Best Kaspersky alternatives for total internet security in 2024

Kaspersky Antivirus used to be a solid choice for individuals and companies to entrust their cybersecurity to. However, its status took a swift downturn in 2022 when Russia started a war in Ukraine. The actions of the Russian government and the suspicion that the Russian-owned Kaspersky Lab might be supplying the Kremlin with its users’ information propelled the US government to officially deem Kaspersky Antivirus unsafe for use not only within the United States but globally. This resulted in a total US ban on sales and updates on all Kaspersky Lab software.

Given that Kaspersky AV was one of the top choices for many before the complete ban, users had to review their options in choosing the best Kaspersky alternatives for internet security in 2024. I have researched and tested 17 different antivirus programs to provide you with the 8 best alternatives for Kaspersky AV to help you out in your search.

Top 5 best replacement for Kaspersky after the US ban

1. TotalAV

   Overall best Kaspersky alternative in 2024
   9.7
2. Surfshark Antivirus

   Secure Kaspersky replacement in 2024
   8.8
3. Bitdefender Antivirus

   Solid Kaspersky competitor with robust security features
   9.4
4. Norton Antivirus

   Well-rounded antivirus to replace Kaspersky
   9.1
5. Nord Adblock

   Affordable alternative to Kaspersky
   9.7

What has happened to Kaspersky?

Kaspersky, a Russian cybersecurity company, has been banned in the US primarily due to security concerns. Starting July 20, 2024, Kaspersky will wind down all its US-based operations, shutting them down completely by September 29, 2024. The total ban stems from long-standing suspicions that the Russian government could be using Kaspersky as an espionage tool with targeted cyber operations against the US.

While Russia's invasion of Ukraine propelled the decision to ban Kaspersky in the US, fears that Kaspersky might be exploiting its users’ data began as early as 2017. Back then, the National Security Agency made allegations that Kaspersky was used to hack into US government systems and steal sensitive information.

Lastly, these concerns were greatly amplified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading the US Federal Communications Commission to place Kaspersky on the list of companies posing a threat to US national security. The ban strictly forbids all sales and updates of the Kaspersky Antivirus software. Because the software won’t be updated with new crucial security features, it effectively makes the program unsafe to use. You can read more about this in our Kaspersky antivirus review.

The US government strongly advises all Kaspersky Antivirus users to switch immediately to alternative cybersecurity providers to avoid threats once Kaspersky Antivirus stops being routinely updated. From my perspective, it would be better not to wait until it shuts down completely, in case the espionage allegations prove to be true.

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Key features to look for in Kaspersky Antivirus replacement

If you’ve used Kaspersky Antivirus and are now searching for an alternative, you'll likely want a solution that matches or even surpasses the quality you experienced. TotalAV stands out as the best Kaspersky alternative due to excellent security features, the addition of a reliable VPN, and competitive pricing. To help you make an informed decision, I compared Kaspersky’s Internet Security and Total Security plans with TotalAV Internet Security and Total Security plans. This comparison highlights the strengths and benefits of TotalAV, demonstrating why it’s a top choice for those seeking a robust Kaspersky alternative.

In a nutshell, the Kaspersky Internet Security package offers essential protection but lacks advanced features like a password manager or file encryption, while the Kaspersky Total Security comes with a more comprehensive set including cloud backup and parental controls. As for the TotalAV Internet Security package, it covers all the essential bases and includes additional tools, like a VPN. Lastly, TotalAV Total Security has the most comprehensive security coverage with identity protection and cloud backup included in the feature set. This makes TotalAV a strong alternative, if not a better alternative, to Kaspersky Total Security.

