Rating
Spyware doesn't cause actual damage to a system, but it does collect your personal information and send it to shady operators. Fortunately, antivirus software can handle spyware without issue. We can help you find the solution that suits your needs best. Comparing and finding the best anti-spyware software isn’t hard, especially if you follow our guide.
Bitdefender, the antivirus brand trusted by 500 million-plus users across 150 countries, is one of the world's leading providers of consumer cybersecurity products and a pioneer in antivirus protection. This brand has won multiple antivirus awards from leading online test laboratories, including AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, PCMag, and The Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization.
Updated on:
11 September 2024Compatibility:
Rated #1 best antivirus software of 2024. Provides excellent virus protection, includes an extensive list of great features, and has minimal impact on system performance.
Price: 120$
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High-accuracy, low-impact antivirus solution with online backup capabilities
Price: 120$
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Award-winning antivirus solution featuring privacy & performance tools for all your devices
Price: 120$
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Powerful security protects you from numerous forms of online and offline danger
Price: 120$
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Privacy-focused antivirus combines the power of real-time scanning with cloud protection and other comprehensive security features.
Price: 120$
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Highly accurate security solution for computers and mobile devices
Price: 120$
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Highly effective, low-impact, and affordable antivirus solution
Price: 120$
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Award-winning premium antivirus solution suitable for all devices
Price: 120$
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Smart, fast, and reliable antivirus solution with limited impact on system performance
Price: 120$
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Well-balanced security solution with powerful antivirus capabilities
Price: 120$
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Rating
Detection Capabilities
System performance
Features
Value For The Money
Protection
Real-Time Protection
Removes Malware
Removes Spyware
Removes Adware
Dedicated Ransomware Protection
Anti-Phishing
Anti-Fraud
Rescue Mode
Features
VPN
Safe Online Banking
Webcam Protection
Parental Advisor
Vulnerability Scanner
Firewall
Quiet Mode
Social Network Protection
Password Manager
Anti-Theft
Data Shredder
Battery Mode
Support
Phone Support
Live Chat
Compatibility
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
iOS
One of the most critical factors when choosing the antivirus solution that’s right for you is who you should trust. With so many fly-by scams and fake review websites across the web, finding a trustworthy and reliable source can be difficult. Unfortunately, most of the teams behind the online antivirus review websites have never actually installed or tested any of the products they recommend. And who wants to purchase an antivirus solution from a Top 10 software list compiled by a team of fake researchers?
Keeping true to our original goal of becoming the most trusted and respected buyer’s guide for antivirus software, we wanted to do things differently right from the get-go. Rather than compiling a quick Top 10 list consisting of the latest best-paying antivirus affiliate programs, we began by researching the market and identifying the most reputable antivirus solution providers. We decided only to include established brands with proven track records in excellence combined with industry-wide recognition. After purchasing a premium package from each brand, we began researching online, benchmarking each product using a proprietary scoring system (more about this in our blog).
But who are we? We are a team of experts specializing in software testing and reviewing with a combined experience of over 30 years. We aim to take an entirely new approach to the world of antivirus software reviewing based on integrity, trust, and transparency.
We’ve spent hours researching the most reputable antivirus testing labs, compiling all the virus and malware detection data we could find. AV Comparatives and AV Test have proven to be reliable sources, but our research didn’t stop there. We’ve also studies countless white papers and articles published by groups and institutions like The Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization, PcMag, Google's Project Zero, Ars Technica, to name just a few. This approach allowed us to identify the key technical components and requirements of antivirus software and attribute a detection score to each solution.
While a solution’s detection capability plays a significant role, there is still much more to consider when selecting the best antivirus solution. Other important factors that need to be considered include software features, ease of use, and system performance. We set out to test these factors on the various PCs and Macs located in our office. After settling on a list of features to analyze and agreeing on a scoring system for each function, we installed the individual antivirus solutions. The testing process proved to be more time-consuming than expected, but eventually, we could harvest some interesting insights when comparing products. (Some of these insights will be featured in our blog over the following weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out.) Eventually, our scoring table was ready. But we still needed to consider another factor — pricing.
It’s not uncommon for a fully-stocked antivirus solution with premium features to come with a hefty price tag. Some companies will even include “exotic features” in an attempt to justify a higher sales price. The question is, are all of those extra features even worth the extra cost? Along with highly sought-after detection capabilities, we’ve agreed to only consider the must-have features included in each package, including usability, system performance, and the total price. Throughout the research phase, we realized that a handful of virus protection packages that were swimming in exotic features were actually highly overpriced.
Most antivirus companies offer significant discounts, but unfortunately, they’re not visible when visiting the websites directly. As some prices may drop as low as 50% off (for various reasons), the dynamics of selecting the best antivirus solution constantly fluctuate. Who wouldn't want a solution with the same must-have features as a competing brand but for half the cost? By partnering with various affiliate programs, we can provide direct links to antivirus offers at discounted prices. We’ve taken these prices into account when compiling our antivirus software lists to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right solution to protect your digital footprint.
