Kate Davidson
Updated on: December 11, 2024
Fact-checked by Katarina Glamoslija
Short on time? Here’s the best antivirus for laptops:
-
🥇 Norton
: Excellent real-time malware scanning along with tons of internet security features, including a firewall, virtual private network (VPN), and much more. It’s a highly efficient antivirus that performs well and doesn’t overheat your laptop or cause excessive battery drain.
Navigating the crowded antivirus market can be overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for something that works seamlessly with laptops in 2024. I’ve put numerous antiviruses through rigorous testing on both my high-performance Alienware m16 R2 and my MacBook Air to see which ones stand up to scrutiny.
My analysis focused on security, features, and overall value. I found that many products out there overpromise with hefty price tags or underdeliver with subpar protection. Plus, there’s the issue of resource consumption — some solutions are so demanding they might as well be mining Bitcoin on your laptop, causing overheating and battery drain.
But I’m happy to report there are some excellent options out there. Norton 360 leads the pack; however, each antivirus on this list not only protects laptops well but also doesn’t strain their resources too much. My top picks offer real-time protection, web safety, and in some cases additional perks like Wi-Fi security, VPNs, and system optimization tools.
Quick Summary of the Best Antiviruses for Laptops in 2024
Editors’ Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥇1. Norton 360 — Best Antivirus for Laptops in 2024
Approved by our experts
Norton 360 is my favorite laptop antivirus in 2024. During my tests, it achieved a flawless 100% malware detection rate on both my Windows laptop and my MacBook. Norton’s antivirus engine is excellent, using advanced heuristics, extensive malware databases, and machine learning to detect both established and emerging threats.
What’s more, I could do a lot of CPU-intensive tasks while running a full disk scan. This was really great — other antiviruses can slow down your laptop, drain its battery, or cause it to reach dangerous temperatures.
Norton 360 also includes:
- Firewall.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Parental controls.
- Webcam protection (Windows only).
- Private browser.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Identity theft protection (select countries only).
- Cloud backup (up to 500 GB).
- And more…
Norton’s Smart Firewall detected every network intrusion I tested, outperforming the built-in firewalls on both my Windows laptop and MacBook. It offers plenty of customization for advanced users, but it works well even on default settings.
The SafeCam feature blocks unauthorized webcam access by monitoring any application or process attempting to use it. This is an excellent security tool for laptops, preventing unauthorized parties from secretly capturing images or videos.
Norton’s VPN is also pretty good, with servers in 28 countries, no data caps, a strict no-logs policy, reliable speeds, and an intuitive interface. I was able to watch Netflix and Amazon Prime with no issues, but I couldn’t access Disney+. And while Norton’s VPN is a good option for browsing, streaming, and gaming, not all of its servers support torrenting.
I love Norton’s dark web monitoring. It checks for stolen personal information — including bank details, phone numbers, insurance data, and even gamer tags — alerting you if anything is found and providing guidance on what to do next. Unlike many competitors that rely on the Have I Been Pwned database, Norton uses real human agents to boost reliability.
Norton 360 Deluxe (£29.99 / year) is the best-value plan, with extra features like parental controls, 50 GB of cloud storage, and coverage for 5 devices. Norton Antivirus Plus (£19.99 / year) is a good entry-level plan for single users, and Norton 360 with LifeLock (starts at £78.44 / year) is great for US-based users who want to get identity theft protection (including up to $1 million insurance coverage). All Norton purchases are backed by a risk-free 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Norton 360 is an excellent antivirus — it blocked all malware in my tests without slowing down either my Windows or Mac laptops. It also has a ton of internet security features for complete protection, including a VPN, a firewall, webcam protection, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, and password management. Norton Antivirus Plus is a good deal, but Norton 360 Deluxe is the best value for most users, adding parental controls and protection for up to 5 devices. You can try out all of Norton’s plans with the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee.
🥈2. Bitdefender — Best for Advanced Malware Protection With a VPN & Anti-Theft Features
Bitdefender Total Security has an advanced anti-malware engine that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify threats. In my tests, it scored a perfect 100% for malware detection, blocking trojans, rootkits, spyware, and more. Because the scanner is cloud-based, it didn’t slow down either of my laptops, drain their batteries, or cause overheating.
