PCMag has been at the forefront of antivirus software reviews since 1988, witnessing a remarkable evolution in the cybersecurity landscape over the past 36 years. As digital threats have proliferated, so too have the tools designed to combat them. Last year alone, PCMag evaluated over 150 security applications, reflecting the vast array of options available to consumers. However, with such a multitude of choices, discerning which brands are truly reliable can be daunting. To aid in this endeavor, PCMag not only conducts its own rigorous testing but also seeks insights from its audience. In a recent survey, thousands of readers shared their trusted brands for antivirus software and VPNs, providing a clearer picture of consumer confidence in the market.
The Top VPN Brand for 2024
After a hiatus in surveying PCMag readers about their virtual private networks, the time has come for a fresh evaluation. VPNs have seen a surge in popularity, necessitating an updated look at the leading brands. Historically, the Reader’s Choice Award for top VPNs has been dominated by names like Nord and Private Internet Access (PIA), with satisfaction scores hovering around 8.8 out of 10. This year, however, a new champion has emerged: Proton. Achieving a remarkable score of 9.0 out of 10 for overall satisfaction, this Switzerland-based company not only clinches the Reader’s Choice title but also boasts a 5-star Editors’ Choice Award from PCMag’s expert reviewers. Proton’s impressive performance is no fluke; it leads in nearly every VPN subcategory, including setup, reliability, ease of use, and trustworthiness, where it consistently scores above 9.0 out of 10.
(Note: For a detailed view of our survey results, interact with our charts using the arrows provided.)
The Top PC Antivirus Brand for 2024
Even with antivirus protection integrated into Windows 10 and 11, third-party services remain popular among security-conscious PC users. This year, Bitdefender has emerged as the most trusted brand, receiving a perfect five-star rating from our reviewers. Readers echo this sentiment, awarding Bitdefender top marks for setup, reliability, PC performance, and trustworthiness. Last year’s frontrunner, Malwarebytes, continues to impress, particularly excelling in value and ease of use, though it falls slightly short in overall satisfaction. Other competitors in this year’s rankings show average scores, but it’s noteworthy that McAfee, a widely recognized antivirus provider, received notably low ratings from PCMag readers.
Among free antivirus options, only four brands garnered enough responses to make the final standings, with Microsoft Defender Antivirus standing out. As the default security software for Windows 10 and 11, it has gained popularity for its no-cost, hassle-free installation. In contrast, while Avast’s free version excels in tech support and antivirus protection, it ties with Microsoft for trustworthiness and likelihood to recommend.
The Top Brand for Security Suites in 2024
This year, a greater number of PCMag readers rated their security suites compared to standalone antivirus tools, indicating a preference for comprehensive protection. Most of the familiar names from 2023 have returned, with the notable exception of Kaspersky Lab, which ceased operations in the U.S. and was replaced by Pango’s UltraAV, though the latter did not make the final list. Instead, Trend Micro has taken the lead, surpassing last year’s winner, Bitdefender, to claim the Reader’s Choice Award for security suites. The competition remains fierce, with Bitdefender and Webroot closely trailing Trend Micro, each excelling in specific subcategories such as setup, cost, and trustworthiness.
Despite their longstanding reputations, brands like Norton and McAfee have struggled to maintain high scores, particularly in trustworthiness, as they continue to face scrutiny in the evolving security landscape.
The Top Mobile Antivirus Brand for 2024
As Windows machines remain prime targets for malware, Android devices are not far behind, being the most widely used operating system globally. In the realm of mobile antivirus, Bitdefender continues to shine as the preferred choice among users. The company’s mobile antivirus solution achieves top scores across nearly all categories, with the exception of cost, where AVG takes the lead. Bitdefender also stands out among Apple users, although its iOS offering does not quite match the acclaim of its Android counterpart. With limited competition in the mobile antivirus sector, Norton is the only other name to appear in this year’s results, leaving Bitdefender to dominate the field.
The PCMag Readers’ Choice survey for Antivirus and Security Suites, along with a separate poll on VPNs, was conducted from September 10 to November 4, 2024. For further details on our survey methodology, please refer to our guidelines.
