Today a computer stores a huge part of our digital life: documents, photos, passwords, email, work data and access to online services. That is why simply talking about “antivirus” is no longer enough: effective security comes from several layers of protection working together.
Prices checked on 9 September 2026. Promotions can change, and renewal prices may be very different from first-year prices. Always check the latest terms on the vendor’s website before purchasing.
Before antivirus: good security habits
An antivirus matters, but it cannot compensate for an unpatched system or risky behaviour. The essentials are simple:
- keep Windows, browsers and applications updated;
- use strong, unique passwords, ideally with a password manager;
- enable multi-factor authentication on important accounts;
- be suspicious of unexpected links and attachments;
- install software only from trusted sources;
- keep a separate backup of important files;
- check that antivirus and firewall protection are actually enabled.
Microsoft explains that Windows Security integrates Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Windows Firewall and other real-time protections. Cybersecurity awareness guidance also consistently emphasises updates, strong passwords, MFA and phishing awareness.
Backup is part of security
Antivirus tries to prevent an infection; backup helps you recover when something has already gone wrong. Ransomware, drive failure, accidental deletion and theft are different events, but a recent backup can dramatically reduce the impact of all of them.
How we compared the products
To avoid a ranking based only on vendor claims, we compared official prices and features with the latest independent test results available. In AV-TEST’s May-June 2026 Windows 11 test, Avast Free Antivirus, Bitdefender Total Security, ESET Security Ultimate and Norton 360 achieved the maximum 18/18; Microsoft Defender scored 17.5/18 and Trend Micro Internet Security 17/18.
In AV-Comparatives’ February-May 2026 Real-World Protection Test, based on 400 test cases, Bitdefender achieved 99.5% protection, Avast and Norton 99.3%, Microsoft Defender 99.0%, ESET 98.5% and Trend Micro 98.3%. These figures should be considered together with false positives rather than treated as an absolute ranking.
Bitdefender Total Security
Price checked: €49.98 for the first year, 5 devices.
Probably the most balanced option in this comparison: cross-platform protection, password manager, data-breach monitoring, ransomware protection and a standard VPN with 200 MB per day per device. It achieved 6/6 for protection, performance and usability in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test.
Best suited to: users who want a complete suite without moving into the highest price tier.
Norton 360 Deluxe
Price checked: €34.99 for the first year, 5 devices. Norton lists the renewal price as €109.99 per year.
Norton focuses on an all-in-one package: antivirus, VPN, Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring, parental controls and 50 GB of cloud backup. It scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test.
Best suited to: families and users who want antivirus, VPN and backup under one subscription. The renewal price deserves attention.
ESET HOME Security Essential
Price checked: €47.99 for 3 devices for one year.
ESET is a strong choice for users who value unobtrusive software. Essential includes real-time antivirus, ransomware and phishing protection, payment protection and Wi-Fi security. ESET Security Ultimate scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test, while HOME Security Essential achieved 98.5% in AV-Comparatives’ real-world test.
Best suited to: users who value lightness, control and simplicity.
Avast Premium Security
Price checked: €39.99 for the first year for 1 PC plus 1 mobile device; €50.04 for the first year for up to 10 devices. Listed renewals are €72.99 and €99.99 per year respectively.
Avast also offers a free option. Avast Free Antivirus itself scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test, while Avast reached 99.3% in AV-Comparatives’ real-world test.
Best suited to: users who want to start free and decide later whether premium features are worthwhile.
Microsoft Defender: do you really need to buy another antivirus?
Price: no additional cost on supported Windows versions.
Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Firewall and other protections. Microsoft also notes that Defender Antivirus automatically disables itself when an active third-party antivirus is installed.
In AV-TEST’s June 2026 test Defender scored 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance and 6/6 for usability: 17.5/18. In AV-Comparatives’ real-world test it reached 99.0%.
For a careful user with an updated system, MFA and backups, Defender can already be a perfectly sensible choice. Commercial suites become more attractive when you need extras such as VPN, password management, parental controls, cloud backup or multi-device management.
Trend Micro Maximum Security
Price checked: €59.95 for the first year, 5 devices; listed non-discounted price €79.95.
It includes ransomware and phishing protection, PayGuard, parental controls, social-media privacy tools and multi-platform protection. Trend Micro Internet Security scored 17/18 in AV-TEST’s June 2026 test and 98.3% in the AV-Comparatives real-world test.
Best suited to: users who want a feature-rich suite with dedicated tools for online payments and privacy.
Which one would we choose?
There is no single best antivirus for everyone. In short:
- Bitdefender Total Security: best overall balance of protection, features and price;
- Norton 360 Deluxe: very complete, especially for families, but watch the renewal price;
- ESET: excellent for users who value lightness and control;
- Avast: attractive if you also want a free option;
- Microsoft Defender: already a valid solution for many careful Windows users;
- Trend Micro: a good full suite with specific transaction and privacy tools.
The best security is layered security
The dangerous mistake is thinking: “I have antivirus, so I can click anything.” No product removes all risk.
The strongest practical protection combines updates + antivirus + firewall + strong passwords + MFA + phishing awareness + backup. Antivirus is an important safety net, but the user’s behaviour is often the final line of defence.
Sources and tests
- AV-TEST — Windows 11, May-June 2026
- AV-Comparatives — Real-World Protection Test, February-May 2026
- Microsoft — Windows Security
- Prices and features: official vendor pages, checked on 9 September 2026.