Which Is Better: Free or Paid Antivirus Software?

Paid antivirus software usually provides more robust, comprehensive, and up-to-date protection than free solutions. Most paid antivirus software packages will come with all the features and benefits of its free or trial version, along with some additional functionalities.

Does a Chromebook Need Antivirus Software?

While Chromebook’s layers of built-in protection keep it free from viruses, it can be susceptible to other malware, such as phishing, scam Android apps, and dangerous websites. To protect your Chromebook from malware, ensure all its built-in security features are running and install additional antivirus software.

Malware, short for malicious software, is developed by hackers to steal information and damage or destroy computers and computer networks. Ransomware, adware, spyware, and Trojan horse viruses are common examples. Malware is often designed to steal data such as emails, contacts, and passwords. Ransomware can lock computers until the owners agree to pay the hacker to remove the malicious software.

Can Viruses Steal Passwords From Chrome?

Yes. While not technically “viruses,” malware can steal your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge login password stored in the browsers. Having these browsers store passwords for convenience is a common practice, thus making them vulnerable to malware infections.

How Do I Check My Chromebook for Viruses?

You might not need to. According to Google, your Chromebook has “multiple layers of protection,” including automatic data encryption, cloud storage, and pushbutton recovery mode. However, if you want to add more malware protection to your Chromebook, you can get a good antivirus software package.

Best Antivirus Software for Chromebooks of 2023

Photo composite of a woman on her laptop. — Lifewire / Design by Amelia Manley

Whether free or paid, antivirus software is an excellent addition to any device, including a Chromebook. This software enhances the security of your Chromebook to help protect against computer viruses, malware, phishing, or other harmful threats. While Chromebooks are generally considered more secure than other devices, keeping your personal information safe is a good idea. Check out our list of the best antivirus software for Chromebooks.

Best Antivirus Software for Chromebooks of 2023

Best Overall: Kaspersky
Best for Ransomware Protection: Avira
Best Built-in VPN: Bitdefender
Best for Privacy Protection: Malwarebytes
Best for Beginners: ESET

Best Overall: Kaspersky

Cost: $22 to $60 per year
What's Included: Malware protection, VPN, anti-theft tools, real-time web threat filter
Compatibility: Android, Windows, MacOS, Apple iOS

Why We Chose It

Kaspersky stood out for its excellent malware protection and other anti-theft tools, including a web threat warning filter.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Great malware protection
VPN included
Regularly updated
Anti-theft tools

Cons

Perceived connections with Russian secret service
No free trial version

Overview

Kaspersky Internet Security is our top pick for the best antivirus software for Chromebooks due to its overall excellent malware protection and a suite of other useful tools.

Kaspersky consistently receives top marks from independent antivirus test labs, and its Android product is no exception. Kaspersky Internet Security for Android will run on any Chromebook that can run Android apps. In addition, this software has received high ratings from both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test for providing a high level of protection against all sorts of malware.

In addition to stamping out malware with a real-time scanner that runs in the background, Kaspersky also includes anti-theft tools, anti-phishing measures, and even a web filter to keep you safe online.

Kaspersky is also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS, and the same app will run on your Chromebook and Android phone, so you can rely on the same antivirus suite to protect all your devices.

Best for Ransomware Protection: Avira

Cost: $35 to $60 per year; free version available
What's Included: Ransomware protection, VPN, system optimizer, web protection
Compatibility: ChromeOS, Windows, MacOS, iOS

Why We Chose It

Already an excellent overall antivirus and security product, Avira has added built-in ransomware protection. It also scans apps, local files, and external devices for malware.

Pros & Cons

Pros

VPN included
Strong ransomware defense
System optimizer included
Native Chrome OS support

Cons

Consumes a lot of system resources

Overview

Avira is a tremendous overall antivirus and security product, and it is our pick for the best Chromebook antivirus software with built-in ransomware protection. In addition to scanning apps, local files, and even external devices for malware, the built-in ransomware protection keeps your local data safe from devastating attacks.

Suppose you store essential data on your Chromebook, and you’re worried about it falling victim to ransomware. The best thing you can do is ensure that data is automatically synched to your Google Drive. Failing that, Avira’s ransomware protection can prevent malware from encrypting your data and then extorting you for the decryption key.

Avira also provides an excellent malware scanner with real-time protection, automatically rates apps based on privacy concerns, protects your identity by monitoring data breaches for your information, and even offers a free version.

In addition to the Android app, which works on Chromebooks, Avira is also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS.

Avira Free Security Review

Best Built-In VPN: Bitdefender

Cost: $60 to $100 per year for home versions
What's Included: VPN, anti-malware, email screening
Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS

Why We Chose It

Bitdefender features an easy-to-use full-screen interface, a VPN that provides 200 MB of traffic daily, and protection against malware.

Pros & Cons

Pros

VPN on paid versions
Malware protection
Automated updates
Easy to use

Cons

Mac support only with paid versions

Overview

Bitdefender is our top pick for the best Chromebook antivirus with a built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network). This highly desirable feature is available with all paid versions of Bitdefender.

Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus is an Android app that runs great on Chromebooks, expanding to a full-screen interface that’s easy to use. Its key feature is a built-in VPN that provides 200 MB of traffic daily. Upgrade to the premium version of Bitdefender, and you get unlimited bandwidth and the ability to select VPN locations worldwide.

In addition to its excellent built-in VPN, Bitdefender provides top-notch protection against malware, an autopilot function that helps you patch security holes, and even a monitoring feature that alerts you if your email account is included in a data breach.

