Comparison hub

Antivirus Software Compared

Every comparison on this site is built from the same product data, so the criteria never shift between pages. We do not publish invented lab scores — where independent testing matters, we link the source.

Roundups

Best Antivirus Software Compared

Compare the best antivirus software for Windows and other platforms: protection, features, performance, privacy, pricing model and who each product suits.

Roundup

Best Free Antivirus Compared

Compare genuinely free antivirus software for Windows, including Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender Free, Avast, AVG and Avira, plus what each free tier leaves out.

Roundup

Antivirus for Windows Compared

Compare antivirus software for Windows 11 and Windows 10: built-in Defender, free third-party tiers and paid suites, with footprint, features and best-fit guidance.

Roundup

Free vs Paid Antivirus

A clear breakdown of free vs paid antivirus software: what free tiers include, what paid suites add, when upgrading is worth it and when it is not.

Roundup

Head-to-head matchups

Norton vs Bitdefender

Norton 360 vs Bitdefender compared on protection approach, features, system impact, privacy, pricing model, free options and which user each one suits best.

Head to head

Norton vs McAfee

Norton 360 vs McAfee Total Protection compared on device coverage, identity monitoring, VPN, firewall, system impact and renewal pricing for US households.

Head to head

Bitdefender vs McAfee

Bitdefender vs McAfee on detection approach, free options, device coverage, identity protection, system impact and value for US Windows and mobile users.

Head to head

Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes

Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes compared: real-time prevention against adware and PUP cleanup, free tiers, resource use, and why many users run both together.

Head to head

Avast vs AVG

Avast vs AVG compared. Both are Gen Digital products sharing a detection engine, so we focus on interface, free tier features, extras and which one to install.

Head to head

Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender

Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender compared on detection, ransomware protection, footprint, features and cost, with a clear answer on when switching is worth it.

Head to head

Bitdefender vs Norton

Bitdefender vs Norton in brief: which has a free version, which is lighter, which bundles more, and which one to choose based on how many devices you cover.

Head to head