Best Kaspersky alternatives in 2024

1. TotalAV - overall best Kaspersky replacement in 2024
2. Surfshark AV - secure Kaspersky alternative in 2024
3. Bitdefender - solid Kaspersky competitor with robust security features
4. Norton AV - well-rounded antivirus to replace Kaspersky
5. Nord Threat Protection - affordable alternative to Kaspersky

If you’re looking for a solid alternative to Kaspersky this year, my guide has got you covered. I tested 20 available antivirus software and compiled this list of the Top 8 replacements for you to choose from:

1. TotalAV - overall best Kaspersky replacement in 2024

TotalAV is the best Kaspersky alternative in 2024. It has the same core security features as Kaspersky, plus an additional ad blocker and more cloud backup space. It is also a bit cheaper for the first year and supports more devices than Kaspersky.

So, let’s explore TotalAV's security features a bit more. First, there’s the real-time protection feature that constantly monitors for potential threats. There’s also the WebShield extension that automatically blocks malicious websites and crypto-mining URLs. Additionally, TotalAV has a dedicated VPN, which is always a nice addition.

Besides the industry-standard features, TotalAV also has a password manager, identity theft protection, an ad block (a feature that Kaspersky does not have), and is capable of 99% malware detection rates. I tested these capabilities myself, and can confirm that my in-house tests corresponded to those of independent antivirus testing labs.

Although the software is full of features, the program and the apps are simple to navigate and use. Lastly, it uses just around 1% RAM on an 8/16GB RAM computer, which is quite insignificant in the grand scheme of operational speeds. You can find more test results in my in-depth TotalAV review.

TotalAV’s Antivirus Pro plan for protection against online threats comes at $19.99/year for 3 devices, while the Internet Security plan with incorporated VPN comes at $39/year for 5 devices. Lastly, the Total Security plan that includes VPN, ad block, password protection, and device protection at $49/year for 6 devices. All yearly plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, while the monthly ones come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. Lastly, you can try all of them with a 7-day free trial.

For a deeper investigation of TotalAV, read our TotalAV review.

2. Surfshark AV - secure Kaspersky alternative in 2024

Surfshark AV is a very strong and secure replacement for Kaspersky in 2024. Surfshark AV has a well-rounded package of latest security features combined with a very strong VPN. Plus, it comes with very simple to use apps for Windows, MacOs, and Android, making it easy to use even if you’ve never used AV software before.

As an excellent AV should, Surfshark comes with real-time threat protection with a 90% malware detection rate proven during my testing, an ad block called CleanWeb, and one of the strongest VPN options in the industry for a well-rounded cybersecurity package. A nice additional touch is the webcam protection that locks your camera and alerts you if any app or website attempts to access it without your knowledge. By the way, Surfshark’s malware database is updated every 3 hours, making you safe from zero-day viruses. However, a quick scan took me more than 2 minutes, which is a bit longer compared to other AVs.

Surfshark AV comes only in the Surfshark One bundle which includes a premium VPN service and costs $50.85/year for 5 devices. Of course, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee which you can use if you decide that Surfshark is not for you or try its 7-day free trial first.

3. Bitdefender - solid Kaspersky competitor with robust security features

Bitdefender is a solid Kaspersky competitor offering robust security features in its package. What sets it apart from the competition, though, is its compatibility with all the most popular operating systems including Linux.

Bitdefender’s security package includes the core real-time protection, deep system scan, and a VPN. However, the VPN comes with a 200MB daily cap, unless you buy the premium package. Bitdefender also has a whole slew of nice additional features, like Scamio, an AI-based chatbox which analyzes messages and links to check their authenticity and intention. There’s also a well-functioning webcam and microphone lock.

During my testing, Bitdefender proved to be 100% effective in detecting real-time threats. However, with deep scan the percentage dropped to 90% and the quick scan did not catch any planted malware at all, making it completely ineffective.

Bitdefender’s antivirus pricing starts at $9.99/year and covers up to 3 devices with essential security features. The Total Security plan comes at $49.99/year and you can connect up to 5 devices to it. And if you’re interested in the Internet Security plan, it also costs $49.99/year for 3 devices. If you’d like to try Bitdefender commitment-free first, it has a basic free plan, too. Lastly, all your purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 30-day free trial, too.

