Looking for the top antivirus for Windows 11? After extensive rounds of testing, we’ve listed the best antivirus solutions for Windows 11 that you can get started with right away!
Keeping your devices safe from malware is no easy feat, regardless of Windows’ increased security in recent years. If you want to find a good antivirus for Windows 11, you’re best off with our #1 pick: Norton 360.
Which Antivirus is Best for Windows 11?
If you don’t know where to start with selecting an antivirus solution for Windows 11, we’re here to help you out. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and tested 20+ antivirus programs to find you the best recommendations.
Here’s our top 5 best antivirus software for Windows 11:
- Norton 360: Best antivirus for Windows 11 overall
- Bitdefender Plus: Simple and effective Windows 11 antivirus
- Surfshark One: Combine antivirus with top-notch VPN
- TotalAV: Budget-friendly antivirus for Windows 11
- Malwarebytes Premium: Windows 11 antivirus with free plan
Below, you can find more detailed reviews, as well as a comparative overview of the most important features you’ll want in an antivirus solution.
With an advanced firewall, built-in VPN, and password manager, you get a fantastic security suite with Norton 360 that offers full protection. Visit Norton 360 if you wish to have a look for yourself!
Do I Really Need Antivirus Software With Windows 11?
Yes, you need a reliable antivirus solution for Windows 11. Despite the fact that Windows Security does a pretty decent job of keeping common forms of malware at bay, it doesn’t offer full coverage.
From our own experience, we know that Microsoft Defender is not 100% fool-proof, which is why we recommend investing in a separate antivirus solution.
The best antivirus for Windows 11 protects you against sophisticated attacks and risky, virus-ridden websites that are otherwise difficult to detect. This includes phishing sites that look legitimate.
On top of that, antivirus programs can offer additional features that Microsoft Defender doesn’t provide, including:
- Ad blockers for pesky online advertisements
- Parental filters (or even location monitoring tools)
- Access to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to browse the web privately
- Online banking protection
- Identity theft protection
Best Antivirus for Windows 11: Test Results
Choosing the right antivirus for your Windows 11 system, is no easy feat. We’ve listed the most important things you need to know about each provider below.
1. Norton 360: Best antivirus for Windows 11 overall
Key features:
- Advanced firewall against malware
- Comes with a built-in, though basic, VPN
- Use Norton’s password manager to keep your data safe
- Awarded Advanced+ Malware Protection and Advanced+ Performance awards
Norton has received some of the highest possible accolades from independent testing labs like AV-Comparatives and SeaLabs. It’s no surprise, then, that this antivirus solution is our overall #1 pick for Windows 11.
With Norton 360, you’re guaranteed a user-friendly experience. The program doesn’t impact your system too much. More importantly — with a wide range of security features, you won’t have to worry about digital threats.
Norton stands apart from other antivirus programs thanks to the fact that it bundles different security features: keep yourself protected against DNS spoofing with the Smart Firewall, use the unlimited password manager to store your credentials, and use the Norton VPN to browse safely.
You can get Norton 360 Standard for $39,99 in your first year. There’s a 7-day free trial you can make use of, as well as a 60-day money-back-guarantee, to see if Norton 360 fits your needs!
Read more about this provider’s performance in our extensive Norton 360 review.
2. Bitdefender Plus: Simple and effective Windows 11 antivirus
Key features:
- Browser extension for web protection
- User-friendly interface: quickly launch virus scans
- Premium bonus features incl. ransomware protection
- Parental control available for improved child safety
Bitdefender is a great choice for Windows 11. It offers reliable real-time protection (Bitdefender Shield), a password manager, a free VPN service, and ransomware remediation. The top feature, though, is the Advanced Threat Defense tool which monitors apps and devices for suspicious behaviors.
When testing Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, we were happy to find that it’s compatible with all major operating systems. On Windows 11, we found the app easy to use and navigate.
With plans starting at $19,99/year, Bitdefender Plus is also a very affordable antivirus option! There’s even a free version available, which doesn’t have that many features but still offers decent support.
