What is the best Windows 10 antivirus ? A question bounced a thousand times between forums and social networks, to which it is difficult to give a unique answer. For this reason, we have decided to review the best antivirus for PC, both free and paid, reporting the most important features for each, to try to offer a detailed overview of what are currently the most reliable programs to rely on. for the protection of your computer.
In the first part of our guide we will look at the best free antivirus for Windows 10 : theirs will be a longer list, since most people who have a PC are not willing to pay for complete protection of the device. hacker proof. In the final part, however, we will discuss the best antivirus for Windows 10 for a fee , which by their nature are aimed more at business than consumer customers.
The best free antivirus for Windows 10
- Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- AVG AntiVirus Free
- Avast Free Antivirus
- Avira Antivirus
Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free
Let’s start with what, if not the best, is one of the best Windows 10 antivirus out there: Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free . Also available for Android and iOS , the free version of Kaspersky Security Cloud achieved the highest scores in tests conducted by independent companies. Among the services offered by the Kaspersky antivirus solution we highlight the high protection against the threat from any malware, which is what is expected of any antivirus worthy of being called as such.
To this, Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free adds the Kaspersky Password Manager and a VPN service , two further solutions that make the package available to the user even more complete but that have limitations: to get more convincing answers both on the VPN network and on the Password Manager you need to upgrade to the paid version.
Pro :
- Excellent protection against any malware
- The highest scores in independent tests
Cons :
- Limitations for password manager and VPN in the free version
- No telephone support to customers
Download link for Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
In an ideal list of the best Windows 10 antivirus, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is together with the Kaspersky product one of the very first choices. It may not offer as many additional services as other antivirus included in the list above, but it still manages to excel in basic functions, which are the only ones to make the difference between an excellent and good free antivirus. For example, the service related to the creation and storage of passwords is missing, there is no mode dedicated to the Game, you cannot even count on the classic fast scan nor can you program them.
That said, however, it has an antivirus system on the same level as Kaspersky Security Cloud – Free, also because it is the same on which the paid version is based. Not only that, as ease of use it is perhaps (but we can also remove the conditional) the best antivirus for PC in circulation: in practice, after installing it, it does everything by itself, therefore an ideal solution for those who are not very familiar with the technology.
Pro :
- Excellent protection against malware
- Scores among the highest in independent tests
- Ease of use for non-expert users
Cons :
- Basic functions, additional services such as password manager, VPN, etc. are missing.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition download link
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Underestimated by many, Microsoft Defender has numerous strengths, such that the use of a third-party antivirus is sometimes even unnecessary. In fact, the in-house solution of the Redmond giant boasts scores even higher than competing products from Avast, AVG and Avira in independent tests, the same ones that see Kaspersky and Bitdefender excel.
Another point in favor for Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the excellent integration with Windows 10 (on the other hand it could not be otherwise), but at the same time we have to pull Microsoft’s ears because even in the latest version of its operating system the protection from malware threats burdens the operations performed on the PC. If Microsoft manages to improve this in the future, its Defender Antivirus will prove even more interesting than it already is today.
Pro :
- Tailor-made for Windows 10
- Performed well in independent tests
- Customer support by phone and email
Cons :
- On some occasions it slows down the operations performed on the PC
- Absence of extra services such as password manager and VPN
AVG Antivirus Free
With AVG Antivirus Free we are officially off the podium, however this does not mean that the solution proposed by AVG (and the other companies listed below) should be discarded a priori when you are choosing a good free antivirus for Windows 10 PC. Together with Avast and Avira, AVG is one of the best known brands internationally, a reputation that the Czech company has earned thanks to a decent level of service.
It shares the same antivirus system with Avast, being part of the Avast Software group, but is preferred to the latter for having less impact on the performance of the computer when it is being scanned. Let’s add that AVG scans emails and has Game mode.
Pro :
There are extra features like email scanning and Game mode
Cons :
Slow full system scan
AVG Antivirus Free download link
Avast Free Antivirus
However, we cannot omit the just enough protection against malware guaranteed by Avast’s internal system, in addition to the low speed of the scans. Furthermore, while Avast Antivirus Free is monitoring the system, your PC can experience severe slowdowns (even higher than those already reported in AVG).