Bitdefender’s extra features are pretty great, too. They include:
- Safepay (online transaction protection).
- VPN (200 MB/day limit on most plans).
- Anti-theft features (Windows & Android only).
- System tune-up (Windows only).
- Time Machine backup protection (for Mac users).
- Password manager.
- Parental controls.
- And more…
Safepay, Bitdefender’s secure encrypted browser, is an excellent way to manage online financial transactions securely. It keeps your data safe by blocking screenshots and using a virtual keyboard to thwart keyloggers. Plus, it automatically enables Bitdefender’s VPN for an added layer of privacy.
Bitdefender’s VPN is easily one of the fastest antivirus-bundled VPNs, but the 200 MB daily limit on most plans feels pretty restrictive — it’s barely enough for light browsing. Still, I’m impressed with its reliable streaming capabilities. If you need more data, you can upgrade to the premium VPN with unlimited data for a low cost at checkout, or you can get even more value with Bitdefender’s Premium Security plan (£50.20 / year) that also includes a full-featured password manager with unlimited password storage and coverage for up to 10 devices.
As a laptop user, I’m a big fan of Bitdefender’s anti-theft feature. It impressed me with its precise location tracking for my Windows laptop, and I appreciated the ability to remotely lock and wipe the hard drive through Bitdefender’s online dashboard. Unfortunately, the anti-theft tools are only available for Windows and Android, so I couldn’t use them on my MacBook. That said, Mac’s built-in anti-theft features are pretty decent, so it’s not a dealbreaker.
Bitdefender Internet Security (£27.49 / year) includes most of Bitdefender’s features and covers up to 3 Windows devices, but if you need protection for your Mac laptop, you’ll need to go for the Total Security plan (£37.50 / year), which adds coverage for up to 5 Windows, Android, Mac, or iOS devices. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender offers great protection against malware and ransomware. It has more features than most competitors, including excellent web protection, online transaction protection, anti-theft features, and much more. It’s great for laptop users with limited resources since it runs in the cloud. However, it’s a shame the VPN is limited to 200 MB per day. You can purchase the premium VPN separately or as part of Bitdefender Premium Security. All Bitdefender plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Bitdefender review here >
🥉3. TotalAV Internet Security — Best for Easy-to-Use Device Optimization Tools
TotalAV offers impressive virus detection thanks to its cloud-based scanner that keeps CPU usage low even during full system scans — perfect for laptop users who want to extend battery life. However, while its virus protection is top-notch, TotalAV falls short in comparison to Norton, which provides more advanced web protection, including stronger defenses against phishing and malicious websites.
That said, TotalAV’s device optimization tools really impressed me with how simple they were to use. In just a few steps, I was able to clear over 4 GB of junk and duplicate files, remove unnecessary apps, and clean up browser cookies. This is especially useful for laptop users, as we often have more limited hard drive space.
TotalAV also comes with:
- Anti-phishing.
- Ad blocker.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Password manager.
- Data breach monitoring.
TotalAV’s VPN performed exceptionally well in my tests. It obscured my IP, encrypted my data, and protected me when I connected my laptop to public Wi-Fi networks. I could watch all popular streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. TotalAV’s VPN is also very fast, very easy to use, and it allows torrenting — which is why it’s ranked as the best antivirus with a VPN in 2024.
TotalAV’s WebShield provides solid phishing protection, successfully blocking most of the malicious and fake sites I tested it against. However, Norton’s anti-phishing tool performed even better, blocking every phishing link during my tests.
TotalAV’s data breach monitoring is also effective, keeping an eye on your email and notifying you if it appears in a breach. While easy to use, it lacks the depth of Norton’s dark web monitoring, which tracks stolen credit card numbers, banking details, passport info, and more.
TotalAV’s password manager, Total Password, is fairly good. It generates and stores strong passwords, offers reliable auto-fill, and includes 2FA and password auditing. It also offers Secure Me, which lets you remotely log out of your accounts across all devices — this is a great feature when you’re traveling and need to make sure all your data is secure.
