All Windows devices need to be protected from malware like viruses, spyware, trojans, and bots using antivirus software. However, malware is only one of many cybersecurity risks businesses face. Criminals also breach company systems using techniques like phishing, malicious websites, and compromised cloud applications.
Business antivirus providers often include more comprehensive endpoint protection capabilities to help companies mitigate more advanced threats. This article compares the six best antivirus software options for Windows 10 and 11 based on core features, pricing, and safety.
Each antivirus option on this list provides malware protection for endpoints (e.g., laptops and desktops), but they’re all capable of much more, including intrusion prevention and protection from unauthorized peripheral devices like USB flash drives. For the purposes of this comparison, I used the list pricing for a year of service for 10 endpoint devices.
Bitdefender is beloved for its free antivirus software, but its business offerings also deliver exceptional value. The GravityZone platform offers advanced endpoint protection from ransomware, malicious PowerShell commands, phishing sites, and real-time exploits in common applications like browsers, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Reader.
SEE: How to Run a Cybersecurity Risk Assessment in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)
Upgraded plans also get features like web control and filtering, attack forensics and visualizations, and a sandbox to provide a safe environment to test suspicious files or scripts.
Bitdefender offers a comprehensive suite of security features at prices that are affordable for most businesses. It has a positive reputation in the IT community for protecting the privacy of user data, even for its free products. Overall, it provides a great balance between cost, capabilities, and safety.
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ESET PROTECT is a comprehensive antivirus solution for Windows 10 and Windows 11 endpoints, as well as Windows servers, mobile devices, Exchange and IBM email servers, and Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace cloud applications.
SEE: 9 Best Antivirus Software for Businesses in 2024 (TechRepublic)
While ESET’s price tag is on the high side for the category, I was impressed by the PROTECT platform’s multi-layered security controls, which include an encryption solution for system disks, partitions, and devices as well as novel threat detection and patch management for endpoints.
For an additional fee, businesses can also get managed detection and response services from threat hunting experts or extended detection and response using state-of-the-art AI and ML technology.
ESET PROTECT provides multi-layered protection that could conceivably cover an organization’s entire IT environment, from endpoints to infrastructure and cloud applications. Its advanced capabilities and managed services make it a great choice for businesses with complex security needs and lean IT departments.
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Malwarebytes is well-known in the IT field for offering a free, on-demand scanning utility that’s designed to catch specialized malware that other tools miss.
SEE: Windows 11 Cheat Sheet – Everything You Need to Know (TechRepublic)
It also offers an endpoint protection platform for businesses called ThreatDown that provides advanced capabilities such as automatic incident response, ransomware rollback, and DNS filtering.
The advanced ThreatDown bundle includes managed threat hunting from human security experts, while the Elite bundle provides a full managed detection and response solution.
While the price tags of ThreatDown bundles are much higher than the other options on this list, Malwarebytes has a stellar reputation for detection accuracy and consumer privacy. Its robust managed services give businesses access to leading security expertise for less than the cost of hiring an in-house team.
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Avast provides endpoint protection capabilities designed with small businesses in mind. In addition to detecting ransomware, phishing attempts, malicious websites, and unauthorized USB devices, Avast also offers data loss prevention to stop sensitive data exfiltration and a VPN service for private browsing.
SEE: 3 Simple Ways to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key (TechRepublic)
While I was impressed by the features and protection provided by Avast products, the company was recently fined by the FTC for selling user data, which affected my rating.
Avast offers a comprehensive suite of security and privacy features to provide small businesses with holistic protection. Its pricing is on the low end of average, making it a feasible investment for companies on a strict budget.
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The Trend Vision One solution from Trend Micro offers a variety of mix-and-match security products that businesses can bundle together to get customized protection.
SEE: 6 Best Open Source Password Managers for Windows in 2024 (TechRepublic)
Instead of a traditional licensing model, Trend Micro customers purchase credits that can be used to unlock any of the dozens of individual security services offered by the Trend Vision One platform. These services include behavioral analysis of endpoints using machine learning, zero trust secure access for remote employees, and attack surface risk management.
Unfortunately, Trend Micro doesn’t advertise how many credits are required for each service or how much each credit costs, though AWS Marketplace lists them at $1.05 each.
The Trend Vision One solution allows companies to create a completely customized XDR platform to gain holistic protection for their unique environment and risk profile. It’s aimed at larger businesses with complex security needs and can help reduce licensing costs by allowing organizations to only pay for what they need.
Trend Micro uses credit-based pricing for its wide variety of Vision One security products, so I recommend contacting sales for specific cost information.
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McAfee offers a range of affordable antivirus solutions designed for families or small businesses.
While the McAfee+ plans only cover six individual users, the endpoint protection agents can be installed on unlimited devices. Many of McAfee’s features are tailored to protecting individual privacy and mitigating the financial consequences of a breach, such as social media privacy management, bank account transaction monitoring, and automatic credit freezing.
The company used to have a poor reputation for the intrusiveness of its software and its propensity for installing unwanted add-ons, but modern McAfee products are quieter and more secure.
I’ll admit I have had bad experiences with McAfee in the past, but I was impressed by its latest product offerings. Its low price point, relatively lightweight software agent, and advanced privacy protection features make it an excellent choice for small startups and family businesses on tight budgets.
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With any antivirus products for Windows 10 and Windows 11, there will be a tradeoff between pricing and security, with the most expensive options typically offering more comprehensive endpoint protection.
It’s important to thoroughly and honestly analyze your security posture and existing IT resources to determine the right balance for your organization.
Large companies in highly regulated industries like healthcare or finance will need to invest in more comprehensive products like the Malwarebytes ThreatDown solution, especially if they have lean IT teams or lack specialized security personnel.
On the other hand, small, budget-conscious businesses with relatively low risk profiles might be able to get away with a cheaper option like McAfee or Avast.
Overall, Bitdefender provides the best combination of core features, reasonable pricing, and consumer safety, making it an excellent choice for nearly any business.
I chose the products on this list because they each provided a unique set of business-focused features and had excellent customer reviews. I thoroughly reviewed public-facing product pages and datasheets and, when possible, downloaded free trial versions to test out individual capabilities. In some cases, I have first-hand experience using these products in the field, which I supplemented by reading industry forums and publications to assess their safety and ease of use.
