When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn Threats like viruses, ransomware, and DDoS attacks can wreak havoc on your gaming computer. However, getting the best antivirus for gaming PCs can protect your system from online threats without slowing down your machine or impacting the performance of your games.
To help you make an informed decision, I’ve tested and analyzed over 15 antivirus software solutions for security, gaming performance, usability, and value for money to help you find the best antivirus for gaming for your needs. Read on to learn more.
- Show Full Guide
The Best Antivirus for Gaming PCs Tested by Our Experts
- TotalAV – Overall best antivirus for gaming PC users
- Norton Antivirus – Best gaming antivirus with a dedicated gaming mode
- Surfshark Antivirus – Best antivirus and VPN gaming combo
- NordVPN Threat Protection – Best gaming AV for privacy
- Trend Micro – Best gaming antivirus for families
- ESET – Best premium antivirus with an automatic gamer mode
- Intego – Best antivirus for gaming on Mac
- Avast – Best free antivirus software for gaming PC users
Do I Need a Gaming PC Antivirus?
Whether you’re playing on multiplayer servers, torrenting games, or browsing the web and reading emails, your gaming PC is an easy target for hackers and cybercriminals if you don’t have protection in place.
Clicking on the wrong link could result in you downloading a keylogger to your device. This is particularly problematic when platforms like Discord are rampant with malware. In other cases, cybercriminals have actively targeted gamers – hacking into the crypto wallets of Call of Duty cheaters, for example.
Tracking your data can enable hackers to access your Amazon and Steam accounts, hack your bank accounts, or steal your identity. Malware and viruses can also disrupt your system, corrupt your files, and make your device inoperable, potentially requiring you to reset or junk it.
That’s why it’s vital to ensure your gaming PC is protected by a gaming antivirus. That said, not all antiviruses have a gaming mode or a silent mode, which is why the products on my shortlist are better options for gamers looking for the best antivirus for PC gaming – and they’re far better than Windows Defender.
The Biggest Risks When Gaming Online
Gaming PCs can get viruses, and every device connected to the internet is exposed to a wide range of potential threats. Here are some of them – and they’re just a few of the reasons to get antivirus software for your gaming PC.
- Downloading Malware – If you download software and files outside official app stores, you could be exposed to malware. Discord is also a frequent attack vector for cybercriminals today. At best, a malware infection will slow down your machine and steal your bandwidth, but the consequences could be far worse.
- Identity Theft and Account Hacking – Most PC gamers have a range of online accounts, and many of these will have payment information saved to them. Having a machine that’s vulnerable to malware could lead to your accounts being hacked, your bank account being drained, and even your identity being stolen.
- Malicious Apps and Extensions – Dozens of malicious apps with millions of downloads have been identified on the Google Play store, so it’s important to be mindful of unusual app behavior and to regularly scan your device, even if you only use official app stores.
- Doxing – Malicious actors will sometimes harass streamers and everyday gamers by publishing their information online or even swatting them and sending armed police to their homes. Blocking trackers, malware, and spyware and hiding your location with a VPN is a good way to protect yourself from threats like these.
- Phishing Attacks – If you receive a persuasive or surprising email, it can be easy to click on a link and land on a malicious domain or accidentally download a malware-infected file. If you have numerous gaming accounts, it can be that much easier to be exposed, so it’s important to have protection in place.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks – These attacks see malicious individuals attempting to overwhelm servers or IPs with fake traffic so they’re effectively taken offline. They can be a major challenge for popular streamers when fighting off trolls.
The Best Antivirus Software for Gamers 2025 Reviewed
Following our rigorous testing methodology – under which we thoroughly test and research every product we shortlist – here are my in-depth reviews of the best antivirus programs for gaming PC users, which can help keep your gaming PC protected.
1. TotalAV – Overall Best Antivirus for Gaming PC Users
| Starting Price | $19/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free Plan |
| Key Features | Silent Mode, Real-Time Protection, PC Clean-Up Tools |
| Antivirus Testing Results | 17.5/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 8 |
Why We Picked It
TotalAV is a great antivirus for gaming PCs and provides gamers with comprehensive protection, detecting and removing malware without slowing down your computer, whether you’re playing Helldivers 2 or Elden Ring.
TotalAV includes a silent mode and offers numerous system tune-up tools to help boost performance, speed up your computer, and reduce CPU usage for the best gaming experience possible.