TotalAV Internet Security (£39.00 / year) provides coverage for 6 devices, whereas TotalAV Total Security (£49.00 / year) covers 8 devices and includes the password vault and an ad blocker. All TotalAV‘s annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV has a really good virus scanner and easy-to-use optimization tools. It caught virtually all of my malware samples during testing and didn’t overheat my laptop or drain its battery. TotalAV’s higher-tier plans also include a password manager and a VPN. The VPN is exceptionally good — secure, fast, easy to use, and compatible with popular streaming services. All TotalAV’s annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full TotalAV review >
4. McAfee Total Protection — Best for Web Protection
McAfee Total Protection delivers fast and thorough antivirus scanning, detecting all my malware samples in a full system scan. It blocked every threat I threw at it, including spyware, ransomware, rootkits, and trojans. While the scan slightly slowed down my system, I could still browse and stream videos without any issues.
I think McAfee has the best web protection around. Its anti-phishing protection caught more malicious websites than Chrome and Safari’s built-in phishing protection tools did. I also like the Secure Search feature, which uses color coding to inform you if a URL is safe or dangerous before you click on it (suspicious URLs are marked with a red exclamation mark, and safe URLs are marked with a green tick).
McAfee Total Protection offers additional features like:
- VPN.
- Password manager.
- Dark web monitoring.
- Social Privacy Manager.
McAfee’s VPN is surprisingly fast, barely slowing down my internet connection while encrypting my web traffic and hiding my IP address. I really appreciate this, especially as a laptop user. Besides needing excellent web protections, a VPN is essential for staying safe when using your laptop in public. All plans come with unlimited data (so long as you enroll in auto-renew), unlike Bitdefender where you have to pay extra for the VPN with no limitations.
McAfee also offers a password manager with essential features like auto-fill, 256-bit AES encryption, a password generator, and unlimited password storage. In my tests, it was reliable and easy to use. However, it lacks some key functions, such as password sharing, vault auditing, and data breach monitoring. Despite this, it’s a good option for basic secure storage.
The McAfee Social Privacy Manager is a convenient tool for optimizing your social media privacy settings, available with any subscription plan. It integrates with your web dashboard, and after adding it to your browser, it scans for accounts on platforms like Google, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, and automatically adjusts your privacy settings.
McAfee’s Essential plan (£34.99 / year) provides an excellent value, with coverage for up to 5 devices for a low price. And if you need to cover more devices, McAfee Premium (starting at £44.99 / year) adds extras like parental controls (on the family plan) and protection for unlimited devices. McAfee backs all annual plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
McAfee is a powerful antivirus for both Windows and Mac laptops — it has a fast and thorough malware scanner that caught all of my test malware files. I especially like its anti-phishing tools, which block fake websites better than both Chrome and Safari’s native anti-phishing protections. And I’m a fan of McAfee’s VPN, which is fast, secure, and performed extremely well during testing. All of McAfee’s annual packages come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 — Best for MacBook Users
Intego is my favorite antivirus for MacBooks in 2024. During my tests, Intego detected and removed all of the malware samples from my device, including Mac-specific spyware and ransomware. Even better, it accomplished this without draining my battery or causing my MacBook’s fans to go into overdrive.
Intego offers advanced data backup options that surpass Apple’s built-in features. With Intego’s Personal Backup, you can sync data across multiple devices, back up specific folders, and create a bootable backup of your system, including the latest version of macOS. This means you can seamlessly restore both your files and operating system on any Mac device.
Intego also includes:
- Firewall.
- Wi-Fi network security.
- System cleanup.
- Parental controls.
- Optimization tools.
Intego’s firewall blocked all network-based attacks in my testing while also giving me the option to stop third-party apps (including spyware) from potentially sending my sensitive data across the internet. It automatically detected the type of network I was using (home, work, or public) and adjusted security settings accordingly. I could manually control incoming and outgoing connections, including LAN connections, and view which apps were trying to connect to the internet through the Applications tab. This combination of auto-detection and manual control makes NetBarrier far more effective than Apple’s built-in firewall.
Intego’s Washing Machine tool impressed me with its ability to scan for junk and duplicate files and quickly organize my MacBook’s cluttered files into smart folders. The tool offers 3 main functions: Reclaim (clear junk files), Duplicates (find and remove duplicate files), and Organize (tidy files and apps). I appreciated how detailed the scan results were, with clear explanations and a final confirmation prompt before deleting anything, ensuring I didn’t accidentally remove something important. The Organize feature even let me create smart folders and rearrange files instantly, making it perfect for managing my limited laptop storage.
