When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn Finding the best antivirus Reddit users recommend will help you zero in on genuine user feedback and the pros and cons of different products. From free plans to premium services with extra security features, you can learn how antiviruses perform based on the experiences of the Reddit community.
Combing through dozens of “Reddit best antivirus” threads and comparing user testimonials can be a tedious and lengthy process, though. In this guide, we’ve compiled details on which antivirus Reddit users recommend for a range of use cases, including the best real-time protection, online security, scanning, and more.
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The Best Antivirus Software Reddit Recommends at a Glance
- TotalAV — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for beginners
- Norton — Best Reddit antivirus for security
- Surfshark Antivirus — Best Reddit antivirus for privacy, with a leading VPN
- Avast — Best free antivirus Reddit users recommend
- McAfee — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for families
- Intego — Best antivirus Reddit users recommend for Mac
Best Antivirus Reddit Picks Reviewed
To find the best antivirus software Reddit users recommend, we’ve considered user reviews and extensively tested each product to ensure they offer robust security, excellent malware detection rates, and transparent pricing.
1. TotalAV — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Beginners
| Starting Price | $1.58/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Max Devices | 8 |
| Free Offering | Free scans |
| Testing Results | Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5.5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Why We Picked It
TotalAV offers numerous real-time protection and in-depth scans to safeguard your devices from viruses, adware, trojans, and other malware. Our favorite part about TotalAV is that it’s also easy to use, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Features
TotalAV is popular on Reddit because of its lightweight but powerful real-time antivirus protection that will keep your devices safe and running at top speed.
Redditors also praise its disk cleanup and system tune-up tools, which can help speed up your PC by cleaning its memory of junk, duplicate, and obsolete files.
In testing, TotalAV’s intuitive interface makes it easy to scan for malware and to schedule scans, and it had minimal impact on our system’s performance. It’s the best virus scanner Reddit users recommend. TotalAV can also thwart advanced zero-day threats with its real-time behavioral analysis.
In addition, TotalAV Reddit reviews rate it as one of the best anti-phishing tools. The WebShield feature blocks phishing attacks and malicious websites, keeping you safe as you browse the internet.
Antivirus Testing Results
TotalAV’s latest round of testing with AV-TEST saw the provider hit a 100% virus detection rate for zero-day and widespread malware protection.
Its performance metrics were impressive, as well, with TotalAV matching or beating industry averages in 8/10 categories. The antivirus also had no false positives during testing, so, if it flags a Reddit link, you’ll know to avoid it.
Pricing
With a starting price of just $1.58/month with an annual subscription, TotalAV is the most affordable antivirus Reddit users recommend.
The starting plan includes all core antivirus features, such as phishing, malware, and ransomware protection, but upgrading to higher tiers unlocks features Redditors appreciate, including a password manager, an ad blocker, and a VPN, with the TotalAV Total Security plan costing $49/year.
The product supports a range of devices and appears at the top of our list of the best Chromebook antivirus solutions.
Who It’s Best For
TotalAV offers an impressive package, and Reddit users recommend it for users with no prior antivirus experience – and for experienced users looking for a customizable solution.
For more information, read our full TotalAV review.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface
- Generous free plan
- Numerous extra features
- Easy-to-schedule scans
- PUP protection
Cons
- Full scans can take time to complete
- High renewal price
2. Norton — Best Reddit Antivirus For Security
| Starting Price | $2.49/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
| Free Offering | 30-day trial |
| Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60 days |
Why We Picked It
Norton offers an all-in-one approach to security even with its cheapest plan, as it provides you with a password manager, secure cloud backups, a 100% virus protection promise, and a robust set of core antivirus tools.
Features
Security-conscious Redditors praise Norton’s advanced features, including its strong password generator, robust malware protection, smart firewall, and dark web monitoring.
It also has a dedicated Full-Screen Mode for gamers, which makes it one of the best antiviruses for gaming PCs and ensures you won’t be interrupted by anything less than a critical security alert.
