10 Best Antivirus Software in 2024 - Free and Paid

Last updated: October 20, 2024 Reading time: 7 minutes
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Hackers are getting advanced and creating new viruses or malware to harm your device and gain your data. So, your PCs and Android phones are at great risk of getting spyware. Luckily, you can protect yourself using an antivirus. We hand-picked some of them best antivirus software that work in 2024.

Antivirus software is like police at the gate of your computer system, preventing threats from entering. It warns you of possible threats and deletes the malware immediately. However, multiple antivirus programs are available, making it difficult for users to select one. Therefore, we did the research and performed multiple to hand-pick some of the best antivirus software. Read on to discuss them in detail.

Why installing an antivirus is necessary

The real work of an antivirus is to detect any threats of viruses in the system, find them, destroy them, and remove them from the system.

We cannot say that an anti-virus program is the ideal solution to all the malware threats in your system, but it can be said that it protects the system in the best way. Not only is installing the anti-virus software important but updating it occasionally with the latest measures is also important.

However, online privacy software is no longer about only countering viruses. Though it is a major antivirus function, securing personal data has become people’s first priority.

Best antivirus software in 2024 – Detailed list

We have sought out a list that covers both free and paid antivirus software, both new and old, known and unknown. So, let’s get started.

1. Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a popular antivirus software with extra security features, parental controls, and options to lock down the webcam. You can also stop websites from stopping them to track your browsing activities. It has minimal impact on the performance of the system.

The program performs a thorough real-time scan and removes malicious programs instantly.

2. Norton mobile security

Norton is an excellent freemium antivirus program that offers amazing security features in its mobile version. The antivirus has introduced features such as call/text blocking and contacts backup for its free version.

Norton’s best-paid feature is App Advisor, which inspects installed software and the Google Play Store for security and privacy risks.

3. Avira

Avira is the best free antivirus software that protects against common and zero-day viruses. The option-packed interface can seem daunting initially, and slower computers might experience problems with performance during the scans.

Nevertheless, Avira is the perfect free antivirus software. It is efficient, has a high degree of customization, and offers a wide range of free add-on features, including a VPN client and a privacy-minded web browser.

4. Bitdefender security

Bitdefender’s Android security app offers protection from viruses, negligible performance impact, and privacy protection features. Android Wear watches are also added to the app’s anti-theft characteristics. This anti-virus software is not free, but it is well worth the expenditure.

It has the most up-to-date features that protect your device from new threats, such as ransomware. It has a good technical reputation. It has useful features that are not in a fussy style.

5. Panda Security

Panda Security is free antivirus software that doesn’t seem to offer much, but this isn’t the case. It is the ideal solution for people who can handle their online privacy well.

Why use it?

Panda is easy and fun to use. It rarely impacts computer system performance, and its configuration options are adequate to convince users. The tool scans your computer system on demand and regularly. It provides extensive protection for USB drives.

Panda antivirus has a few drawbacks, including slow scanning, free extra features, too many ad pop-ups, and attempts to hijack your web browser settings.

6. AVG

AVG has enhanced its virus detection rate in the last year to compete with the leading antivirus software industries. AVG free antivirus software offers a wide range of configuring options and some extra features, and it does not slow your PC too much.

What is wrong with this free antivirus software?

It turns down its users by continuously pushing them to upgrade to paid AVG software.

7. Avast

Avast is fine free antivirus software with a good interface, an unnoticeable impact on the computer system, satisfactory configuration options, and some useful extra features, including a VPN, password manager, and network scanner. It is best for users who already use other Avast products, such as Avast free mobile security for Android.

8. Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is a built-in antivirus program that is installed in the Windows operating system. The tool’s malware detection is improving, but its use is still unsatisfactory. It offers no free extra features; it greatly impacts your computer systems during scans and does not protect your computer from online malware if it is a non-Microsoft browser.

9. Malwarebytes Anti-malware

This is a premium antivirus software. It cannot protect your PC from viruses but it has tremendous performance in wiping out the malware that already exists in your system, also it won’t interfere with the antivirus software that are already present in your computer system. Its best feature is the chameleon, which uncovers malware, so nasty programs become easy to find.

Malwarebytes is not a complete antivirus software, but you can keep it as a complementary program for your free antivirus software.

10. Sophos

Sophos is the best antivirus software for parental purposes who want to hide worthless content from young children. This free antivirus allows you to have remote scans, checks, and block sites. It also has a feature that keeps logs of the banned pages when someone tries to reach them.

Sophos antivirus has a modest interface and little impact on the system’s performance. It works great in removing viruses and other malicious programs from your device.

Which antivirus should I choose: Free or paid

As the modern world becomes increasingly technologically advanced, malware evolves rapidly. To tackle this situation, technological experts are working to provide users with the best antivirus program.

We recommend using a paid antivirus rather than a free one because a premium antivirus provides better technical sustainability and more precise security features. While free antivirus software can provide paid packages, they offer a run for their money.

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About the Author

Waqas is a cybersecurity journalist and writer who has a knack for writing technology and online privacy-focused articles. He strives to help achieve a secure online environment and is skilled in writing topics related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Cloud security, and a lot more. As seen in: Computer.org, Nordic APIs, Infosecinstitute.com, Tripwire.com, and VentureBeat.

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