Intego has great parental controls as well, which let users create lists of allowed websites and block access to entire categories, like gambling or adult sites. The parental controls also include chat monitoring, which sends you an alert if your kids engage in risky chats. Some competitors like Avira don’t offer any parental controls at all, so Intego is a better choice for keeping your kids safe online.
While Intego is best known for its Mac products, it also provides a pretty good Windows version of its software, with an anti-malware engine that caught virtually all of my malware test samples. That said, it does lack some important features for laptops, such as a firewall, dark web monitoring, parental controls, a password manager, and more.
Mac Internet Security X9 (£17.99 / year) is Intego’s basic package that comes with the malware scanner and the firewall and covers up to 5 Macs. The Mac Premium Bundle X9 (£27.99 / year) adds parental controls, backup tools, and advanced Mac optimization features. All of Intego’s plans include a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Intego is the best way to improve on a MacBook’s built-in security features. Apart from perfect detection against Mac-based malware, Intego’s data backup offers multi-device syncing, its smart firewall has different settings for public and private Wi-Fi networks. It also ran smoothly on my laptop, barely draining my device’s battery. You can try out Intego on your MacBook risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editors’ Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.
6. Avira Prime — Best for Privacy Optimization
Avira is a beginner-friendly antivirus with an excellent cloud-based malware scanner (the same one that TotalAV uses). During my tests, Avira’s malware engine scored a perfect 100% for detection and removal of all of my test malware. It ran pretty well on my laptops, with little impact on their batteries.
Avira also has a wide range of privacy optimization tools that stop companies from tracking and harvesting private data. It removes browser cache, browser history, and chat logs, and permanently deletes files — all in just one click!
Avira also comes with:
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Password manager.
- Web protections.
- Firewall.
- System cleanup & speedup tools.
Avira’s system cleanup and optimization tools are particularly useful for laptop users with limited space and resources. I was able to remove hundreds of junk files and improve my laptop’s startup time from 45 seconds to 25 seconds using Avira’s startup optimizer, which showed me exactly which programs were slowing down boot time and allowed me to disable or remove them. I also appreciate the detailed metrics Avira provides, allowing me to track improvements over time. While the tools are simple to use, they offer powerful features like junk and duplicate file removal, driver updates, and boot time optimization.
Avira’s VPN offers unlimited simultaneous connections — this is very rare, even among standalone VPNs! It’s also one of the best antivirus-bundled VPNs on the market, it’s very secure, and it allows torrenting, but unlike Norton’s VPN, it doesn’t work with Netflix. It worked perfectly in my tests, hiding my IP and protecting me from intrusions when I connected to a public Wi-Fi network.
Avira’s Browser Safety extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera effectively blocks phishing attacks, ads, and online trackers — it outperformed Chrome and Firefox’s built-in protections in my tests. I also found its ad-blocking capabilities superior to uBlock Origin on most sites. However, it struggled with exploit attacks, detecting only a small percentage in my tests. Avira also offers a Safe Shopping extension, which adds anti-phishing and anti-tracking features while providing price comparisons, making it a good tool for enhancing your online shopping experience.
Avira’s password manager is excellent, with advanced features including password vault auditing, data breach monitoring, and two-factor authentication. I love how easy the password manager is to use, too. That said, it is missing a couple of features that the best standalone password managers offer, like password sharing and dark web monitoring. Nonetheless, it’s one of the best antivirus-bundled password managers out there.
Avira Prime (£51.99 / year) is the best deal, offering all of Avira’s features for up to 5 devices. There’s also Avira’s basic antivirus package — Avira Antivirus Pro (£17.99 / year) — which comes with the malware scanner and web protections, and Avira Internet Security (£22.99 / year), which also includes the password manager. All of Avira’s paid plans are covered by a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Avira is a fast, secure, and easy-to-use antivirus with really good privacy protections. Its cloud-based malware scanner performed very well without slowing down my laptop, and I really liked how easy it was to optimize my laptop’s privacy settings and free up precious space. It comes with a decent VPN, helpful anti-phishing tools, an excellent password manager, and a browser extension. You can try out all of Avira’s premium plans risk-free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
7. Kaspersky Premium — Effective Antivirus With Great Parental Controls
Kaspersky Premium is a user-friendly antivirus with excellent malware detection rates. It detected 100% of viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malware in my testing. The scanner is pretty lightweight, too — I was able to continue using my laptops as normal while it ran quietly in the background.