Make use of Bitdefender’s 30-day free trial to try it for yourself! In our Bitdefender review, you can read more about how this antivirus solution fared in our testing.
3. Surfshark One: Combine antivirus with top-notch VPN
Key features:
- Bundles industry-leading VPN with antivirus
- Fantastic detection rate for identifying malware
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Privacy-focused antivirus solution, though not very feature-rich
Surfshark Antivirus offers secure protection for Windows 11. Not only do you have access to very solid malware protection features, you can also use Surfshark VPN — one of the best VPNs in the industry! Thanks to the top-end VPN, encrypted browsing is unlike anything else with Surfshark.
While Surfshark One is not as feature-rich as other antivirus providers, it monitors your device for suspicious activity and is able to detect malware easily. You can also find webcam protection and a private search engine to block trackers when browsing.
We also commend Surfshark for its privacy-conscious approach to data. Thanks to its RAM-only servers, your data is never stored anywhere. In this sense, Surfshark One Antivirus has a solid “zero-logs” policy.
Read more about Surfshark One in our Surfshark Antivirus review. One downside about Surfshark One is that it doesn’t offer a free trial for Windows, only for Android, iOS and macOS. However, all plans are covered by a 30-day money-back-guarantee.
4. TotalAV: Budget-friendly antivirus for Windows 11
Key features:
- 100% effective against malware (AV-TEST)
- Fantastic pricing, plans starting at $19.00/year
- Comes with a secure password manager
- Also has a Safe Browsing VPN.
If you’re looking for a great, cheap antivirus for Windows 11, look no further. TotalAV can handle a wide range of cyberthreats and offers fantastic additional features, including a VPN and a password manager. There’s also a free plan available.
The free version of TotalAV lacks real-time antivirus protection, but the premium version will keep your devices safe from malware and protected against phishing attacks. Thanks to the regular checks of the Smart Scan feature, you don’t need to worry about threats.
Unfortunately, TotalAV doesn’t have too many customer support options. Scans are also slower than the likes of Norton 360, but you still get a very solid Windows 11 antivirus program for a decent price!
To see how TotalAV compares to our other recommendations, have a look at our full TotalAV antivirus review.
5. Malwarebytes Premium: Windows 11 antivirus with free plan
Key features:
- Has a free plan available with various scanning options
- Premium real-time protection to block malware
- Monitors apps for vulnerabilities
- Effective, easy-to-use dashboard and interface
Finally, we want to recommend Malwarebytes for Windows 11. This is a decent alternative to Microsoft Defender, though users should keep in mind that the free plan lacks some key features.
If you’re willing to pay, however, Malwarebytes will surely keep you safe online. You can run Threat scans (memory, startup, registry, and files), Quick scans (memory and startup) and Custom scans (the entire drive or specific folders of your choosing).
There’s an antivirus web extension you can install, called Browser Guard, which we found to be particularly useful in blocking malicious sites. The Premium Plus plan includes Privacy VPN.
You can secure three devices for $38.24/year. This is on the pricier end in comparison to some of our other recommendations. There is a 14-day free trial for Windows and a 60-day money-back-guarantee to try the service risk free!
You can read more about Malwarebytes Premium in our full Malwarebytes Antivirus review.
The Best Antivirus for Windows 11 Compared
To see how each of our recommended antivirus software solutions for Windows 11 compare, have a look at the table below.
| Feature | 1. Norton 360 | 2. Bitdefender | 3. Surfshark One | 4. TotalAV | 5. Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score (AV-Comparatives) | 99.4% | 99.6% | not available | 98.2% | not available |
| Price | $39.99/year | $19.99/year | $32,28/year | $19.00/year | $38.24/year |
| Windows app | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Free version | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Real-time protection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Firewall | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Password manager | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| VPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Honorable Mention: Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender)
Microsoft Defender, formerly known as Windows Defender, is the free, built-in antivirus solution for Windows operating systems. It’s part of Windows Security, which is available on Windows 11.