Pro :
- Many extra services (Wi-Fi scan, password manager, Game mode)
Cons :
- Just enough protection against malware
- Slow scans
- PC slowdown during scans
Avira Antivirus
We close the list of the best free antivirus for Windows 10 with Avira Antivirus . Together with AVG and Avast, Avira is one of the companies that offer a viable alternative to the first three solutions presented above (Kaspersky, Bitdefender and Microsoft). The Avira Antivirus product boasts a high score in tests conducted by independent companies, which places it a step above its competitors AVG Antivirus Free and Avast Antivirus Free.
There are also some shortcomings, due to which Avira cannot be considered the best free Windows 10 antivirus: these include the absence of browser protection (with the exception of Chrome and Firefox) and a not excellent result obtained in the antiphishing test performed from the specialized PCMag portal. Despite this, Avira Antivirus remains a satisfactory solution.
Pro :
- High score obtained in independent tests
Cons :
- Browser protection active only when using Chrome or Firefox
- Poor result during the antiphishing test conducted by PCMag colleagues
The best paid antivirus for Windows 10
- Kaspersky Total Security
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
- Norton 360 Deluxe
Kaspersky Total Security
As before, the ranking of the best paid Windows 10 antivirus starts with a Kaspersky product: Kaspersky Total Security , simply the best. In addition to excellent protection against malware, Kaspersky’s “total” solution has a long list of integrated services: firewalls, backup software, parental controls, password managers, Wi-Fi scanners, VPNs and webcam protection. However, it cannot yet be defined as a perfect product, because when the system scans are in progress, the PC tends to suffer annoying slowdowns (accentuated in computers with an older technical data sheet).
The Kaspersky Total Security license costs $14.99 per year : it lasts for one year and is valid for one device only. In some periods of the year it is possible to find it even discounted by 20-30%.
Pro :
- Excellent malware protection
- Complete extra services
Cons :
- PC slowdowns during virus scans
Kaspersky Total Security download link
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
With Bitdefender Antivirus Plus we are faced with the best Windows 10 antivirus for value for money. The paid version follows a bit what are the winning features of the free solution: a package without too many frills that takes care of the point, doing it in the best way, with excellent results in independent tests, a malware protection against hackers and scans faster than the competition.
An annual license of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus costs $59.99 and is valid for one device. When it is on promotion, you can get up to 50% discount.
Pro :
- Excellent malware protection
- Fast scans
- Value for money
Cons :
- Absence of firewalls, backup software, parental controls and webcam Protection
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus download link
Norton 360 Deluxe
The third and final paid Windows 10 antivirus we recommend is Norton 360 Deluxe . Among the main strengths of the complete package proposed by the famous Mountain View company, we mention the high protection against malware, completely comparable to that guaranteed by Kaspersky Total Security, as well as an unlimited VPN network. On the other hand, there is a noticeable decrease in computer performance during virus scanning and the high price for the license.
In fact, the Norton 360 Deluxe subscription costs $99.99 for one year and is valid for 5 devices. For those interested, we suggest you monitor the license price and wait for the promotion periods provided by Norton, during which the price can drop even more than 50%.
Pro :
- excellent malware protection
- Unlimited VPN
Cons :
- High price when compared to the competition
- Slow PC operations during virus scanning
Norton 360 Deluxe download link
Which is the best antivirus for Windows 10?
After reviewing the most brilliant products made by companies specialized in the protection against malware, the time has come to elect the best Windows 10 antivirus: our choice falls on Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition , the free version of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. The two reasons that led us to elect it as the best are the advanced protection against any type of virus and the disarming simplicity of its use, so much so that after downloading and installing you almost forget you have it.
Do you agree with our decision or do you think there are better solutions to reward? Let us know how you think by leaving a comment below.
If even the best antivirus for Windows 10 have failed to eradicate the malware from your PC, you just have to reset your computer and bring it back to factory conditions with our complete guide on restoring Windows 10 .