Unlike most competitors, Norton offers up to 500GB of cloud backups, allowing you to store sensitive data on its secure servers. It’s also one of the only antivirus providers with a 100% virus protection promise, meaning you’ll get a full refund if it can’t remove a virus from your devices.
Antivirus Testing Results
In its latest testing, Norton earned 6/6 points across all of AV-Test’s assessment metrics. This came as no surprise, as I was very impressed by its performance.
The antivirus scores better than industry averages for system impact during browsing and downloading, and you shouldn’t worry about interruptions, either, as Norton scored zero false positives in the latest testing period.
Pricing
Norton’s entry-level plan, AntiVirus Plus, can protect a single device for $2.49/month, while its most advanced plans can cover an unlimited number of devices.
The Norton 360 Deluxe plan ($49.99/year) is a favorite with Redditors, as it offers even more security features for users looking for a VPN, parental controls, and more encrypted cloud storage.
Who It’s Best For
Redditors recommend Norton to users seeking a comprehensive, unified security platform. It’s the go-to antivirus for many Reddit users because of its fast scans, password manager, and near-flawless malware detection rates. It also ranks well with the best business antiviruses.
For more information, read our Norton Antivirus review.
Pros
- Top-tier plans offer robust identity theft protection features
- Secure cloud backups with each plan
- Excellent ransomware protection
- 100% virus protection promise
- One of the best Windows antiviruses
Cons
- Reddit users complain about notifications
- Limited VPN functionality
3. Surfshark Antivirus — Best Reddit Antivirus for Privacy
| Starting Price | $2.69/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Max Devices | 5 |
| Free Offering | 7 days for VPN |
| Testing Results | Protection: 4.5/6, Performance: 4.5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Why We Picked It
Surfshark is the best VPN Reddit users recommend, and opting for its Surfshark One plan extends its offering by adding antivirus and identity theft protection.
Features
Surfshark is often recommended as a budget-friendly solution on Reddit, as it combines robust antivirus protection with one of the fastest, most secure VPNs on the market at an affordable price.
The platform offers fast scans that take just a few minutes to complete and detect even the most persistent, well-hidden malware.
Redditors are also fans of its real-time data breach alerts, which will notify you if your email address, ID, or credit card information leaks on the internet.
During our testing, we found Surfshark to perform as effectively as Norton, but it outshone the competition with its spyware detection rates.
It’s also one of the few antiviruses that offers webcam protection, which stops unauthorized apps from spying on you. In addition, the app easily detects keyloggers, spy apps, and screen recorders.
Antivirus Testing Results
When tackling over 14,000 malware samples in AV-Test’s latest assessments, Surfshark Antivirus achieved a 100% detection and removal rate.
Surfshark fared less well for performance, though. While high-end PCs handle the antivirus well, lower-end machines saw an above-average decrease in browsing speed. Nevertheless, installing and using desktop apps is smooth, and usability remains good, with zero false alerts and a 6/6 score.
Pricing
Surfshark’s cheapest plan to include its antivirus features is Surfshark One, which costs $2.69/month with a two-year subscription.
Besides detecting malware and spyware, it lets you search the internet with a private search tool, sends you data security reports, and can even remove your information from company databases with its top-tier plan.
Who It’s Best For
Redditors recommend Surfshark for privacy-conscious users who want to stay anonymous online, and the VPN is far better than those offered by competing antiviruses.
At the same time, its antivirus features are praised by users who value performance and security.
For more information, read our Surfshark Antivirus review.
Pros
- One of the best antiviruses with a VPN
- False flags while scanning are rare
- Lightweight solution
- User-friendly mobile and PC interface
Cons
- Full system scans can take time
- No free version
4. Avast — Best Free Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend
| Starting Price | $2.99/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Max Devices | 10 |
| Free Offering | Free plan, 30-day trial |
| Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Why We Picked It
Avast is the first choice of more than 435 million users worldwide, including many Redditors, and its comprehensive free plan is an excellent starting point for new users.