Kaspersky also offers multiple layers of web protection. The Safe Browsing feature offers anti-phishing protection and blocks ads and trackers. It also includes Safe Money, a secure browser for banking and online shopping; an on-screen keyboard, which protects against keyloggers; and webcam protection.
Kaspersky Premium comes with plenty more valuable features, including:
- Firewall (Windows only).
- System cleanup tools (Windows only).
- Parental controls.
- Password manager.
- VPN (unlimited data).
Kaspersky’s cleanup tools are decent. The PC Speed-Up tool identified 6 registry issues and 43 MB of unused system data on my Alienware laptop. I also like the Privacy Cleaner, which quickly clears your browser history, cookies, and other online activity. However, I wish you could use all of Kaspersky’s cleanup tools in one go (Avira lets you do it all in just one click). Still, it’s a good tool if your hard drive is filling up.
The VPN includes unlimited data, works with many streaming services including Netflix, supports P2P traffic, and offers servers in 70+ countries. It’s pretty good if you value your privacy and use your laptop on unsecured networks, but it’s not as fast as TotalAV’s VPN.
I really like Kaspersky’s parental controls (Safe Kids), which are intuitive and come with a heap of useful features to keep your kids safe online. The content filtering and usage limitation worked well in my testing, and the location tracking and geofencing were able to pinpoint my test device’s location accurately.
Not all of Kaspersky’s extras are great, though. I wish its password manager included more advanced features such as dark web monitoring (like Norton’s does). Also, due to regulatory restrictions, you can’t currently buy a Kaspersky product in the US.
However, if you live outside of the US, Kaspersky offers competitively priced plans starting at £15.99 / year. The entry-level Standard plan offers basic protection for your laptop, but Kaspersky Premium (£22.99 / year) is the best and most comprehensive plan, including every feature in this review. Kaspersky backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Kaspersky is a user-friendly antivirus with excellent malware detection rates, anti-phishing protection, and multiple layers of web protection. It offers plenty of valuable extras including webcam protection, a secure browser for banking and shopping, excellent parental controls, a good VPN, and a decent password manager. All of Kaspersky’s paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Kaspersky review >
8. Panda Dome Complete — Efficient Scanning + Rescue Kit
Panda Dome Complete has a reasonably good malware scanner, a user-friendly interface, and an abundance of extra features for laptops. Using artificial intelligence, Panda protects your devices from a wide range of malware — it managed to find the majority of the malware samples on my laptop without having too big an impact on performance. However, it overlooked some adware and spyware files, which Norton caught effortlessly.
Windows users also get helpful tools like File Encryptor, which uses powerful encryption to secure sensitive files, and File Shredder, which permanently deletes files to prevent recovery. Panda’s PC Cleanup tools are useful for freeing up space and speeding up old laptops, though the defragmenter is less effective for newer machines. Additionally, Panda’s Rescue Kit can help recover severely infected Windows laptops, making it a great solution for serious malware issues.
I found Panda’s password manager very easy to use — with essential features like a password generator, two-factor authentication (2FA), auto-fill and auto-save, password strength auditing, and more. However, it doesn’t really measure up to standalone password managers like 1Password or Dashlane. Furthermore, the parental controls are very basic. If you’re looking for strong parental controls, I recommend Norton instead.
Unfortunately, Panda’s web protection didn’t hit the mark for me. It detected less than 50% of phishing sites, missing some obvious ones. This performance pales in comparison to top-tier brands like Norton and Bitdefender with their perfect detection scores.
Panda Dome has a free plan with basic antivirus protection and a very limited VPN. A much better option is the Panda Dome Complete plan at £24.99 / year — which offers all the extras but still only comes with the limited-data VPN (150 MB/day). To me, this is the best value plan, since Panda’s VPN really isn’t all that great anyway. Panda Dome Premium offers the VPN with unlimited data at £34.99 / year.
