9 Best Antivirus Software for Businesses in 2024

McAfee Total Protection - Best starter antivirus

If you don’t yet have an antivirus solution for your business, McAfee Total Protection is a good starting point. McAfee provides continuous and automatic protection from cybersecurity threats such as phishing, viruses, hackers and ransomware.

Smaller businesses and startups can benefit from its real-time malware protection across all devices. And, with the multiple subscription plans, you can customize the product for your particular needs.

In addition to standard features such as firewall protection, Wi-Fi security, password management and PC optimization, McAfee offers a PC cleaner, identity protection, file shredder and a virtual private network. Many of these features may be available at an additional cost.

Why we chose McAfee

We chose McAfee for its wide availability on many consumer laptops and machines today. Since many PC and computer packages come pre-installed with McAfee, it serves as a decent gateway solution for business owners or employees that are only starting to care about cybersecurity. While it may not necessarily provide the best user experience, its built-in protection is still better than having none at all for your system.

During our review, McAfee Total Protection received a score of 3.5 stars out of 5.

Pricing

McAfee Total Protection offers three plans:

• Essential: Starts at $39.99 per year and protects up to five devices.
• Premium: Starts at $44.99 per year, excluding some features but protects unlimited devices.
• Advanced: Starts at $69.99 per year with full feature set and unlimited device protection.

Kaspersky - Best for strong security performance

As one of the more well-known antivirus providers, Kaspersky is a controversial pick. On one hand, it provides some of the best malware prevention and detection on the market. On the other hand, it has been named a “threat to national security” by the United States Federal Communications Commission for being based in Russia and has been alleged to be a possible venue for espionage.

As much as there are continuing discussions of these allegations against Kaspersky, I believe that any possible risk will depend on a business owner’s personal preference and risk tolerance.

For small businesses of up to 50 employees, I recommend Kaspersky’s Small Office Security protection—an antivirus suite that features a premium VPN, password manager and safe money services. The small office security suite protects servers, computers and data and is compatible with various operating systems, such as Windows, Android, macOS and iOS.

For businesses with more than 250 employees, I recommend Kaspersky’s Endpoint Security Cloud, which helps businesses uncover, understand and remediate known and unknown vulnerabilities on their workstations.

Why we chose Kaspersky

Kaspersky has built a strong reputation for its top-tier anti-malware performance and ransomware protection. While there are concerns about its links to Russian intelligence, the product is one of the best antivirus solutions available today.

During our review, Kaspersky received a score of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

Kaspersky’s antivirus solution for businesses is offered in two categories: Small Office Security and Endpoint Security Cloud.

• Small Office Security: Starts at $120 per year for five users.
• Endpoint Security Cloud: Starts at $193.50 per year for five users.
• Endpoint Security Cloud Plus: $308.25 per year for five users.
• Endpoint Security Cloud Pro: $495.00 per year for five users.

CrowdStrike Falcon - Best for AI-powered threat analysis

If you’re looking for an antivirus solution centered around artificial intelligence (AI), I recommend CrowdStrike Falcon. It’s a cloud-based software that utilizes machine learning algorithms to detect and respond to attacks in real-time. Businesses can use its endpoint protection to secure their devices and networks against malware, ransomware and other cyberattacks.

I really like CrowdStrike’s AI-powered threat analysis that allows businesses to identify and respond to potential threats quickly. Because it’s cloud-based, businesses can manage their security from a centralized location. CrowdStrike is available on Windows, Windows Server, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.

Why we chose CrowdStrike Falcon

Employing AI technology makes CrowdStrike Falcon a prime solution for users that want bleeding-edge protection, especially those worried about newer and more modern threats. AI-based antivirus solutions can sift through data at a much faster rate—an advantage over other solutions when detecting viruses and other malicious files.

During our review, CrowdStrike Falcon received a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

CrowdStrike Falcon offers four pricing tiers:

• Falcon Go: $299 per year (minimum of five devices).
• Falcon Pro: $499 per year (minimum of five devices).
• Falcon Enterprise: $924.95 (minimum of five devices).
• Falcon Elite: Contact the vendor for a quote.

Bitdefender GravityZone - Best for web scanning

If using the internet is a big part of your operations, I suggest giving Bitdefender’s GravityZone a try. It is an on-premises and cloud antivirus solution, offering unified endpoint security and analytics and advanced threat intelligence for small businesses. It comes with a single management console and is designed to protect small businesses against phishing, ransomware and other attacks.

In particular, I find GravityZone’s web scan feature noteworthy, as it automatically scans all incoming SSL, HTTP and HTTPS traffic to help users avoid downloading malware to their endpoint. In addition to the web scan functionality, users are also provided content scanning and heuristic analysis for protection against worms, viruses, trojans, adware, keyloggers and other types of malicious software.

Why we chose Bitdefender GravityZone

Bitdefender GravityZone’s web scanner is especially useful for businesses that regularly use online services or applications in their workflow. Most malware originates from the internet, therefore, having a fast-performing web scanner is essential.