Features
Searching Reddit best free antivirus threads is guaranteed to lead you to Avast, and Redditors praise the free plan’s effectiveness against malware and ransomware. It certainly includes a lot more than TotalAV, even extending to a VPN with the Avast One Basic plan.
Besides its excellent performance against common malware, it offers the best free Wi-Fi network protection to combat unauthorized connections, eavesdroppers, and other threats.
Most Reddit reviews recommend opting for Avast’s paid plans, though, to unlock its advanced security features. The Real Site feature, for example, flags fake and scam websites to help you avoid identity theft and phishing attacks, while the firewall keeps hackers from hijacking data from your PC.
Avast is one of the only antiviruses with a Sandbox feature. This lets you run downloaded files in a safe environment to ensure they’re virus-free before you extract them onto your device.
Antivirus Testing Results
Avast is highly effective for malware protection, even with its free version. AV-Comparative’s latest tests found that the antivirus managed to block 99.6% of virus samples in real-world protection tests.
You can also expect better-than-average performance, as Avast keeps both standard and high-end PCs running smoothly. You shouldn’t see too many confusing pop-ups, either, since the software issued just one false alarm when facing 990,000+ legitimate software samples.
Pricing
Besides its free forever plan, Avast offers two premium plans. Premium Security offers the Sandbox, Real Site, firewall, and file shredder features ($49.99/year for one device or $69.99/year for ten).
The Ultimate plan adds a VPN, a digital footprint disguiser, and a system cleanup app ($49.99/year for one device or $69.99/year for ten). In addition, the Avast One Gold Family plan protects 30 devices for $131.88/year.
Who It’s Best For
Reddit users recommend Avast for users on a budget and anyone looking to test an antivirus program before committing to a subscription.
Avast is also popular on Reddit as one of the best antiviruses for Android devices, and our Avast vs AVG guide includes further comparisons and analysis.
For more information, read our Avast antivirus review.
Pros
- Great malware detection and removal rates
- Free plan includes ransomware protection
- Automatically installs security updates for apps
- Fast background scans
Cons
- Relatively expensive overall
- Full system scans may slow down devices
5. McAfee — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Families
| Starting Price | $3.33/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Max Devices | Unlimited |
| Free Offering | 30-day trial |
| Testing Results | Protection: 6/6, Performance: 6/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Why We Picked It
McAfee may not be the cheapest antivirus on the market, but finding one with more features won’t be easy. From identity theft protection to VPN protection and a password manager, McAfee has it all for comprehensive security, making it a great pick for families.
Features
Reddit users recommend McAfee for individuals and families seeking extensive offline and online antivirus and privacy protection. Besides keeping your device malware-free, McAfee can help you secure your social media accounts and scan data brokering sites for your personal information.
With protection scores included for every user, you and your family will always know what security measures to implement to maximize your online and offline security. Opting for a family plan also lets you use the platform’s parental controls to ensure your children are safe while browsing the internet.
In addition, McAfee is the go-to antivirus for Redditors looking for first-class identity theft protection features based on its credit monitoring feature, which can help you prevent fraud.
The lost wallet protection feature is also invaluable and lets you quickly cancel lost IDs and credit cards.
Antivirus Testing Results
McAfee detected and blocked 100% of malware samples in its most recent AV-Test trials.
The software is also surprisingly lightweight, with a minimal slowdown when browsing popular websites and significantly beating industry averages when launching desktop applications.
Pricing
McAfee’s entry-level plan for individuals covers five devices and costs $3.33/month. The cheapest family plan costs $5.41/month, protects unlimited devices, and offers two accounts for adults and four for children. Each plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try its services risk-free.
Who It’s Best For
Reddit users recommend McAfee to individuals and families seeking robust security, identity theft protection, parental controls, and other tools that complement the core antivirus features.
For more information, read our McAfee review.
