incredibly important in today’s digital world.
5. Surfshark
Overview:
You might know Surfshark for its VPN service, but in 2025, they’ve introduced the best antivirus software, and it’s a great addition. If you’re someone who values online privacy and security, Surfshark gives you the best of both worlds by combining VPN services with reliable antivirus features in one package.
Upside:
The combination of VPN and the best antivirus software in one package is impressive for anyone who wants comprehensive online protection.
Unlimited devices are supported, which is great in a company for instance if you have multiple gadgets.
We tried it on any devices and guess what? it’s easy to use and set up across different platforms.
Downside:
In our part of our testing, we found out Surfshark failed to stop downloads of potentially harmful files, but it detected and quarantined those files as soon as we tried to gain access to them.
The free version has limited features compared to more advanced features, like real-time protection.
Special Feature:
Surfshark’s Secure Antivirus scans for malware 24/7, and its integration with the VPN adds an extra layer of security by blocking suspicious websites and phishing attempts as you browse.
Antivirus Software Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Protection in 2025
When it comes to protecting your devices from cyber threats, choosing the best antivirus software can feel overwhelming. With so many options out there, how do you know which one is the best for your needs?
Whether you’re a professional tech user or a beginner just starting to explore the Best antivirus software, I’ve put together this buying guide to help you decide what best antivirus software should use in 2025. Let’s walk through the key factors to consider when picking the best antivirus software for your device, data, and online activities.
The first thing you should do is understand your needs. Are you just looking for basic protection, or do you need more advanced features like real-time scanning, a password manager, or a VPN?
Basic Protection: If you’re mostly browsing the web, checking emails, and using social media, a simple antivirus with malware protection might be enough.
Advanced Security: If you frequently shop online, handle sensitive information, or work from home, you might need a more comprehensive suite with added layers like ransomware protection, phishing defense, and parental controls.
Real-time protection: This is where the part of the best antivirus software that works in the background to detect and stop threats as they happen. Without it, your system could be vulnerable to malware or viruses that slip past during your daily activities. Make sure the software you choose offers real-time protection, especially if you spend a lot of time online or have multiple devices connected to the internet.
Look at Extra Features: Some the best antivirus software software options include an extra tool to enhance your overall security and privacy:
VPN: If you are using public wi-fi or care about online privacy, a built-in VPN can be a huge bonus because this bonus feature of VPN can encrypt your internet traffic so your online activities are also protected whenever you go.
Password Manager: This tool helps securely store and manage your passwords. If you struggle to remember multiple account passwords who doesn’t? this feature can save you time and enhance your security.
Parental Controls: If you have children using devices, it’s worth looking for the best antivirus software that offers parental controls. This feature allows you to monitor and restrict the content your kids can access, ensuring they stay safe while online.
Check Compatibility and Device Support: Some software only works on Windows, while others may offer support for Mac, Android, or even Linux. If you use multiple devices, check if the software allows multiple device protection under a single subscription.
Additionally, make sure it works 100% with your operating system’s version like it should be compatible whether you’re using the latest update of Windows 10, a Mac with macOS, or an Android phone.
Performance and Speed: Look for software that is light on system resources but still offers solid protection. Many top antivirus programs today offer “low-impact” scanning that won’t drain your computer’s performance, allowing you to go about your day without noticeable slowdowns.
User-Friendliness: If you’re not a tech expert, you want software that’s easy to install, configure, and use without requiring constant tinkering. Look for a clean interface that doesn’t overwhelm you with options and settings.
Consider the Price and Subscription Plans: The good news is that there’s a wide range of the best antivirus software at different price points. Some offer free versions with basic protection, but these often come with limitations or ads. For more complete protection, you’ll likely need a paid subscription.
Look at Customer Support: Look for the best antivirus software that offers 24/7 support through multiple channels, whether it’s chat, email, or phone. A FAQ section can also help answer common questions without having to contact support.
How do we test the best antivirus software?
First things first, we researched how to provide tests for each best antivirus software. To compile all of it, we have to look at every package if they can provide what they can offer.
One of the first things we do is monitor its performance through the task manager, this is important to visualize all processes in the system and how it affects it while running it.
We try the Free features of every best antivirus software listed here before the Paid Features. The main goal of it is can provide the basic performance of antivirus which is to determine harmful files.
On top of that, we performed common malware versions listed in Git Hub to all features including free version and paid version in all platform devices.
Here’s our testing and procedure in a detailed discussion:
Free Version Antivirus Software – Handle performance (Scanning)
Paid Version Antivirus Software – Handle performance (Scanning)
We’re using cross-platform virtualization – Oracle Virtual Box to test all of the antivirus in all platforms listed in Windows 10 Pro 64 bit-PC, with 16 GB of memory and a processor of Intel – i5 8th Gen 2.80GHz.
Based on the best antivirus software platform displayed at the top, we find out that compared to the Free version, The Paid version is much better because the paid version of this software makes sure that such details in devices are not leaked after downloading malicious files with the detection of harmful files.
