The Best Antivirus Software for Laptops 2025

The best antivirus software for laptops include Norton 360, Bitdefender, and AVG, which offers comprehensive device protection from online threats.
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Best Overall

5.0
Editorial Rating
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On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Norton 360 Antivirus
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Best for Windows and Android

5.0
Editorial Rating
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On Bitdefender's website

Bitdefender
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Norton 360 is our top pick for the best laptop antivirus software based on performance, perks, and price. We'd also recommend Norton for families looking to manage their children's browsing experience, as Norton offers great security additions. Bitdefender has all the right tools for Windows and Android. Meanwhile, AVG provides premium antivirus tools that are ideal for real-time protection.

In this article
The best antivirus software for laptops
Norton 360: Best overall
Bitdefender: Best for Windows and Android
AVG: Best for real-time protection
Honorable mentions
FAQs
Bottom line

The best antivirus software for laptops

Laptops are essential for working, studying, and entertaining. They’re vulnerable to cyberthreats though, so it's necessary to protect laptops with antivirus software. Antivirus can protect your device and data from virus attacks, malicious websites, and other malware.

Top 3 antivirus products for laptops compared

Antivirus
Best Overall
Star rating
5.0
5.0
4.8
Starting price Starts at $29.99/first yr Free or $29.99/first yr Free or $46.68/yr (first year only)
Max number of protected devices Unlimited 10 10
EICAR test results 3/3 3/3 3/3
Malware scans Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Learn more Get Norton 360

Read Norton 360 Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

Get AVG

Read AVG Review

How we test and rate antivirus software

We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics. 

This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.

To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.

Norton 360: Best Overall

Top-Notch Security From an Award-Winning Brand
5.0
Editorial Rating
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On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • Tested protection against hackers, viruses, malware, and ransomware
  • Includes VPN, parental controls, and more
  • Backed by a 100% Virus Removal Guarantee

Who it’s best for

Norton 360 is a good choice if you're looking for an antivirus solution with all the premium security features, including a virtual private network (VPN) and password manager. It's also a good option for families needing parental controls and wanting to set online boundaries for their children. Considering all of the additional security features, the price is surprisingly affordable for family plans.

Norton 360 deluxe dashboard

What we liked

Beyond comprehensive antivirus protection that's proven through third-party testing, Norton 360 also offers several other tools to protect your online privacy. Some notable features include a password manager, Norton Secure VPN, and LifeLock identity theft protection.

A Norton security suite can help create a secure digital environment and protect you from cyberthreats. Even in the event of identity theft, LifeLock can help you recover quickly with financial reimbursements and lawyer coverage.

Families may be interested in Norton's extensive parental controls. It allows you to set online boundaries for children. You can:

  • Supervise web activity, including search results and YouTube history
  • View the 30-day location history of mobile devices
  • Set time limits
  • View app downloads and block them

As a bonus, Norton 360 offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. It gives you plenty of time to test and evaluate all of the features and make sure it's the right fit for you.

What we didn’t like

While Norton Antivirus was user-friendly, we noticed during our testing that it doesn't have as many features for Mac users. For example, proactive exploit protection (PEP) and Power Eraser don't work on macOS.

Norton 360 specs

Starting price Starts at $29.99/first yr
Free version No
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection Yes
Parental controls Yes
Extras Password manager, cloud backup, VPN, dark web monitoring, privacy monitor, LifeLock identity theft protection
Learn more Get Norton 360

Read Norton 360 Review

Bitdefender: Best for Windows and Android

5.0
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Bitdefender's website
Antivirus Software
Bitdefender
Save 50% off
  • Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
  • Simple yet powerful interface tools
  • Perfect protection score in third-party tests

Who it’s best for

Bitdefender is best if you’re using Windows and Android operating systems. It offers a full antivirus suite of security features, including a VPN and anti-tracker, at an affordable price. While Bitdefender is available for macOS and iOS devices, it has significantly fewer security features.

Bitdefender's dashboard
Bitdefender's user-friendly dashboard

What we liked

 Bitdefender has outstanding results in third-party testing, which considers performance, usability, and protection. Independent testing labs evaluate antivirus solutions by testing for malware protection, speed impacts on devices, and looking for false positives. A perfect score indicates that Bitdefender can accurately detect malware and doesn't slow down your devices.

Bitdefender has all the features you expect from an antivirus program, including the ability to block computer viruses, phishing attempts, and ransomware in real time. It also has premium security features like device optimization, VPN, anti-tracker, and a file shredder. Bitdefender can provide multiple layers of cybersecurity for your home network.

What we didn’t like

Bitdefender Antivirus isn't a great choice for macOS or iOS devices since it doesn't offer as many features as the Windows and Android versions. Beyond that, it's also disappointing that a firewall costs extra instead of being automatically included in the basic plan.

