As we move further into the digital age, cybersecurity has become more crucial than ever before, and one of the most important tools in our arsenal is antivirus software. With the release of Windows 11, users are looking for the best antivirus software to protect their systems from malicious attacks and ensure their online safety.
why antivirus is important
Antivirus software is essential because it protects your computer from malicious programs that can damage your system, steal your personal information, and even render your computer unusable. In today's digital age, where we are constantly connected to the internet and exposed to various online threats, antivirus software acts as a shield against viruses, spyware, adware, and other types of malware. Antivirus software scans your computer in real-time to detect and remove any malicious software, and it also provides regular updates to keep your system protected against newly emerging threats. Without antivirus software, your computer is vulnerable to cyber attacks that can compromise your privacy and put your sensitive data at risk.
How to choose the best antivirus for Windows 11
Choosing the best antivirus software for Windows 11 can be a daunting task, but there are some key factors to consider when making your decision. Here are some tips to help you choose the best antivirus for your Windows 11 system:
- Compatibility: Make sure the antivirus software you choose is compatible with Windows 11.
- Features: Look for antivirus software that offers comprehensive protection against various types of malware, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Also, consider additional features such as firewall protection, parental controls, and automatic updates.
- Performance: Choose antivirus software that has a minimal impact on your system's performance, so it doesn't slow down your computer or interfere with other programs.
- Reputation: Research the reputation of the antivirus software you are considering by reading reviews and checking independent lab test results to see how well it performs in detecting and removing malware.
- Price: Consider the cost of the antivirus software and whether it fits within your budget. Some antivirus software may offer a free version with limited features, while others require a subscription fee.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose the best antivirus software for your Windows 11 system that provides optimal protection without compromising your system's performance.
1. TotalAV Antivirus – best Windows 11 antivirus for everyone
TotalAV is one of the best antivirus tools for Windows 11, due to its excellent handling of cyber threats and top additional features. It's very secure – blocking 100% of the encountered risks on independent lab tests.
Even though TotalAV offers one of the best feature suites in the business, it also offers seriously good prices, making it a very wallet-friendly option. There is even a free option: but naturally, you'll get the best features on the paid version.
Paid users get features like real-time protection, which guards devices against malware, ransomware, and phishing emails. It also blocks detected malicious websites. The Smart Scan feature goes even further, doing a regular security check for malware, junk, trackers, and cached files.
TotalAV's premium version offers four distinct types of scans: Quick, System, Smart, and Custom. On our System scan testing, we saw a repeat of independent lab results – this AV caught 100% of the malware files in the system.
As for additional premium features, you'll get a Safe Browsing VPN. It offers unlimited data and a solid browsing experience with no visible slowdowns. Top-of-the-line TotalAV plans also come with a secure password manager, which helps you store, organize, or recover your login credentials.
While the application has plenty of features and extensive security tools, the user interface is very organized. It was really simple to use and didn't noticeably affect system performance. If you run into any issues, TotalAV has you covered. Their customer support options include a phone number, email, and a live chat.
Considering TotalAV is one of the top antivirus software in the market with an impressive package of features, the prices are seriously good – starting at $19.00/month. Also, there’s a free version that allows you to try out the application before getting any of the paid plans.
Pros
- Good real-time protection
- A basic free version
- User-friendly design
- Multiple customer support options
- Great desktop app
Cons
- Only protects a maximum of six devices
- More premium-priced
2. Bitdefender Antivirus – exceptional protection for Windows 11
Bitdefender is one of the best antiviruses for Windows 11 due to exceptional malware detection rates, reliable real-time protection, and other security features. While limited, it even includes a free version for users on a tight budget.
Bitdefender’s star feature is the Advanced Threat Defense tool that monitors all device processes. A password manager, a file shredder, and a free VPN are also in the package. Just remember that you’ll be limited to 200 MB daily traffic per device.
During independent lab tests, Bitdefender scored 100% in both zero-day and widespread malware tests. So whatever threat you encounter on Windows 11, Bitdefender will put an end to it.
In terms of compatibility, there are apps for Windows as well as macOS, Android, and iOS. The apps are very convenient, especially because it doesn’t spam you with random pop-up notifications.
