The Best Malware Removal and Protection Software for 2025

The Best Malware Removal and Protection Software for 2025: Nowadays, a modern antivirus tool must handle all types of malware, from low-risk PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) to malicious ransomware. Read on for our top picks.

The Best Malware Removal and Protection Software for 2025

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

Eliminating malware that finds its way into your system and thwarting any other attacks is the foundation of malware protection. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus excels in these fundamentals, as evidenced by its consistently excellent lab results.

But the benefits don’t stop there. With Bitdefender, you get password management, banking transaction protection, and alerts if you miss important security patches. It also blocks ad trackers and other tracking systems at the browser level, and even includes a virtual private network, although you pay extra for full VPN functionality.

Bitdefender's security goes well beyond basic malware protection and gets the job done effortlessly.

Pros

• Excellent results in independent lab tests
• Very good defense against fraud
• Multi-layered ransomware protection
• Isolated browser for banking security
• Prevents advertisers from tracking you
• Many additional security-focused features
• Protection for Windows, Mac, and Android and iOS

Cons

• Poor score in practical malware blocking tests
• Modest score in practical defense against malicious URLs
• Full VPN access requires a separate subscription

2. Avast One Basic

Avast One Basic

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

You can install Avast One Basic on your devices running Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS for free. Four independent labs for antivirus testing back Avast, routinely giving it top scores and excellent ratings in practical tests.

While Avast doesn’t offer all features for free, you get plenty in the free version, including ransomware protection, a basic firewall, and a limited bandwidth VPN. On Mac, it goes beyond the basics, providing ransomware protection, browser cleaning, and a VPN.

The VPN protection also extends to Android and iOS; Android devices receive malware protection and privacy issue safeguards.

Pros

• Excellent results in antivirus tests across multiple platforms
• Near-perfect score in phishing tests
• Free protection for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows
• Many privacy and performance features

Cons

Protection is limited on Android and iOS

Lack of advanced firewall features

3. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

Labs have awarded Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac perfect and near-perfect scores, and it has received very good ratings in practical tests.

Its tracker-blocking system prevents advertisers and others from tracking your web browsing activity and protects against ransomware. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is included with the antivirus and allows you to protect 200 MB of internet traffic daily (for an additional fee, you can remove the cap and unlock other features). To ensure you’re not exposed to malware, the web protection software directs you away from malicious and dangerous web pages. A browser extension highlights search results with green and red icons to indicate safe and risky pages.

Pros

• Perfect lab results
• Protects files and backups from malicious ransomware
• Includes a virtual private network
• Hassle-free autopilot mode
• Blocks tracking tools in browsers

Cons

Full access to VPN features requires a separate subscription

4. Bitdefender Total Security

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

Bitdefender's antivirus provides strong and comprehensive malware protection, but Bitdefender Total Security takes that protection to the next level. On Windows, it adds a performance optimization system and a component that protects against not just malware but real-world theft. It expands coverage to include Mac, Android, and iOS devices. The Bitdefender central online dashboard gives you an overview of malware protection across all your devices.

On Mac, you’ll receive Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. Total Protection on Android offers a full suite of security features. It includes antivirus and anti-theft features. A fraud alert feature flags suspicious text messages, a web protection feature blocks malicious and fraudulent web pages, an app lock feature secures your most sensitive apps, and an account privacy feature checks for data breaches that expose your email. As usual, you don’t get the same level of protection for iOS devices. This doesn’t mean that security companies don’t care for iOS or underestimate it, but rather that Apple limits what they can do.

Pros

• Award-winning antivirus
• Protects Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices
• Online management and remote control
• Many additional features, including a VPN and system tuning

Cons

Full access to VPN requires a separate subscription

Parental content filter is completely ineffective

Limited iOS support

5. Norton 360 Deluxe

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

When malware attacks you, you expect your protection software to fight back. Norton 360 Deluxe takes that expectation and makes it a reality. If malware somehow bypasses the antivirus and other layers of protection, Norton support agents will use remote control to eliminate it. Most antivirus labs give high marks to Norton’s technology.

Norton also includes a robust and smart firewall, a basic password manager, a local spam filter, and a dark web monitoring system to alert you if your personal data is compromised. It also provides you with 50 GB of hosted online storage for backups.

Pros

• Award-winning antivirus
• Unlimited bandwidth or server VPN
• Hosted online storage for backups
• Effective protection against dangerous and fraudulent sites
• Strong and self-sufficient firewall.

Cons

Parental controls are not available on Mac

Online backup is Windows only

Data broker opt-out system is limited

6. Norton 360 with LifeLock

4.5 Excellent

Why We Chose It

We previously mentioned Norton 360 Deluxe as an excellent choice for protecting your devices and online communications from malware attacks. Norton 360 with LifeLock starts with the same excellent malware defenses and adds identity monitoring and identity theft protection from LifeLock, a leader in identity security.

You’ll need to spend some time configuring LifeLock so it knows what personal information to protect. Once that’s done, the software monitors the dark web for any traces of your data. It checks for potential misuse of your Social Security number, unexpected new accounts in your name, and unusual financial transactions. If your wallet is lost or stolen, Norton helps you deal with the aftermath. You receive regular credit reports, along with assistance in freezing your credit if necessary.

Pros

• Identity theft protection from LifeLock
• Excellent device-level