4. Norton AV - well-rounded antivirus to replace Kaspersky

Norton AV is another excellent antivirus to replace Kaspersky in 2024. A well-known name in the industry, Norton AV offers a great package of security features, plus a reliable VPN and a password manager. However, its interface is somewhat less intuitive to use and if you’re not used to antivirus software you might get lost while adjusting the settings.

Besides the mandatory security features such as real-time threat protection and deep scans, Norton AV also has a whole array of additional features. You can expect to find parental controls, system optimization tools, PC backup, and a Smart Firewall. The last feature is very handy for monitoring the communications between your computer and other computers on the network, providing an additional layer of security.

In my own testing, Norton’s real-time threat protection only delivered about 70% as it failed to identify and remove 3 out of 10 malware baits I planted. I got a bit better results with a deep scan. Here, Norton AV performed at 80%, which isn’t bad at all. However, both the real-time scan and the deep scan took a bit longer compared to other antivirus software.

You can get the Norton Plus plan for $19.99/year. If you want to go for the Standard plan, it’ll cost you $39.99/year for 1 device and the Norton Deluxe plan is $49.99/year for 5 devices. Lastly, Norton 360 Advanced comes at $191.88/year for 10 devices. You can try out all of these plans with 7-day free trial or use the 60-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Norton Antivirus, read our Norton Antivirus review.

5. Nord Threat Protection - affordable alternative to Kaspersky

Nord Threat Protection is an affordable alternative to Kaspersky if you’re looking for lightweight internet security software combined with an excellent VPN. First and foremost, NordVPN is the leading VPN service, combining all the latest cybersecurity features with a vast server fleet. Now, with the addition of Threat Protection, the VPN has become a solid replacement for antivirus software.

In a nutshell, NordVPN Threat Protection blocks malicious ads and trackers and prevents access to dangerous websites. Additionally, it automatically scans and removes infected downloads. Because the Nord Threat Protection feature comes together with NordVPN, which has proved to be one of the ultimate best in the market, it makes up for a well-rounded cybersecurity package. So, besides the ad & tracker blocker and scans for infected files, you also get a secure IP and total network security, and 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage.

Once I put the Nord Threat Protection up for a test, I found that the Pro version of the service blocked a lofty 80% of all malicious ads and websites, while the Standard version operated at about 35% efficiency. One additional bonus of the service is that it stops all malicious ads even before they load, which enhances the browsing speed. As for its capability to block phishing URLs, it intercepted 9 out of 10, proving great reliability. Lastly, the software is highly intuitive and all your scans and stats are displayed in a convenient and easy-to-follow dashboard.

The Nord Threat Protection Ultimate package is available for a mere $5.99/month, making it the most affordable option on my list. The Plus package is even cheaper at $3.99/month, but you won’t get the 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and the malware scans are less effective. Both of the plans support up to 10 devices simultaneously, and you can try out the service with a 7-day free trial or use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you need it.

6. Malwarebytes - lightweight alternative to Kaspersky

Malwarebytes is another excellent alternative to Kaspersky with decades of experience in the internet security field. Malwarebytes has an excellent set of features for protecting devices against cyber threats. The set is enhanced by its own Malwarebytes.AI - an AI-based software - to catch zero-day malware.

Malwarebytes comes with reliable real-time protection, secure malware, ransomware, and exploit protection, a VPN, and an added ad blocker for safe browsing. Another thing I really liked about Malwarebytes is the software’s minimalistic design, which made it super easy to understand and navigate. Lastly, it’s a very lightweight software that uses barely 1% of CPU while idle.

Now, although Malwarebytes lacks features like parental control, a password manager, and a firewall, it makes up for its efficiency in real-time protection and deep scans. For instance, its browser guard proved to be 100% effective in spotting and blocking suspicious URLs during my testing. Real-time protection came at around 90% with the browser extension on, and deep scans ran at about 50% efficiency.

