Best Antivirus 2026: A Tight Race, but Two Providers Lead the Pack
Our devices contain important files for our careers, hobbies and personal connections. CNET’s latest antivirus survey shows that over half (54%) of laptop owners have encountered potential malware on their personal laptop over the past 12 months. The best antivirus tools protect you by scanning files before you download them, as well as detecting potential threats already on your devices. While built-in antivirus protection on Windows and Mac computers can be solid, third-party antivirus options may give you nifty security benefits, like parental controls, scam detection and identity monitoring services. I retested our top antivirus picks in 2026 to assess their protection, performance and value to help you find the best antivirus for your needs.
Our Picks
Bottom Line
Bitdefender was our Editors’ Choice for best antivirus in 2025 and again in 2026 (tied with Malwarebytes) thanks to its intuitive navigation, ...
Pros & Cons
- Antivirus uses minimal CPU power...
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