Bitdefender is also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS, and you can run the same app on your Chromebook and Android phone.

Best for Privacy Protection: Malwarebytes

Cost: $70 to $85 per year
What's Included: Anti-malware, anti-adware, privacy audit
Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Android

Why We Chose It

Along with excellent protection against adware and malware, Malwarebytes' privacy audit feature makes it our choice for the best Chromebook privacy protection.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Malicious website protection
Ransomware protection
VPN included

Cons

Lacks real-time protection
Fewer features in free version

Overview

Malwarebytes provides excellent protection against adware and malware, but it deserves special attention for its privacy audit feature. This feature allows you to check the access privileges of every app on your Chromebook, which is why Malwarebytes is our top pick for Chromebook privacy protection.

When you run the Malwarebytes privacy audit, the app provides an exhaustive list of permissions with specific information about which apps have been granted each permission. This provides a quick and easy way to see which apps can access your network, control your hardware, track your location, and more. If you don’t like what you see, you can revoke permissions or uninstall the offending app.

In addition to protecting your privacy, Malwarebytes offers excellent protection against all sorts of adware and malware. In addition, the app provides real-time protection, which means it can scan new files and apps in real-time and identify threats before they become an issue.

Malwarebytes also has an excellent Chrome extension to protect you while browsing, and the main app is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Best for Beginners: ESET

Cost: $50 to $100 per year
What's Included: Malware scanner, malicious website protection, network scanner
Compatibility: ChromeOS, Windows, MacOS, and Linux

Why We Chose It

ESET's ease of use, maintenance, and intuitive interface made it our pick as the best Chromebook antivirus software for beginners. Rather than a cramped portrait mode interface designed for phones, ESET explodes into an attractive, easy-to-navigate full-screen display.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy to use
Full-screen interface
Home network security scanner
Malware scanner

Cons

No free version
Limited parental controls

Overview

ESET Mobile Security & Antivirus is our pick for the best Chromebook antivirus software for beginners due to its intuitive interface. Some Chromebook antivirus apps are limited to a cramped portrait mode designed for phones, but ESET sprawls out in a full-screen experience that’s as attractive to look at as it is easy to use.

Although there is no free version, the ESET app has a free 30-day trial. That makes it a good candidate for beginners looking to try out a fully featured Chromebook antivirus product without paying much upfront.

In addition to being an excellent malware scanner, ESET has many extra features. For example, anti-phishing measures protect you from malicious websites, a network scanner can look for vulnerabilities on your home Wi-Fi network, and the security audit feature checks all your apps to see if they pass muster. You also get several anti-theft features primarily designed with phones in mind.

In addition to working on Chromebooks and Android, ESET is also available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Final Verdict

Even more robust than many of its better-known competitors, Kaspersky Internet Security is our choice for the best overall antivirus software for Chromebook. All versions offer malware and spyware removal, a powerful VPN, and web protection to block malware websites and downloads. Running in the background, Kaspersky’s antivirus monitors your system, continuously blocking malware before it gets to your device. Add to that its anti-theft tools and anti-phishing measures, and Kaspersky Internet Security is an essential addition to your Chromebook security toolkit.

Compare the Best Antivirus Software for Chromebooks

Company	Cost Per Year	What's Included	Compatibility
Kaspersky Best Overall	$22 to $60	Malware protection, VPN, anti-theft tools, real-time web threat filter	Android, Windows, MacOS, Apple iOS
Avira Best Anti-Ransomware	$35 to $60; free version available	Ransomware protection, VPN, system optimizer, web protection	ChromeOS, Windows, MacOS, iOS
Bitdefender Best Built-In VPN	$60 to $100	VPN, anti-malware, email screening	Windows, MacOS, iOS, ChromeOS, Android
Malwarebytes Best Privacy Protection	$70 to $85	Anti-malware, anti-adware, privacy audit	Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Android
ESET Best For Beginners	$50 to $100	Malware scanner, malicious website protection, network scanner	ChromeOS, Windows, MacOS, Linux

FAQ

Which Is Better: Free or Paid Antivirus Software?

Paid antivirus software usually provides more robust, comprehensive, and up-to-date protection than free solutions. Most paid antivirus software packages will come with all the features and benefits of its free or trial version, along with some additional functionalities.
Does a Chromebook Need Antivirus Software?

While Chromebook’s layers of built-in protection keep it free from viruses, it can be susceptible to other malware, such as phishing, scam Android apps, and dangerous websites. To protect your Chromebook from malware, ensure all its built-in security features are running and install additional antivirus software.
What Is Malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is developed by hackers to steal information and damage or destroy computers and computer networks. Ransomware, adware, spyware, and Trojan horse viruses are common examples. Malware is often designed to steal data such as emails, contacts, and passwords. Ransomware can lock computers until the owners agree to pay the hacker to remove the malicious software.
Can Viruses Steal Passwords From Chrome?

Yes. While not technically “viruses,” malware can steal your Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge login password stored in the browsers. Having these browsers store passwords for convenience is a common practice, thus making them vulnerable to malware infections.
How Do I Check My Chromebook for Viruses?

You might not need to. According to Google, your Chromebook has “multiple layers of protection,” including automatic data encryption, cloud storage, and pushbutton recovery mode. However, if you want to add more malware protection to your Chromebook, you can get a good antivirus software package.

8 Ways to Keep Your Chromebook Safe

Methodology

Our writers spent numerous hours researching the most popular Chromebook antivirus software. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 30 different antivirus packages overall, screened options from 30 other brands and manufacturers, read dozens of user reviews (both positive and negative), and tested six of the antivirus software products themselves.