Bitdefender specs

Starting price Starts at $29.99/first yr
Free version Yes
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection Yes
Parental controls Yes
Extras VPN, file shredder, device optimization
Learn more Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

AVG: Best for real-time protection

Trusted Protection by 435 Million Users Worldwide
4.8
Editorial Rating
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On AVG's website
Antivirus Software
AVG
Save up to 75%
  • Award-winning antivirus, malware, and ransomware protection for up to 10 devices
  • Includes webcam protection, safe browsing and email, automatic updates, and 24/7 protection
  • Suite of protection benefits including a secure VPN, anti-tracking capabilities, safeguards against phishing sites, and more

Who it’s best for

AVG is best if you're looking for a reliable antivirus tool that works on all device operating systems without breaking the bank. It's a great choice if you use both PC and Mac devices. AVG also provides several premium security features that make it ideal for real-time protection against cyberattacks. Along with perfect AV-TEST results, AVG will work well on any device and detect malware and other threats.

AVG Internet Security main dashboard with scan options dropdown open

What we liked

AVG has several advanced antivirus features that make it ideal for real-time scanning and protection. Some of the antivirus tools include:

  • Alerts for suspicious software behavior
  • AI to detect malware
  • Scans and identifies potentially unwanted apps
  • Automatic software updates
  • Scans links and downloaded files for malware
  • Blocks dangerous email attachments

AV-TEST results show that AVG had excellent performance, usability, and protection test scores. Unlike Norton and Bitdefender, AVG is a better choice if you use devices running macOS or iOS. It offers several premium features for Apple users, like phishing protection and unsafe email attachment blocking.

AVG also offers free ransomware protection software for Windows. You can also get a 60-day free trial of the paid version.

What we didn’t like

AVG doesn't have any parental controls. Families looking for this feature will need to look elsewhere for antivirus software or will need to find a separate parental control app. Comparatively, Norton offers parental controls in family plans.

Another issue is that its most basic plan is far more expensive than Norton's or Bitdefender's. AVG starts at $46.68/yr (first year only). Meanwhile, Norton is $29.99/first yr while Bitdefender costs $29.99/first yr as well. While AVG has a free antivirus program, it's less comprehensive than its paid version.

AVG specs

Starting price Starts at Free
Free version Yes
Firewall Yes
Phishing protection Yes
Ransomware protection Yes
Webcam protection Yes
Network protection Yes
Parental controls No
Extras VPN, device optimization (TuneUp), anti-tracking (AntiTrack)
Learn more Get AVG

Read AVG Review

Honorable mentions

If you are still unsure if you've met your perfect match, there are other options. Here are a few antivirus programs that may fit your needs:

  • McAfee: McAfee topped our list for best anti-malware software. It has premium features like parental controls, VPN, and scam protection. However, you may pay a premium price after the first-year discount ends.

    4.8
    Antivirus Software
    McAfee
    • Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
    • Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
    • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
    Learn More

    Read Our McAfee Review

  • TotalAV: TotalAV is a solid antivirus program and is easy to use. However, we were disappointed there wasn't a firewall included.

    4.7
    Antivirus Software
    TotalAV
    • Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
    • Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
    • 100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
    Learn More

    Read Our TotalAV Review

FAQs

Do you really need antivirus for your laptop?

You need antivirus software for your laptop if you’re looking for advanced protection features. Some laptops don't offer antivirus features like real-time protection against threats like viruses, malware, phishing, or ransomware. Antivirus software adds an extra layer of security to your device, network, and privacy.

How do I choose an antivirus for my laptop?

Choosing an antivirus for your laptop will depend on several factors. First, you'll want to consider if the antivirus software is compatible with your operating system. Then you can dive into its features, AV-TEST results, and pricing to determine which best suits your needs. We chose Norton, Bitdefender, and AVG as top contenders for an antivirus program for your laptop.

Which is better, Norton or McAfee?

Norton and McAfee are top antivirus software programs, but the best choice for you will depend on your needs. McAfee is a great option if you are looking for premium security features and device compatibility. You may prefer Norton if you are more budget-conscious and don’t want to sacrifice quality. You can compare more features by reading McAfee vs. Norton.

Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for laptops

The best antivirus program for your laptop will depend on your operating system and your individual security needs. For Windows and Android users, Bitdefender is a great choice for comprehensive protection. If you’re a macOS or iOS user, then AVG is more compatible with those devices. 

Meanwhile, Norton 360 is an outstanding antivirus program with excellent advanced security features that protect entire families.

3 best antivirus products for laptops 2025

Starting price Best for Learn more
Starts at $29.99/first yr Best overall Get Norton 360

Read Norton 360 Review

Starts at $29.99/first yr Best for Windows and Android Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

Starts at $46.68/yr (first year only) Best for real-time protection Get AVG

Read AVG Review


Top-Notch Security From an Award-Winning Brand
5.0
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • Tested protection against hackers, viruses, malware, and ransomware
  • Includes VPN, parental controls, and more
  • Backed by a 100% Virus Removal Guarantee
Author Details
Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.