Best Antivirus Software Philippines 2024 – Top Antivirus Software Compared

The importance of antivirus software cannot be overstated. A single malicious program can slow down your device, corrupt your files, and gain access to your sensitive information.

However, you might need a bit of help choosing the right tool for your needs. In this guide, we break down the best antivirus software in the Philippines so you can stay protected when browsing the web, downloading files, and torrenting movies and games.

The 10 Best Antivirus Software in the Philippines for 2024

In 2021, clients of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) lost over 1 billion Philippines Pesos as a result of the bank’s servers being hacked.

If cybercriminals can breach a bank’s security system, you can imagine how easy it would be for them to access your device and steal your information.

If you want to stay fully protected from cyber threats, then you need the best antivirus software in the Philippines.

With so many antivirus providers to choose from, it can be difficult to know who to trust. That’s why we’ve put together our selection of the best antivirus software in the Philippines and compared their security features, performance, and pricing. 

Here are our top 10 reputable antivirus software providers that all offer superb protection against malware, viruses, and other forms of cyber attacks: 

1. TotalAV — Overall, the Best Antivirus Software in the Philippines
2. Norton — Best Antivirus for PC
3. Nord Threat Protection — Popular Antivirus That Comes Along With a VPN
4. Surfshark One — Powerful Antivirus With Fast Scans
5. Avira — Best Free Antivirus in the Philippines
6. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac
7. ESET — Decent Antivirus, but Among the Most Expensive Ones
8. McAfee Antivirus Plus — Great Protection, but Resource-Intensive
9. Bitdefender Total Security — Strong Antivirus With High Threat Detection Rate
10. Kaspersky Total Security — Best Antivirus for Windows 10
11. Panda Dome  — Good Antivirus with a VPN Included in all Plans

Top Antivirus Software in the Philippines Reviewed

There are quite a few things to consider when choosing the best antivirus software in the Philippines.

You need a powerful antivirus that offers superb protection against cyber threats but doesn’t slow down your device or eat all of your RAM.

On top of that, you might want to look into additional features like a virtual private network (VPN), ad-blocker, and real-time alerts. 

Here we’ve reviewed the top 5 antivirus software available in the Philippines, so you can see the exact level of protection you’re getting for your money and make an informed decision.

1. TotalAV — Overall the Best Antivirus Software in the Philippines

TotalAV is a great antivirus option for users in the Philippines.

It offers excellent real-time protection and checks all downloaded files for threats and harmful software the moment your device attempts to access them. This gives you an opportunity to remove the infected files from your device before they get the chance to infect your system. 

You can also scan your device and eliminate malware and other harmful programs from your system.

That said, TotalAV does utilize a lot of resources for full scans, but you can always schedule smart scans when you’re not using the device, so you don’t have to worry about possible performance issues while the scan is running. 

On top of the standard antivirus protection, TotalAV offers a variety of tools that can help optimize your device and improve performance by deleting junk files, cleaning your browsing history and cookies, and deleting unwanted applications.

The antivirus also monitors the associated email proactively and will notify you the moment it detects your data has been compromised.

The Total Security pricing plan also includes a powerful VPN, an ad-blocker, and a password manager tool. All of these features, along with the antivirus, are available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOs.

We were particularly impressed by TotalAV’s Windows performance, and it was our No. 1 pick for the best antivirus for Windows 1o. 

The one major drawback of TotalAV is that you can install it on a maximum of six devices. 

Pricing

The Antivirus Pro plan from TotalAV, priced at $29 for the first year, is a cost-effective option for small families with its coverage of 3 devices, including real-time protection and the added feature of ‘Rare File Alert’.

However, to ensure maximum protection for multiple devices, we recommend TotalAV’s Total Security package, which includes Antivirus, Internet Security, and VPN. Try it out with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can get a full refund.

2. Norton — Best Antivirus for PC

Norton is a well-known cybersecurity company with over 30 years of experience in protecting users against all types of malware and cyber threats.

The company takes digital security very seriously, so Norton offers a myriad of useful features on top of antivirus protection. 

Norton’s antivirus is incredibly powerful. A testament to its effectiveness is the company’s bold “100% virus protection” promise — Norton offers users a full refund if their devices get infected by a virus that Norton cannot identify and remove. 

On top of robust malware, spyware, and ransomware protection, Norton provides a secure firewall for PC and Mac.