Your first instinct is probably to go with the nearest free antivirus solution and put your troubles behind you. However, if you take a few minutes to read over our reviews, you’ll quickly realize that a paid solution is the way to go. Premium solutions offer much more protection against various forms of spyware — this will make you feel much safer while surfing the web. Sure, you may get adequate protection with a free solution, but you can get a near-impenetrable security system with a paid one.
There are many situations in which a paid antivirus solution can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind. If privacy is a big concern, then you’ll be happy to know that premium antivirus solutions prevent malicious programs from spying on you and sending your private data to hackers and others with insidious intent. Furthermore, safe online banking is guaranteed with a premium solution. This will make you feel much more at ease every time you input your credit card details to make online purchases.
If you’re currently relying on nothing more than your common sense to protect your system from viruses, then you may be headed for a nasty surprise. There’s really only one way of telling if something malicious is lurking on your device. With a proper defense system in place, you won’t have to worry about hackers, identity theft, or stolen and encrypted files. A premium antivirus solution will identify and eliminate threats without interruption.
There’s no need to spend an arm and a leg, even if you’re interested in the best antivirus solution. There are many solutions available that are suitable for a range of purposes and budgets. With our guide, you can find anti-spyware software that satisfies much more than the basics, all for an affordable price. In addition to spyware defense, you’ll be shielded from all sorts of threats, including viruses, worms, and dodgy websites.
It doesn't have to cost that much to have a reliable security system protecting your computer, especially with all of the deals developers include. It's hard to disagree with the price once you’ve taken a good look at what these packages include. With an anti-spyware solution, you won’t have to worry that someone is watching every time you input your banking details. Take that piece of tape off of your webcam's lens — no one is watching anymore.
The best spyware removal program is not the most expensive product but rather the one that suits your needs most. You’ll want some baseline protection against malicious software, so be sure to look for a solution that features real-time monitoring and behavior analysis capabilities. These features can shield your system from threats that haven't even been documented yet. Only the best anti-spyware solutions include these features, so if the solution you’re interested in doesn’t, then be sure to keep looking.
Each spyware protection program is unique, including its own set of features in addition to basic protection. When choosing the solution that’s right for you, you need to determine your greatest vulnerabilities first. You may be interested in a solution that’s geared toward online security and safe banking. Or, perhaps you wish to shield your children from the dangers of the Internet, etc. Suppose you have a large number of smart devices in your home. In this case, consider a solution with network diagnostics capabilities that detects and plugs potential vulnerabilities and prevents your neighbors from leeching off your Wi-Fi signal.
All spyware protection products feature several package options that all include unique, specialized tools. Be sure to take a close look at what each package has to offer and make your decision based on the relevant features, as these packages are often designed for various purposes. A basic package is a good choice if you're a single user looking for some standard protection, complete with one or two extra features. A mid-range package is a good deal, especially if you're interested in securing all of the devices in your household. These packages also often include parental control features to protect children from harmful online content. The high-end packages are always the most expensive — and for good reason. They include advanced backup features designed to ensure all of your private documents remain safe from hackers and cyber thieves.
Look for a balance between price and the number of features when choosing the best anti-spyware solution. A good package should include a web advisor feature to protect you from phishing websites and online scams. Safe online banking features are also worth having, as well as webcam protection and anti-keylogging capabilities. These features will allow you to log into your accounts and shop online safely without having to worry that your information could be stolen.
Keep an eye out for performance when comparing the best anti-spyware software. You don't want to bring your system to a crawl by installing a third-rate security solution. The top antivirus and spyware removal tools will barely have an impact on your computer's performance. You won't experience any lagging with one running in the background. You may be tempted to go with a solution that completes scans quickly. Just remember, speed comes at the cost of performance. An average scan time of 40 minutes is common for most antivirus programs. This may sound like a lot of time, but the good news is it won’t have a significant impact on your computer’s performance. Feel free to work or stream videos in 4k, without interruption, while scans are being performed.
Spyware is one of the biggest threats lurking on the Internet. It can lead to anything from stolen passwords to leaked credit card details and even identity theft. However, modern antivirus programs come with all of the anti-spyware tools required to protect you and your devices. Complete with regular updates and expert technical support, these solutions go above and beyond.
The reviews, classifications, and content presented on AntivirusGuide.com represent the informed opinions of our reviewers. Our mission is simple: to help our visitors choose the antivirus solution that’s right for them. Our company receives monetary compensation when users buy the products that we recommend by clicking the links featured on our website, AntivirusGuide. Our editorial team puts countless hours of effort into providing accurate information regardless of the amount of monetary compensation received from affiliate links.