Features
- Silent Mode – Enabling TotalAV’s Silent Mode blocks notifications during gaming sessions, ensuring you have an immersive experience without sacrificing security. Real-time scanning will continue in the background without interrupting you, meanwhile, ensuring your gaming PC is malware-free.
- Real-Time Protection – The real-time protection feature checks all your installs and downloads, ensuring that no malware makes it to your device.
- Device Optimization – TotalAV’s PC clean-up tools remove unnecessary programs from launching when you boot up. This will reduce the load on your PC’s resources, resulting in faster booting and better game performance. If there’s one downside, it’s the lack of a firewall, though you can use the built-in tools provided with your system, of course.
- Total VPN – If you’re into online gaming, TotalAV also offers a VPN. This lets you unblock geo-restricted titles and pick the most efficient route for your traffic, depending on the location of the game’s servers.
Antivirus Testing Results
TotalAV recorded a 99.8% to 100% malware detection rate in AV-Test’s most recent round of assessments, and it also tested well for performance, with minimal impact on system resources. Browsing speeds beat industry averages, and you should expect negligible slowdown when launching apps and games.
It got a 6/6 Usability score, so you shouldn’t see any annoying false warnings interrupting gameplay or see important files, such as game saves or other files, being unexpectedly locked up.
Pricing
TotalAV’s entry-level plan costs $19/year and includes the core antivirus features, system tune-up tools, and the web shield extension, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. Higher-tier plans add a VPN, which you can use to secure your identity while playing online games.
Who It’s Best For
TotalAV’s plans are ideal for gamers looking for a comprehensive solution that will boost their gaming PC’s performance and keep them safe from common and emerging threats. Many rate it as the best PC gaming antivirus available.
For more information, read our full TotalAV review.
Pros
- Silent Mode for immersive gaming sessions
- Minimal impact on device performance
- Built-in VPN and ad-blocker
- Affordable starter plan
- Optimization tools reduce CPU load
Cons
- No free trial
2. Norton Antivirus – Best Gaming Antivirus with a Dedicated Gaming Mode
| Starting Price | $29.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 30-day trial |
| Key Features | Game Optimizer, Parental Controls, Cloud Storage |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
Why We Picked It
Norton offers numerous gaming antivirus features to maximize performance and keep your devices malware-free. It also has a plan specifically made for gamers, which includes Norton’s Game Optimizer feature, ensuring you get the best experience possible out of games like Dragon’s Dogma II.
Features
- Game Optimizer – Norton’s Game Optimizer minimizes non-essential notifications and will only display critical alerts when it detects you’re in full-screen mode. The Game Optimizer also ensures you get the best performance from your machine and the highest rate of frames per second (FPS) possible.
- Webcam Protection and Firewall – The antivirus also offers webcam protection, which can be invaluable if you stream games. In addition, Norton monitors your computer’s communication with other devices via its smart firewall, which protects your gaming PC from potentially dangerous traffic.
- Parental Controls – Standing out from its competitors, Norton is also one of the best antiviruses with parental controls. These features will be a bonus for parents and support healthy gaming habits by helping manage gaming time and blocking access to inappropriate content.
- Cloud Backup Storage – The plan also includes 50GB of cloud backup storage to ensure your most important files are kept safe.
Antivirus Testing Results
Norton has a solid 100% score in all recent AV-Test malware protection trials. This goes for both zero-day and common viruses – so you can try out new online games and apps worry-free.
Installing new applications may take slightly longer than usual on low-end PCs, but Norton performs better than the competition when downloading and web browsing.
Pricing
Norton 360 for Gamers costs $44.99/year and can protect three devices. It’s slightly more expensive than the competition but is a dedicated gaming antivirus software solution.
You can also opt for the entry-level Norton Antivirus Plus plan, which costs $29.99/year and excels at detecting and removing malware.
Who It’s Best For
Norton 360 for Gamers is ideal for users who want to protect their machines with a dedicated gaming solution.
Standard plans are also a great option, and Norton’s cheapest subscription includes great features like cloud storage, a password manager, and the company’s Virus Protection Promise, guaranteeing a refund if it can’t remove a virus from your system.
For more information, read our Norton Antivirus review.
