The Providers in 2024

Sifting through all the antivirus options on the market to compare the good from the bad is a huge undertaking. But that’s what I’m here for. I’ve done the hard work for you, and after lots of testing and trials, I’m ready to show you my personal list of The Providers in 2024.

Norton Antivirus

My first nominee as top antivirus goes to Norton. Every other month, this app is tested by the independent IT Security Institute to ensure that its performance, usability, and production are always up to par. The results of this reputable AV test were totally flawless, and as you can see, their impressive track record has been like that for years. These tests are very thoroughly executed. However, I personally like to make sure about that for myself. To do this, I planted 10 malware files onto my computer and let the scan do its thing. The final result? Norton was able to detect successfully 100% of the threats, meaning it definitely has some of the software you can find.

Now that you know how effective this app is at doing its job, which other security features does it include? Well, if you want to qualify as one of the for Windows 11 options these days, having real-time protection is non-negotiable, which Norton does. It works 24/7 in the background, scanning your device for threats and notifying you if anything surfaces. There’s also protection against ransomware, a problem that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. And Norton’s price-to-value only increases thanks to its super useful features like a VPN and a password manager. Keep in mind, purchasing either one of those tools in the marketplace separately costs about as much as a subscription to Norton in the first place, so it truly does end up being the Ultimate Security Suite.

I found that the VPN had pretty fast speeds and abundant server fleet and plenty of locations to choose from, plus all of the security measures and policies that I’d expect from a market standard provider. The only thing I didn’t like was that I couldn’t select a specific server that I wanted to connect to, only the region. The password manager was pretty decent as well. It’s the ideal place to store sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or login info. While it does include quality security measures, there aren’t that many features. But the biggest downfall is that there is no 2FA, which is crucial for any password manager.

Cons of Norton Antivirus

Okay, moving on to cons, was there anything that I really disliked about Norton Antivirus? Well, I will warn you that some buttons on the app actually open a whole new window. You get used to it over time, but it is a little tiresome in the beginning.

Layout and Design

Another important factor to look at when considering the for Windows is the app’s layout, design, and interface. It doesn’t matter much how much security is offered or features are included if the app is challenging to navigate, am I right? Even though their individual windows aren’t my personal preference, Norton still has an overall clean, minimalistic dashboard. Advanced users will be able to enjoy it to the fullest, and beginners will find that all the functionalities are easy to reach. I found that the macOS and Windows have nearly identical apps. However, as expected, Android was more feature-rich than iOS, but that’s only because Apple has built-in restrictions. Any anti-malware features that are missing from the Norton iOS app essentially exist on my iPhone anyway. Plus, the downloading and installation process was very intuitive and fast.

Pricing

With that being said, just how much does a subscription with Norton cost? Well, there are four different choices depending on how many devices you have and also how many features you’d like included. The first plan is pretty affordable, though it only covers one device and doesn’t include the VPN, dark web monitoring, privacy monitor, or parental controls. The next option includes the VPN I mentioned, plus dark web monitoring and coverage on three devices. Then the third tier adds a privacy monitor and parental controls, plus use on five devices. This is a decent option for someone looking for full security coverage on their laptop, PC, mobile, and more. The final plan includes everything I’ve already mentioned, covers 10 devices, and includes a slew of extra security benefits. When you decide which of these three plans suits your needs best, be sure to use the exclusive Norton discount I’ve attached in the QR code on screen. I’ll also leave coupons in the description for all of today’s providers if one of them stands out more.

Malwarebytes Antivirus

Alright, my next nominee for the app goes to Malwarebytes. In independent testing, the app had excellent results in protection, performance, and usability, with results never dropping below an impressive 5.5. And in my personal testing, it was able to catch 7 out of the 10 malware files that I had planted. The multiple scanning options allow for flexibility depending on how deep you want to dive and how much time you have to do it. The quick scan does a lighter, faster check for any threats, and the custom option is great if you need to individually check any suspicious files or folders. The real-time protection feature also has some toggles that you can enable for further safeguarding, like website malware, PUP, and ransomware protection. Plus, the unique exploit protection feature protects against attacks that specifically target security flaws and vulnerable apps.

Additional Security Features

As far as additional security features go, there’s a nifty feature, the browser guard extension, which works to block ads, scams, third-party trackers, and malware. Also, the premium plans do include a high-speed VPN, which has a decent amount of countries to choose from, though a pretty small server fleet.

Cons of Malwarebytes

Now, one aspect of this app that definitely needs improvement is the lack of a firewall, which is a must-have when looking for the for Mac or PC, and I’m surprised there isn’t one. Additionally, I’d say that the price-to-value for Malwarebytes could be better considering their elevated costs. The basic security package has all the protective features you need to stay safe but without any additional advantages. The middle plan does include the VPN, then the complete protection plan includes all of those things plus some extra insurance and monitoring benefits. Though I still think the plan is too expensive for what is included, and I suggest opting for the middle tier instead.