Malwarebytes Standard plan comes at $38.24/year but it lacks a VPN service. The Plus plan stands at $59.99/year. While it comes with a VPN included, both the Standards and the Plus don’t have ID Theft Protection. Lastly, there’s also a free Malwarebytes version, but it lacks the crucial real-time protection feature, rendering it not particularly useful. Both of the paid plans come with a 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

7. ESET NOD32 - secure and trusted Kaspersky alternative

ESET NOD32 is a very secure Kaspersky alternative you can get in 2024. Although ESET is not as well-known as the other software on this list, it still has an extensive package of security features and is definitely a highly reliable service.

Speaking of features, ESET comes with mandatory real-time protection, deep scans, anti-phishing, malware, and ransomware protection, plus a secure banking feature and device control. Lastly, it comes with a truly great mobile security app for Android, bolstered with a very handy anti-theft tool for stolen devices.

Throughout my testing, ESET’s Real-Time Protection performed excellently by blocking 100% of the prepared malware and catching 90% of live malware samples. The scanning feature did not fall far behind, detecting 90% of malware. Now, while it does perform almost faultlessly at scans and instant protection, I found myself wanting an additional VPN service for truly well-rounded internet protection as ESET NOD32 does not have it for the Essential and Premium packs.

This simple-to-use AV software costs $41.99/year for 1 device if you choose the Essential pack. If you’d like to add more than one device, you can add up to 10 at the same time for just a few additional dollars. Then, there’s the Ultimate package with a metadata cleanup feature, a VPN, and ID theft protection. However, it comes at a pretty steep $125.99/year for just one device. All these plans come with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

8. McAfee Total Protection - a seasoned replacement for Kaspersky

McAfee is a well-trusted replacement for Kaspersky. It’s a real household name when it comes to antivirus programs, having been the first such software brought to market in 1987. Now, being old does not mean being decrepit in McAfee’s case, as the software is always up-to-date with the latest innovations and security upgrades.

When it comes to security features, McAfee offers a comprehensive set of real-time protection, anti-phishing, ID theft protection, firewall, password manager, file shredder, and a secure VPN to top it all off. However, there are some drawbacks to McAfee Total Protection, too, with one of them being an unexpectedly long installation process that took me over 15 minutes.

The antivirus's real-time protection performed with 100% accuracy during my testing. The WebAdvisor with the extension turned on did similarly with 90% efficiency. All the rest of McAfee's features, especially the TrueKey password manager, operate quite seamlessly, and the software itself is pretty easy to navigate. All in all, it’s well-rounded, trustworthy antivirus software.

McAfee offers 5 different plans with the Basic one being the cheapest at $29.99/year for 1 device. A step-up would be the Essential pack for $39.99/year for 5 devices, and if you want to get it for an unlimited number of devices, the same package will cost you $49.99/year. This package is called McAfee+ Premium and has more privacy features, including personal data cleanup. Lastly, there are McAfee+ Advanced at $89.99/year for unlimited devices and McAfee+ Ultimate at $119.99/year also for unlimited devices. These top-tier plans come with bank and credit card transaction monitoring and identity theft coverage of $1M. All these plans come with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Comparison of the best Kaspersky replacement

Here’s a quick comparison of the best antivirus to replace Kaspersky, based on the software’s rating, price, free trial, money-back guarantee, and VPN availability:

How I selected these Kaspersky alternatives

To compile this list, I selected 20 available antivirus software. I did in-house testing with them first trying out their real-time protection capabilities by downloading unzipped malware files to see if the software properly reacts. After that, I stored malware in the computer to check how effective each AV’s deep scans were. Then, I compared my results with the results of independent antivirus testing labs like AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives. Lastly, I took all the following criteria in mind before determining my top 8 choices for the Kaspersky alternative:

• Detection rates. I looked for AV software that delivered at least 50% accuracy in real-time protection and deep scans. All my top choices performed better than that, keeping their scores at or close to 100% accuracy.
• Security. In my opinion, a truly well-rounded cybersecurity package should include a trusty VPN. Additionally, features like password manager add a nice layer of security. So, expect to find these additions in all the antivirus sofwares listed here.
• Features. No matter how many features the AV software has listed, there’s no use in them if they do not properly perform. That’s why I checked every feature of every AV software to ensure their effectiveness.
• Performance. I did performance tests to check how much the antivirus software affected my system’s speed and performance, so you’d know what to expect from them.
• Reliability. It was crucial for me to find antivirus programs that update their databases as often as possible, while simultaneously relying on the latest-possible security and detection updates.
• Compatibility. All of my top choices are compatible with all of the most popular operating systems and have browser extensions and available apps for mobile devices.
• Ease of use. Spending hours trying to understand an antivirus program is not for me. All the software that made it to the list are simple-to-use even if you’re just a beginner.