Bottom Line:
Panda Dome Complete is a good option for malware protection on laptops and has more features than many competitors on the market. It found most of the malware on my laptop, didn’t cripple my laptop’s performance or battery, and it offers unique extras like the Rescue Kit. However, Panda’s web protection isn’t very good, and its parental controls are very basic. But it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you feel like giving it a try anyway.
Read the full Panda review here >
9. Trend Micro — Excellent Privacy Scanner for Social Media Accounts
Trend Micro is another good option for an anti-malware engine for your laptop. The antivirus scanner performed well in testing, detecting most of the viruses, ransomware, trojans, and spyware on my laptop, although it didn’t quite measure up to Norton and Bitdefender in terms of detection and used more resources, resulting in my laptop feeling hotter when it ran.
Trend Micro is better at detecting phishing websites than Chrome, Safari, or Firefox — plus, its web browser extension also detects scam links, unsafe content, malicious code, and even misinformation, and it blocks ads.
Trend Micro offers good additional features, too, such as a privacy scanner for securing your social media accounts, along with basic parental controls that simplify setting time restrictions for your child’s online activity and/or limiting time spent on specific devices.
With Trend Micro Antivirus + Security, you can protect a single Windows device for £15.65 / year. It includes malware protection, advanced ransomware defense, and a secure browser for managing online finances. Trend Micro Internet Security at £31.34 / year elevates the protection to up to 3 devices (Windows only), introducing device optimization tools, protection for social networks, and parental controls. If you’re on a Mac laptop, you’ll need Trend Micro Maximum Security at £39.18 / year, which extends protection to up to 5 devices across all the main operating systems.
Bottom Line:
Trend Micro provides a solid malware and internet security solution for laptop users. It shines in web protection — its browser extension is good at warding off malicious websites, scam links, and questionable content. A 30-day money-back guarantee accompanies all Trend Micro plans, offering a risk-free opportunity to experience its offering.
Read the full Trend Micro review here >
10. Malwarebytes Standard — Good Basic Protection
Malwarebytes is a user-friendly but basic internet security suite. Its antivirus engine, powered by artificial intelligence, works to block malware in real-time. During my testing, it managed to detect around 95% of my malware samples, which is pretty good. However, its full disk scan took nearly 4 times as long as Norton’s, which was annoying and led to my laptop getting uncomfortably warm.
With a 98% detection rate, Malwarebytes did a great job at identifying phishing websites, though it disappointed in ad-blocking. While Malwarebytes says that Browser Guard, its ad- and malware-blocking extension, enhances web browsing speed, my browsing speed on my laptop seemed unchanged.
A notable downside of Malwarebytes Standard is the absence of extra features. It lacks system clean-up tools to free up space on old laptops, parental controls, a firewall, or a password manager — features that are standard in premium competitors like Norton. Nevertheless, its simplicity, paired with an attractive price, makes it a viable option.
Malwarebytes Standard can cover from 1 to 20 devices, with prices starting at £35.29 / year. It includes all of Malwarebytes’s features except the VPN. Malwarebytes Plus includes the VPN, which has over 500 servers in 40+ countries, for £47.06 / year. The VPN offers respectable speeds and a staunch zero-logs policy, but it doesn’t reliably work with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, making the upgrade less tempting. Still, there’s a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free. Malwarebytes also offers an identity theft protection service as part of its highest-tier Ultimate plan.
Bottom Line:
Malwarebytes serves as an efficient anti-malware tool but leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to additional features and performance (especially if you have an older laptop). That said, Malwarebytes Standard provides a reliable antivirus engine and decent web protection, whereas Malwarebytes Plus adds a modest VPN to the package. You also get a generous 60-day money-back guarantee with both plans.
Read the full Malwarebytes review here >
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To come up with this list of the best antivirus programs for laptops, I used our testing methodology, which takes into account a variety of selection criteria. Additionally:
- I looked for advanced security features. An ideal antivirus should provide extensive protection against a variety of threats, including viruses, trojans, spyware, and ransomware. I’ve thoroughly tested every antivirus on this list, making certain they offer excellent security against a broad spectrum of malware.
- I selected antiviruses that don’t slow down system performance. An antivirus should run smoothly on any laptop, with minimal impact on battery life and no overheating or loud operation. The options on my list, including Norton and Bitdefender, performed well during malware scans without causing slowdowns.
