CompareFairlyBest Antivirus Software 2026
Our pick : Norton AntiVirus Plus (74/100) · Cheapest : AVG AntiVirus Free · Best value : Norton AntiVirus Plus
Comparison table
| Criterion | Norton AntiVirus Plus | McAfee Total Protection | Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Malwarebytes Premium | Trend Micro Internet Security | AVG AntiVirus Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protection Score (%) | 99.7 | 99.6 | 99.9 | 99.8 | 99.4 | 97.5 |
| Performance Impact (%) | 3.5 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 17.9 | 3.9 |
| Price / year (GBP) | 2.0 | 4.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 | — | 0.0 |
| Features (count) | 7 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | High | High |
| Customer Support | Good | Fair | Excellent | Good | Good | Fair |
| VPN Included | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Parental Controls | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Password Manager | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Cloud Backup | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — |
In short
This comparison evaluates 11 antivirus programs based on 10 criteria, including Protection Score, Performance Impact, Price per year, Features, Ease of Use, and Customer Support. Norton AntiVirus Plus ranks highest with a score of 74/100, largely due to its perfect scores in Cloud Backup and Parental Controls. McAfee Total Protection is second with 71/100, excelling in the area of VPN Included. AVG AntiVirus Free is identified as the most affordable option. The data used for this comparison is sourced from 8 out of the 11 options, with the remaining values being estimates that are clearly marked as such. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best antivirus software in 2026?
Norton AntiVirus Plus currently leads our comparison with a score of 74/100, closely followed by McAfee Total Protection. Our rankings are based on objective data and are not influenced by any paid placements.
How do you compare antivirus programs?
We evaluate antivirus software based on key criteria including Protection Score, Performance Impact, Price per year, Features, Ease of Use, and Customer Support to provide a comprehensive overview.
Is Norton AntiVirus Plus really the best option?
Norton AntiVirus Plus scores highest in our current assessment, but the 'best' choice depends on your individual needs and priorities. We recommend reviewing all the data presented.
Where does McAfee Total Protection rank against other antiviruses?
McAfee Total Protection is positioned just behind Norton AntiVirus Plus in our comparison, indicating strong performance across our evaluated criteria.
Methodology and transparency
Ranking: options are sorted on measured, sourced criteria. No position is ever sold, and no advertiser pays to appear here.
Scope: this comparison is not exhaustive. It presents the options our sources document, not every offer on the market.
Earnings: some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission. This never affects the ranking, the scores or the data.
Data: every value is linked to its source and refreshed automatically; the collection date is shown.