Ease of Use

Before you decide if this app is right for you, let’s take a look at how easy it is to use. To start, the installation process was super straightforward and only required me to click a few “Next” buttons. Once the app is set up, you can see that the dashboard is well-organized and easy to navigate. I found that both the Windows and macOS layouts were very similar in design and function. Though, when it comes to the mobile versions, as usual, Apple had less included compared to Android. Still, its optimal security and inclusion of their proprietary exploit protection make it an excellent choice. Overall, I’d say it’s one of the for Android options on the market. If you decide to take advantage of all the benefits of Malwarebytes, then use the QR code on screen for a discount or grab the link in the description.

Surfshark Antivirus

Okay, my next nominee in this review is actually part of a VPN bundle, and that goes to Surfshark Antivirus. Now, even though this antivirus essentially comes as an included feature, independent testing results showed that it still had above-average results in all areas. Though I do wish they had some more updated tests, seeing as these are a bit outdated. The app was also able to detect an impressive 9 out of the 10 threats that I planted, meaning that it performs about as well as other market-leading antiviruses.

Features

A subscription to the Surfshark One package not only includes an antivirus with real-time protection but also some other useful features. And if you’re like me and you’re sick of trackers selling your information to third parties, then the Surfshark Search is a great solution. Unlike other search engines, this one does not collect your personal data and instead allows for a private browsing experience. Of course, the VPN feature itself brings tons of security and options to your online experience. Once turned on, it encrypts your network connection using the most modern options on the market, as well as speedy and secure tunneling protocols. With over 3,200 servers to choose from in 100 countries, you can easily do things like access geo-blocked streaming content or torrent easily at fast speeds.

Cons of Surfshark Antivirus

While this VPN antivirus combo is definitely an excellent all-in-one solution, it would be nice if in the future they could also be sold separately to accommodate those who may only need one. Plus, there definitely should be a firewall feature added for that extra boost of security, and maybe some parental controls like their competitors offer. Other than that, the app is very simple and intuitive to use. Once the app is installed from the Surfshark website, which only requires a few button clicks, you’ll be able to easily find the antivirus located on the left side of the dashboard. All of the scanning options are right there, as well as real-time protection and the other customizable toggles.

Pricing

Pricing-wise, the Surfshark plan is surprisingly affordable. The VPN antivirus combo, plus all of the features I mentioned, cost less than a few dollars each month. Keep in mind, the VPN itself comes with tons of extra security features as well. If you want to try out their most premium plan, it includes all of the above plus a couple of data removal tools. So, if you’re looking for an all-in-one security suite, Surfshark is definitely an ideal choice. Even though all of today’s providers also include a money-back guarantee with all of their subscriptions, I understand that some of you may want to try something with a little less commitment at first. That’s why I’m including a couple of free antivirus providers so you can test out the waters beforehand.

Free Antivirus Providers

Total AV

First up is Total AV. Their free plan is essentially a more stripped-down version of the premiums. It includes a basic malware scanner and anti-phishing feature, just without any real-time protection or other included features. This plan is a decent option if you’re simply looking to detect and remove malware. Plus, their customer support is very helpful should you need guidance.

Bitdefender

My next free suggestion, Bitdefender, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive security suite. It not only includes virus scans and web attack prevention but also real-time protection. This plan is the best free way to get protection against malware, phishing attacks, and ransomware in one fell swoop. Keep in mind, these free plans are certainly better than having zero protection on your device, but they’re very limited compared to their premium counterparts. Downloading them temporarily is fine, but I advise switching to the full coverage plans long-term to get the lowest price on any of today’s premium plans. Don’t forget to grab the exclusive deal in the description.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, if you choose any of my suggestions, they’ll come with tons of benefits and online protection. To recap, Norton’s independent testing results prove that it’s one of the most foolproof apps on the market, and it comes with a slew of security features to keep every aspect of your online presence protected. Malwarebytes has one of the most beginner-friendly interfaces to use, plus the exploit protection and ad-blocking features really amp up its value. And the Surfshark antivirus VPN bundle offers maybe the best price-to-value thanks to the security coverage you’re getting on not only your device but your network connection as well.

I’m going to leave deals for all of today’s providers in the description. And if you’d like to watch more videos like this, there’s one on the screen waiting for you now. Thanks so much for sticking around, and I’ll see you next time.

Read More: BIG SAVE!!! Buy Windows 10 Pro Licenses: Secure & Genuine