★☆☆☆☆
Both Norton and McAfee suffer from aggressive marketing tactics, bundling their software on new PCs, making it hard to uninstall, and pushing expensive subscriptions. Their scareware-like behavior earns them a low rating.
★★★☆☆
Avast and AVG offer decent malware protection, but their involvement in the Jumpshot data-selling scandal raises serious security concerns. While free versions are available, they come with frequent upgrade prompts. Visit Avast | Visit AVG
★★★★☆
Panda Security offers excellent malware detection rates and uses a cloud-based system, which keeps your PC running smoothly. However, its reliance on AI can lead to false positives. Visit Panda Security
★★★★★
Malwarebytes is an excellent choice for malware removal, with a focus on simplicity and effectiveness. It works well alongside other antiviruses and excels at removing ransomware, adware, and spyware. The free version is great for on-demand scans, while the premium version offers real-time protection. Visit Malwarebytes
★★★★★
Bitdefender is one of the top choices for antivirus protection, offering exceptional malware detection rates, advanced features, and minimal impact on system performance. It includes a built-in VPN, anti-tracker tools, and parental controls. Visit Bitdefender
★☆☆☆☆
Gridinsoft Antivirus behaves more like a modern rogue antivirus. It pressures users to pay for a subscription, provides poor malware detection rates, and has terrible customer support. Users have reported issues such as false advertising, broken features, and shady partnerships. Avoid this software at all costs.