You’ve come to the wrong place if you’re looking for free antivirus protection. Our list here covers the very best antivirus tools, and they’re not free. On the other hand, the best free antivirus apps beat out many of their commercial counterparts. Consider Avast One Basic or AVG AntiVirus Free if your budget just doesn’t stretch to paying for antivirus protection.

However, most top antivirus brands regularly run special promotions, significantly reducing their price per subscription (for example, Norton is currently offering a 60% discount, so you can get Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99 / year*).

It’s worth noting that some cheap (and free) antiviruses don’t offer a decent level of protection, so while you may be saving money, you could put your devices at risk. That’s why you should only choose a trusted, low-cost antivirus with excellent security protections.