Pros
- Dedicated antivirus gamer mode boosts FPS
- Excellent malware detection and removal rates
- Webcam protection
- Cloud backups up to 500GB
- Strong parental control features
Cons
- Basic plan only covers one device
3. Surfshark Antivirus – Best Antivirus and VPN Gaming Combo
| Starting Price | $34.86/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial for VPN |
| Key Features | Scheduled Scans, VPN Network, Ad Blocker |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 5 |
Why We Picked It
Surfshark is the best antivirus for gamers focused on playing multiplayer games, as it provides solid, lightweight internet security and one of the fastest VPN services around.
Features
- Real-Time Antivirus Protection – Surfshark offers real-time antivirus protection with minimal device performance impact, so you can comfortably leave it on while gaming. You can also schedule full system scans to run when you’re not gaming to minimize any interruption on your device.
- VPN Network – Of course, Surfshark is also one of the best antiviruses with a VPN, and it offers unlimited VPN bandwidth on its 3,200+ high-speed servers, which are spread across 100+ countries. That means you can switch your connection to a server that’s closer to your game’s host while playing online games to improve your ping rate and the game’s responsiveness.
- Online Anonymity – Besides having a lower ping, encrypting your connection also protects you from doxing, as Surfshark’s VPN servers will anonymize your IP address and mask your identity. That said, while Surfshark excels at safeguarding your privacy and keeping your device malware-free, it lacks some advanced features, like TotalAV’s system tune-up tools.
Antivirus Testing Results
Surfshark AV demonstrated excellent usability and 100% protection rates against malware in recent AV-Test reviews.
In terms of performance, you’ll see a slightly higher-than-average slowdown during app installations. However, Surfshark did better than the competition when launching apps and games and got full marks for usability.
Pricing
Surfshark’s cheapest plan only includes its VPN features, but the Surfshark One plan adds antivirus protection for just $34.86/year with a two-year subscription. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and while there’s a free trial, it only covers VPN functionality.
Who It’s Best For
Surfshark is a lightweight security solution and is an excellent pick for those looking for a powerful VPN to protect their privacy, such as when playing online multiplayer games.
It’s also very reasonably priced and comes with a great set of security features to ensure your online safety.
For more information, read our Surfshark Antivirus review.
Pros
- Lightweight antivirus functionality
- Fast VPN with over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries
- Excellent malware protection
- Data breach alerts
Cons
- No firewall
- Entry-level plan lacks antivirus features
4. NordVPN Threat Protection – Best Gaming AV for Privacy
| Starting Price | $52.52/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 7-day trial on Android |
| Key Features | VPN, Web Protection Tools, Meshnet |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Strong in-house testing results |
| Max Devices | 10 |
Why We Picked It
NordVPN is one of the best VPN providers today, but it also offers strong web protection tools for gaming PCs with its NordVPN Threat Protection product. Combined, the product offers a great package for privacy protection.
Features
- Lightweight Security Tool – While NordVPN Threat Protection doesn’t have a dedicated gaming mode like Norton, it’s one of the most lightweight gaming antiviruses around. Threat Protection has nearly no impact on your device’s performance. It focuses on web protection, scanning the files you download and blocking ads, trackers, and malware.
- App Vulnerability Scanning – The NordVPN Windows app includes an App Vulnerability Scanning feature, which will find vulnerabilities in your apps and prompt you to update them as needed, ensuring that you’re protected.
- VPN Network – One of the greatest benefits of the NordVPN Threat Protection package is the VPN’s impressive network of 6,300+ high-speed servers in more than 111 countries, which can secure and anonymize your internet connection.
- DDoS Protection – Connecting to NordVPN’s servers will also protect you from DDoS attacks, which could crush your performance in online games. Many streamers use NordVPN to secure their connections while taking advantage of its numerous security tools.
- Meshnet – NordVPN also offers the unusual Meshnet feature, which lets you directly connect with other gamers, so you can play co-op games as if you were in the same room.
Antivirus Testing Results
NordVPN blocked 100% of malicious websites and downloads during my tests. Given the software’s focus on web protection, you won’t experience any resource hogging, ping, or lag while playing desktop games. I also found that web-based games run smoothly, even on lower-end PCs. That’s due to the fact that Threat Protection scans pages upon launch, so it gets out of your way once it’s cleared a website.