As for customer support, it’s available for both free and premium users. In case you run into trouble, there's a 24/7 live chat, email support, and even a phone number for full support power.
Bitdefender prices start from $23.99/month. Depending on the plan you pick, you can connect up to 5 devices. If anything, there’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee available.
Pros
- Great scores in independent tests
- Multiple customer support options
- Available 30-day trials
- Has a free version
- Notification settings adapt to the activity
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Requires extra payment for full VPN access
3. Norton 360 – solid all-around antivirus for Windows 11
Norton is a feature-rich antivirus that also makes it to this list of best tools for Windows 11. In addition to great malware detection and real-time protection, there are plenty of extra tools to keep every facet of your online life as secure as possible.
Norton uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect any kind of danger online. It protects your devices from malware, spyware, ransomware, and potentially unwanted applications (PUPs).
It also includes the Norton Safe Web tool that helps you detect which links can cause potential harm. Other useful features like Isolation Mode, Dark Web monitoring, and cloud backups are also included.
The Norton 360 plans also include a built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) – Norton Secure VPN. With this tool, no third parties can access your information or your online activity. A two-way firewall is another feature of Norton. It monitors sent and received network traffic on your computer.
Norton Antivirus is a good choice because of its quality and feature variety. It’s not stressful to figure out how to use it, and if anything, a live chat function or a 24/7 helpline is available. It's quite high-priced, yet it's worth the money considering that it’s very efficient and you get many helpful features.
Pros
- All-round protection
- Extra features
- User-friendly interface
- Minimal resource usage
- Identity-theft protection
Cons
- Doesn’t include a free version
- More premium-priced
4. Surfshark Antivirus – support for multiple devices
Surfshark Antivirus is another reliable anti-malware solution for Windows 11. It’s not just a simple scanning tool – you get a full security suite with malware protection features and Surfshark VPN for online security.
When it comes to malicious programs, Surfshark antivirus offers excellent real-time protection and continuously monitors your device for suspicious activity. You can also manually perform quick, full, scheduled, and drag-and-drop item scans.
More so, this antivirus suite includes additional security features to make sure your sensitive information is safe. It even has a private search engine to prevent data tracking when browsing online.
Additionally, you get the Surfshark Alert feature which scans the web to ensure your data hasn’t been compromised. That includes email addresses, credit cards, and ID checks.
It’s also worth mentioning that this antivirus has a very intuitive Windows app that is easy to set up and use.
As for the price, you can protect up to 5 devices for $41.88/year, and each subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Real-time protection
- VPN included
- Modern apps
- Private search engine
- 24/7 live support
Cons
- ID check isn't available in all countries
- No firewall
5. Avira Antivirus – a reliable virus detective
Avira is one of the best free antivirus options for Windows 11. However, even though the free plan offers some extra benefits, the paid subscription has many more helpful features.
Every version of Avira offers real-time protection. This feature monitors files that can affect your computer and alerts you if any of them are malicious. Also, Avira’s malware detection rates are proven to be extra reliable. During the February-May period of 2022, they scored 100% at blocking all test samples.
Avira’s security measures include web and email protection as well. This feature keeps you safe from phishing attacks, browser hijackers, and viruses in attachments.
There is also a quarantine option – where suspicious files are encrypted and put into the quarantine folder. Other features include a password manager, a safe shopping tool, and Phantom VPN. Both of these features are included in the free version, yet the VPN is limited in data and server locations.
Lastly, the free version lacks customer support. However, with paid plans, you can get support via phone and email. Starting at $30.99/month, the cheapest version offers basic antivirus features – and the more premium plans come with a software updater, PC speed, and tune-up tools. All in all, Avira offers a solid all-around package based on your needs.
Pros
- Ransomware protection
- Integrated VPN
- User-friendly
- Offers a free version
- Extra features for mobile
Cons
- Prices are on the premium side
- Slow customer support
Conclusion
Using an antivirus with your Windows 11 is essential for putting an end to various cyber threats that Windows Defender can’t handle. You need a service that ensures above-average independent malware test results and includes important security features, such as real-time protection.
To help you choose, we researched and tested dozens of antivirus programs to see how good they are for Windows 11. We only selected antiviruses that don’t impact your device performance too much and provide you with excellent malware protection rates
