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Do You Still Need Antivirus Software in 2025?
Windows 11 and Windows 10 both include Microsoft Defender, which has improved dramatically over the past few years. Independent testing labs now rank Defender alongside paid antivirus products for malware detection. So the question isn’t whether you need protection – you already have it built in. The question is whether a paid antivirus gives you enough extra value to justify the cost.
The answer depends on how you use your PC. If you stick to mainstream websites, don’t download sketchy files, and keep Windows updated, Defender handles the basics well. If you frequently download software from third-party sites, open email attachments from unknown senders, or want features like a VPN, password manager, or identity theft protection bundled in, a paid suite fills those gaps.
Best Antivirus Software for PC Compared
| Antivirus | Best For | Malware Detection | System Impact | Price (Year 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Total Security | Best overall | 99.9% | Low | $40 to $50 |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | Most features | 99.9% | Low to moderate | $50 to $60 |
| Kaspersky Plus | Detection accuracy | 99.9% | Low | $35 to $45 |
| Microsoft Defender | Free built-in option | 99.5% | Minimal | Free |
| Malwarebytes Premium | Second-opinion scanner | 99.2% | Very low | $45 to $50 |
Best Overall: Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender consistently tops independent lab tests from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives with near-perfect malware detection rates while barely affecting system performance. The “autopilot” mode makes all security decisions automatically without pestering you with pop-ups, which is what most people want from an antivirus – something that works quietly in the background.
Total Security covers up to 5 devices (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) and includes a basic VPN (200 MB daily limit), password manager, file shredder, and webcam/microphone protection. The ransomware remediation feature creates automatic backups of files that malware tries to encrypt, which is a useful safety net against one of the most damaging attack types. The interface is clean without being oversimplified, and Bitdefender rarely produces false positives.
First-year pricing runs around $40 to $50, but the renewal price jumps to $90+. This is standard across the industry – every antivirus company uses steep introductory discounts. Set a calendar reminder to shop around before auto-renewal hits.
Most Features: Norton 360 Deluxe
Norton packs more extras into its suite than any competitor. The 360 Deluxe plan includes unlimited VPN (no daily cap like Bitdefender), 50 GB of cloud backup, dark web monitoring for your personal information, and a password manager. Malware detection matches Bitdefender in lab tests, though Norton uses slightly more system resources during full scans.
The dark web monitoring feature scans data breach databases for your email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security number, and bank account numbers. When your information shows up in a breach, Norton alerts you so you can change passwords or take protective steps. It’s not unique to Norton (credit monitoring services offer similar alerts), but having it bundled with your antivirus is convenient.
Norton’s reputation for being a resource hog is outdated. Modern versions are much lighter than the bloated Norton of 10 years ago. That said, some users still report occasional slowdowns during background scans on older hardware. On a reasonably modern PC (last 5 years), you won’t notice it.
Best Detection: Kaspersky Plus
Kaspersky’s malware detection engine is arguably the strongest in the industry. It consistently earns top marks from every independent testing lab, catches zero-day threats faster than most competitors, and produces almost no false positives. If your primary concern is raw protection quality, Kaspersky delivers.
The Plus tier includes a full-featured VPN (no daily limits), password manager, privacy protection for webcam and microphone, and a data leak checker. The interface is straightforward without burying features in submenus. Performance impact during scans is low – Kaspersky has always been efficient with system resources.
The elephant in the room is Kaspersky’s Russian origins. The US government banned Kaspersky products for federal agencies in 2017 due to national security concerns, and in 2024 the Commerce Department broadened restrictions. Independent security researchers have not found evidence of misuse in consumer products, but the political situation has led some users and organizations to choose alternatives. Whether this matters to you is a personal decision.
Best Free Option: Microsoft Defender
Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC and runs automatically unless you install another antivirus. It’s gone from being a joke in security circles to a genuinely capable product. AV-TEST regularly awards it near-perfect scores for protection, and it has essentially zero performance impact because it’s integrated into the operating system.
Where Defender falls short compared to paid options is in extras. There’s no VPN, no password manager, no dark web monitoring, and no webcam protection. The phishing and web protection is limited to Microsoft Edge – if you use Chrome or Firefox, you’ll need a browser extension or a third-party antivirus for web threat blocking. Ransomware protection exists (Controlled Folder Access) but is disabled by default and can be finicky with legitimate programs.
For many people, Defender plus common sense (don’t click suspicious links, keep software updated, use unique passwords) provides enough protection. Adding a free second-opinion scanner like Malwarebytes Free for occasional manual scans strengthens this setup without costing anything.
Best Companion Scanner: Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes started as a cleanup tool for PCs already infected with malware, and that heritage shows in how effective it is at finding and removing threats that other antivirus programs miss. The free version remains excellent for on-demand scanning, but the Premium tier adds real-time protection, ransomware blocking, and a Browser Guard extension that blocks malicious websites and ads.
Malwarebytes Premium can run alongside Defender without conflicts, which makes it a strong second layer. If you don’t want to pay for a full antivirus suite but want more protection than Defender alone, this combination covers your bases. The system impact is very low – Malwarebytes is one of the lightest antivirus products available.
What About Free Antivirus Programs?
Avast Free and AVG Free (both owned by the same company) offer solid malware detection at no cost. However, both have historically been aggressive with upsell pop-ups and were caught collecting and selling user browsing data in 2020. Avast claims to have stopped this practice, but the trust damage is hard to undo. If you want free protection, Microsoft Defender with occasional Malwarebytes Free scans is a cleaner approach.
How to Choose the Right Antivirus
Start by asking what you actually need beyond malware protection. If the answer is “nothing,” stick with Microsoft Defender. If you want a VPN, go with Norton 360 Deluxe or Kaspersky Plus since both include unlimited VPN at no extra cost versus paying for a standalone VPN service separately. If you want the best protection with the least hassle, Bitdefender’s autopilot mode is hard to beat.
Avoid installing two real-time antivirus programs simultaneously (Malwarebytes is an exception – it’s designed for co-existence). Running two real-time scanners causes conflicts, false positives, and performance degradation. Pick one primary antivirus and stick with it.
Does antivirus software slow down your PC?
Modern antivirus products have minimal impact on everyday performance. You might notice a brief slowdown during a full system scan, but background protection runs without noticeable effect on most PCs built in the last 5 years. If your computer is older with a mechanical hard drive and limited RAM (4 GB or less), the impact becomes more noticeable. In that case, Microsoft Defender is the lightest option since it’s built into the OS.
Is Windows Defender enough by itself?
For most home users who practice basic security hygiene, yes. Defender catches the same percentage of malware as paid products in independent tests. Where it falls behind is in additional features (VPN, password manager, identity monitoring) and in proactive web protection outside of Edge. If you browse primarily in Chrome or Firefox and don’t use a separate web security extension, a paid antivirus adds meaningful browser-level protection that Defender doesn’t cover.
How often should you run antivirus scans?
Real-time protection catches threats as they arrive, so scheduled full scans are less critical than they used to be. Running a quick scan once a week and a full scan once a month is a reasonable schedule. If you download software from unfamiliar sources or suspect your PC might be compromised, run a full scan immediately. Most antivirus programs let you schedule scans during times you’re not using the computer, like overnight.
See also: Best Laptops for College Students Under $500, How to Screenshot on Windows Laptop, Best Mesh WiFi Routers
Sources
AV-TEST – Best Antivirus for Windows | AV-Comparatives – Real-World Protection Test | Microsoft – Windows Security