Anti-virus Software reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 350 Reddit reviews across 32 subreddits and 71 posts to rank the best Anti-virus Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/computers, r/pcmasterrace, r/AskReddit, r/antivirus, r/software. Top-rated brands include Malwarebytes (4.2/5), Microsoft (4.1/5), Bitdefender (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews350
Subreddits32
Posts71
Brands57
Products26
350 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Malwarebytes
4.2
(63)
"If premium, then I personally use Malwarebytes, as it has great real time protection against all kinds of malware."
"I like Malwarebytes, it’s good free and amazing when spent."
"Malwarebytes is the only one I’d use if I did."
"Windows defender and malwarebytes are a very reliable combo!"
"Malwarebytes will do the trick."
"MalwareBytes."
"Get MalwareBytes! Its the best antivirus software and its free."
"Malwarebytes is always my go-to."
"Common sense, Malwarebytes."
"Malwarebytes anti virus is the best you can use it free 15 days trial version"
#2
Microsoft
4.1
(45)
"If you’re not pirating software or browsing/downloading porn it’s all you need and it’s free."
"Defender is a top-ranked antivirus, and has pretty much no bloatware."
"Windows defender 2024 is as good as anything."
"Windows defender in 2024 is all you need."
"If it ain't Windows Defender, I don't want it."
"Windows Defender is top-rated for system protection now."
"You dont need any anti virus software other than windows defender and malwarebytes."
"Defender used to be a joke but they added in heuristic and anomalous detection engines years back... became a very strong option with 0 added cost if you already have Windows"
"Windows Defender will do just fine."
"Stick with Defender and focus your energy on an anti-malware DNS."
#3
Bitdefender
4.5
(38)
"Bitdefender and Kaspersky are the most legit, others are useless."
"Bitdefender, ESET, F-Secure"
"I use Bitdefender for years now and I love it."
"I switched to Bitdefender Total Security and never looked back."
"Bitdefender."
"I pay for Bitdefender. Seems to be one of the best for gaming."
"Bitdefender/Kaspersky seem to be the front runners for paid security."
"My top 3 would be: Common sense, built in one and Bitdefender."
"Bitdefender"
"I personally use Bitdefender Total Security."
#4
Windows Defender
4.0
(42)
"Windows Defender is perfectly fine nowadays for software."
"Windows Defender is all you need, all others are total shit."
"I generally suggest sticking with Windows Defender."
"Windows defender and common sense is all you need ;)"
"Windows defender is the best,i dont think you need something else."
"Windows Defender is actually really good and enough for most end users."
"If you are using windows 10/11 windows defender is enough."
"Windows defender will do just fine"
"Windows Defender and your brain"
"Windows Defender is probably fine for most people."
#5
Kaspersky
4.0
(27)
"Get kaspersky or Bitdefender both come with free options and easily have better detection."
"Kaspersky been using it for 6 years now, does a great job."
"Licensed ones like Kaspersky and Bitdefender always worked very well for me."
"More than 10 years Kaspersky user here."
"Kaspersky, so far, it has never let me down."
"I recommend Kaspersky. Been using it for 4 years now."
"Kaspersky or eset or bitdefender"
"Kaspersky."
"Most likely Kaspersky, though Bitdefender, ESET, and Emsisoft come very close."
"Kaspersky"
#6
Avast
3.4
(23)
"Free = Avast. Paid = Bitdefender."
"Avast antivirus free, Windows defender built into windows 10."
"Avast. Been using it for 7 years."
"Avast and Bit defender are great anti virus."
"The paid version is pretty good."
"Avast paid is better. But you gotta pay for it"
"Avast works fine."
"Avast or ESET will be just fine/great to use."
"Avast is pretty good."
"I run windows defender and avast then malwarebytes/rootkit."
#7
ESET
4.4
(17)
"ESET Internet Security and have windows defender run a full scan."
"I'd recommend ESET because its constantly ranked highly."
