Best antivirus software for Windows 11 in 2026

The internet can be a dangerous place, and choosing the right antivirus is harder than it looks. Windows Security comes free with every Windows PC and is solid, while Bitdefender offers a fully loaded suite — a subscription costs $60 for a full year. After expert testing of multiple Windows antivirus programs, Malwarebytes emerges as the top pick.

It combines reliable malware, virus and phishing protection with a simple interface; the free version handles on-demand scans and digital footprint checks, while the paid tier adds real-time protection, scheduled scans, Trusted Advisor recommendations and the Browser Guard extension.

A 14-day trial is available, and the product is aimed at users who want straightforward, set-it-and-forget-it protection, though its mobile apps are less robust than the desktop client. Norton 360 Deluxe is offered as an alternative to Malwarebytes, delivering antivirus, antimalware, ransomware and anti-hacking tools plus extras such as a password manager, Dark Web monitoring and 50GB of cloud backup.