Pricing
As with Surfshark, NordVPN’s entry-level plan only offers its VPN features. To unlock Threat Protection, you’ll need Nord’s Plus plan, which costs $52.52/year with a two-year subscription and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Complete package, priced at $4.89/month with a two-year plan, also offers 1TB of cloud storage, while the Prime plan ($7.89/month) adds identity theft recovery and cyber extortion protection.
Who It’s Best For
NordVPN Threat Protection is perfect for those looking for a high-speed VPN connection with added security features. It’s also the only antivirus that lets you directly connect devices for low-latency co-op gaming.
For more information, read our NordVPN Threat Protection review.
Pros
- Superb VPN for complete online privacy
- Global VPN server network
- Complete web protection for sites and downloads
- Protection from online trackers and intrusive ads
- Lightweight security features
Cons
- Can’t scan device drives
- No dedicated gaming mode
5. Trend Micro – Best Gaming Antivirus for Families
| Starting Price | $14.95/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 30-day trial, free scan |
| Key Features | Mute Mode, Scheduled Scans, Parental Controls |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 10 |
Why We Picked It
Trend Micro stands out for its AI-powered gaming antivirus, which continuously analyzes new cyber threats and provides robust protection while gaming. It also has a Mute Mode, which prevents notifications from disrupting your gaming sessions.
The product supports ten devices and comes with parental control features, which makes it a great gaming antivirus for families.
Features
- Ransomware and Zero-Day Threat Protection – Trend Micro offers excellent anti-malware software and some of the best protection available for ransomware and zero-day threats for gamers and PC users. It’s also an easy-to-use platform, that’s a great choice for beginners.
- Mute Mode – Most of Trend Micro’s features can be automated via its user-friendly interface. This includes its Mute Mode, which automatically activates when you open full-screen programs such as games. You can also schedule scans so Trend Micro will search for viruses while you’re away from your desk.
- Parental Controls – Like Norton, it also offers parental controls, which allow you to control your child’s gaming habits by setting time limits and filtering accessible content. Given that hackers are targeting platforms like Minecraft and Roblox, having combined parental controls and anti-malware features can be invaluable.
Antivirus Testing Results
Trend Micro edges out the competition in terms of app installation speed. The same goes for copying new files, with a performance impact of just 1% on high-end PCs.
AV-Test also gave Trend Micro a perfect usability score, so pop-ups and interruptions during gameplay are a non-issue. That’s pretty impressive, considering the software is always busy scanning websites and files and managed to neutralize 100% of malware in testing.
Pricing
Trend Micro’s entry-level plan costs $14.95/year, making it one of the best gaming antivirus providers for users on a budget. However, you’ll need one of its more advanced plans to protect Mac devices, as the starting plan only supports Windows.
Higher-tier plans add system optimization tools, a password manager, a VPN, dark web monitoring, and mobile support and coverage for up to ten devices.
Who It’s Best For
Trend Micro’s user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for beginners. It’s also well suited for users with mid-tier gaming PCs, as its optimization tools deliver noticeable performance improvements.
The inclusion of parental controls and support for ten devices also marks it out as a great gaming antivirus for families.
For more information, read our Trend Micro review.
Pros
- Great family features
- User-friendly interface
- Mute Mode for uninterrupted gaming
- Offers ransomware, phishing, and online scam protection
Cons
- No firewall
- Need to upgrade for multi-device cover
| Starting Price | $24.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Windows scans, 30-day trial |
| Key Features | Scheduled Scans, Anti-Phishing Features, File Encryption |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 25 |
Why We Picked It
ESET offers a dedicated gamer mode that blocks notifications and reduces CPU usage, resulting in an enhanced gaming experience with minimal lag. What’s more, ESET’s gamer mode works automatically.
Features
- Advanced Features – ESET offers the perfect balance between security and performance and provides advanced features to help you stay malware-free without slowing your PC down. For example, you can configure ESET to schedule tasks and updates until your gaming session is finished, ensuring your games have all the resources they need to perform well.
- AI-Powered Threat Detection – The ESET antivirus uses machine learning to identify the latest threats and offers real-time protection, system scans, and download monitoring to ensure your devices are secure.
- Anti-Phishing Features – The security suite also includes anti-phishing features, which flag potentially malicious websites that may attempt to steal information, such as your Steam account credentials. However, its user interface isn’t quite as friendly as that offered by Trend Micro, which may be a better option for beginners.