- I looked for useful extra features. A solid antivirus should offer more than just malware protection, like a VPN for safe browsing on public Wi-Fi and optimization tools to free up space. Norton, for example, has excellent dark web monitoring, while TotalAV includes a strong VPN.
- I only chose antiviruses that are easy to use. During my tests, I rated each one based on how simple it was to download, install, and navigate. I also prioritized products with good customer support, including detailed knowledge bases, live chat, and 24/7 help. All the antiviruses on my list are user-friendly with good support options.
- I chose plans that offer good value for money. All of the options on my list offer plenty of features, coverage for multiple devices, and come with free trials or guarantees — all at a fair price.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Heimdal — Heimdal has a very good malware scanner, and it comes with some advanced cybersecurity tools, but it’s much more complex to understand than most other antiviruses, so it’s not the best choice for most users.
- Webroot — Webroot’s cloud-based malware scanner is good because it doesn’t take up space or slow down your system. However, Webroot doesn’t have many good internet security features, and it’s too expensive for an antivirus that only provides basic protection.
- ESET — ESET has excellent malware detection rates, but it lacks many of the valuable extra features offered by the antiviruses on this list and most of its features are useless to MacBook users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my laptop’s built-in protections good enough?
Not really. Windows and Mac have basic security tools, but they can’t protect against advanced threats like phishing, adware, spyware, and ransomware. The best laptop antiviruses offer stronger protection with features like network firewalls, Wi-Fi security scanners, anti-phishing tools, and VPNs. For example, Norton 360 includes a powerful antivirus scanner, VPN, parental controls, and dark web monitoring to fully protect your laptop.
Can I use a free antivirus for my laptop?
Free antiviruses offer basic protection, which is fine if you only use your laptop for casual browsing. However, for online shopping, banking, or storing sensitive data, a premium antivirus like Norton 360 or Bitdefender Total Security is much more reliable. These paid solutions provide complete protection for a relatively low cos
Do laptops really need antivirus software?
Yes, all laptops need antivirus protection. Both Windows and Mac laptops lack advanced features like real-time protection, ransomware protection, and anti-phishing tools. Top-rated antiviruses like Norton or Bitdefender add these protections, keeping your data and identity safe while preventing malware from damaging your device.
Which antivirus is best for laptops?
My personal favorite is Norton 360. It has a powerful malware scanner that detected 100% of the test malware on my laptops, and it uses very little CPU, meaning you can use your laptop pretty much as normal during scans. Norton also has excellent Wi-Fi scanning capabilities and a VPN with unlimited data, both of which are particularly useful if you ever connect to public Wi-Fi on your laptop. Norton’s plans are affordable, and Norton 360 Deluxe offers all Norton’s features for up to 5 devices.
While Norton is definitely my number 1, you can’t go wrong with any of the other antiviruses on my list either — they’ll all keep your laptop protected in 2024.
What’s the best antivirus for MacBook?
Intego is the best antivirus for MacBook due to its exceptional malware detection rates — it successfully identified and blocked 100% of Mac-based malware in my tests. Additionally, it extends its protective cover to any connected external drives or iOS devices. Plus, it identifies PC-based malware, ensuring no accidental transmission of infected files to Windows users. Its malware scanning is fast and efficient thanks to its file-caching technology, which significantly accelerates subsequent scans by skipping previously scanned and cleared files.
Intego also has a smart firewall, parental controls, Mac cleanup tools, and backup utilities. Its comprehensive suite not only elevates the standard security provisions of macOS but also enhances the overall user experience, making it a solid and reliable choice for MacBook users.
Will an antivirus slow down my laptop?
It depends on which antivirus you choose to install. The antiviruses on this list won’t slow down your laptop — even if your device is pretty old.
Also, antiviruses like Norton 360 and Avira have device optimization tools that actually improve overall system performance, so your laptop will ultimately perform much better.
What should I look for in an antivirus for my laptop?
Most importantly, you should look for an antivirus that stops malware threats. Norton, for example, blocked 100% of malware in my tests. But that applies to all computer users. If you have a laptop, you’ll also be concerned about issues like battery drain, overheating, and excessive noise. Like any intensive program, antiviruses can cause all 3 of these issues. But the best options are highly efficient and mostly free from these problems. Ultimately, there are several factors to consider when choosing an antivirus for your laptop.
