9 Best Antivirus Software Products in Canada Reviewed for 2023

Getting antivirus software is a must in 2023 since viruses, malware, and ransomware attacks are at an all-time high. These can render your computer useless or, even worse, your financial details stolen. Fortunately, we’ve got the top solution to these online threats in this guide.

We’ve reviewed and compared the 9 best apps for virus protection, looking at price, effectiveness, extra features, compatibility, and more. Read on to find out how providers like TotalAV, Norton, and TrendMicro can help safeguard you against viruses.

Best Virus Protection Services in Canada Ranked

We’ve created a list of the top 9 antiviruses to save you from countless hours of research. Plus, we’ve ranked each product based on key criteria like ease of use and effectiveness to help you choose:

1. TotalAV – The best threat protection software offering 24/7 monitoring, malware removal, a VPN, disk cleaning, and phishing scam protection for just $29/month.
2. Norton 360 – Popular option for robust multi-layer protection delivering a strong firewall, real-time monitoring, parental controls, and a secure VPN with bank-grade encryption.
3. Trend Micro – AI-based malware scanner that includes protection for local and cloud-based storage, and the scanning process takes up fewer resources.
4. ESET – Great anti-theft threat protection software that offers one-way messaging, phantom account creation, an excellent Android app, and a password manager.
5. Kaspersky – The best choice for ransomware protection, and it includes parental controls, anti-phishing features, strong customer support, and helpful notifications.
6. Avast – Top antivirus software for beginners with excellent free features, a strong firewall, an optimized user interface, and compatibility with all platforms.
7. McAfee – Great choice for a safe browsing experience that offers award-winning protection, a protective firewall, and a well-implemented password manager.
8. Intego – The best antivirus software for Mac users, with strong parental controls, two malware scanners, and an advanced data backup tool.
9. Avira – Top cloud-based antivirus, which performs scans with high accuracy without using up your computer’s resources and provides a solid password scanner.

Is An Antivirus Tool Enough to Protect You?

Antivirus services are a must-have to protect your device from the range of potential threats faced when connecting to the internet. However, it’s not the only solution you should consider. Here are a few others which are included with some of the antivirus tools on our list:

• Password manager – These allow users to store and manage online login details. The passwords are stored in an encrypted form, with a master password providing access. These tools help users secure login details so they don’t fall into the wrong hands.
• VPN – A Virtual Private Network masks your IP address so you can browse the web securely and anonymously. Also, they offer protection on public Wi-Fi networks and let you access geo-restricted content from around the world.
• Firewalls – This is a network security tool that monitors outgoing and incoming traffic, blocking traffic to questionable websites to stop threats at the point of entry.
• Parental controls system – This allows you to limit what websites your kids can visit and lets you view their browsing history. Also, you can view chat logs to ensure they’re not engaged in inappropriate conversations or being targeted by online predators.
• File shredder – This is a handy tool for permanently deleting files you’re no longer going to use, which ensures that sensitive information won’t fall into the wrong hands.

Signs Your Device May Be Infected

Antivirus software does a great job of blocking threats before they infect your computer. However, if you haven’t invested in one of these services, your computer might already be infected. Here’s a summary that shares the top signs to look out for:

Suspicious Pop-Up Windows

Unrecognizable and unusual dialogue boxes that pop up asking you to perform a specific action are often a sign of an infection, especially if they’re warning you about a virus or prompting you to call a phone number. Legitimate software pop-ups usually don’t ask you to call a specific phone number.

Weird File and Folder Alterations

Have you noticed that the icons or names of your folders/files have changed? This could be a technical problem or a sign of an infection. For example, ransomware programs may lock your files until you meet the hacker’s demands.

Random Sounds

Error message pop-ups will be accompanied by sounds. However, some infections block these message pop-ups from appearing to mask their intrusion. Nonetheless, the sounds will still be audible, which informs you that something is wrong.