- File Encryption – For an extra layer of protection, you can use the Secure Data feature to encrypt your files and details, such as gaming account logins – ensuring they can’t be locked up in a ransomware attack.
Antivirus Testing Results
ESET achieved flawless results in AV-Test’s latest evaluations, detecting and removing 100% of malware samples.
It got a 6/6 score for Usability, too, with no false alerts for legitimate apps and websites. In combination with ESET’s integrated Gamer mode, it’s a highly unintrusive antivirus.
Pricing
ESET’s Essential plan costs $24.99/year, and all its home security plans include its Gamer Mode. ESET also offers a 30-day free trial for most plans, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
ESET is a premium antivirus solution with advanced features and customization options. It’s great for tech-savvy gamers who prioritize comprehensive protection and performance optimization. In addition, the Gamer Mode is enabled automatically, making it even easier to use than competing options.
For more information, read our ESET antivirus review.
Pros
- Dedicated gaming mode
- Lightweight antivirus with minimal impact on gaming
- Numerous customization options
- Robust malware scanning options
Cons
- Slight learning curve to interface
- Entry-level plan offers relatively basic protection
7. Intego – Best Antivirus for Gaming on Mac
| Starting Price | $24.99/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | 30-day trial |
| Key Features | Made for Macs, Mac Washing Machine, Firewall |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 5 |
Why We Picked It
Intego comes with an advanced firewall and has been designed specifically for Mac users, offering uncompromising performance for gamers using Macs. This powerful antivirus solution also has excellent parental control features, enabling in-depth management of your child’s gaming activities.
Features
- Real-Time Protection – If you’re gaming on a Mac, Intego is an excellent choice. It offers real-time protection against known and emerging threats for Mac devices and is one of the few antiviruses that offer system tune-up tools for Macs.
- System Optimization – The Mac Washing Machine enables you to remove junk, duplicate, and outdated files that may be slowing your Mac down. One of my favorite parts of this is that it even removes language files you don’t need.
- Mac Firewall – Unlike TotalAV, Intego also provides a firewall for your Mac, protecting your device from network attacks and unauthorized access.
- Parental Controls – Intego also includes parental control features with advanced functionality like keystroke tracking, screenshot recording, and an anti-predator monitor that alerts parents to inappropriate communications.
Antivirus Testing Results
Intego stands out for usability. It had zero false alerts when tested with over 90,000 samples, so you can enjoy smooth gameplay without annoying pop-ups. The antivirus’ performance metrics were also good, though installing new apps and games may take slightly longer than usual.
With a 99.1% malware detection rate recorded by AV-Comparatives, Intego has some room for improvement, but given that we’re talking about a Mac antivirus, that likely won’t make a huge difference to your device’s security.
Pricing
Intego’s entry-level plan for Mac protection costs $24.99/year, but you’ll need one of its more advanced plans to unlock the Mac Washing Machine feature, such as Mac Security And Performance ($26.99/year). All its plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who It’s Best For
Intego is designed specifically for Macs and offers comprehensive antivirus protection for Mac gamers. It offers robust security features for Mac, plus a high-quality system optimizer to boost your gaming PC’s performance.
For more information, read our Intego antivirus review.
Pros
- Best macOS antivirus for gamers
- Advanced firewall
- Excellent parental control features
- Intuitive UI
- Can scan connected iOS devices for malware
Cons
- No direct mobile support
- Fewer features for Windows protection
8. Avast – Best Free Antivirus Software for Gaming PC Users
| Starting Price | $23.88/year |
|---|---|
| Free Version/Trial | Free plan, 30-day trial |
| Key Features | Game Mode, Startup Program Optimization, Network Inspector |
| Antivirus Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Max Devices | 30 |
Why We Picked It
Avast offers the best free antivirus for gaming PCs. In addition, it consistently receives top marks in independent antivirus tests.
Features
- Game Mode – A standout Avast feature is its Game Mode. It enhances the gaming experience by minimizing interruptions from notifications and background processes and ensures resources are dedicated to delivering smooth gameplay.
- System Optimization – One of my favorite Avast features is its background and startup program optimization, which automatically detects programs that are consuming your device’s power and resources and negatively affecting your gaming experience. Running this feature helped me shut down background Adobe and Google Workspace programs, translating into higher in-game FPS.
