What is the best antivirus 2023 and which software to choose to be safe from hackers ? This complete comparison is here to help you make the best possible choice. We have established a ranking which mainly takes into account the level of software security. It is updated regularly according to changes in offers.
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The years go by and the need for the best antivirus continues to grow, much to the chagrin of users. Antivirus software publishers block thousands of attacks of different types every day: malware, zero-day exploits, ransomware, crypto-jacking and other hacks have become commonplace. No one is spared and this concerns individuals and businesses.
Hackers have realized that personal data has a high value. This is why they no longer hesitate to take hostage or steal individuals' data to monetize their actions. It is then possible to sell this data on the dark net with an increased risk of subsequent hacks. Faced with this cruel world, we must know how to protect ourselves.
In a context of geopolitical tensions, equipping yourself with the best antivirus is essential. This allows you to maximize your coverage and avoid hacking. In 2023, antiviruses do not only protect users against malware and other adware. They can help you identify malicious links, phishing attempts and other scams and even prevent any risk that you might click on a malicious link.
World No. 1 (500 million customers)
Detects viruses, malware, phishing
The fastest on the market
Special offer: 60% off
Our test Annual rate €19.99 Antivirus Plus €32.49 Internet Security €42.49 Total Security Our opinion: The best antivirus on all devices!Speed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 1
Number 1 on Mac
Detects threats (including 0-day)
No impact on performance
Special offer: 60% off
Our test Annual rate €19.99 Mac Internet Security X9 €29.99 Mac Premium Bundle X9 Our opinion: The best antivirus on Mac with very advanced protection against 0-Day vulnerabilitiesSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 2
Easy to use antivirus
100% virus protection
Dark Web Protection
Offer: -80% and 3 devices
Our test Annual rate €14.99 Norton Antivirus Plus €29.99 Norton 360 Standard €34.99 Norton 360 Deluxe €39.99 Norton 360 Advanced Our opinion: The most intuitive antivirus on the marketSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 3
Free version effective
Antivirus + VPN
Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
Anti-threat protection
Our test Annual rate €2.99 24 MONTHS €4.99 12 MONTHS €11.99 1 MONTH Our opinion: An excellent VPN with antivirus functionSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 4
Very popular on Windows
Very complete antivirus suite
100% of threats blocked
Low impact on performance
Our test Annual rate €29.95 Individual €29.95 Multi-equipment €39.95 Family Our opinion: The historical benchmark for Windows security Speed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 5
World leader in free
Avast One: antivirus + VPN
435 million users
Special offer: 50% off
Our test Annual rate €0 Avast OneEssential €45 Avast OneIndividual €59.88 Avast OneFamily Our opinion: The best free antivirus in the worldSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 6
The 6 best antiviruses to choose in 2023:
- Bitdefender Premium Security Plus
- Intego Antivirus
- Norton 360
- NordVPN Antivirus
- McAfee Total Protection
- Avast One
To secure your data stored on a computer, tablet or smartphone, it is mandatory to choose the best antivirus for Windows, Mac, iOS and/or Android. Our comparison of the best antivirus available in France in 2023 includes industry giants such as Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee, Intego or Avast. Free antiviruses are excluded because they are limited and sometimes questionable about their monetization. Indeed, their economic model is not always viable and some resell your data to finance themselves… while others end up forcing you to take out a paid subscription.
In 2023, it is advisable to install an antivirus (paid) to protect yourself against threats from the internet on all the connected devices you own. Tensions with Russia make this approach even more important with a clear increase in cyberattacks. Whether it's Apple or Google (Android), phones are also vulnerable to the wrath of hackers. Below you have our list of the best antiviruses available in France in 2023. The associated prices are sometimes for the antivirus alone and sometimes for a complete security suite.
We emphasize that Bitdefender, Intego, Norton or NordVPN are all reliable partners that you can trust. Good guidelines if you don't know which antivirus to choose in 2023 – especially since in most cases, you will be able to test each of the solutions without paying during a trial period. The opportunity to check the impact of each solution on the performance and effectiveness of the detection itself.