Slow Computer speed

Is your computer working more slowly than usual? In some cases, this might be due to malware taking up resources while operating in the background. The malware might be running advertisements or using resources for things like cryptomining.

Top Antivirus Software Reviews

Now, let’s turn our attention to reviews of the market’s best antivirus solutions to give you a better idea of what to expect from each one. In the sections that follow, we cover the main features, pricing, and pros and cons to help you dig deeper into each product.

1. TotalAV – Overall, the Best Threat Protection Software

TotalAV is our pick for the industry’s best antivirus software solution because it offers every feature you’d expect and plenty of extras too. Firstly, it does an amazing job of updating its virus threat protection library to ensure you’re getting up-to-date security.

The software offers four scanning options – including quick, system, smart, and custom scans. This level of customization and flexibility is indicative of the deep level of user control provided throughout the product.

That said, the number one reason TotalAV has topped our list is that it’s got a proven threat detection score of 99% based on testing completed by the online security community.

Plus, the real-time threat protection features offer complete peace of mind. It’s activated by default, meaning you’re protected immediately after installing the software, and the feature uses minimal computer resources, so its impact on performance is negligible.

TotalAV also offers a suite of extra features, including blocking annoying pop-up ads that invade your screen and diminish the browsing experience. Plus, you can take advantage of the “Safe Browsing VPN,” which is available on its mid-tier and premium packages.

The browser manager and cleaner are other handy features for simplifying and managing your system. And the final noteworthy aspect of TotalAV is that it provides excellent compatibility with the most popular operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Therefore, you can use the software on almost any device.

However, one drawback is the maximum cap of six devices with the premium plan, which some users may find limiting. Also, the UI of the browser extension is a bit too cumbersome for easy use.

2. Norton 360 Deluxe – Popular Option for Powerful Multi-Layer Protection

Norton provides a comprehensive array of security options to keep you safe — and Norton’s perfect scores prove that the protection, performance, and usability of the software live up to claims.

The product’s smart firewall monitors traffic and blocks unauthorized uploads and downloads. You can access this feature as part of the product’s browser extension, meaning you can always see exactly what’s happening.

Additionally, the real-time threat protection feature helps deal with threats as they arise. It ensures malware and viruses won’t lurk in your digital files and helps keep your personal information safe. This includes safeguarding your financial information from hackers.

Next, the Secure VPN tool is equipped with bank-grade encryption to provide anonymous and secure internet access. This further helps protect personal information like passwords and bank account details.

Besides all this, Norton 360 Deluxe provides extra features like parental controls to help manage your child’s online safety and permitted time on the internet. You can also restrict access to specific websites that may be inappropriate for children.

That said, the parental controls are unfortunately unavailable with MacOS systems, and the online backup feature is only available for Windows users.

3. Trend Micro – Popular Choice for Protecting Local and Cloud-Based Storage

Trend Micro is one of the best malware scanners in the business, and it comes with advanced machine-learning technology. It performs in-depth file analysis and correlates threat information to uncover emerging security risks.

This allows it to deliver comprehensive scans that find threats lesser services might miss. In addition, the scanner uses up only a small amount of resources, allowing you to comfortably use the computer while scanning in the background.

In addition, Folder Shield is a stand-out feature that offers local hard drive and cloud-synced folder protection – including for Google Drive and Dropbox, which is ideal for securing valuable files and financial information.

Generally, Trend Micro does an excellent job of providing real-time security against different attack types, such as ransomware, phishing, spyware, and viruses, so you’re protected around the clock. AV-Test scores back up these performance claims, showing consistently good results.

Trend Micro also offers an optimized desktop app that allows you to monitor and manage your online security. The app is included in the basic free version, so you can download the software without charge.

However, there are a few downsides, such as the fact that there’s no VPN available with the lower-priced tiers, and it lacks a firewall. As a result, you’ll need to rely on your operating system’s built-in firewall, which lacks the level of protection offered by antivirus software.

