The best antivirus software for Windows in 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

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The internet can be a scary place. Malware lurks in online spaces, waiting for a shot at accessing your personal information. There are plenty of antivirus programs out there, ready to protect you, but which one should you download? Some apps provide robust features, while others are more lightweight and better for low-cost computers. There is a lot of variety, so much so that sifting through everything can be a herculean task. Lucky for you, I did all the heavy lifting and have come up with a list detailing the best antivirus programs for Windows PCs.

Also: The best free antivirus software: Expert tested

What is the best antivirus solution right now?

Each of the antiviral programs on this roundup comes highly recommended. Bitdefender boasts a fully loaded arsenal to protect your computer from bad actors. Windows Security is surprisingly a good choice for users looking to protect their system for free. However, my pick for the best antivirus app on Windows is Malwarebytes. It has everything you could ever want in protective software: robust security, an easy-to-understand user interface, and a subscription service that builds on the free version. Read on to find out our other top picks and if certain apps better fit your needs.

Best antivirus software and apps for Windows

The aptly named Malwarebytes takes the top spot as the best antivirus for Windows. The app provides reliable protection against online dangers like malware, viruses, and phishing attacks. It's also easy to install and has a user-friendly interface. Understanding the UI easily enables a fast startup, so you can quickly activate file scans without incident.

There are two versions of Malwarebytes: one is free, and the other is a paid subscription. The free version is quite solid, providing manual device and digital footprint scans without cost. However, it's limited in what it can do. Malwarebytes premium plans offer much better protection.

Review: Malwarebytes: Solid, free protection with a user-friendly interface

The paid version gives people real-time protection against threats and automated scan scheduling. Windows users, in particular, can customize scans so that the tool focuses on specific folders and files. This is something Malwarebytes on MacOS lacks.

Other notable features include Trusted Advisor, which provides recommendations to improve protection, and Browser Guard, a browser extension that blocks threats. Malwarebytes offers a free 14-day trial to try out the subscription.

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Bitdefender Total Security is a comprehensive antivirus program that offers multi-layered protection across different operating systems, although its functionality is more robust on Windows. The software provides essential tools like real-time scanning and malware quarantine. Users can perform full system scans to look through every file on their computer. Or, if you're short on time, a quick scan option is available.

Review: Bitdefender Total Security: One of the top antivirus options you can buy

Unique features features include Bitdefender Shield, which continuously scans apps, software patches, and files for potential threats. In addition, Traffic Light is a browser extension that actively stops phishing attempts. You even have several operation modes that let you tweak Bitdefender for specific use cases like gaming or streaming movies.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg--other notable features include a VPN, a password manager, crypto mining protection, and security against ransomware. To get the most out of Bitdefender, you will need to pay for a subscription, which can be rather expensive as it has a starting price of $60 a month. Other plans provide stronger protection.

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TotalAV stands as one of the better budget antivirus options out there. Usually, it costs $100 for a yearly subscription to TotalAV Antivirus Pro. But right now, you can purchase the service for $30 for the first year. At that price, you'll receive an in-depth software package capable of supporting up to five other devices.

Key protective features include real-time antiviral detection, protection against phishing scams, and defense against ransomware. Security extends to the internet, too, because TotalAV provides a VPN and an ad blocker to stop annoying advertisements. Interestingly, the company also provides a tune-up tool to clean up your system by clearing old junk folders and deleting duplicate files.

AV-Test, an independent IT security institute, praises TotalAV for its effectiveness in blocking "0-day malware attacks" while minimally affecting computer performance and being easy to understand. There aren't any features stored behind a settings menu. Everything you want an antivirus app to do, from scheduling scans to uninstalling programs, is quickly accessible through the main screen.

I should mention that online reports have complained about the developer's poor customer service. One Reddit user expressed frustration at how difficult it was to cancel their TotalAV subscription.

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Initially, I hesitated to include Windows Security on this list because I assumed the first-party software wouldn't be very good. But the more I used it, the more I realized it is a solid antivirus option that deserves a spot.

It's perfectly adequate for protecting users from online threats. Windows Security provides real-time protection against malware, device monitoring, and even parental controls. Parents can "set good screen time habits" through this software. It also comes with its very own firewall courtesy of Windows Defender. This makes Windows Security one of the few free options to have a firewall. Most companies lock this feature behind a subscription cost.

I should mention that some of the tools can only be used with Microsoft Edge. One of these is Isolated Browsing, which, as the name suggests, opens an "isolated browsing environment" on Edge to actively protect you from online threats. Windows Security is an integral part of Windows 11; it's easier on resources. Certain aspects, such as its antivirus function, utilize Microsoft's cloud computing tech to provide constant safety.

One downside is that it lacks more robust features like scheduled scanning. However, this lightweight nature is actually a benefit, as you can use the software alongside a third-party option without a performance drop.

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The presence of uBlock Origin on this list may seem strange. After all, it's not an antivirus program; it's an ad blocker. However, I would argue that this browser extension is so good at its job that it should recognized as an antivirus tool.

Much of the extender's effectiveness is tied to its filters. These features actively prevent malware, advertisements, spyware, and more from attacking users. The lists it utilizes can be found on the official GitHub page. One of them, the Malicious URL Blocklist, is massive. Everything on that page is constantly being stopped by the extender so you can browse the internet peacefully. It also sees frequent updates.

uBlock Origin also allows for some light customization. Users can add extra filters to the extension, letting it stop even more online threats and annoyances. Conversely, they can tweak the rules to allow certain elements or websites to pass through.