1- Bitdefender Premium Security Plus
The best antivirus in 2023
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- Antivirus Plus price: (instead of €39.99)
- Total Security price: (instead of €84.99)
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Best antivirus in the world, Bitdefender has more than 500 million customers and has enjoyed immense success in France for its 360-degree solution: Total Security. We have been using it for a long time and the offer proposed by Bitdefender is clearly still as pleasant and effective. The company also has a classic antivirus which is only available on Windows computers and for a single license: less expensive, it is also less adapted to the threats which are causing more and more havoc at the moment, in particular phishing attempts.
The Bitdefender Premium Security Plus suite is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and can be installed on up to 10 devices simultaneously. It includes a wide series of tools that can be controlled from a clear and efficient interface. Among them, a continuously updated antivirus, a ransomware management system, free support, a Wi-Fi security assistant, a very secure system for online purchases, an anti-phishing system and anti-fraud system , a firewall, a parental control tool or a digital safe.
Bitdefender offers now include unlimited VPN access, which is a real plus for the publisher's antivirus offer. Choosing Bitdefender means choosing security. Its teams are formidable: Bitdefender was elected for the 3rd consecutive year “best antivirus” by the company AV-Comparatives, an Anglo-Saxon reference in cybersecurity.
Better yet: the user experience is one of the best on the market. The software runs in the background and is completely forgotten. It does not slow down your device and its rare interventions are reassuring. For novices and experts alike, it's the best antivirus in 2023.
2- Intego Internet Security X9
The best antivirus 2023 if you have a Mac
© Intego
- Price: (instead of €49.99)
- Visit the site:
In 25 years (it was founded in 1997), Intego has become the reference antivirus for all Mac users. It is today the only security solution on the market to detect 100% of malware on the Apple operating system. Unlike all market players who adapt their Windows antiviruses to Mac, Intego has from the outset been optimized for the macOS operating system. He then launched a version for Windows which is also proving effective.
It is the best antivirus for Mac on the market, whether in terms of threat detection or optimization of system resources and performance. We also appreciate its UX which is basic but effective. By default, you can get the antivirus software “Mac Internet Security X9” at a favorable price for the first year. On the same principle as its rivals, it offers a still complete security solution called Mac Premium Bundle X9. These two offers are reserved for those who have a Mac. Otherwise, there is a simpler plan for Windows including antivirus and firewall.
The Mac Premium Bundle includes the famous antivirus, a firewall, Mac cleaning software, a parental control solution as well as backup management software. By choosing this pack, you have all the keys in hand to protect your machine and speed it up. This will allow you to keep your Mac for a few more years, which also means great savings.
Whatever plan you choose from this actor, you have a 30-day 'satisfied or refunded' guarantee. Reimbursement is done automatically, so you have no risk to commit to this period. Then, renewal takes place every year. Please note that current special offers are only valid for the first year.
While cybersecurity has become a national issue, the government is promoting sovereign solutions. Rather than going to a Russian Kaspersky, it is better to opt for a local and effective solution. Worldwide, 40 million people still trust Intego antivirus. On Mac, this is an essential step… and on Windows, it’s a good solution with convincing value for money.
3- Norton Deluxe 360
A very good antivirus with its Deluxe 360 offer
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- Price: (promo)
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The company Gen Digital publishes the Norton solution which is one of the best antiviruses on the market, and one of the most popular in France. This also has a range of more or less sophisticated versions. If the basic version limits a single PC for a single user (called Norton AntiVirus), the Norton Deluxe 360 version is the most popular of the publisher's security suite. That said, the cost is higher so you will have to choose between the inexpensive standard antivirus and the more complete version. Regarding virus protection, the service is the same but the Deluxe 360 plan provides additional security tools.
The Deluxe 360 plan is none other than a security suite that integrates antivirus with updates carried out in real time, an online data encryption system, a security shield. fire, tracking your data on the dark web or even a password manager. Norton helps you against viruses otherwise it reimburses you – without condition. It’s the only antivirus to offer such a promise.