"Eset is the best."
"I have been using Eset Nod32 for the past 5 years."
"I find the ESET security suite to be the best all all accounts."
"[ESET] has been my go-to for a few years now."
"Eset NOD32
After running into some issues with Windows Defender last year in an enterprise."
"Eset"
"ESET"
"Can recommend eset. They are pretty good."
#8
Microsoft Defender
4.0
(14)
"Just be sure to “Check for Updates” often to ensure Defender is also up to date."
"Microsoft Defender Ignore everything else."
"Windows defender works really well and its free."
"Windows Defender on Windows 10, uBlock Origin on browser."
"In Windows 10 the MS defender should be good for most."
"The built in windows defender is just fine for normal cam usage."
"Windows defender is nice but I would use something like Ublock Origin."
"Windows Defender + Being smart online = most effective antivirus."
"Just use Windows Defender and don't go to any sketchy websites. It has worked or me just fine on Win 10."
"Windows built in security + Malware Bytes AntiMalware are all you will ever need."
#9
Sophos
3.9
(9)
"Sophos."
"But if you’re looking for something extra i really like Sophos."
"Sophos Home"
"Sophos isn't terrible and it's free."
"Sophos as well."
"I discovered sophos home about 9 months ago. It emails me when something is found."
"[Sophos] at home."
"Sophos isn't terrible."
"I used Sophos in the past because it didn't use a lot of resources."
#10
Avira
3.6
(7)
"Avira Antivir if you are."
"Avira is the most lightweight."
"Avira or bitdefender."
"If you want free one i recommend Avira or Avast."
"Avira because of Luke filewalker."
"I use avira. used to use avast, but it likes to chew on ram."
"I went from avast to avira. Avast is very heavy."
#11
AVG
3.6
(5)
"I use AVG and malwarebytes."
"AVG. by far. Also, malwarebytes is fantastic."
"I use AVG and scan every few days with Malwarebytes."
"AVG and Avast are the most common free ones."
"Ive used avg since like forever now"
#12
Eset
4.5
(4)
"It's the most basic package they have, offering antivirus only but it is very, very effective."
"Great software, it was recommended to me by a friend who worked as a PC technician."
"Eset NOD32"
"Nod32 is pretty boss."
#13
Panda
4.0
(4)
"Panda is probably the only anti-virus that still works on Windows XP."
"Panda is pretty good !"
"For a free AV Panda is good. It came out well in recent tests."
"I use Panda free, it's been good to me and has many great reviews."
#14
Sophos Anti-Virus
5.0
(3)
"Sophos Anti-Virus is the BEST!"
"Sophos Anti-Virus is the BEST!"
"Sophos Anti-Virus is one of the best products made."
#15
Webroot
3.7
(3)
"For paid AV I would recommend Webroot. Small footprint but a realtime scanner."
"I would definitely recommend it as a premium option."
"Defender and Webroot"
#16
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
4.5
(2)
"Eset Nod 32 is highly regarded."
"ESET NOD32 Antivirus is usually rated as one of the lightest."
#17
ObjectiveSee
4.0
(2)
"Here [https://objective-see.com/products.html](https://objective-see.com/products.html) you can find free Mac security tools that works fine."
"Usually common sense. But if you need tools to monitor. Check: https://objective-see.com"
#18
Norton
2.3
(3)
"I have always used Norton and it worked really well until a few months ago."
"I get Norton free for having Comcast... but I also have the base Windows defense, Avast, and Malwarebytes."
"Whatever you do, don't get Norton or McAfee. Those programs are so bad, they practically are Malware on their own."
#19
PC-Matic
5.0
(1)
"I do use Malwarebytes to catch other things that any antivirus misses."
#20
HitmanPro
5.0
(1)
"I personally think HitmanPro.Alert is due to it being able to detect viruses that have already infected your computer."
#21
G Data
5.0
(1)
"Try G Data Internet Security. It is a german product/company and won several awards for their technology and virus detection rate."
