Kaspersky
Comprehensive antivirus and internet security software that provides real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and cyber threats. Offers multiple protection tiers from free basic antivirus to premium security suites with VPN, password management, and parental controls.
Best for
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing parental controls
- Budget-conscious users (free version)
- Businesses requiring endpoint security
Not ideal for
- Concerns about Russian government ties
- Premium plans can be expensive
- VPN has device limitations
- Occasional false positives with legitimate websites
Try Kaspersky Free
Free plan available · 4 plans available
Visit Kaspersky →Kaspersky Overview
Kaspersky vs Top Alternatives
| Software | Rating | Starting Price | Free Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KKaspersky | 4.6 ★ | $21.99/yr | Yes | |
| BBitdefender | 4.4 ★ | $9.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| MMcAfee | 4.3 ★ | $29.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| NNorton 360 | 4.3 ★ | $19.99/yr | No | Compare → |
| AAvast | 4.2 ★ | $31.20/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| EESET NOD32 | 4.2 ★ | $39.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
Kaspersky Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
- Comprehensive free version available
- Strong real-time protection capabilities
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
Cons
- Concerns about Russian government ties
- Premium plans can be expensive
- VPN has device limitations
- Occasional false positives with legitimate websites
Pricing Plans
Free
- Basic antivirus protection
- Manual virus scanning
- Malware detection
- Windows compatibility only
Standard
- Real-time protection
- Anti-phishing
- Two-way firewall
- Performance optimization
- Up to 3 devices
Plus
- All Standard features
- Unlimited VPN
- Password manager
- Hard drive health monitor
- Up to 5 devices
Premium
- All Plus features
- Identity protection wallet
- Data leak checker
- 24/7 remote IT support
- Safe Kids parental controls
- Up to 10 devices
Kaspersky Integrations
Kaspersky connects with 5 services to extend your workflow.
Who Should Use Kaspersky?
Individual consumers and home users
Individual consumers using Kaspersky Plus and Premium for personal cybersecurity. The free version (Kaspersky Security Cloud) is particularly popular among users who find it the best antivirus they've ever had, with extensive features and no spying concerns.
RecommendedSmall and medium businesses
Small businesses using Kaspersky Small Office Security for easy-to-use cybersecurity management. 48% of Kaspersky customers are medium-sized companies, with the solution protecting against phishing, ransomware, and advanced threats.
RecommendedLarge enterprises and critical infrastructure
Over 200,000 corporate clients globally including financial institutions, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, defense, education, and government entities. 34% of customers are large organizations with over 1000 employees.
Not idealInformation Technology and Computer Software companies
Information Technology and Services represents 16% of the customer base, with Computer Software at 6%. These sectors particularly value Kaspersky's advanced threat detection and behavioral monitoring capabilities.
RecommendedWhen to Consider Alternatives
If you're located in the United States
Kaspersky is completely banned in the U.S. as of July 2024, with all users stopped receiving critical malware database updates by September 2024, leaving systems vulnerable to new threats. Even traveling to the U.S. with Kaspersky installed could raise questions at customs.
Consider Bitdefender instead →If you have older or resource-constrained hardware
Kaspersky's CPU usage constantly sits at or above 20% during full scans, causing 24% slowdown when launching apps and 12% slowdown during installation. This makes it unsuitable for older computers or systems with limited resources.
Consider Malwarebytes instead →If you need advanced parental controls or modern security features
Parental controls (Safe Kids) are only valid for one year in Premium package, social media monitoring is restricted to only VK (Russian platform), and the password manager lacks two-factor authentication (2FA). iOS app is missing anti-theft, app locking, and call filtering features.
Consider Norton 360 instead →If you prefer flexible monthly subscriptions
All Kaspersky subscriptions are one-, two-, or three-year contracts with no monthly options, locking you into longer commitments than competitors offer.
Consider McAfee instead →Top Kaspersky Alternatives
Bitdefender
Award-winning antivirus and cybersecurity solution providing multi-layered protection against malware, ransomware, and online threats. Offers comprehensive security packages for individuals and businesses with advanced features like VPN, password manager, and identity protection.
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware protection, VPN, password management, and identity theft monitoring. Designed for individuals and families seeking all-in-one digital security with unlimited device coverage across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.
Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and cloud backup in one platform. Offers AI-powered scam protection and 100% virus protection promise for individuals and families across multiple devices.
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and online threats. Provides both free and premium plans with advanced features like firewall protection, webcam shielding, and VPN services for individuals and families.
ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that runs quietly in the background without slowing down your system. Trusted by over one billion users worldwide with 30 years of cybersecurity innovation and consistently high detection rates in independent lab tests.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provides real-time protection against viruses, ransomware, and malicious websites. It offers both free and premium versions with machine learning-powered threat detection for personal and business users across multiple devices.
TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, and online threats across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Offers comprehensive security bundles with VPN, password manager, ad blocker, and system optimization tools at competitive prices.
Trend Micro
30+ year-old cybersecurity company offering AI-powered antivirus and security solutions for home and business users. Provides multi-device protection against malware, ransomware, phishing, and online scams with cloud-based threat detection.
Webroot
Webroot delivers cloud-powered antivirus and security for PCs, Macs, mobiles, and Chromebooks, emphasizing speed, low resource impact, and real-time threat intelligence. Plans range from basic antivirus to full suites with identity protection, VPN, and backups.