4. ESET – Great Anti-Theft Threat Protection Software

ESET is one of the better antivirus software packages offering anti-theft features. It includes location tracking, thus increasing the chances of tracking down your device. Also, the laptop activity watch allows you to see how your device is being used, which also makes it easier to track down.

The multi-platform protection includes Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux. In fact, the highly-rated ESET mobile app delivers a top-tier experience, and it includes all the safety features you get on the PC version.

Plus, ESET provides protection from malware, including ransomware which has drastically increased in frequency over the last few years.

The product activates once you visit a financial website to protect your banking details, so you can enter this data with peace of mind.

Beyond this, the password manager is another handy tool that uses 256-bit AES secure encryption — the same security banks and the military use for their data.

However, the antivirus software provider lacks competitive parental controls, and the firewall pop-ups are a little invasive, though you can turn them off.

5. Kaspersky – Best Choice for Ransomware Protection

Kaspersky makes it on our list of the top antivirus software in Canada because it offers strong ransomware protection. The service protects against these threats using a multi-layered approach.

In fact, in 2021, Kaspersky won 57 first-place awards for blocking attacks in 75 independent tests. The tests were performed using various types of malware and false positives, which is a strong indicator of its ability.

Additionally, the product helpfully delivers a pop-up notification when threats are detected, allowing you to be immediately informed without causing unnecessary distractions.

The anti-phishing features also do a great job of warning you about risky websites going beyond any anti-phishing awareness you have already. When this feature is on, it’ll block access to questionable websites to safeguard you from common threats like keyloggers and viruses. This is easily one of the key praises Kaspersky receives from its users.

To make matters better, the Kaspersky Safe Kids feature allows you to create a safe online environment for your children. The tool allows you to block access to gambling and adult content and track their location with GPS — like most of the top parental control apps.

In addition to that, Kaspersky helps keep your browsing experience safe with the help of a password manager. It’s a great alternative to keeping your passwords on Google Chrome since it supports iPhones and iPads. However, it’s important to consider the downsides for a balanced overview.

Firstly, the vulnerability scan provides relatively limited information, making it sometimes hard to understand the results. Besides that, there’s also a lot of overlap between the features of the extra scanning options, so despite how it appears, you’re not getting as much additional value as anticipated.

6. Avast – Top Antivirus Software for Beginners, With the Best Free Version

Avast is our pick for the best beginner antivirus software. That’s because the software solution has an optimized user interface which is great for the non-tech savvy. Also, Avast performs extremely well on testing scores, so you can be confident in its ability to protect your device.

In addition to that, Avast has one of the best free antivirus for Windows offerings, with features like malware protection, app monitoring, and a firewall. Each of these significantly reduces the chances of incoming threats infecting your computer, and it’s rare to get these features on a free plan.

Once you upgrade to a paid Avast subscription, you’ll access features like malicious website protection. This warns you when you’re about to visit a website that could potentially infect your computer.

However, there are also some drawbacks, including no parental protection features and the fact that the business tier is on the pricey side.

7. McAfee – Great Choice for a Safe Browsing Experience

McAfee is a widely trusted antivirus software solution that constantly evolves to provide a competitive service. Firstly, advanced web protection facilitates a safe browsing experience, allowing you to shop online without worrying that your banking details will be compromised. In addition to that, the password manager organizes and stores your information behind an encryption wall.

Next, the software’s award-winning protection does an amazing job of safeguarding your online devices from criminals and hackers. At the same time, the firewall keeps your home network secure from unwanted access. All things considered, it boasts everything you’d need in a solid antivirus.

Unfortunately, McAfee anti-virus also has a few negatives, such as the fact that the antivirus software for Windows scan is slow, and some important features, such as full-service personal data cleanup and access to identity restoration experts, are only in the premium version.

8. Intego – The Best Antivirus for Mac Users

Intego is our top pick for Mac operating systems, and the product has been specifically built for the requirements of the Apple ecosystem. It’s also available for Windows, but the Mac version provides the most features. For instance, Intego can remove Mac-specific threats that other products on our list tend to overlook.