#22
Kaspersky Security Cloud
5.0
(1)
"The best AV at the moment is regarded to be Kaspersky Security Cloud."
#23
Malwarebytes Pro
5.0
(1)
"I only use MB pro, but I got a lifetime license."
#24
Kaspersky Internet Security
5.0
(1)
"Kaspersky Internet Security is one of the best."
#25
Peckshield
5.0
(1)
"Aegis by Peckshield to be the most effective standalone security extension."
#26
Windows Defender, uBlock Origin
4.0
(1)
"Windows Defender and uBlock Origin have done a good job for me."
#27
Bitdefender Free
4.0
(1)
"I usually use Bitdefender free or Kaspersky free, they have great detection."
#28
uBlock Origin
4.0
(1)
"UBlock origin is by far the best one."
#29
F-Secure
4.0
(1)
"I like F-Secure for people who don't want to interact with their security solution."
#30
Comodo
4.0
(1)
"Comodo internet security. Can be a little bit fiddly at the start."
#31
Immunet
4.0
(1)
"I really like Immunet 3, its cloud based and doesn't get in the way too much."
#32
Symantec
4.0
(1)
"Symantec Endpoint Protection FTW."
#33
ClamXAV
4.0
(1)
"ClamXAV. It’s light and minimalist."
#34
Emsisoft
4.0
(1)
"Personally I use Emsisoft. It's not cheap, but its very lightweight."
#35
Sophos Home
4.0
(1)
"Other good options are Sophos Home."
#36
Microsoft Essentials
4.0
(1)
"Microsoft essentials + Malwarebytes free."
#37
Bullguard
4.0
(1)
"I use Bullguard it's pretty good "
#38
Cylance
4.0
(1)
"Anyone ever use Cylance? We get a discount for it being what we use at work."
#39
Cub Linux
4.0
(1)
"Install Cub Linux. Problems solved."
#40
VirusKiller
4.0
(1)
"I like viruskiller"
#41
Microsoft Security Essentials
4.0
(1)
"Yes use MSE, because it isn't at the bottom of nearly every AV comparison list."
#42
ESET NOD32
4.0
(1)
"Idk eset nod32 works pretty well for me."
#43
Tron
4.0
(1)
"I'd recommend installing Tron (from GitHub) and running it in antivirus scan mode."
#44
Comodo Firewall Pro
4.0
(1)
"Old but works, free."
#45
360 Total Security
4.0
(1)
"360 Total Security works on windows xp."
#46
Spybot Search and Destroy
4.0
(1)
"Spybot Search and Destroy will get rid of most malware bullshit and it’s completely free."
#47
Windows Security Essentials
4.0
(1)
"Start off with Windows Security Essentials. Its free."
#48
McAfee
4.0
(1)
"Mcafee has a good history but I’m sure there are other ones that are up there in service."
#49
Windows 10
3.0
(1)
"It had some built-in AV."
#50
Avast, AVG
3.0
(1)
"I have usually ran a free antivirus on my pc such as avast or AVG."
#51
ESET Smart Security
3.0
(1)
"I get the free trial of ESET Smart Security every 30 days."
#52
Trend Micro
3.0
(1)
"I use Trend Micro, Malwarebytes, Adwcleaner, CCleaner,and browser Adblock/script blocker."
#53
Intego
3.0
(1)
"I use Intego for my Mac. It’s claimed it especially made for Mac and have a good review on trustpilot."
#54
Norton Internet Security
3.0
(1)
"Norton Internet Security does decent job."
#55
MSE
3.0
(1)
"I usually do MSE or Avast, the latter can get annoying but just put it on Gaming mode and it'll never bother you again."
#56
ADWcleaner
3.0
(1)
"Use ADWcleaner and also never use avast."
#57
McAfee Antivirus
1.0
(1)
"Actual code leak of McAffe Antivirus"
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