NeutralPickHow to choose the best antivirus for you: what to check before you buy
There is no single best antivirus. The best choice is the one that protects you well in independent tests, covers every device you use, and doesn't cost far more after the first year. This guide lists what to look up for each antivirus product you are considering, before you pay, so you can compare them in the same way.
First: check what you already have
Many computers and phones come with built-in protection from the maker of their operating system (the main software the device runs). Before you pay for anything, find out what your devices already include, make sure it is switched on, and add it to your comparison as one of the options. Check it against the same list as everything else.
Why the adverts are not enough
Antivirus adverts show the best result a product can reach. The detailed terms often say something different. For example:
- A low first-year price often renews automatically at a much higher price.
- A "security suite" (antivirus sold with other tools) may include extras, such as a VPN or identity monitoring (alerts if your personal details appear in leaked data), that you don't need, or that are limited.
- Pop-up warnings that your device is "at risk" are sometimes there to sell an upgrade.
So check the same things for every product, using recent results from independent testing labs (organisations that test many antivirus products the same way), and the product's own price and renewal pages.
Before you look at any antivirus product
Write down your answers to these four points. They decide which checks in the list matter most to you.
- Your devices. How many computers, phones and tablets, and their operating systems.
- Who uses them. Just you, family members, or children who need extra protection.
- How you use them. Online banking and shopping, downloading files, games, or mostly email and browsing.
- Your budget after the first year. The price you will pay each year after any introductory offer ends.
The checklist
The checks are in three groups. Must have means a problem here can leave you unprotected or cost you more than expected. Nice to have means it makes a real difference for many people. Optional means it only matters to some people. When you open the checklist in NeutralPick, you can move any check to a different group to match your answers above.
- Must have
- Strong results in recent independent testsHow well did it detect and block threats in the latest results from independent testing labs, and how many false alarms did it give?Labs test many products the same way, several times a year. Look at recent results, not old awards. If a product isn't in any lab's results, note that.
- Covers all your devicesDoes the plan I would buy cover every device I use, on each of their operating systems?Some plans count devices, and some features only work on some operating systems. Check the feature list for each device type.
- A renewal price you know in advanceWhat will I pay each year after the first year, does it renew automatically, and can I turn off automatic renewal?Renewal prices can be much higher than the first-year offer. Turning off automatic renewal lets you decide each year.
- Easy to cancel and removeHow do I cancel, can I get a refund within a set number of days, and does it remove itself fully when uninstalled?Some products are hard to cancel or leave software behind. The refund policy is usually on the price or terms page.
- Your data is not soldWhat data does it collect about my browsing and devices, and does the company sell or share it with others?Security software sees a lot of what you do. Read its privacy policy for selling or sharing of browsing data.
- Nice to have
- Doesn't slow your device downHow much does it slow down normal use, such as opening programs and copying files, in independent tests?Testing labs also measure slowdown. Older computers notice it more.
- No sales pop-upsDoes it show adverts or warnings meant to sell upgrades, and can they be turned off?Frequent upgrade messages are annoying and can make it hard to tell a real warning from a sales message.
- Warns about dangerous websites and emailsDoes it warn me about fake websites and dangerous links in my browser and email?Many attacks start with a fake website or link, not a file. Check which browsers it supports.
- Controls for children, if neededDoes it include controls for children's devices, and do they cost extra?Only matters with children at home. Your devices may already have free built-in controls.
- Help when something goes wrongHow can I get help (chat, email or phone), in my language, and is it included in the price?Matters most if you are not confident with computers.
- Optional
- Extras you will actually useWhich extras are included, such as a VPN, password manager or backup, and what are their limits?Extras often have limits, such as a small amount of data. Compare them with separate products before counting them as a reason to buy.
The button opens this checklist in NeutralPick. There you can:
- Remove the checks that don't matter to you, add your own, and move checks between groups.
- Add each antivirus product you are considering.
- For each antivirus product, fill in what you found on its website, its price and renewal pages, and recent independent test results.
- See every antivirus product side by side.
Want to see what a finished comparison looks like first? See an example comparison with three made-up antivirus products.
Claims to look at carefully
Adverts and product pages often describe the points below in vague terms. When you see one, look for the specific information shown here. If you cannot find it, assume the answer is "no" or "only partly".
- "100% protection". No product catches everything. Look for recent results from independent testing labs.
- A large discount. Look for the price after the first year, and whether it renews automatically.
- "Includes a VPN". Look for limits on data or features, and compare it with a separate VPN.
- Warnings that your device is "at risk". If the warning appears on a website in your browser, treat it as a scam: close the page, and don't call any number or install anything it suggests. If it comes from software you installed, check whether it names a real threat or only offers an upgrade.
What to do with what you found
- Put all the options side by side, including the protection your devices already have.
- Look at the Must have checks first. If one gets a No on one of your must-haves, remove it, however good the rest looks. Look closely at any Partial.
- If you buy, write down the renewal date and price, and decide whether to turn off automatic renewal.
- Don't run two antivirus products at the same time unless their makers say they work together. Whatever you choose, keep your devices and apps updated. Updates fix many of the weaknesses that attacks use.
Why use NeutralPick to compare antivirus products
- The same checks for every antivirus product. You fill in the same checklist for each antivirus product you are considering, so you compare them in the same way.
- Everything in one table. You see every antivirus product side by side, check by check, instead of switching between shop pages and notes.
- Nobody can pay to influence it. There are no adverts, no paid placements and no "featured" products. No maker or shop can pay to be shown to you or placed higher.
- Free, with no account. You don't need to sign up or pay anything.