Plus, the antivirus solution offers real-time protection with two malware scanners: VirusBarrier and NetBarrier. With a detection rate of 99%, it’ll identify and remove malware which will successfully prevent hackers from compromising your files and speed up your device.

And beyond this, the ContentBarrier feature helps keep your kids safe through parental controls. With it, you can set boundaries for kids of all ages to reduce the chances of them visiting inappropriate sites or communicating with dangerous people.

Cross-device compatibility is a bit of a drawback, though. Firstly, no mobile app is available, and secondly, the Windows app has limited functionality.

9. Avira – Top Cloud-Based Antivirus Software That Uses Minimal Device Resources

Avira is our pick for the best cloud-based antivirus software, which means you don’t need to download an app to use the service. This significantly lowers the amount of computer resources it uses while running scans.

Besides this, the anti-malware features perform well on testing, ensuring no threats are missed — even on the free plan, making it a better pick compared to competitors like Symantec or Malwarebytes.

Beyond this, the password manager has an optimized design, allowing you to quickly manage your logins without worrying about them being compromised. Your personal details will be stored in a secure server out of reach from hackers.

Unfortunately, Avira has a few weaknesses, including no firewall, so you’ll need to use the built-in Windows one. Also, some users have reported the file-copying process is slow.

Best Antivirus Solutions Compared

To help you compare the top antivirus products at a glance, we’ve created a table to help you choose the best option:

How to Choose the Right Antivirus Service for Your Needs

Selecting the best antivirus software can be tricky, with so many great options on the market. The section below contains a summary of the criteria we used to narrow down our list of antivirus software products:

Price

We understand that everyone has a different price they’re willing to pay for antivirus software, so we’ve made sure to include options in different price brackets. However, as your budget increases, you can protect more devices and get extra features.

For example, the Ultimate package from Avast includes a VPN, a cleanup feature to speed up your PC, and AntiTrack to hide your online identity. You’ll need to decide if paying extra for these features is worthwhile.

That said, some of the best free antivirus software downloads are a good starting point to test the product in action, and every antivirus software product on our list provides a free trial, so you can try them before you buy one.

Once you get a feel for the software, you can decide if the paid subscription is the right choice for your needs and budget.

Features

All the antivirus software solutions on our list offer the core features you’d expect, including malicious software detection, virus removal, file scanning, and 24/7 threat protection.

However, some of the top antivirus solutions also provide supplementary features adding more value. For example, here’s a summary of the extra features we considered when researching our list of the top antivirus software services:

• Parental controls system – This allows you to block risky apps, remove access to inappropriate content, monitor screen time, and much more.
• VPN – This lets you secure your connection by masking your IP address, giving you total online anonymity and freedom.
• Clean computer – This feature scans your computer and removes unnecessary files, freeing up storage space and increasing the device’s speed.

Performance

During our selection process, we paid close attention to performance by taking into account antivirus software tests and customer reviews. In fact, we only included providers that have successfully identified over 98% of online threats when put to the test by trustworthy third parties.

Beyond this, we considered the frequency of updates to their threat databases, and we evaluated the experiences of previous and current users to ensure we included only the most effective solutions.

Finally, we favored software with fast scanning times and ones that take up only a small amount of device resources to ensure you can use these tools while the scans run in the background.

Compatibility

We understand that our readers need an antivirus software solution for different systems, so we’ve made sure to include options for every platform – including Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

Conclusion – What’s the Best Antivirus Solution in Canada for 2023?

Choosing any one of the antivirus solutions on our list will upgrade the security of your devices. However, TotalAV is the best option because it offers every feature you’d expect from a competitive antivirus service and a lot of extras (pop-up ad blocker, VPN, and browser cleaner), adding amazing value.

Also, it has a threat detection score of 99%, thus keeping your devices safe from online security issues. Furthermore, you can try TotalAV for free for an unlimited amount of time. So, there’s no rush to test the quality of the service.

Best Antivirus Software Canada FAQs