I followed these strict criteria in compiling my list of top 8 alternatives to Kaspersky in 2024 and chose reliable, worthwhile software for ultimate cybersecurity.

How to get rid of Kaspersky?

If you want to get rid of Kaspersky from your device, there are several ways to do it. Here are my top tips:

1. Uninstall via the Control Panel (Windows) or Finder (Mac)

Windows:

1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Select Programs and Features.
3. Find Kaspersky in the list, right-click it, and choose Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Mac:

1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to the Applications folder.
3. Drag the Kaspersky application to the Trash.
4. Empty the Trash to complete the removal

1. Remove residual files

This step is optional, but highly recommended and should be performed after uninstalling Kaspersky AV. It is to ensure that there aren’t any residual files left. Here’s how to proceed:

• Windows: Navigate to C:Program Files and C:Program Files (x86) and delete any Kaspersky folders. You can also check the AppData folders (C:Users[Your Username]AppData) for any residual Kaspersky data.

• Mac: Check Library/Application Support, Library/Preferences, and Library/Caches for any remaining Kaspersky files and delete them.

1. Restart your device

Once you’re done with the uninstallation process, restart your device for the changes to take effect.

1. Install alternative antivirus software

Once Kaspersky is fully removed from your device, I recommend installing an alternative cybersecurity software. My top recommendations are TotalAV, Surfshark AV, and Bitdefender AV.

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Final thoughts

The US government has declared Kaspersky antivirus software unsafe to use after suspecting the software might be used as a spy tool by the Russian government. As a result, as soon as September 29, 2024, Kaspersky will be completely banned from selling and updating any of its software within the US. Thus, finding a solid, secure, and trustworthy replacement became an important quest for many internet users.

I recommend TotalAV as the best alternative for Kaspersky AV software as it comes with a solid security package enhanced with additional features such as a robust VPN, identity protection, parental controls, and a well-built password manager. You can get it right now for $39.00/year with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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FAQ

Is Kaspersky a Russian-owned company?

Yes, Kaspersky is a Russian-owned company. Kaspersky also has a British holding company and some operations based in Massachusetts which will be closed as for September 29, 2024.

Why avoid Kaspersky?

Kaspersky might be used as a spy tool by the Russian government. Although as of right now these are allegations and not confirmed facts, it is still best to steer clear from Kaspersky if you want to be 100% safe from possible prying.

What is the best alternative to Kaspersky Total Security?

TotalAV Total Security is the best alternative to Kaspersky Total Security. TotalAV has all the same features as the Kaspersky Total Security package, plus a dependable VPN, an ad blocker, and more cloud backup space. You can get it for $49.99/year for 8 devices.

What is a good replacement for Kaspersky Internet Security?

TotalAV Internet Security is a good replacement for Kaspersky Internet Security. It has all the same features, plus file Shredder, ID Protection, System Optimization Tools, and an ad blocker included in the package. You can try it out for $39.00/year for 6 devices with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Which is better Norton or Kaspersky?

Norton is better than Kaspersky. First off, Norton is based in Tempe, Arizona and Prague, Czech Republic while Kaspersky is based in Russia, a country that does not fall under any EU or US laws. Also, Norton AV performs better at detecting and blocking malware and is overall more reliable.

Which countries banned Kaspersky?

Kaspersky is banned in the US. It is also banned from UK (since 2017) and Netherlands (since 2018) government systems and national security departments while Germany (in 2022) advised its citizens to look for safer alternatives.