AI Picks / United States / Business software
Best antivirus software in the US, according to AI
Bitdefender was the brand AI assistants named most for antivirus software, appearing in 53 of 58 answers. This page is based on those 58 answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews.
- 15 real searches
- 4 AI assistants
- 58 answers read
- No affiliate links
- Best overallBitdefenderNamed in 91.4% of answers
- Best all-in-one suiteNortonNamed in 77.6% of answers
- Best free optionMicrosoftNamed in 63.8% of answers
- Best for on-demand scannerMalwarebytesNamed in 51.7% of answers
- Best free option and scam protectionAvastNamed in 50% of answers
- Best for free standalone toolAVGNamed in 32.8% of answers
The antivirus software brands AI recommends most
Share of the 58 answers that named each brand. The squares show which assistants named it.
- 1BitdefenderModels named: Antivirus Plus, Total Security, Antivirus for MacCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 2NortonModels named: 360, 360 Deluxe, Norton 360CGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 3MicrosoftModels named: Defender, Defender Antivirus, Microsoft Defender AntivirusCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 4MalwarebytesModels named: Free, Premium Security, Malwarebytes FreeCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 5AvastModels named: Free Antivirus, One, Security & PrivacyCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 6AVGModels named: AVG AntiVirus Free, AntiVirus Free, Mobile SecurityCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 7TotalAVModels named: Mobile Security, TotalAV Mobile SecurityCGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 8ESETModels named: HOME Security, NOD32 Antivirus, NOD32CGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 9McAfeeModels named: Mobile Security, McAfee+ Premium, McAfee+CGPAYour brand? Add your link
- 10IntegoModels named: ONE, Mac Internet Security X9, NetBarrierCGPAYour brand? Add your link
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What the answers said about each brand. Prices are as quoted in the answers, not checked by us.
| Brand | Share of answers | Named by | Named best for | Models named | Prices quoted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender | 91.4% | 4 of 4 | best overall, best overall for windows, lightweight and value choice | Antivirus Plus, Total Security, Antivirus for Mac | around $19.99/year; €62.00 |
| Norton | 77.6% | 4 of 4 | best all-in-one suite, all-in-one security suite, best all-around and multi-platform security suite | 360, 360 Deluxe, Norton 360 | around $29.99/year; around $49.99/year; $29.99/year; $49.99/year |
| Microsoft | 63.8% | 4 of 4 | best free option, built-in free option, everyday users who want solid protection without paying | Defender, Defender Antivirus, Microsoft Defender Antivirus | $0; free on Windows |
| Malwarebytes | 51.7% | 4 of 4 | on-demand scanner, additional malware scanning or malware-removal tool, malware scanning | Free, Premium Security, Malwarebytes Free | $0 |
| Avast | 50% | 4 of 4 | best free option and scam protection, free standalone tool, cross-platform protection and extra security tools | Free Antivirus, One, Security & Privacy | $0; free edition available |
| AVG | 32.8% | 4 of 4 | free standalone tool, solid, straightforward protection with a clean interface, simple interface and scheduled or manual scans | AVG AntiVirus Free, AntiVirus Free, Mobile Security | free edition available |
| TotalAV | 24.1% | 3 of 4 | beginners, beginners and safe browsing, safe browsing and beginners | Mobile Security, TotalAV Mobile Security | around $19/year; around $19/year |
| ESET | 22.4% | 4 of 4 | advanced users, deep customization, experienced users and people who prefer a lighter-feeling security suite, users looking for an alternative to the biggest antivirus brands | HOME Security, NOD32 Antivirus, NOD32 | – |
| McAfee | 15.5% | 3 of 4 | unlimited devices, large families, unlimited devices, digital privacy cleanup, identity theft and families | Mobile Security, McAfee+ Premium, McAfee+ | around $29.99/year |
| Intego | 15.5% | 4 of 4 | best mac-focused option, best overall for mac users, best for mac | ONE, Mac Internet Security X9, NetBarrier | – |
What people in the US ask, answered
Each answer is our summary of what the four assistants said.
What is the best antivirus software?
Bitdefender was named most often, appearing in 53 of 58 answers and described as the best overall. Norton was named in 45 answers as the best all-in-one suite. Microsoft Defender was named in 37 answers as the best free option.
What is the best free antivirus software?
Microsoft Defender was named as the best free option and a built-in free option, appearing in 37 answers. Avast was named in 29 answers as a free standalone tool and for scam protection. Malwarebytes was named in 30 answers, with its Free version described as an on-demand scanner.
What is the best antivirus software for Android?
The assistants named Bitdefender, Norton, Avast, AVG, TotalAV and McAfee across the answers, but did not single one out for Android. Bitdefender was named most overall for this category, in 53 of 58 answers. AVG Mobile Security, TotalAV Mobile Security and McAfee Mobile Security appear among the models named.
What is the best antivirus software for iPhone?
The assistants named Bitdefender, Norton, Avast, AVG, TotalAV and McAfee across the answers, but did not single one out for iPhone. Bitdefender was named most overall for this category, in 53 of 58 answers. No brand was named as best specifically for iPhone.
What is the best antivirus software for a PC?
Bitdefender was named as the best overall for Windows, appearing in 53 of 58 answers. Microsoft Defender was named in 37 answers as the built-in free option on Windows. Norton was named in 45 answers as an all-in-one suite.
What is the best antivirus software for a Mac?
Intego was named as the best mac-focused option and the best overall for Mac users, appearing in 9 answers. Bitdefender was named in 53 answers, with its Antivirus for Mac among the models listed. Norton was named in 45 answers as a multi-platform suite.
Which antivirus software is best for beginners?
TotalAV was named for beginners and safe browsing, appearing in 14 answers. AVG was named in 19 answers for a simple interface and scheduled or manual scans. Bitdefender was named in 53 answers as a lightweight and value choice.
Which antivirus software is best for advanced users?
ESET was named for advanced users and deep customization, appearing in 13 answers. It was also described as an alternative to the biggest antivirus brands. Bitdefender was named most overall, in 53 of 58 answers.
Which antivirus software is best for families and multiple devices?
McAfee was named for unlimited devices and large families, appearing in 9 answers. Norton was named in 45 answers as an all-around and multi-platform security suite. Bitdefender was named in 53 answers as the best overall.
Which antivirus software is best for malware scanning?
Malwarebytes was named for malware scanning and as an additional malware-removal tool, appearing in 30 answers. Bitdefender was named most overall, in 53 of 58 answers. Norton was named in 45 answers as an all-in-one suite.
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How we count
We ask ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews the questions people in the US actually search for (15 for this category), asked from the US, and read every answer: 58 answers here.
A brand scores when an answer recommends it. Its rank is the share of answers that named it. Shops, review sites and brands an answer warns against are not counted. Different spellings of the same brand are merged.
This is what the assistants said on 17 October 2026, not our own opinion: we do not test products. We ask again every month. Paid listings are labelled and never change the ranking. There are no affiliate links on this page.
The rankings and data are ours (© Vasukai). You are welcome to quote a ranking with a link to this page; copying the data in bulk or by automated means is not permitted.