All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Best Overall
Best for Windows and Android
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.
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.
- Norton 360: Best overall
- Bitdefender: Best for Windows and Android
- AVG: Best for real-time protection
Top 3 antivirus products for laptops compared
Antivirus | ![]() Best Overall
|
![]() |
![]() |
Star rating | |||
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 | Get Bitdefender | Get AVG |
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
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.
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 |
Bitdefender: Best for Windows and Android
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.
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 |
AVG: Best for real-time protection
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.
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 |
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.
- TotalAV: TotalAV is a solid antivirus program and is easy to use. However, we were disappointed there wasn't a firewall included.
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 |
![]() |
Starts at $29.99/first yr | Best for Windows and Android | Get Bitdefender |
![]() |
Starts at $46.68/yr (first year only) | Best for real-time protection | Get AVG |
/images/2023/01/27/norton-antivirus-review.png)
/images/2023/08/04/total-av-vs-norton.png)
/images/2024/08/02/best-antivirus-for-windows-10.png)
/images/2024/06/27/best-kaspersky-alternatives.png)
/images/2024/04/18/best_free_antivirus_for_mac.jpg)
/images/2024/04/05/best_antivirus_software_with_a_password_manager.jpg)
/images/2024/03/13/best_antivirus_software__for_ipad.jpg)
/images/2024/03/08/best_antivirus_software_for_laptops.jpg)