The Best Anti-Ransomware Software Of 2024

Compare & Find The Best Ransomware Removal Software

Few things are as terrifying as coming home to a message on your desktop informing you that all of your files have been encrypted. This is how ransomware works. It encrypts your files, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid in cryptocurrency in exchange for a decryption key. Unfortunately, not all antivirus programs feature dedicated anti-ransomware tools; however, the best solutions in our Antivirus Guide do.

What’s The Best Antivirus Solution?

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:

28 April 2024
1
Best Antivirus
Bitdefender
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

30 Days Money Back Guarantee

9.8

9.8

Best Antivirus

Visit Bitdefender

Website available in English

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$

Save 82%

2
Norton
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

9.2

9.2

Excellent

Visit Norton

Website available in English

High-accuracy, low-impact antivirus solution with online backup capabilities

Price: 120$

Save 82%

3
TotalAV
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

9.0

9.0

Very Good

Visit TotalAV

Website available in English

Award-winning antivirus solution featuring privacy & performance tools for all your devices

Price: 120$

Save 82%

4
McAfee
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

8.9

8.9

Very Good

Visit McAfee

Website available in English

Highly accurate security solution for computers and mobile devices

Price: 120$

Save 82%

5
Panda
Detailed Information

Compatibility:

8.5

8.5

Very Good

Visit Panda

Website available in English

Powerful security protects you from numerous forms of online and offline danger

Price: 120$

Save 82%

See All

Compare The Best Antivirus Software

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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

9.8

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Excellent

Visit Site

9.2

Excellent

Good

Excellent

Good

Visit Site

9.0

Excellent

Excellent

Good

Good

Visit Site

8.9

Good

Good

Good

Fair

Visit Site

8.5

Fair

Good

Good

Good

Visit Site

Why You Should Trust Us

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.

Finding The Best Antivirus

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.

The Right Price

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.

Why Should You Buy The Best Anti-Ransomware Software?

Free security programs may do a decent job, but none feature dedicated ransomware protection. In addition to an enhanced security system, a paid antivirus solution will ensure your files remain safe from encryption. These solutions block ransomware the moment it’s detected. In many cases, these solutions will even back up your files in preparation for the worst.

Regardless of how you look at it, a paid antivirus solution will always provide better protection from all threats, including ransomware, compared to basic packages. You’ll be able to log into your accounts and pay your bills online safely, knowing that your private information won't be stolen. Furthermore, if ransomware is your biggest concern, our top antivirus solutions will lay your fears to rest with their advanced prevention mechanisms designed to detect and block encryption attempts.

You don't have to click on something suspicious to get a virus infection anymore. Nowadays, a malicious application can find its way onto your system and infect your personal files without relying on your lack of attention. Fortunately, modern security programs can detect such intrusions and put an end to them before anything bad happens to your system. In the case of ransomware, antivirus software can prevent file encryption by default. The best part is that everything happens in the background without requiring your input so that you can go about your daily routine without interruption.

You don't have to pay a premium rate to get the best ransomware protection. Thankfully, the solutions that include this feature are quite affordable. Simply take a look at the products in our guide, and we guarantee you’ll find the solution that’s right for you. We’ve got it all, from basic airtight security systems to top-rated solutions designed to block all forms of corruption, spying, and data encryption.

A solid antivirus program with adequate ransomware protection is worth paying a little extra for. This is especially true when you consider the additional features included in some antivirus packages. If you shop online or store sensitive documents on your computer, then you need to take a look at our top anti-ransomware software.

Choosing The Best Anti-Ransomware Software

An antivirus program with the best ransomware protection doesn't have to be expensive. You should always make your decision based on what a solution can do for you and what particular problems it can solve. However, before you decide, don’t overlook a program's baseline protection capabilities. The last thing you want is a program with top-notch secondary features combined with faulty antivirus capabilities. Make sure the program you choose includes real-time behavior analysis, which is the latest trend for blocking new threats that haven't been added to the virus definitions database.

Once you’re sure your product is capable of basic antivirus protection, it’s time to begin looking at the features that make it unique. Ask yourself what you need to protect and how. Always be on the lookout for a product that addresses these needs. For example, if ransomware is your biggest concern, then an antivirus package that includes dedicated anti-ransomware tools should be on your shortlist. In addition, these products include other security features that you probably didn’t know existed but will find quite useful. Protection for an entire Wi-Fi network, parental controls, and smart network diagnostics are just a few examples.

Each antivirus package was created with specific user groups in mind. Still, you don't really need to adhere to this, especially if you find a good deal on a particular package. Normally, a basic package is intended for single users, couples, or students who don't need much more than basic protection, along with an extra feature or two. Mid-range packages are typically intended for family use and are the most convenient as they offer protection for a large number of devices. They also tend to include plenty of security features, as well. High-end antivirus packages are the most expensive as they include everything developers have to offer to ensure your system remains as secure as possible.

Always make your choice based on your particular needs. It doesn't matter if a package is intended for family use as long as you get the best ransomware protection. It may cost you slightly more, but having a solution that includes a web advisory that warns you of dubious websites and allows you to make safe online bank transactions is worth the extra cost. Keep in mind, there are many examples of antivirus packages that offer specialized tools for a reasonable price. Look closely and keep your eyes peeled for special offers.

Sure, a robust antivirus solution complete with reliable protection against ransomware that’s also affordable may sound tempting, but that’s only part of it. Did I mention that these solutions don’t even affect computer performance? That’s right, modern antivirus programs don’t affect performance like they used to. Some barely leave a mark at all. Although the average scan time is roughly 40 minutes, you won't experience any lagging. Feel free to continue working, streaming videos, or playing games while your solution scans away in the background.

The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack is a reminder that proper protection is not something to be overlooked. The latest threats on the Internet can have dire consequences on your life. Thankfully, all of this can be avoided with the right solution. Our antivirus picks will provide you with the tools, but it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Transparency Disclosure

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.