A trusted antivirus program will shield you from cybercriminals that want to steal your personal data, wreck havoc on computers and networks and much more. The most effective antivirus programswhether paid or free — offer high-quality protection and performance that prevents the threat from ever reaching the computer in the first place. But choosing the right software can be a challenge.
There are many different antivirus tools available for Windows, Mac and Android devices. Some are designed for companies, while others are designed to protect consumers. Some come with additional features, while others focus on a specific threat or type of computing behavior, such as file encryption and password management. It is crucial to choose the right antivirus for your needs and take a look at it against other options.
We’ve created a chart to help you find the best tool for your requirements. It allows you to filter based on protection (how effectively the software detects malware) and performance (how it runs on your device) and false positives (how often the program incorrectly detects safe software as malware). You can filter by price, number of devices that are installed and false positives to find the most affordable price.
When you go through the chart of antivirus comparisons, keep in mind that these programs have been evaluated by several independent labs. Look for a high rating in each of the categories. You should also take into consideration the number and kind of devices included in the price as well as the ease of contacting customer support, and whether the trial version or free version is available.