- Network Inspector – Avast’s Network Inspector feature, meanwhile, identifies vulnerabilities in your home network that could cause internet connection issues.
- Avast SecureLine VPN – Although Avast’s VPN features aren’t as advanced as those offered by Surfshark, they’re nevertheless a great addition. It gives you access to 700 servers across 36 countries – and there’s even a limited VPN included with the free plans.
Antivirus Testing Results
Avast got the highest AV-Test scores possible across protection, performance, and usability. At the same time, Avast’s Game Mode ensures you’ll have no interruptions during gaming sessions.
Its impact on system resources is also below average, with better results than the competition while still blocking an impressive 100% of malware.
Pricing
Avast One starts at $23.88/year, including its firewall, web protection features, and app updater. For more comprehensive coverage, I recommend opting for the Antivirus Premium Security package, though, which costs $30.99/year for one device or $39.99/year for ten. Notably, the Avast One Family Gold plan also lets you protect up to 30 devices.
Avast offers an excellent free version of its gaming antivirus software, which includes antivirus tools and a limited VPN and qualifies Avast as the best free antivirus for gamers. To unlock its advanced features, you’ll need a paid plan, though.
Who It’s Best For
Avast is ideal for gamers on a budget thanks to its free plan, which outperforms Windows Defender. It’s also a great choice for those who want a complete antivirus solution with a range of extra features.
For more information, read our Avast antivirus review.
Pros
- Dedicated gaming mode that boosts FPS
- Free-forever plan
- Top scores in independent antivirus lab tests
- Provides an extra layer of security against ransomware
Cons
- Limited free VPN features
- Interface feels slightly outdated
The Best Gaming PC Antivirus Options Compared
Here’s a quick reference table so you can see how the different antivirus solutions on my shortlist compare. Whether you’re considering McAfee gamer security or the best antivirus for gaming PCs, according to Reddit, this comparison table will help you find the best gaming antivirus for PC for your needs.
| Antivirus | Starting Price | Antivirus Testing Results | Performance (Tests At or Above Average) | Max Devices | Free Version / Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TotalAV | $19/year | 17.5/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 | 8/10, Zero False Warnings | 8 | Free scan, 30-day guarantee |
| Norton Antivirus | $29.99/year | 18/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | 6/10, 1 False Warning | Unlimited | 30 days, 60-day guarantee |
| Surfshark Antivirus | $34.86/year | 17.5/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 | 6/10, Zero False Warnings | 5 | 7-day trial for VPN, 30-day guarantee |
| NordVPN Threat Protection | $52.52/year | Strong in-house testing results | Very strong performance, Zero False Warnings | 10 | 7-day trial on Android, 30-day guarantee |
| Trend Micro | $14.95/year | 18/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | 8/10, Zero False Warnings | 10 | 30-day trial, free scan, 30-day guarantee |
| ESET | $24.99/year | 18/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 | 6/10, Zero False Warnings | 25 | Windows scans, 30-day trial, 30-day guarantee |
| Intego | $37.50/year | 16.5/18 – Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5/6, Usability: 6/6 | 1/4, Zero False Warnings | 5 | 30-day trial, 30-day guarantee |
| Avast | $23.88/year | 17.5/18 – Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 5.5/6 | 9/10, 2 False Warnings | 30 | Free plan, 30-day trial, 30-day guarantee |
How We Review And Test Antivirus Software
15 Antiviruses Tested
20 Datapoints Measured
300+ Hours Testing
500+ User Reviews Read
We base our recommendations on first-hand experience and in-depth testing. All the Antivirus products we suggest, have been tested based on the following criteria:
- Core Security Features: We make sure that the antivirus software is fully equipped with features like real-time protection, scanning, a firewall, web protection, and more.
- Malware Detection Rates: We test malware detection rates ourselves by running both in-depth and quick scans on our devices. Additionally, we check independent lab tests.
- Compatibility: We check which devices and operating systems the antivirus software is compatible with. Often, different-looking dashboards and slightly different packages of features may be available.
- Performance Impact: A reliable and functional antivirus should not slow down your device significantly. So, we examine our device performance with and without the antivirus running.
- Customer Experience: Alongside our own experience, we are curious to know what real users have to say regarding the services. So, we’ve scoured the web for feedback on each of our tested antiviruses.
- Value for Money: We always consider value for money and how much each product is offering for the set price point.
Will an Antivirus Affect PC Gaming?
