The Most Popular Antivirus Software, Ranked

Choose the antivirus software you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:29
With the digital age in full swing, the need for robust antivirus software has never been more crucial. Our daily activities, from banking to social networking, expose us to potential cyber threats that can compromise personal and professional data. This makes selecting the right antivirus protection an essential task for anyone using digital devices. This website offers a dynamic way to gauge the effectiveness and popularity of different antivirus solutions. By allowing everyday users to vote on their preferred software, it creates reliable rankings based on real-world usability and satisfaction. Cast your vote to contribute to a transparent, user-driven resource that aids others in making informed choices about their cybersecurity.

What Is the Most Popular Antivirus Software?

  1. 1
    48
    votes
    With over 400 million users worldwide, Avast is one of the most popular antivirus software. It offers a wide range of features such as real-time protection, email scanning, and Wi-Fi security.
    Avast is a popular antivirus software that provides comprehensive protection against various types of malware and online threats. It is known for its powerful features, user-friendly interface, and regular updates to keep up with emerging threats.
    • Real-time protection: Monitors files and programs in real-time to detect and block threats.
    • Web Shield: Blocks malicious websites and prevents phishing attacks.
    • Email Shield: Scans email attachments for malware and protects against email-based threats.
    • Behavior Shield: Analyzes program behavior to detect and block suspicious activities.
    • Firewall: Provides network protection and prevents unauthorized access.
  2. 2
    16
    votes
    Norton is known for its strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers advanced security features such as password manager, VPN, and parental controls.
    Norton is a comprehensive antivirus software that provides advanced protection against malware, viruses, and online threats. It offers a range of features to safeguard your devices, including real-time threat detection, web protection, and secure VPN for enhanced privacy.
    • Real-time Protection: Constantly detects and removes malware in real-time
    • Web Protection: Blocks malicious websites and downloads
    • Secure VPN: Encrypts your internet connection for enhanced privacy
    • Password Manager: Safely stores and manages your passwords
    • Device Security: Protects multiple devices, including PC, Mac, and mobile
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    McAfee is a trusted antivirus software that has been in the market for over 30 years. It offers real-time protection, anti-spam, and anti-phishing features.
    McAfee is a popular antivirus software that provides protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. It offers various features and tools to safeguard personal computers and networks.
    • Real-time Scanning: Detects and removes malware in real-time.
    • Firewall Protection: Monitors network traffic and blocks unauthorized access.
    • Web Protection: Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts.
    • Email Protection: Scans email attachments and filters spam.
    • Safe Web Browsing: Warns against unsafe websites in search results.
  4. 4
    13
    votes
    Kaspersky is known for its strong protection against malware and hackers. It offers a range of features such as password manager, parental controls, and VPN.
    Kaspersky is a highly regarded antivirus software that provides advanced security solutions for personal computers and mobile devices. It offers protection against various threats, such as viruses, malware, ransomware, and spyware. Kaspersky is known for its powerful scanning engine, real-time protection, and user-friendly interface.
    • Virus protection: Offers advanced protection against viruses.
    • Malware protection: Detects and removes malware from your system.
    • Ransomware protection: Safeguards your files from ransomware attacks.
    • Spyware protection: Keeps your system safe from spyware infections.
    • Real-time protection: Monitors activities in real-time to prevent threats.
  5. 5
    15
    votes
    Bitdefender is a reliable antivirus software that offers advanced security features such as anti-phishing, anti-spam, and firewall protection.
    Bitdefender is an antivirus software that offers protection against various forms of malware, including viruses, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It is known for its robust security features and efficient threat detection capabilities.
    • Real-time Protection: Provides continuous scanning and protection against all types of malware in real-time.
    • Advanced Threat Defense: Uses behavioral analysis and machine learning algorithms to detect and block advanced and zero-day threats.
    • Anti-Phishing: Protects against phishing attacks by identifying and blocking fake websites that attempt to steal sensitive information.
    • Ransomware Remediation: Automatically restores encrypted files after a successful ransomware attack.
    • Multi-Layered Protection: Utilizes multiple layers of security to ensure comprehensive protection against all forms of malware.
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Trend Micro is a popular antivirus software that offers strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers features such as parental controls, password manager, and VPN.
    Trend Micro is a renowned antivirus software that provides comprehensive protection against various cyber threats. It offers a range of features to safeguard devices and networks from viruses, malware, ransomware, and other online attacks. Trend Micro is known for its real-time protection, advanced scanning capabilities, and user-friendly interface.
    • Real-time Protection: Monitors and blocks threats as they occur in real-time.
    • Advanced Scanning: Utilizes advanced scanning techniques to detect and remove both known and emerging threats.
    • Malware Detection: Effectively detects and removes various types of malware such as viruses, Trojans, worms, and spyware.
    • Ransomware Protection: Protects against ransomware attacks by monitoring and blocking suspicious encryption activities.
    • Web Protection: Blocks access to malicious websites and provides safe browsing experience.
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    ESET is known for its strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers features such as anti-phishing, anti-spam, and real-time protection.
    ESET is a popular antivirus software known for its powerful protection against various types of malware and online threats. It offers a comprehensive suite of security features to protect personal computers and corporate networks.
    • Real-time scanning: Provides immediate protection against viruses, trojans, worms, and other malware in real-time.
    • Advanced threat detection: Utilizes advanced algorithms and machine learning to detect and block emerging threats.
    • Lightweight and fast: Designed to have a minimal impact on system performance, ensuring smooth operation.
    • Multi-platform support: Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.
    • Web protection: Blocks malicious websites and protects against phishing attempts and online scams.
  8. 8
    7
    votes

