Documented product tests and assessments are pending. We therefore currently publish no scores or test winners. Selections use recorded product features.

Updated · Oct 2026 · 15 products

Best antivirus for Windows 2026

Windows remains the most attacked platform worldwide. Beyond the built-in Microsoft Defender, many paid suites offer significantly more: VPN, password manager, and advanced ransomware protection. This comparison shows which Windows antivirus delivers the best mix of protection, system impact, and value for money in CHF.

#	Product	Price	Protection	Performance	Platforms
1	Avast Recognizable brand with broad device coverage 10 devices	CHF 37.90 CHF 74.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
2	AVG Value-focused alternative with simple setup 10 devices	CHF 32.90 CHF 69.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
3	Avira German quality with a strong free version 5 devices	CHF 59.90 CHF 99.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
4	Bitdefender Powerful all-round protection with a rich feature set 5 devices	CHF 49.90 CHF 89.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
5	ESET Lightweight security with excellent performance 3 devices	CHF 37.90 CHF 54.90	—	—	Win Mac And	Details
6	F-Secure Finnish privacy champion for families 5 devices	CHF 59.90 CHF 89.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
7	Kaspersky Top marks in protection and detection rates 5 devices	CHF 42.90 CHF 79.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
8	Malwarebytes Malware specialist with a lean approach 5 devices	CHF 44.90 CHF 79.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
9	McAfee Solid multi-device bundle for households 5 devices	CHF 39.90 CHF 84.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
10	Microsoft Defender The built-in free baseline for Windows 1 device	CHF 0.00 CHF 0.00	—	—	Win	Details
11	Norton Strong bundle for families and feature-heavy buyers 5 devices	CHF 44.90 CHF 99.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
12	Panda Security Budget-friendly entry with cloud-based protection 5 devices	CHF 26.90 CHF 49.90	—	—	Win Mac And	Details
13	Surfshark Antivirus VPN + antivirus in one affordable package Check the device limit with the provider	CHF 59.90 CHF 119.90	—	—	Win Mac And	Details
14	TotalAV Easy entry point with a strong beginner appeal 6 devices	CHF 29.90 CHF 94.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details
15	Trend Micro Strong web protection with focus on phishing defense 5 devices	CHF 39.90 CHF 69.90	—	—	Win Mac And iOS	Details

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Antivirus for Windows – frequently asked questions

Is Windows Defender enough for Windows 11 in 2026?

For cautious users on an up-to-date system with 2FA: yes, in many cases. AV-TEST gives Defender good marks now. Power users with banking, crypto or many software sources should add a suite with web filter and ransomware module.

Which antivirus suite is best for Windows 11?

The previous scores have no documented assessment evidence. Planned VM tests will report versions, dates, conditions and results. External laboratory reports will be identified separately with their specific sources.

How do I enable/disable Windows Defender?

Defender disables itself automatically as soon as a compatible third-party suite is installed. Manual disable via Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings.

Are antivirus suites still relevant on Windows 11?

Yes, especially for web filter, ransomware protection, banking-browser isolation and phishing detection. Pure "virus scanners" barely exist anymore – modern suites are multi-layered security packages.

What to look for in Windows antivirus in 2026?

Real-time protection, ransomware module, web/phishing filter, low system impact (especially on SSD writes), transparent renewal pricing, and Swiss-data-protection compliance.