The Best Antivirus Software for a Gaming PC 2025

According to our testing, the best antivirus for your gaming PC is Norton 360, which even has a plan designed for gamers, including a VPN, game optimizer, and even parental controls.

If you want to make sure you don't get hit with lag at the worst time, McAfee has a robust history of being one of the most lightweight antivirus software available. And if you want to combo your antivirus with doxxing protection and more, Surfshark Antivirus is a very good option that comes bundled with one of the best gaming VPNs available.

We know it can be a lot to unpack, so let’s break down the best antivirus for gaming that won’t tank your FPS.

The best antivirus for PC gamers

In a sea of antivirus products, we choose the best ones to meet your needs depending on your situation. We’ve mentioned some features these software products offer, but there are more options gamers might consider, too. If you don’t want a computer virus or DDoS attack bringing your game to a halt, here are some recommended choices:

• Norton 360: Best overall for gamers
• McAfee: Best lightweight performance
• Surfshark Antivirus: Best antivirus + VPN combo

Top 3 antivirus products for gaming compared

Antivirus
Star rating	5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	$29.99/first yr	$35.99/first yr	$3.39/mo (billed annually)
Max number of protected devices	Unlimited	Unlimited	5
EICAR test results	3/3	3/3	2/3
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Performance optimization tools
24/7 customer support
Extras	Parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more	VPN, password manager, identity theft protection, data removal services	VPN, ad blocker, identity theft protection, data removal
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android
Learn more	Get Norton 360 Read Norton 360 Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review	Get Surfshark Antivirus Read Surfshark Antivirus Review

Norton 360: Best overall

Who it’s best for

Norton 360is ideal for PC players who want premium antivirus protection without sacrificing in-game performance. It even comes with a plan designed for gamers (Norton 360 for Gamers) that comes packed with features you didn't even think to ask for, like a gamer optimizer, notification optimization, VPNs, and more.

What we liked

One of our favorite parts about Norton 360 for Gamers is the Game Optimizer feature, which reallocates CPU resources to improve frame rates and reduce lag during gaming sessions. It also detects when you're in a full-screen game so it won't send you notifications that could break your focus.

On top of the gaming-specific features, you also get one of the top-rated antivirus tools, with extremely high test results, a wide-range of features, and more.

Some of those features include a secure no-logs VPN, dark web monitoring for gamer tags, and even webcam protection, making it one of the most comprehensive security solutions available for gamers.

What we didn’t like

We didn’t like that some of Norton’s best features, such as Game Optimizer, are only available on Windows.

It’s also one of the more expensive options on the market, especially if you don’t catch it on sale.

McAfee: Best for lightweight protection

Who it’s best for

McAfee is the best option for people who care about having the smallest impact to their gaming PC's performance at all times. The antivirus has consistently blown performance tests out of the water, consistently coming up at the top of the pack for the least system impact. 

What we liked

Right off the bat, we liked how quickly McAfee’s full scan searched through files. The firewall makes online browsing safer, and the real-time scanning in the background makes us feel more secure. There were no noticeable performance issues when we tested the software, and if you're a gamer, you’ll love that.

Plus, you can use the WebAdvisor feature to block suspicious websites or ones you don’t want to chance. The interface is easy to use and simplistic — we like that you can see the green notification with the checkmark to let you know all is well.

What we didn’t like

One of the only sticking points we had with this software was that the identity features were a bit shaky when we tested them on our MacBook. To remedy this, we contacted customer support and were instructed to open a different web browser, which worked. It was still a nagging issue, though.

The other issue we had was that McAfee didn’t have any third-party test results for macOS. It did have results for Android and Windows, and both of these were reported in the first quarter of 2023. We know antivirus companies must pay for testing, but we aren’t sure why macOS was the one left out. It doesn’t mean there are any security problems when using the antivirus with macOS, but we’d like to see for ourselves.

Surfshark Antivirus: Best for a VPN + gaming combo

Who it’s best for

Surfshark Antivirus, which comes bundled with Surfshark One and One+, is best for gamers who want both antivirus and privacy tools in one affordable subscription. You'll get a full suite of features that covers you on all digital fronts — ad blocker, VPN, masked email generator, data leak alerts, private search engine, and more.

What we liked

We liked that Surfshark One combines antivirus protection with a highly rated VPN, giving gamers comprehensive protection from malware, hackers, and online trackers.

It also includes webcam protection, identity breach alerts, and supports unlimited devices, which is perfect for players using multiple platforms.

What we didn’t like

The main downside is that this antivirus doesn't have as many features as established brands like McAfee and Norton have, most notably a firewall, ransomware protection, and more.

FAQs

Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for PC gamers

We recommend Norton 360, McAfee, and Surfshark Antivirus as the best antivirus for gamers.

Norton 360 has a fully-featured plan designed specifically for gamers, including a game optimization tool.

McAfee has some of the best performance test results in history, making it one of the best options if you want a lightweight antivirus with top-of-the-line protection.

Finally, Surfshark Antivirus offers an incredibly security combo by combining a good antivirus with one of the best VPNs on the market.

3 best gaming antivirus programs

	Starting price	Best for	Learn more
	$29.99/first yr	Best overall	Get Norton 360 Read Norton 360 Review
	$35.99/first yr	Best for lightweight protection	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review
	Free or $3.39/mo (billed annually)	Best for VPN combo	Get Surfshark Antivirus Read Surfshark Antivirus Review