You need antivirus software. Because of AI, online threats keep getting more sophisticated—more and more AI-fueled attacks pop up with each passing week. Even the tech-savvy and cautious can get tricked into exposing themselves to malware, spyware, ransomware, or a phishing attack. This guide compares the best Windows antivirus suites, including when Windows Security is enough and when extra privacy, parental, or identity tools make a paid suite worth it.
Make sure you understand how all our picks differ before settling on any one choice. For instance, Norton is great for all around value, but Avast is great for ease of use, AVG for budget buyers, Avira Prime for beginners, McAfee for the privacy-conscious, and Panda for a surfeit of features. Not to mention what Windows Security brings to the table at no cost at all.
Why you should trust PCWorld for antivirus reviews: PCWorld has been deep in the trenches of testing computer hardware, software, and services since 1983—including security suites. As users of PC hardware and software, we run all products through rigorous testing, with plenty of hands-on evaluation and benchmarks (when the later is applicable). We don't recommend gear or apps we wouldn't use ourselves.
Pros Strong antivirus protection Wide protection against major online threats Simple, straightforward features Cons Performance impact on some PCs User interface would benefit from consolidation Upselling of additional services Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $49.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who should buy Norton 360 Deluxe?
Norton 360 Deluxe works for everyone—it consolidates all the biggest protections you need online into one affordable package, including parental controls. If you have trouble keeping up with security experts' recommendations (or haven't yet gotten around to following all of them), this suite centralizes and simplifies it all. That's how it won out as our pick for the best antivirus software of 2026.
This plan has just about everything most PC users need, without extra bloat. For antivirus performance, Norton offers strong online protection, while having minimal impact on system resources if you don't often download or copy large amounts of files. Additionally, you get malicious link and attachment screening, dark web and privacy monitoring, and webcam safeguards. Norton also tosses in 50GB of storage for cloud backups, access to Norton's password manager and VPN, parental controls, and PC utilities that include the ability to monitor for outdated software. And those major extras—the password manager, VPN, and parental controls—have easy, simple interfaces, without feeling stripped to the bone.
As part of its efforts to consolidate online security protections into a single software interface, Norton sports a refreshed user interface. It also began promising better scam protection at the beginning of the year, in addition to its other features. And despite all this value, its pricing remains very reasonable. For the first year, you'll pay $50 for five devices, and then $120 per year thereafter.
Pros Good new design Well priced Excellent performance Cons Smart scan requires too much user intervention Avast asks to install Google Chrome Best Prices Today: Retailer Price Avast $49.08 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Who should buy Avast One?