Pros
- Flags scam emails and text messages
- Up to $2 million of ID theft coverage
- Easy to set up and use
- Robust firewall and malware protection
- Great parental control tools
Cons
- Some device performance impact
- Relatively expensive on renewal
6. Intego — Best Antivirus Reddit Users Recommend for Mac Devices
| Starting Price | $3.13/month |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Mac, Windows |
| Max Devices | 5 |
| Free Offering | 30-day trial |
| Testing Results | Protection: 5.5/6, Performance: 5/6, Usability: 6/6 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Why We Picked It
Intego will protect your Macs from all types of malware, and it provides anti-phishing protection and a two-way firewall to ensure no cyber threats can infect your device.
Features
While most of Intego’s competitors develop security tools for Windows, Android, and iOS devices, with limited protection for Macs, Intego’s popularity on Reddit stems from its Mac-focused security packages.
NetBarrier, its two-way firewall, ensures hackers can’t extract data from your Mac, and it stops the device from being infected with malware.
With its Mac Washing Machine feature, Intego is one of the only antiviruses to provide Mac system cleanup tools, so it can systematically find and remove redundancies on your machine.
During testing, Intego impressed us with its blazing-fast scans, intuitive menus, and malware detection rates.
We also tested its backup feature, which is a favorite with Redditors as it lets you back up your files on another device or a bootable drive – a feature that Apple’s Time Machine doesn’t offer.
Antivirus Testing Results
With a malware detection rate of 99.1%, according to AV-Comparatives, Intego falls slightly behind the competition. Since Macs are generally more secure than Windows machines, though, you’ll likely barely see any difference.
What you will notice, though, is how unintrusive the software is. AV-Test gave it a perfect 6/6 usability score, with no false alarms across 90,000+ samples when downloading and installing legitimate apps.
Pricing
Intego splits its services into three tiers, with the entry-level plan priced at $3.13/month with a two-year subscription. For personal backup and Mac Washing Machine features, you’ll need to upgrade to its slightly more expensive Mac Premium Bundle ($65/year with a two-year plan), while the top-tier plan also adds a VPN.
Who It’s Best For
While Redditors prefer using TotalAV to protect most devices, Intego is their top recommendation for Mac users looking to improve their security online and offline. See our best Mac antivirus guide for more recommendations.
For more information on Intego, read our Intego antivirus review.
Pros
- Can detect malicious files on connected iOS devices
- Excellent parental controls
- Automatic and scheduled scans
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- No dedicated protection for iOS or Android
- Limited antivirus features for Windows
Comparing the Best Antivirus Reddit Recommendations
Here’s a quick head-to-head comparison of the best anti-virus software Reddit users recommend.
| Antivirus Provider | Best For | Starting Price | Compatibility | Max Devices | Free Trial/Plan | Money-Back Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TotalAV | Beginners | $1.58/month (annual) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 8 | Free scans | 30 days |
| Norton | Security | $2.49/month (annual) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Unlimited | 30-day trial | 60 days |
| Surfshark Antivirus | Privacy | $2.69/month (two years) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 5 | 7 days for VPN | 30 days |
| Avast | Free Users | $2.99/month (annual) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | 10 | Free plan, 30-day trial | 30 days |
| McAfee | Families | $3.33/month (two years) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Unlimited | 30-day trial | 30 days |
| Intego | Macs | $3.13/month (two years) | Mac, Windows | 5 | 30-day trial | 30 days |
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.
Can I Trust Reddit Recommendations for Antiviruses?
Reddit is an excellent source of unbiased user reviews and feedback that can help you identify products worth your time and money. We often turn to Reddit and similar websites to get a broader perspective on the full customer experience from long-term users on the best antivirus software on the market.
Here’s why you can trust antivirus Reddit recommendations on the whole:
- Reviews come from genuine antivirus users – You’ll find honest, first-hand product reviews on Reddit, and they’ll often come from users with the technical know-how to explain what the antivirus does well in detail.
- Fake posts are easy to spot – Every user profile on Reddit is public, which allows you to check if a suspicious and excessively positive product review has been written by a user who only writes about a single brand. Fake posts often also contain sponsored links and endorsements.
- Redditors engage in discussions – Nearly every Reddit antivirus thread has more than one person commenting on the product’s features, such as usability, performance, and customer support. That means you’ll learn more about each product from long-term users with experience.