The Deluxe 360 offer also includes unlimited VPN access which secures your connection even on public WiFi hotspots, while allowing you to connect to dozens of servers around the world. Certainly, it is not (at all) as effective as a pure-player like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, but it can act as a temporary VPN. The Norton 360 solution also includes webcam protection.
The even superior suite, Norton 360 Advanced, allows you to secure up to 10 devices (compared to 5 for the Deluxe 360 plan), add parental controls and 200 GB of cloud storage. In its two most premium versions, Norton adds Dark Web Monitoring. This function allows you to know if your data has been detected on the dark web and if you are at risk. It provides protection for both passwords and your banking data.
There is also Social Media Monitoring, which allows you to strengthen the security of your accounts on social networks. In the event of a compromised account, the antivirus notifies the user and recommends a course of action. Finally, Norton 360 Advanced also offers Assistance in the event of a stolen wallet. In short, it's a solution that is ultra complete but also more expensive: it is de facto less popular than the Deluxe 360. Even if you take the antivirus alone, it's the product essential provided by Norton and it is excellent. It deserves its place on the podium of our antivirus comparison in 2023.
4- NordVPN Antivirus
A very good antivirus from the VPN specialist
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- Price: (promo)
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For a long time, the European company Nord Security only focused on VPNs – with NordVPN. A true benchmark for this type of service, Nord Security has since expanded its range of security products. This is a logical development for this type of company. For example, we find a password manager (NordPass), a cloud storage tool (NordPass) and also, for some time now, an antivirus which is integrated into the NordVPN formula.
This antivirus is compatible with macOS and Windows and it offers triple security by blocking viruses, trackers and intrusive ads. It protects you when you browse the internet (to avoid fraudulent sites) but also the contents of your hard drive. If it detects viruses, it will quarantine them. Likewise, it analyzes all the files you download to make sure you are not the victim of a hacker. This is exactly what a traditional antivirus offers.
To discover its service, know that you have 30 days of trial (satisfied or refunded) which will allow you to try it without taking any risk. In terms of user experience, Nord Security is a step ahead of all the players in this comparison. The company has reached a milestone with simple interfaces (and easy for all audiences), which leave no room for incessant and anxiety-inducing popups, and which do not slow down the machine.
Due to its experience in VPNs and security, NordVPN also deserves its place in the top of the best antiviruses in 2023. For less than 40 euros per year, you can have effective, intuitive and pleasant software – and which also includes the very popular VPN. Very quickly, it should enter the Top 3 antiviruses in our comparison.
5- McAfee Total Protection
A complete antivirus
- Price: (promo)
- Visit the site:
Another industry benchmark with one of the best antiviruses in the world: McAfee. The software publisher offers a suite called McAfee Total Protection which is segmented into 4 subscriptions. The advantage over the competition is that these offers differ less in functionality than in the number of licenses included. So, whatever your choice, you will be just as well protected and benefit from almost all the tools offered by the firm.
The only real difference in the range of offers is in the Family subscription which includes an additional parental control system. If you purchase a plan with automatic renewal, McAfee gives you unlimited access to Safe Connect VPN for free. Unlike the competition which only includes VPN calling offers in basic plans, McAfee offers a more integrated and complete solution.
With 325 million users worldwide, McAfee can quickly detect and respond to large-scale threats with real-time updates. Choosing McAfee offers guarantees regarding the security of your personal data. McAfee is one of our favorite antiviruses. However, the competition is tough: it is at the bottom of the podium in our ranking.
5- Avast One
An antivirus known for its free offer
- Price: (promo)
- Visit the site:
Avast stands out for its free solutions which are installed by default on certain computers. But in addition to the free antivirus, the company Avast also offers a complete security suite called Avast One. You will easily understand, the best antivirus solution costs money… obviously Avast One Individual is much more complete than the free version. It is also much more secure, which will allow you to sleep soundly.