During our review, Bitdefender GravityZone received a score of 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

Bitdefender GravityZone offers the following subscription plans:

• One-year subscription: Starts at $199.49 for ten endpoints and three servers.
• Two-year subscription: Starts at $339.49 for ten endpoints and three servers.
• Three-year subscription: Starts at $440.99 for ten endpoints and three servers.

ESET Protect - Best for flexibility and customization

If you’re looking for an antivirus solution with multiple plan options, I recommend ESET Protect. ESET provides antivirus services designed for home use, small businesses and enterprises. I appreciate that, within each tier, ESET provides different subscription options.

ESET Protect leverages advanced multi-layered technology to secure PCs, file servers and mobile devices from viruses, brute force attacks and other attack vectors. The solution can be run on-premises or via the cloud, making it easy for enterprises running on a cloud-based, hybrid or on-premises ecosystem to adopt the product.

ESET Protect provides mail security, advanced threat defense, full disk encryption, cloud application protection and file server security.

Why we chose ESET Protect

ESET Protect’s extensive subscription options make it a top consideration for small to large businesses. Its wide-ranging plans allow organizations to choose a service that caters to their specific security needs.

During our review, ESET Protect received a score of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

ESET Protect pricing is categorized under Small Office Protection, Business and Enterprise Protection. Each category offers multiple plan options.

For small businesses, ESET offers:

• ESET Protect Entry: $211 per year for five devices.
• ESET Protect Advanced: $220 per year for five devices.
• ESET Complete: $270 per year for five devices.
• ESET Protect Elite: Contact vendor for pricing.

Avast Business - Best for included VPN

For those wanting an antivirus solution bundled with a VPN, I recommend Avast Business. Built for small and mid-sized businesses, I find that Avast Business’s package of anti-malware technology, VPN service and ransomware protection make it a viable security solution.

Avast Business also provides password security for businesses that want to protect their employees’ passwords and ensure USB security.

Avast Business includes identity protection and web protection to help ward off malicious third parties online. Its easy-to-use management console also allows businesses to manage their security across all devices from a single dashboard.

Why we chose Avast Business

Avast’s Premium Business Security subscription offers a great balance of features in addition to the main antivirus service. It includes phishing protection, web control, endpoint and ransomware protection and a VPN to encrypt and secure online traffic.

During our review, Avast Business received a score of 3.7 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

Avast Business pricing is subscription-based and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Avast Small Office Protection: $139.99 per year for 10 devices.
• Essential Business Security: $148.36 per year for five devices.
• Premium Business Security: $187 per year for five devices.
• Ultimate Business Security: $227.08 per year for five devices.

Trend Micro - Best for EDR capabilities

For those with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) as a top priority, I recommend Trend Micro. It touts itself as an all-in-one EDR solution, which, after further review, I find hard to argue against. It offers solutions for both endpoint security and cloud security, top-tier malware detection and blocking and role-based access controls for easier management.

I specifically like Trend Micro’s Apex One endpoint security solution that provides automated threat detection and response against advanced malware such as living off the land (LOTL), ransomware and fileless threats.

Why we chose Trend Micro

Trend Micro’s focus on EDR security makes it a great pick for businesses that have shifted to a hybrid work environment with remote employees. Strong EDR is crucial in ensuring that any company’s resources, communications or files remain secure, especially when used in a remote setting.

During our review, Trend Micro received a score of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

Trend Micro offers over twenty layers of security for businesses, each with varying pricing plans. I recommend you speak to a representative to discuss your needs.

ThreatDown by Malwarebytes - Best for auto-remediation

If you’re at a mid- to large-sized enterprise, I recommend ThreatDown by Malwarebytes. This is a cloud-based solution designed to detect zero-day threats, brute force attacks and malicious payloads.

In particular, I appreciate ThreatDown’s AI-powered and automated approach to protection. ThreatDownantivirus uses EDR technology that identifies and remediates attacks to help businesses recover from a cyberattack; the linking engine removes traces of malware.

Why we chose ThreatDown by Malwarebytes

ThreatDown’s automated protection and endpoint detection and response make it a great set-and-forget solution that offers continuous security for your business. It also includes convenient features such as device control and patch management capabilities.

During our review, ThreatDown by MalwareBytes received a score of 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

• ThreatDown Core: $69 per endpoint.
• ThreatDown Advanced: $79 per endpoint.
• ThreatDown Elite: $99 per endpoint.
• ThreatDown Ultimate: $119 per endpoint.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Best for Microsoft users

If your business has heavy Microsoft integration, Microsoft Defender is a no-brainer. It offers a suite of threat protection solutions designed to protect endpoint devices from advanced threats such as ransomware and file-less malware.

While I find the solution works best with Microsoft products, it’s also compatible with other software.

Microsoft Defender uses cloud technology to provide security for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Why we chose Microsoft Defender

We chose Microsoft Defender for its heavy integration with other Microsoft products. As an offering from Microsoft, the Defender software can be purchased as part of their 365 Business Premium bundle, which includes Office 365, Microsoft Entra ID P1 and Azure Information Protection.

During our review, Microsoft Defender received a score of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Pricing

Microsoft Defender for Business has two pricing plans.

• Microsoft Defender for Business: $3 per user, per month.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22 per user, per month.