Best Antivirus Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Bitdefender Total Security is ranked #1 of 116 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Avast One. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Avira Free Security. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Bitdefender Antivirus Plus at $2.08/mo.
Antivirus options differ in the devices and platforms they cover, the protections offered, and the additional tools included. The ranking compares device limits, free plans, paid-from pricing, parental controls, password managers, protection scope, ransomware protection, and supported platforms. Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, and Avast One are among the first entries, followed by Malwarebytes Premium and Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Check the stated protection scope and ransomware coverage against the devices you need to secure, and verify platform support and device limits. Parental controls or a password manager may also factor into your choice, alongside free-plan availability and listed starting prices.
116 antivirus software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Protection scope | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitdefender Total Security | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $5/mo | No | $59.99/yr | complete security | View |
| 2 | Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | 7.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $2.08/mo | Yes | $24.99/yr | internet security | View |
| 3 | Avast One | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | complete security | View |
| 4 | Malwarebytes Premium | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | complete security | View |
| 5 |  Microsoft Defender Antivirus | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | antivirus | View |
| 6 | Windows Security | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | complete security | View |
| 7 |  Kaspersky Antivirus | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $4.58/mo | — | — | complete security | View |
| 8 | Norton 360 | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $7.92/mo | No | $94.99/yr | complete security | View |
| 9 | F-Secure Total | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $5.83/mo | No | Free | complete security | View |
| 10 | AVG Internet Security | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $8.33/mo | Yes | $99.99/yr | complete security | View |
| 11 | Avira Free Security | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | internet security | View |
| 12 | Comodo Internet Security | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | $29.99/yr | complete security | View |
| 13 | ESET HOME Security | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | complete security | View |
| 14 | Avast Free Antivirus | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | antivirus | View |
| 15 | Avira Free Antivirus | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | internet security | View |
| 16 | Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | complete security | View |
| 17 |  Kaspersky Plus Internet Security | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | complete security | View |
| 18 | ESET Small Business Security | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | complete security | View |
| 19 | Comodo Antivirus | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $2.50/mo | Yes | $29.99/yr | antivirus | View |
| 20 |  IObit Malware Fighter | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | complete security | View |
| 21 | ESET Mobile Security for Android | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | complete security | View |
| 22 |  Sophos Home | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | complete security | View |
| 23 | Avast Premium Security | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $6.50/mo | No | $77.99/yr | internet security | View |
| 24 | Norton AntiVirus Plus | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $5/mo | No | $59.99/yr | antivirus | View |
| 25 | Seqrite Endpoint Protection Cloud | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | complete security | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which antivirus software is ranked first on Inferse?
Bitdefender Total Security is ranked #1 of 116 with a score of 7.5. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is second and Avast One third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has the lowest first paid tier we found: $2.08/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.