Although they’ll have to use some of your computer’s resources to function, these programs ensure your gaming PC remains free of malware that could otherwise damage your device, hijacking your connection and processing power and exposing you to fraud and identity theft. Of course, they could also corrupt your save files, disable your games, or make your device entirely inoperable.
Many providers also offer system optimization tools to help you remove or disable unwanted software and junk files, speeding up your device – another way in which gaming antiviruses are a better bet than Windows Defender. Given all of this, these tools are invaluable for PC gamers.
What Features Mark Out the Best Antivirus for Gamers?
In addition to protecting you from viruses and malware, you should look at each product’s usability and its impact on your PC’s performance.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the key features to consider before making a purchase, whether you’re looking for the best antivirus software for a gaming laptop or a high-end desktop machine:
Are All Antivirus Gaming Modes the Same?
No. Some providers offer silent modes, which reduce the amount of notifications sent to the user and may limit some secondary processes.
Dedicated gaming modes go beyond this and can reschedule scanning tasks and reallocate resources, boosting performance and ensuring your system’s processing power is solely directed toward your gaming experience. The best providers are able to automatically detect when you’re beginning a gaming session and can enable their gaming modes automatically.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus aka Windows Defender doesn’t offer a gaming mode or other advanced protection features, on the other hand, making it a poor pick for protecting a gaming PC.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Antivirus
Here’s a breakdown of the key parameters to consider when looking for the best gaming antivirus software:
Usability
A good antivirus for a gaming PC should be easy to use and offer the option to manage settings like real-time protection and the VPN. Ideally, it should also automatically enable Gaming Mode whenever you fire up a game.
Support for different devices is also important, whether you’re looking for mobile security, browser extensions, the best antivirus for Chromebook, or the best antivirus for Mac.
Protection
The level of security is key when looking for the best antivirus software for gamers since you want to ensure that you’re protected from all kinds of cyber threats, including malware, viruses, ransomware, and more.
The best virus protection for a gaming PC should ideally include a strong firewall, a secure password vault, webcam security features, payment protection, a world-class VPN, and protection against phishing, DDoS attacks, and doxing.
We no longer include Kaspersky in our lists due to the banned status of Kaspersky Antivirus in the U.S., but you can check product comparisons in our complete best Kaspersky alternatives guide.
Game-Specific Features
At the very least, a gaming antivirus should offer a Silent Mode or a Gaming Mode. This helps ensure your gaming sessions go without interruptions, so you can focus on the game instead of having to deal with pop-ups and notifications.
That said, the best gaming PC antivirus should also offer game optimization features, automatic software updates, and PC cleanup tools.
This ensures your PC’s resources are focused on your gaming, resulting in better overall performance. If you need full server protection, check out our guide to the best antiviruses for servers.
Impact on Gaming Performance
Even the best antivirus software for gaming laptop users will consume some system resources. While in silent or gaming mode, a good antivirus shouldn’t hog too much of your RAM or CPU usage, but you may feel an impact if you have an older PC or laptop.
On newer, more powerful rigs, you should hardly notice the antivirus. Nevertheless, the best gaming PC antivirus shouldn’t have a significant impact on performance.
If CPU usage is a concern or if you have low RAM, I recommend an antivirus with game optimizer features, which will also be an essential feature for the best antivirus for gaming laptop users.
Customer Experience
When testing products, following our comprehensive testing methodology, I always consider the full customer experience.
While vendors that offer tutorials and online guides are a step ahead, gaming antivirus providers with live chat and phone support are even better and can help you get past more complicated issues.
I also look at user feedback on platforms like Trustpilot to get a sense of the full customer journey and the community’s satisfaction with a product. In addition to this, we have a dedicated guide to the best antiviruses, according to Reddit.
Price
What’s more important than the price tags for gaming antivirus products are the gaming-specific features and the level of protection available with different pricing plans.
When comparing different options, make sure you’re comparing them based on the value for money they deliver rather than just looking for the cheapest gaming antivirus. A free gaming antivirus isn’t worth your time if it won’t protect you, after all.
How to Set Up an Antivirus With Gaming Mode
Many antivirus solutions come with a gaming mode that blocks notifications during gameplay and ensures a smoother gaming experience by reducing CPU usage and minimizing non-essential background processes. Here’s how to get started with the TotalAV gaming mode.