It offers real-time alerts, a firewall, and network protection. On top of that, it’s very easy to use and offers different scan options. But is it enough to keep your devices safe? Unfortunately, no.
Despite its user-friendly features, Microsoft Defender is not capable of protecting you against serious cyber threats. Occasionally, malicious files and unwanted apps will slip through the cracks.
We recommend Microsoft Defender as a bare-bones option to keep your devices’ security up-to-standard. However, a premium option like Norton 360 easily outshines it, both in terms of features as well as offered protection.
Best Antivirus Windows 11: Selection Process
In order to select the best antivirus solutions for Windows 11, we tested 20+ providers extensively. This included quick scans, as well as full scans, on different device types.
Here are the factors we paid specific attention to:
- Performance (in-house testing): In the first place, we performed comprehensive antivirus tests, while Windows 11 was fully enabled. This includes reviewing real-time detection, visiting malicious sites, and using the antivirus program on various devices. We also looked at the antivirus solution’s impact on our systems.
- Security features: In order to provide the best recommendations for Windows 11, we compared each solution’s security features, to see what sets them apart.
- Customer service: Of course, you should be able to get support, should you run into any issues. The best antivirus software for Windows 11 includes 24/7 support, which is something that Microsoft Defender lacks.
- Independent audits: Trusted antivirus providers allow independent audits from testing labs like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. In thorough tests, the security of antivirus solutions is verified, which is a solid stamp of approval.
How do I Run Antivirus on Windows 11?
Windows 11 has its own antivirus solution called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. There are different types of scans you can run to keep your Windows system protected against threats.
Here’s how to run a quick scan in Windows Security:
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and Virus & threat protection.
- Under Current threats, you can choose a Quick scan to scan your system.
Here’s how to run an advanced scan:
- Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and Virus & threat protection.
- Under Current threats, select Scan options.
- Choose between a Full scan, Custom scan or Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
- Select Scan now.
How can I prevent my antivirus from slowing down my computer?
Your antivirus is likely to slow down your system to a certain extent. How badly your computer is affected depends on how old your computer is, how much memory the antivirus solution uses, what operating system you have, and various other factors.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent your antivirus from slowing down your computer too much:
- Run a full scan to get rid of any malware that might be slowing down your system.
- Close all unnecessary programs.
- Update your software to the latest version.
- Disable any other antivirus programs that might be competing.
Recap: Best Internet Security for Windows 11
If you want to improve the security of your Windows 11 operating system, we recommend getting a good antivirus solution for Windows 11. Our round-up of the best antivirus programs include the following:
- Norton 360: Best antivirus for Windows 11 overall
- Bitdefender Plus: Simple and effective Windows 11 antivirus
- Surfshark One: Combine antivirus with top-notch VPN
- TotalAV: Budget-friendly antivirus for Windows 11
- Malwarebytes Premium: Windows 11 antivirus with free plan
Most of these providers have a free trial for Windows or a free version available, so you can take your time finding the best antivirus option for you!
For more of our recommendations, consider these related articles:
- The Best Free Antivirus Software: Our Top 6
- What is Antivirus Software and How Does it Work?
- The Best Antivirus With VPN: The Definitive Guide
Do you have any questions about what antivirus solution to choose for your Windows 11 system? Have a look at our FAQ below for some quick answers!
Yes, your Windows 11 will be a lot more secure with an antivirus solution. While Microsoft Defender does a good job of keeping basic threats away, an antivirus solution can protect you against more advanced (and dangerous!) threats.
The best antivirus for Windows 11 is Norton 360, which has a 99.4% detection rate (AV-Comparatives), a built-in VPN, a password manager, and a wide set of security features to optimize your Windows 11 system.
Windows 11 has a built-in antivirus scanner: Microsoft Defender. For more advanced protection, however, you’re going to need to invest in a separate antivirus solution.
You might suspect your Windows 11 operating system has a virus if performance is slow or below par. To verify, run a Quick scan via Microsoft Defender and see if anything gets detected.