    AVG

    AVG is a trusted antivirus software that offers strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers features such as real-time protection, anti-phishing, and anti-spam.
    AVG is antivirus software that provides protection against viruses, malware, and other online threats. It offers real-time scanning, automatic updates, and reliable virus detection and removal. AVG is known for its user-friendly interface and compatibility with various operating systems.
    • Real-time scanning: Yes
    • Automatic updates: Yes
    • Virus detection: Yes
    • Virus removal: Yes
    • User-friendly interface: Yes
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Avira is a reliable antivirus software that offers strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers features such as anti-phishing, anti-spam, and real-time protection.
    Avira is a popular antivirus software that provides advanced protection against various types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware. It is known for its high detection rate and efficient performance, making it a reliable choice for both individuals and businesses.
    • Real-Time Protection: Constantly monitors files, downloads, and webpages for malware and blocks threats in real-time.
    • Advanced AI Detection: Utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to detect and block emerging threats.
    • Web Protection: Safeguards against malicious websites and provides secure browsing experience.
    • Phishing Protection: Blocks phishing attempts and protects users from falling victim to online scams.
    • Email Protection: Scans incoming and outgoing emails for malicious attachments and links.
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Sophos is a popular antivirus software that offers strong protection against malware and viruses. It offers features such as real-time protection, anti-phishing, and anti-spam.
    Sophos is a popular antivirus software known for its comprehensive protection against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. It offers advanced features to safeguard both individual users and businesses.
    • Real-time scanning: Continuously detects and blocks malware threats in real-time.
    • Web protection: Blocks malicious websites and prevents exploitation of vulnerabilities.
    • Ransomware protection: Identifies and neutralizes ransomware before it can encrypt files.
    • Malicious URL blocking: Protects users from clicking on harmful links and visiting dangerous websites.
    • Behavioral analysis: Monitors software behavior and detects suspicious activities.

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Ranking factors for popular antivirus software

  1. Detection rate
    Detection rate is a measure of how often the antivirus software identifies and quarantines threats. High detection rates are desirable, as they indicate the software's effectiveness in keeping devices safe.
  2. False positives
    Alongside high detection rates, low false positive rates are important. A false positive occurs when the antivirus software mistakenly identifies a legitimate file or program as malicious. Frequent false positives may result in unnecessary alerts, impact performance, or accidentally delete essential files.
  3. System performance impact
    Good antivirus software should provide strong protection without significantly slowing down the computer's performance. Look for software that has a low impact on system resources, such as CPU, RAM, and disk space usage.
  4. Ease of use
    User-friendly interfaces and simple installation processes are essential factors. The antivirus software should be easy to navigate, straightforward to configure and customize, and provide clear instructions when needed.
  5. Features
    Additional features such as firewall, phishing protection, URL filtering, password manager, and system optimization can enhance the software's overall effectiveness and value.
  6. Platform compatibility
    Consider whether the antivirus software is compatible with various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) and the extent to which it offers equally strong protection across all platforms.
  7. Frequency of updates
    Regular updates are vital for keeping up with the constantly evolving threat landscape. Look for software with frequent definition updates and program updates that ensure the latest vulnerabilities and threats are covered.
  8. Technical support
    Robust customer support is important for addressing any issues that may arise while using the software. Look for companies that offer comprehensive support via multiple channels, such as email, phone, live chat, and online forums.
  9. Price and overall value
    Finally, consider whether the software offers good value for money, taking into account both the upfront cost and any ongoing subscription fees. While free options can provide basic protection, robust paid solutions often offer more comprehensive features and support.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular antivirus software. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or antivirus is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1497 views
  • 148 votes
  • 10 ranked items

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Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each antivirus once every 24 hours. The rank of each antivirus is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular antivirus software

Antivirus software has become an essential tool in today's digital world, where malware and viruses are a constant threat to our devices and personal information. With so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to determine which antivirus software is the most effective and popular. StrawPoll has conducted extensive research and analysis to determine the most popular antivirus software based on user feedback and ratings. Our findings reveal the top contenders in the industry, along with their unique features and benefits. Read on to learn more about the most popular antivirus software and how they can help keep your devices safe and secure.

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