Beyond its basic antivirus, Avast One adds a webcam protection system and as well as protection against ransomware, a firewall, an anti-spam and anti-phishing filter (Real Site) etc. Note the feature called CyberCapture which allows a suspicious file to be sent to the Avast Cloud so that the firm's researchers can analyze it in real time. The interface is easy to manage, the tool is well designed for use on a Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android computer.
In September 2022, to face competition, Avast, which already owned AVG and was one of the largest antivirus groups in the world, merged with another behemoth, the NortonLifeLock group. The transaction was completed for $8 billion and gave rise to a new group: Gen Digital. This group is going to be one of the heavyweights for years to come. It will better compete with a Bitdefender or Intego in its segment.
Note that unlike most of its rivals, Avast includes SecureLine VPN access in its paid Avast One offerings. Avast VPN access is encrypted using the AES 256-bit algorithm, which means that it is not possible to decrypt the encrypted data by brute force. Once again, it doesn't necessarily hold its own against more established players like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
6- AVG Ultimate
Good software
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- Price: (promo)
- Visit the site:
AVG is also a reference in internet security and its AVG Ultime global solution will have everything to please you. You probably don't know this, but AVG also belongs to the Gen Digital group, which itself owns Norton and Avast (and which also appear in our ranking). Beyond the well-crafted design and the speed of the software (with the TuneUp module), this solution is also among the most complete on the market.
It comes with the use of an unlimited number of devices, whether they are running Windows, MacOS, iOS or Android. However, there is no iOS version – the latter being in Apple's protected ecosystem, and still relatively untouched by viruses. In France, AVG is very little known: the group prefers to concentrate on the Norton and Avast brands.
The AVG Ultimate antivirus system offers a virus detection system, ransomware management, payment protection, webcam protection, anti-spam filter for emails, digital safe or anti-theft. All with automatic updates which allow you to be permanently protected from any risk of threat. Note that alongside AVG Ultimate, an AVG Ultimate (multi-equipment) offer is available.
It is more expensive but it is also more complete. The first advantage is access to AVG Secure VPN on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. This access protects what you do online wherever you are by fully encrypting your internet connection with a military-grade algorithm. Around thirty very fast servers will allow you to make “believe” to sites you connect to from another country.
The price of the service is low but nothing prevents you from using a competing VPN service which will be more complete. In addition to this, the multi-equipment offer gives access to a password manager – but this is reserved for Windows, which limits its interest.
In recent years, “ransomware” have experienced strong growth: this software takes control of a computer and will encrypt your data and completely block the device. The user will then have to pay a ransom in cryptocurrencies (anonymous electronic currency) to recover the contents of their computer. Often, scammers don't even provide access to the data, which is even more frustrating.
It is not just individuals who have been victims of these hacks: large companies have sometimes paid several million euros to recover their data. In some cases, tens of millions have even been paid by the largest companies in the world – for lack of having had the best antivirus in 2023. Individuals are the most numerous victims but they are also the most discreet.
Every year, manufacturers spend billions of dollars on security to avoid viruses at all costs. For example, in 2022, the company Colonial Pipeline, which owns one of the most strategic pipelines in the United States, was attacked by Darkside hackers. For several days, the pipeline was disabled and the entire computer system blocked. The company was ultimately forced to pay $5 million in cryptocurrencies to regain access.
This type of attack is a classic example to illustrate the threat that can be found on the web. Tens of thousands of individuals are hacked every day, but no one talks about it. An antivirus like those presented in this comparative guide helps to minimize the risk of losing all stored data. Be careful, zero risk does not exist… but you can still put the maximum chances on your side.
2023 promises to be complicated, and the first months have already been terrible for IT security. The American government has made cybersecurity a national issue. If your computer is protected at one time, it will not necessarily be protected afterwards. This is why you need to subscribe to a reliable antivirus and keep it for the long term. It only takes a few hours of inadvertence to risk a lot.
