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Best Antivirus Desktop Security Software Reviews

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Antivirus desktop security software reviews

Last updated: 8 September 2026
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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE
Alex Alex
Steve Steve
Ben Ben

Computer viruses and other malware are ever-increasing threats to security and privacy. We lab test and review the latest software for Windows and Mac, including free software and Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender, to help you find the best antivirus and internet security solution for you.

Our expert testers give every program a thorough workout to help find the ones that:

  • are best at protecting you from malware
  • are the easiest to set up and use
  • have the lowest impact on your device performance.

 

Use our antivirus software buying guide to decide which type of desktop internet security program you need.

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Image of Kaspersky Free
93
Recommended

Kaspersky Free

Renewal price 0
Protection score 92
Ease of use score 93
System impact score 98
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Image of Apple macOS
67

Apple macOS

Renewal price 0
Protection score 57
Ease of use score 78
System impact score 100
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Alex

Alex Angove-Plumb worked at CHOICE from 2018 to 2024 as a technology content producer. You can find him on LinkedIn.

Alex Angove-Plumb worked at CHOICE from 2018 to 2024 as a technology content producer. You can find him on LinkedIn.

Steve

I head up the team that produces CHOICE Computer magazine and computer technology-related tests and articles for our website. I believe technology is our friend, but sometimes friends just don't get along. When that happens, people turn to me for advice. We look at all kinds of consumer tech from laptops and desktop PCs to tablets, storage drives, the NBN, wireless networking and computer accessories, plus software and online services. We also examine and explain tech-related issues such as security, privacy, copyright and much more. I remember (sometimes nostalgically) the first personal computers and have spent far too much time and money keeping up with them ever since. I've been with CHOICE since 2006 and my writing and editing background extends more than 30 years across newspapers, magazines and online, particularly in IT journalism. When not dispensing pearls of consumer-tech wisdom I'm a fan of all sorts of geeky pop-culture stuff and have bonded in a familial sense with my smartphone, tablet and yes, even my smartwatch (but the desktop computer and laptop don't get lonely either). You can find me on LinkedIn.

I head up the team that produces CHOICE Computer magazine and computer technology-related tests and articles for our website. I believe technology is our friend, but sometimes friends just don't get along. When that happens, people turn to me for advice. We look at all kinds of consumer tech from laptops and desktop PCs to tablets, storage drives, the NBN, wireless networking and computer accessories, plus software and online services. We also examine and explain tech-related issues such as security, privacy, copyright and much more. I remember (sometimes nostalgically) the first personal computers and have spent far too much time and money keeping up with them ever since. I've been with CHOICE since 2006 and my writing and editing background extends more than 30 years across newspapers, magazines and online, particularly in IT journalism. When not dispensing pearls of consumer-tech wisdom I'm a fan of all sorts of geeky pop-culture stuff and have bonded in a familial sense with my smartphone, tablet and yes, even my smartwatch (but the desktop computer and laptop don't get lonely either). You can find me on LinkedIn.

Ben

Ben worked at CHOICE for 15 years, up until 2024.He started out his career as a programmer with IBM back when mainframes with the power of a smartwatch filled a room and their water-cooling heated the whole building, and he spent 35 years there developing software and managing projects. His highlight was managing INFO, the press information system for the Sydney Olympic Games. After that, he found his way to CHOICE as a verifier. He went on to write for CHOICE about computer technology and how to use it. Ben is never far from a computer, but he likes to spend time with his children and grandchildren, mostly here in Australia but also in Portugal. He travels whenever he can, otherwise he can often be found reading science fiction and detective stories or watching similar things on TV.

Ben worked at CHOICE for 15 years, up until 2024.He started out his career as a programmer with IBM back when mainframes with the power of a smartwatch filled a room and their water-cooling heated the whole building, and he spent 35 years there developing software and managing projects. His highlight was managing INFO, the press information system for the Sydney Olympic Games. After that, he found his way to CHOICE as a verifier. He went on to write for CHOICE about computer technology and how to use it. Ben is never far from a computer, but he likes to spend time with his children and grandchildren, mostly here in Australia but also in Portugal. He travels whenever he can, otherwise he can often be found reading science fiction and detective stories or watching similar things on TV.