Get a TotalAV account
Go to TotalAV and click Buy Now. Enter your payment details and click on Purchase & Agree to buy a subscription.
Download TotalAV
Once you’ve purchased TotalAV, you’ll be prompted to download the application.
Install TotalAV
When the download is complete, you can install the application. Follow the steps in the install wizard to complete the process.
Run your first scan
Once the installation is complete, you can run your first scan to ensure your PC hasn’t been infected with malware.
Go to Settings to find Silent Mode
To find Silent Mode, open TotalAV and click on Settings at the bottom of the toolbar.
Activate Silent Mode
Navigate to Notification Options. You’ll see a menu with options where you can activate the Silent Mode when fullscreen toggle. You’ll now be able to game without interruption using TotalAV, the best antivirus software for gaming PC users.
How to Protect Your Gaming Computer from Viruses
Protecting your gaming PC from malware is important for keeping your system running smoothly, as well as for safeguarding your personal data.
- Getting antivirus software and running regular scans is the first step, and you should make sure to keep your operating system and software – including web browsers and gaming clients – patched and up to date.
- When downloading games and software, stick to trusted sources to avoid potential threats. For Windows users, enabling User Account Control can help prevent unauthorized installations and maintain system integrity.
- Using a password manager makes it easier to protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords.
- Employing an ad blocker can limit your exposure to adware and potentially malicious ads and stop them from infiltrating your system.
- By educating yourself about common online threats like phishing scams and ransomware, you can learn to recognize and avoid potential dangers.
- Regularly backing up important files and game saves to an external storage device or cloud service can also assist in recovery from infections and system failures.
- For stronger defenses, consider using a VPN while gaming online to encrypt your traffic and anonymize your location. Also, try to avoid unsecured public WiFi networks.
- Lastly, monitor your computer’s performance for signs of infection, such as slowdowns or unexpected crashes. By following these steps, you can ensure a safe gaming environment.
What’s the Best Free Antivirus for a Gaming PC?
That said, you’re still much better off with a paid plan. The main reason is that free plans generally lack the core features that gamers need – such as a gaming mode.
With Avast‘s free antivirus plan and the Bitdefender Internet Security free package, you’ll be missing out on payment protection features, full system optimization tools, and an unlimited VPN.
Because of this, I recommend investing in a paid antivirus subscription from a provider like TotalAV or Surfshark to ensure the best virus protection for gaming PC users. These services won’t hog your PC’s resources or negatively impact your PC’s gaming performance but will keep you safe and secure.
Conclusion – What’s the Best Antivirus for Gaming PC?
Good gaming antivirus software can greatly improve your gaming experience and ensure your PC is protected against online threats and scams. It’s also important to pick an antivirus solution that’s lightweight and won’t slow down your machine or cause lag or high ping.
Given this, my top recommendation is TotalAV. Alongside comprehensive scanning and real-time protection tools, the antivirus offers a silent mode that blocks unnecessary notifications and system tune-up tools to reduce the background use of PC resources and ensure your gaming experience is fast and uninterrupted.
FAQs
What’s the best antivirus for gaming PCs?
Will an antivirus affect gaming performance?
Is Windows Defender enough for gaming?
Does running an antivirus reduce FPS?
Which is the fastest gaming antivirus?
What is the best antivirus for a Windows 10 gaming PC?
Do I need to keep an antivirus on while gaming?
How do I protect my gaming PC?
Can I turn off my antivirus while gaming?
References
- Understanding denial-of-service attacks (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency)
- Protecting yourself against doxxing (N.C. Department of Information Technology)
- AV-Comparatives test results (AV-Comparatives)
- Windows antivirus home testing results (AV-Test)
- MacOS antivirus home testing results (AV-Test)
- TotalAV testing results (AV-Test)
- Norton Internet Security testing results (AV-Test)
- Surfshark Antivirus testing results (AV-Test)
- Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security testing results (AV-Test)
- ESET Smart Security testing results (AV-Test)
- Intego Mac Internet Security X9 testing results (AV-Test)
- Avast Free Antivirus testing results (AV-Test)
- 90+ Malicious Apps Totaling 5.5M Downloads Lurk on Google Play (DarkReading)
- Cybercriminals target games popular with kids to distribute malware (The Register)
- Mac Security Test & Review 2024 (AV-Comparatives)
