We will now explain why we chose these antivirus programs and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

1 – Bitdefender Total Security

In 2023, Bitdefender Total Security stands out as the best antivirus due to its exceptional efficiency in detecting and blocking all kinds of online threats, including the latest and most dangerous ones. Whether it’s viruses, Trojans, ransomware, or fraudulent sites, this security suite demonstrates flawless detection and offers complete protection for users, whether connected to the Internet or not.

Among its strengths, Bitdefender Total Security has a dedicated module for blocking ransomware, which is increasingly crucial as these attacks multiply. Additionally, its Network Threat Prevention provides robust protection against network attacks, enhancing overall user security.

Despite its advanced features, Bitdefender manages to preserve system performance, avoiding any significant impact on Windows. This efficiency makes it an essential choice for users concerned about online security without compromising the speed and smoothness of their computing experience.

Regarding the user interface, Bitdefender has made some updates in its 2023 version, adopting more colorful visuals and a didactic approach to facilitate suite usage, especially for less experienced users. However, advanced options are still available for expert users, ensuring a personalized and comprehensive experience for all user profiles.

In addition to its powerful antivirus protection, Bitdefender Total Security offers a complete range of complementary tools such as a digital safe, firewall, password manager, and built-in VPN. Despite this diversity of features, the suite avoids excessive gadget options, offering relevant and well-integrated tools in a user-friendly interface.

Finally, Bitdefender also stands out for its consistent multi-device offering, allowing easy management of security from a web console and a seamless user experience on PC, mobile, or web. Improvements in real-time protection and vulnerability scanning further enhance the overall robustness of this security suite, solidifying its top position in the 2023 antivirus rankings.

2 – Avast One

Avast One positions itself as a new all-in-one offering with great potential for the general public. Its antivirus remains highly responsive and effective, even against the latest threats. The interface, simple and consistent between desktop and mobile versions, is well-designed, although its very consumer-oriented approach may not appeal to some more experienced users. The suite offers comprehensive features, including an unlimited VPN, privacy protection, as well as optimization and system maintenance tools, making it a solid option for families. However, the publisher has made some simplifications, notably concerning the firewall, to make its suite more accessible to non-initiated users.

In terms of protection, Avast One relies on the same engines as its classic solution, achieving excellent results in tests and ranking among the best. The shields are similar, although email protection is surprisingly absent. Nevertheless, the publisher has integrated its anti-ransomware module and other technologies to ensure effective defense against threats.

The ergonomics and interface are the main points of differentiation for Avast One compared to its usual solution. Focused on a soothing and didactic tone, the interface places significant emphasis on visuals and usage tips, targeting less experienced users. The mobile versions are also well-designed, with an interface consistent with the desktop versions.

The all-in-one proposition of Avast One is reinforced by an unlimited VPN included in the offer, offering great ease of use and seamless integration into the main interface. The presence of a kill switch and automatic VPN activation on public Wi-Fi connections is also appreciated. Additionally, Avast One offers a manager for automatic updates of third-party software, facilitating software management and enhancing the security of less savvy users.

Despite its strengths, Avast One is not without flaws, particularly concerning the firewall, which has been simplified in its free version. However, in the paid version, the full firewall is available, offering more advanced protection. With its convincing features and consumer-oriented approach, Avast One is an interesting option for users seeking a user-friendly and effective all-in-one security suite.

3 – Norton

Norton 360 Advanced positions itself as a very good antivirus for the whole family, offering an all-in-one security solution for effective protection against internet threats. Despite potentially being a bit too aggressive in protection, it remains highly efficient and has minimal impact on Windows performance. The advantage of an unlimited VPN, along with a full range of features such as privacy protection, system optimization, and dark web monitoring, make it an excellent option for families.

Norton 360’s antivirus protection is solid, providing almost perfect detection of threats with a combination of cloud detection and behavioral analysis. However, there are still a few rare false positives. The suite also offers comprehensive protection against exploits, intrusions, and fraudulent sites, while carefully monitoring files vulnerable to ransomware.

The familiar interface of Norton 360 is clear and functional for the general public, although some more advanced users may find it somewhat light on options. Norton 360 stands out for its features, particularly with its included VPN, which is easy to use and unlimited. Additionally, the Premium subscription offers 75 GB of cloud backup and dark web monitoring for detecting potential credential leaks.

Norton’s mobile apps are particularly well-designed, providing a complete range of features for Android and iOS users, with an exemplary user-friendly interface.

In summary, Norton 360 Advanced is an essential choice for families looking for a simple, efficient, and robust all-in-one security solution, although it may be slightly more expensive than other options.

4 – Kaspersky

Kaspersky Premium stands out as the best antivirus in terms of protection. The security suite offers formidable efficiency with its new engine and achieves excellent results in leading test laboratories. Detection of threats, whether recent or not, is remarkable, with almost no false positives. Impact on computer performance is also well-managed, without significant slowdowns.

The complete overhaul of the offering in 2022 brought notable improvements. The interface has been clarified, providing better organization of “premium” features. Among the highlights, an unlimited VPN is finally included, along with a well-crafted multi-device offering for Windows, macOS, Android, and even iOS, as well as a web interface and top-notch mobile applications.

Regarding features, Kaspersky Premium offers a comprehensive and relevant set, including password manager, encryption, firewall, and, of course, the VPN. Additionally, a new module called “Identity” protects sensitive user documents, such as passports or identity cards.

Kaspersky’s mobile applications stand out for their quality, as does the web interface, which offers a complete solution for managing protection on all devices.

Improvements in web protection, webcam protection, and online payment security further enhance the suite.

In conclusion, Kaspersky Premium is a top-level security suite, with robust protection, an improved interface, and comprehensive features. Despite controversies surrounding the publisher, Kaspersky Premium remains a reliable and high-performing solution for effectively protecting users against internet threats.

5 – ESET

ESET Smart Security stands out as an excellent, high-performing, and reliable antivirus. This new edition, minimalist and targeted, maintains its proven approach and provides efficient protection. The suite now includes a flagship feature, LiveGuard, which allows scanning potentially malicious files in a sandbox environment in ESET’s Cloud. Despite no evolution in its interface, the simplicity and adaptability to different user groups are still appreciated, making it attractive for more tech-savvy users.

In terms of protection, ESET Smart Security Premium remains true to its solid approach. Version 15 introduces LiveGuard, which seems to have a positive impact by improving detection of zero-day threats. Satisfactory scores obtained in tests by AV Test and AV Comparatives reinforce this impression. Regarding the impact on computer performance, ESET Smart Security Premium remains at an excellent level, offering a lightweight and non-intrusive suite.

On the features side, the minimalist and clear interface of the suite remains unchanged, with rich options for expert users. However, ESET does not overload with features, focusing instead on essential basics: secure web browsing, parental control, and password manager. Although the absence of a VPN may be regrettable, ESET Smart Security Premium appeals to users looking for targeted and comprehensive features without any unnecessary frills.

In conclusion, ESET Smart Security Premium is a well-executed security suite, with robust protection, a user-friendly interface, and essential features. Despite minor aesthetic updates, ESET’s proven formula continues to appeal to power users seeking a solution focused on the essentials, capable of providing efficient and lightweight protection for their system.