With the Norton 360 Premium plan, you can install the antivirus on up to 10 devices. On top of superb protection, you’ll enjoy up to 75 Gb of personal cloud storage, full parental control, a secure VPN, and real-time Dark Web Monitoring. 

Apart from the standard protection suite, Norton offers a specialized plan for gamers that includes a game optimizer, full-screen detection mode, PC SafeCam, and protection from DDoS attacks, among other features. This makes Norton our No. 1 antivirus for PC. 

That said, if you want to protect your mobile devices, Norton might not be the best option.

While it does offer excellent iOS and Android antivirus apps, Norton Mobile Security is a standalone subscription. In other words, you’d have to set aside another $15 per mobile device for the first year of protection. 

Pricing

3. Nord Threat Protection — Popular Antivirus That Comes Along With a VPN

NordVPN, with over 5,000 servers in 60+ countries, is a highly versatile VPN platform. When paired with Nord Threat Protection, an antivirus add-on, it provides comprehensive device security and a seamless browsing experience.

One of the greatest advantages of Nord Threat Protection is its ease of setup. To enable it on a mobile device, simply open the app, access your account, navigate to the “Settings” tab, and activate Threat Protection using the toggle switch.

Enabling Nord Threat Protection on a PC is just as simple. Open the app, click on the shield icon on the left side of the screen, and turn on the feature. It takes only a few seconds. Additionally, this feature comes at no extra cost, as it is included with NordVPN.

Even though Nord Threat Protection is not a traditional antivirus, it has similar capabilities. For instance, it blocks access to harmful websites by displaying a warning message.

In a similar way, it conducts detailed scans on all files, particularly recent downloads to prevent malware from infiltrating your system. It’s worth noting that the Nord Threat Protection feature only scans executable files and not non-executable files such as images or PDFs.

Additionally, it blocks suspicious pop-ups, ads, and trackers to provide a more seamless browsing experience. This protects your personal data and reduces the number of targeted ads you see.

Pricing

If you want the best value for your money, Nord’s 2-year plan is a good choice. Among the plans offered, the Standard plan is particularly cost-effective, starting at $4.19/month. It includes a high-quality VPN service, malware protection, and ad blocking.

Consider upgrading to Nord’s Complete plan for added security features, including a data breach scanner, cross-platform password manager, and 1 TB of cloud storage. Plus, there are no renewal hikes.

4. Surfshark One — Powerful Antivirus With Fast Scans

Surfshark One is an all-in-one online security suite that features an antivirus, a VPN, a secure search, and real-time alerts.

This 360-degree protection ensures that no malicious programs can infect your device and provides complete safety, privacy, and anonymity online. 

The Surfshark Antivirus is quite simply our top pick for the best antivirus in 2022.

Despite offering superb malware protection, the antivirus is lightweight, meaning it doesn’t consume much of your device’s resources. It can work silently in the background, providing real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, keyloggers, trojans, and other harmful programs.

You can also use the Surfshark Antivirus to perform a Quick Scan and a Full Scan of your device and identify and remove any existing threats.

It features a sleek, modern design and is incredibly easy to set up and use, so you don’t need special technical knowledge to enjoy the advanced protection Surfshark offers. 

On top of the antivirus, Surfshark also offers a powerful VPN that hides your IP address, prevents tracking, blocks annoying ads, and safeguards your online data.

It relies on powerful AES-256 protection and secure VPN protocols to ensure nobody can monitor your online activity or gain access to your data. 

The best part about the Surfshark One suite is the fact that you can use the antivirus and the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. The VPN is compatible with all operating systems and devices, while the antivirus is available for Windows, macOS, and Android phones. 

In fact, it’s our top pick when it comes to the best antivirus for Android too.

Pricing

Surfshark’s 24 + 2 free months plan is a great value at just $2.05/month. It offers robust security features and a VPN at an unbeatable price with no renewal hikes.

An attractive feature of Surfshark is that all its plans come with all its features, including premium features. Additionally, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it without any financial risk. If you are not satisfied, you can get a full refund.

5. Avira — Best Free Antivirus in the Philippines

Avira Free Security is a great way to protect your devices from harmful threats without having to commit to a monthly subscription.

The company firmly believes that online security should be available to everyone, so it vows to offer a free plan to users as long as the company exists. 

While email and web protection are only available with the paid plan, