Laptops today hold everything—photos, bank details, work files, and passwords. But with online threats growing every day, your device needs strong antivirus protection to stay safe.
Recent data shows that over 450,000 new malware threats appear daily. And by 2025, cybercrime damages worldwide are expected to hit $10.5 trillion per year. In India alone, 6 out of 10 laptop users faced a malware attack in the past year.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best antivirus software for laptops, for both Windows and Mac, so you can choose the right one for your needs.
Why Antivirus Software Is a Must for Laptops in 2025
- Rising Cyber Threats: Every day, thousands of new malware and ransomware attacks target personal and business laptops.
- Sensitive Data Protection: Antivirus tools help protect passwords, banking info, and personal files from being stolen or misused.
- Secure Online Activity: They block phishing websites and unsafe downloads while you’re browsing or shopping online.
- Device Performance Optimization: Many antivirus tools come with PC/Mac cleaning features to keep your laptop running smoothly.
- Peace of Mind: Real-time alerts and automatic scanning give users confidence that their device is always protected.
Key Things to Look for in a Good Antivirus Software
- Real-Time Protection: Make sure the software can detect and block threats instantly as they appear.
- Low System Impact: A good antivirus shouldn’t slow down your laptop during scans or background protection.
- Cross-Platform Support: Choose one that works on both Windows and macOS, especially if you use multiple devices.
- Privacy Features: Look for extra tools like VPNs, webcam protection, and anti-tracking to stay private online.
- Easy-to-Use Interface: A simple dashboard with automatic updates and clear settings is ideal for all users.
Top 10 Best Antivirus Software for Laptop
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender is one of the most recommended brands when it comes to cybersecurity and its antivirus plus is very effective in the protection of PC and Mac users. With the software, advanced behavioral detection, AI- and threat-detection, and real-time malware protection can prevent the most up-to-date threats to your device. Bitdefender will work in the background and you will not notice it and it will provide you with the highest level of protection without reducing the performance of your system, and people who enjoy using the latest tech and work in it prefer it.
It also has multi-layered ransomware shields, anti-phishing, anti-fraud blockers, and even secure VPN to surf the web safely. The great thing about Bitdefender is that it is also very easy to configure even an inexperienced user, since it has a very uncluttered user interface. By automatically updating itself and having a highly efficient cloud-based scanning platform, your laptop will be on top of the new security procedures.
Top Features:
- Real-time data protection
- Advanced ransomware protection
- Anti-tracker and secure VPN (200MB/day)
- Online banking protection with Safepay
- Minimal system impact
Pricing:
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: $24.99/1 device
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: $29.99/3 devices
2. Norton 360 Deluxe
Norton 360 Deluxe is a universal security package that provides complete protection to a total of 5 devices, such as PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablets. It offers immediate threat security against ransomware, malware, viruses, and spyware. Norton Smart Firewalls and password manager include an additional security measure of personal and financial data and the secure VPN provides protection to safe browsing on open Wi-Fi connection.
The dark web monitoring is where Norton is unique, as they warn users when their personal data are found on possibly shady internet locations. It is also endowed with parental controls, cloud backup (up to 50GB), and PC optimization tools, which makes it a complete package to a family or an individual who would want more than antivirus protection. Norton has a simple user friendly interface and nice customer support features.
Top Features:
- Multi-layered real-time protection
- 50GB cloud backup for PC
- Secure VPN with unlimited usage
- Dark Web Monitoring and parental controls
- Password manager included
Pricing:
| Plus | Standard | 3 Device |
| $9.31/yr | $10.48/yr | $13.97/yr |
3. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee has been around for decades and has evolved to meet the changing cybersecurity landscape. Its Total Protection suite is a robust security solution that provides complete protection for laptops running Windows or macOS. It features a powerful combination of antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall, and web protection to guard against malware, phishing attacks, and identity theft.
With McAfee, users get access to a password manager, identity theft protection (with credit monitoring in supported regions), and a secure VPN. The antivirus is known for its real-time scanning capabilities and automatic threat updates. It also includes performance optimization tools to keep your laptop running efficiently. For families or households with multiple devices, the family plan supports protection for up to 10 devices.
Top Features:
- Cross-platform protection (PC, Mac, mobile)
- Secure VPN and encrypted storage
- Real-time malware, spyware, and ransomware protection
- Identity theft and credit monitoring tools
- Parental controls and device optimization
Pricing:
| Essentials | Advanced |
| $39.99/yr | $89.99/yr |
4. Kaspersky Plus
Kaspersky Plus is a powerful antivirus solution with a strong reputation for high malware detection rates and system performance. Designed to work seamlessly on both Windows and Mac laptops, it offers real-time protection against threats including ransomware, phishing, spyware, and zero-day attacks. Kaspersky uses cloud-assisted intelligence to ensure fast and efficient scanning.
The software also includes features like Safe Money for secure online transactions, webcam protection, and a virtual keyboard to prevent keylogging. With minimal impact on system resources, Kaspersky is ideal for users who want solid protection without sacrificing laptop performance. The software’s interface is intuitive, making it easy to configure or schedule scans and updates.
Top Features:
- Real-time threat detection with cloud support
- Webcam and mic protection
- Safe Money secure browser for transactions
- VPN with 300MB/day
- Lightweight and user-friendly interface
Pricing:
| Standard | Plus | Premium |
| $5.57/yr | $7.67/yr | $9.07/yr |
5. Avast One
Avast One is a comprehensive protection solution which includes a highly efficient antivirus engine and a set of new possibilities such as a VPN, firewall, and system optimization tools. Avast One is compatible with Windows and macOS and provides malware shredding, phishing protection, and a web shield which prevents loading malicious web pages. Its Wi-Fi inspector assures that your business network is secure against penetrations as well as against incorrect configuration.
The advertisement of a clean and modernized interface is one of the advantages that Avast offers over other types of cyber security solutions. It also offers a privacy advisor, which assists the user to turn his or her digital security tighter and to identify personal data leakage. The lowest level Avast One Free can provide protection only and the upgrades open the possibility to use VPN and to track identities.
Top Features:
- Real-time antivirus and anti-phishing protection
- Integrated VPN with unlimited bandwidth (Premium)
- Firewall and network inspector
- Smart scan for junk files and performance issues
- Identity protection alerts
Pricing:
- Gold – $6.99/month
- Silver – $2.99/month
6. Trend Micro Maximum Security
Trend Micro Maximum Security is one of the top-rated antivirus products with powerful web protection and a high percentage of malware detection. It integrates high levels of AI learning to detect and eliminate emerging and changing threats. The web filtering provided by Trend Micro prevents harmful websites, and blocks phishing and online frauds and is recommended to persons using the internet regularly. It has social media privacy guard and email scam prevention as well.
The other winning point of Trend Micro is the Pay Guard that involves securing online banking and online shopping sessions. The parental controls and the password manager facilitates in the safety of the user, particularly in case of a family with more users. Based on a cloud system, Trend Micro provides decent performance that does not consume system resources and slows down your PC or Mac so you can use it to do almost anything alongside having scans.
Top Features:
- AI-powered real-time threat detection
- Social media privacy and scam protection
- Secure web browsing and Pay Guard
- Parental controls and password manager
- Multi-device support
Pricing:
12 Months–
- Antivirus+ Security – INR675.00
- Internet Security – INR900.00
- Maximum Security – INR1,386.00
24 Months–
- Antivirus+ Security – INR675.00
- Internet Security – INR900.00
- Maximum Security – INR2,771.00
7. ESET Smart Security Premium
ESET Smart Security Premium is preferred by both tech professionals and power users for its little resource usage and heightened quality antivirus engine. It integrates signature and heuristic detection features with cloud analytics to provide cloud-fast threat identification. In particular, ESET is notorious in respect of its strong anti-phishing module and webcam.
Smart Security Premium is also supplied with such tools as a secure file encryption utility, a password manager and a theft protection feature that assists in finding your lost or stolen laptop. With its advanced customization and smooth interface, it is a good choice for people seeking to have more control over the security settings of their system. It does not weigh much on your laptop but is strong on protection.
Top Features:
- Advanced heuristics and cloud-powered scanning
- Anti-theft laptop tracking feature
- Password manager and file encryption
- Webcam and botnet protection
- Extremely lightweight and fast
Pricing: Available on request
8. Sophos Home Premium
Sophos Home Premium brings enterprise-grade security to individual users. It offers remote administration capabilities, real-time behavioral monitoring, and sophisticated ransomware protection, all built on the same technology that enterprises utilize. It is an excellent option for families or small business users because it provides coverage for up to ten devices.
Its integrated interface, which lets you remotely control and keep an eye on all of your devices, is one notable feature. Additionally, Sophos offers web blocking, malware detection powered by AI, and banking protection. Its user interface is straightforward but effective, offering robust defenses without being complicated. It is very effective at stopping emerging malware variants and zero-day attacks.
Top Features:
- Enterprise-level antivirus technology
- AI-based threat detection
- Web filtering and banking protection
- Remote device management
- Ransomware file protection
Pricing:
- ₹ 4,371.75 for 3 years
- ₹ 1,874.25 for 1 year
- ₹ 3,149.25 for 2 years
9. Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Premium has an outstanding performance in getting rid of stubborn malware, spyware, and ransomware that standard antiviruses cannot detect. In contrast to most regular antivirus software, Malwarebytes pays much attention to behavioral threat detection and prevents novel and unknown malware before they harm the computer. It is very efficient against zero-day vulnerabilities and malware.
The software also works well with other antivirus programs, and thus, it is a great extra protection. It also incorporates exploit protection, malicious block of websites, and ransomware rollback. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface without extremely affecting the system, making it perfect for people who require an aggressive and specifically focused malware-fighting program.
Top Features:
- Behavior-based malware and ransomware detection
- Exploit protection and malicious website blocking
- Works well alongside other antivirus tools
- Real-time threat prevention
- Easy-to-use dashboard
Pricing:
| Standard | Plus | Total |
| $44.99/yr | $59.99/yr | $94.99/yr |
10. Avira Prime
Avira Prime is a full-featured security suite that combines powerful antivirus protection with performance-enhancing tools and privacy-focused features. It protects against malware, phishing, ransomware, and online threats using real-time cloud-based scanning. It also includes a VPN, password manager, file shredder, and system optimizer to keep your laptop running fast and securely.
Avira’s lightweight design ensures that it doesn’t slow down your system, even during full scans. The built-in software updater and driver updater help keep your device safe from vulnerabilities due to outdated programs. The user-friendly interface, combined with a wide array of privacy and performance tools, makes Avira Prime a top-tier choice for both PC and Mac users.
Top Features:
- Real-time cloud-based malware detection
- Built-in VPN and password manager
- System speed and performance optimizer
- File shredder and software updater
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS)
Website: Avira
Pricing: Free
Conclusion
In conclusion, in 2025, having a good antivirus on your laptop isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity. Antivirus software helps secure your vital data, keeps your browsing safe, and makes sure your device performs properly because there are so many new risks on the internet every day. The products on our list provide strong protection along with practical added features like VPN, password managers, and performance enhancers, regardless of whether you’re using a MacBook or a Windows laptop. Select the one that best suits your requirements, then take pleasure in worry-free computing.
FAQ
1. Do I need antivirus software if I use my laptop only for basic tasks?
Yes. Even simple activities like checking email or browsing the web can expose your laptop to malware, phishing, or tracking threats. Antivirus software adds an important layer of safety.
2. Is free antivirus software enough for full protection?
Free antivirus software provides basic protection, but it often lacks advanced features like ransomware defense, identity protection, or secure browsing. For complete security, a paid version is recommended.
3. Can antivirus software slow down my laptop?
Some antivirus programs may slightly affect system performance, but most modern tools are designed to run efficiently in the background without slowing down your laptop.