According to the latest available data, no less than 13 million incidents linked to this type of hacking (+400%) were recorded in 2018. Without a good quality antivirus , these malicious programs use the computing power of a Mac, Windows or a smartphone (and ultimately increase electricity consumption – and the monthly bill) to mine cryptocurrencies. If your Mac is slow, this is a reason to consider.
The cost can be significant in the event of your data being hacked: it is better to equip yourself with a better antivirus from the comparison for a few dozen euros per year rather than see your bill increase drastically without we know why. Once again, just because your computer is fast doesn't mean it isn't infected by a virus either: you need to be vigilant and use a good antivirus.
This can concern computers as well as smartphones, tablets, televisions or any other product connected to the internet. Our antivirus comparator will allow you to avoid all these risks from the internet, without having to really worry about them. To secure your data, you can also equip yourself with a good external hard drive which allows you to store your sensitive files away from the web. Protection with one of the antiviruses in our comparison is an effective complement which provides a barrier to viruses coming from the internet.
Today, security ogres have the greatest resources to fight against mass IT attacks and the race for size among antiviruses is therefore strategic. Their big advantage is that they have millions of customers around the world and can therefore learn about a new virus by comparing suspicious code snippets. They can also update their best antivirus live to respond most effectively to new cyber attacks.
Unsurprisingly, the leading players corner a large part of the market: in France, the antivirus giant Bitdefender has almost 40% of the antivirus market share in France according to a published study recently by the prestigious GfK institute. It’s the absolute reference. Norton has a 27.5% market share. The French Intego is also a safe bet, especially on Mac where it is number 1.
World No. 1 (500 million customers)
Detects viruses, malware, phishing
The fastest on the market
Special offer: 60% off
9.8 /10
Our test Annual rate €19.99 Antivirus Plus €32.49 Internet Security €42.49 Total Security Our opinion: The best antivirus on all devices!Speed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 1
Number 1 on Mac
Detects threats (including 0-day)
No impact on performance
Special offer: 60% off
9.4 /10
Our test Annual rate €19.99 Mac Internet Security X9 €29.99 Mac Premium Bundle X9 Our opinion: The best antivirus on Mac with very advanced protection against 0-Day vulnerabilitiesSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 2
Easy to use antivirus
100% virus protection
Dark Web Protection
Offer: -80% and 3 devices
9.1 /10
Our test Annual rate €14.99 Norton Antivirus Plus €29.99 Norton 360 Standard €34.99 Norton 360 Deluxe €39.99 Norton 360 Advanced Our opinion: The most intuitive antivirus on the market Speed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 3
Free version effective
Antivirus + VPN
Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
Anti-threat protection
8.9 /10
Our test Annual rate €2.99 24 MONTHS €4.99 12 MONTHS €11.99 1 MONTH Our opinion: An excellent VPN with antivirus functionSpeed Security Features Simplicity Customer Support Price quality SEE MORE 4
The advantage of these solutions is the quality of their monitoring, which allows you to be permanently protected against threats as soon as they appear. These solutions also all integrate unparalleled anti-phishing protection which works through a system for reporting dubious domain names and the firewall. As soon as you click on a malicious link, the antivirus blocks it so that the phishing attempt can never succeed.
Outside of France, there are other publishers of the best antivirus which have a strong presence and which are also of good quality: AVG or Avast are well-known brands although they have a weak presence in France. All these players in the French market stand out in the known ranking carried out by the American laboratories AV-Comparatives and AV-Test, renowned in antivirus tests.
They compare the best antiviruses on the market and give scores based on their performance after testing them. Very clearly, the names that we cited to you above on the page are the references in data protection. This is why we advise you to choose one of the solutions offered by Bitdefender, Norton or Intego to secure your device ecosystem.
In our guide, you have learned many things about the best tools. Intego, Bitdefender, Norton, McAfee, so many names that have been on the market for decades and offer quality services. You still have questions but don't know where to find the answers ? Below, we've listed some of the main ones.
If you have any questions about this antivirus comparison or still don't know which antivirus to choose, ask us!