- Reddit users have high standards – Redditors are notoriously hard to please, meaning highly positive reviews are rare. If you find a thread in which multiple comments praise an antivirus, it’s likely a product that really delivers.
- Subpar antiviruses are criticized – Reddit users will gladly point out the flaws of a product they’ve used so you’ll know if an antivirus isn’t working as advertised.
Not every Reddit post you’ll see is written by a genuine user, though, as anyone can make a Reddit account, including product marketing staff and PR professionals. Because of this, it’s worth being wary of new users, suspiciously positive posts, and threads with limited responses.
Best Free Antivirus Reddit Recommendations – Are Free Tools Enough?
Many Reddit posts about the best free antiviruses point to Avast and TotalAV as the best options, with Avast being mentioned more often. However, experts recommend Avast’s paid plans, as they offer more advanced features and protect multiple devices, while its free plan protects just one.
Reddit users have varying opinions when it comes to free antiviruses in general, as many users have had negative experiences in the past.
Although they agree that free products are capable of protecting you from known viruses, Redditors point out that free antiviruses often track your activities, have frequent ads, and lack advanced features for multi-layered security.
While some Reddit users appreciate Avast or TotalAV’s free plans as the cheapest options around, most users agree that it’s better to opt for paid services, especially when they offer long money-back guarantees and trials that let you try services for free.
Does Reddit Recommend Windows Defender?
Redditors report having had positive experiences with Microsoft Defender, also known as Windows Defender, as it has high malware detection rates, doesn’t slow your system down, and is easy to use.
However, several threads point out its limitations, such as its subpar ransomware protection and dependence on other apps for some features.
In addition, its phishing protection tool, Windows Defender SmartScreen, only really works with Microsoft Edge, meaning you’ll have to switch browsers for the best results.
Generally, Reddit users recommend subscribing to third-party antiviruses because of their flexibility, enhanced security features, and coverage for multiple devices – whereas Microsoft Defender can only protect one PC.
How to Choose the Best Reddit Antivirus For You
You absolutely need an antivirus today, but you should consider your needs and requirements when researching the best anti-virus Reddit recommendations before committing to an antivirus provider.
Here’s a list of factors to consider before you make a decision:
Core Features – Look for a product that provides scans, real-time protection, and a firewall. Getting a VPN, a password manager, and parental control tools can also be very valuable, and you may also want features like phishing protection, identity protection, and automatic updates.
Check out our guide to getting rid of a virus on your computer for more tips.
Usability – If you’re looking for a good antivirus Reddit users recommend for protecting multiple devices, ensure that the product is compatible with all the devices and operating systems you use and that its apps are user-friendly and intuitive.
Customer Support – Reddit is an excellent source of first-hand product reviews from long-term users who’ve dealt with the provider’s customer support and refund process. Avoid providers that Redditors flag as being uncooperative or dishonest.
Performance – Although most antiviruses boast high malware detection rates and offer numerous advanced features, finding one that has minimal impact on your device’s performance and battery life can make a big difference to your experience.
Price – When evaluating value for money, consider the security features you need. For example, TotalAV offers the most value for money, but McAfee offers far more features.
Conclusion – What’s the Best Antivirus Reddit Recommends?
Redditors often have strong opinions, so finding a consensus on antivirus software took some time. With different individuals emphasizing different factors, I had to conduct extensive research to find the best Reddit antivirus recommendations.
After reviewing a wide range of threads on the platform, I’ve concluded that TotalAV is the overall best solution.
Redditors praise its WebShield feature for its effectiveness in dealing with malicious websites and phishing attempts. They also love its efficient system scans and affordable pricing. Add to that the built-in VPN and password manager and TotalAV ensures you have complete device protection.
FAQs
What’s the best antivirus, according to Reddit?
What’s the best free antivirus Reddit users recommend?
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References
- AV-Comparatives Intego testing (AV-Comparatives)
- AV-Test Avast free antivirus testing (AV-Test)
- AV-Test Surfshark antivirus testing (AV-Test)
