How We Compare Antivirus Software

An Important Note on Independent Tests

Many manufacturers' websites include links to test results from independent laboratories like AV-Comparatives or AV-TEST. These tests are considered the gold standard in the antivirus world because they provide the most objective evaluation.

However, they have certain limitations:

  • Focus on Specific Threats: Laboratories most often test antivirus software against specific types of threats and under controlled conditions. This doesn't always reflect the real-world user experience, where every computer is unique.
  • Complexity: Laboratory results are often presented in detailed tables and graphs that can be difficult for an unprepared user to understand.
  • Rapid Obsolescence: New threats and updates are released every day, so test results can quickly lose their relevance.

Our system bypasses these complexities by offering you a simple and clear rating based on what the manufacturer itself considers to be the strong point of its product. This helps you choose an antivirus that best matches your priorities: whether it's maximum protection, high performance, ease of use, or great value.

To help you navigate, we've developed a simple comparison system based on open information from the developers' own websites. We don't conduct lab tests; instead, we analyze what each manufacturer specifically emphasizes.

Our rating is built on four key criteria, each evaluated on a scale starting from one star, with no maximum limit. We award stars for each direct mention of a specific feature or function. The more such mentions, the higher the rating.

🛡️ Protection

This criterion shows how broadly the manufacturer claims its product's capabilities in the area of protection. We award a star for each direct mention of protection against various threats, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Viruses
  • Ransomware
  • Phishing
  • Spyware
  • Trojans (or similar types of threats, such as PUA)

Therefore, the more types of threats mentioned, the higher the rating.

🚀 Performance

This criterion reflects how the developer positions its product as "lightweight" and "fast." We award stars for each mention of features aimed at improving performance:

  • The manufacturer states that the antivirus does not slow down the system.
  • The manufacturer offers built-in optimization tools (e.g., disk cleanup, startup manager).

✅ Ease of Use

Here, we evaluate how easy the product is to use, according to the developer's own words. We award stars for each aspect that highlights simplicity:

  • The product is positioned as "easy to install" or having an "intuitive interface" suitable for beginners.
  • The manufacturer advertises the product as a "set and forget" solution that works in the background.
  • The manufacturer offers 24/7 support, which also makes it easier for the user.

💎 Value

This criterion shows how many useful additional features are included in the package, beyond basic antivirus protection. We award stars for each extra feature that turns the antivirus into a full digital security suite. Such features include, but are not limited to:

  • VPN (Virtual Private Network)
  • Password manager
  • Ad blocker
  • Parental controls
  • Identity theft protection or breach monitoring
  • Optimization tools
  • Cloud storage for data backup

The more such features a package includes, the higher the rating.

⭐ Overall Rating

In addition to individual category ratings, we calculate an Overall Rating for each antivirus product on a standard 5-star scale. This summary rating helps you quickly compare products at a glance.

How we calculate the Overall Rating:

  1. We sum up the stars from all four categories (Protection + Performance + Ease of Use + Value).
  2. We calculate what percentage this sum represents compared to the highest-rated product in our comparison.
  3. Based on this percentage, we assign an Overall Rating according to the following thresholds:
    • ≥95% of the maximum → 5 stars (Excellent)
    • ≥85% of the maximum → 4 stars (Very Good)
    • ≥70% of the maximum → 3 stars (Good)
    • ≥50% of the maximum → 2 stars (Fair)
    • <50% of the maximum → 1 star (Basic)

For example, if Product A scores 27 total stars (the highest in our comparison) and Product B scores 24 stars, Product B would receive 24÷27 = 89% of the maximum, which corresponds to a 4-star Overall Rating.

This approach ensures that the Overall Rating reflects both the absolute quality of the product and its position relative to competitors, giving you a balanced and fair comparison.

Our goal is to give you honest and understandable information so you can compare products and choose the one that best suits your needs.