In 2024, Google "killed" uBlock Origin when it introduced Manifest V3 into its Chrome browser. That's sort of true. Manifest V3 prevents the extension from accessing the webRequest API and stops it from working normally. There is an alternate version known as uBlock Origin Lite. It functions similarly, although the Lite version isn't as robust. However, this variant is still a must-have browser extension for Chrome in 2025.

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Because it shields your online identity at an affordable price, Malwarebytes is hands-down the best antivirus program for Windows machines in 2025. Below is a brief table comparing it to the rest of the list.

Best antivirus software	Starting price	Scheduled scanning	Phishing protection	Notable feature
Malwarebytes	$44.99/yr	Yes	Yes	Private VPN
Bitdefender Total Security	$59.99/yr	Yes	Yes	Cryptomining protection
TotalAV	$29.99/yr	Yes	Yes	System tune-up
Windows Security	Free	Yes	Yes	Firewall
uBlock Origin	Free	No	Yes	Robust ad blocking

Finding the right antivirus app can take a surprising amount of work. You have to consider whether or not you're happy with the free version or if you should cough up some money for a premium subscription. At that point, you have another choice to make: should you pay for an antivirus program with many features or opt for something simpler?

These are questions that must be answered. Below is a table briefly explaining each recommendation and why you should get it. The following information can help narrow down your search.

Choose this antivirus software…	If you want…
Malwarebytes	The best antivirus program for Windows. It provides strong protection against malware, and the service offers security recommendations.
Bitdefender Total Security	The most robust antivirus for Windows. This app comes loaded with features from anti-spam filtering to a password manager.
TotalAV	A low-cost software. For about $30, you'll receive real-time protection against threats, plus a VPN.
Windows Security	The best free antivirus software solution. Coming pre-installed on Windows PCs, the software comes with a free firewall, which not many programs have.
uBlock Origin	An ad-blocker for Windows. This is an open-source solution that lets people customize it to better suit user needs.

When deciding on an antivirus app for your PC, you should consider the following:

Protection: Research the antivirus program's protection features. You'll need to find out whether the software can protect your computer from trojans, third-party trackers, and spyware, just to name a few.
Features: I suggest antivirus solutions with advanced features to help cover your bases. Some come bundled with a VPN, while others can have a firewall.
Resource usage: Antiviral apps can be quite demanding on hardware, so it's essential to check whether your computer can run the software or if it will struggle. Some are better optimized than others.
User interface: In my experience, people don't often think about an app's user interface, but I find it a deeply underrated feature. A good UI means the software is easy to navigate and understand, which, in turn, bolsters device safety.
Price: Many antivirus developers offer a free version of their software that protects users against threats but may lack robust features like firewalls. Paid plans are an option, but ensure the costs fit within your budget and be wary of any subscription hikes.

I considered multiple factors when creating this list, and they include:

Performance: Performance is arguably the most important aspect of an antivirus program. You need an app that actively protects you and can quickly detect malware on your system while also limiting any negative impact on your workflow.
Features: With so many threats lurking on the internet, I looked for products with the right set of features to protect people. Real-time scanning is necessary as it actively scans your computer's files when accessed. Other tools like firewalls and VPNs are nice additions.
User interface: To repeat what I said earlier, good UIs are underrated. I give a lot of credit to software that is easy to use because it means the barrier of entry is lower. Being able to understand something enhances its efficacy.
Price: Paying for a security service improves your computer's security, but I don't believe you should pay an arm and a leg for peace of mind. For that reason, I hunted apps with paid plans that are worth the cost. Of course, if you don't want to pay, Microsoft's very own Windows Security offers decent protection.
Customer support: There's always a chance that you'll encounter some sort of hiccup or issue when using one of these programs. Developers with good customer support can help you troubleshoot if you do and improve your relationship with the software. It's not uncommon to hear people uninstall apps because of bad customer service.

Absolutely. In fact, I would argue that having an antivirus program on your computer is more important now than ever before. Technology improves over time, and unfortunately, that includes viruses, too. Bad actors are always enhancing their malware.

It's vital that users stay vigilant. In addition to downloading an antivirus, I urge people to install Windows patches as soon as they arrive. These patches commonly include security updates to protect against new online threats.

Windows Defender provides all the protection you'll need to ward off malware. It comes with a firewall, Smart App Control, plus support reputation-based protection for defending users against websites and apps known to be malicious. However, it's not all-powerful.

The software doesn't match up to paid services that provide better protection. I recommend downloading a third-party antivirus like Bitdefender alongside Windows Defender to provide extra security and cover your bases.

You don't need more than one antivirus software on your computer. Antivirus programs demand a lot of resources from the host computer, and having multiple security programs simultaneously will cause a performance slowdown.

As Asus explains on its website, installing multiple apps slows systems down and can also cause errors, leading to "protection mechanisms failing due to conflicts". In fact, Windows could become unstable, resulting in BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) errors.

Any one of the entries on the list will be a good fit for any laptop. You can't go wrong with any of them, although I would opt for apps that are easy on the computer's resources. Stress on the hardware can drain the battery quickly on top of causing slowdown. I suggest sticking with Windows Security as your primary defensive software and Malwarebytes as a backup.

No, they're not. Free versions of antiviral programs provide basic protection against common threats, whereas paid software delivers more advanced security. Bitdefender is a perfect example of this.

Bitdefender Free Antivirus guards computers from phishing attacks and fraudsters. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus bumps up safety by adding the ability to encrypt personal files, block web trackers, and check your system for vulnerabilities. Things improve with Bitdefender Total Security because it adds a password manager and VPN.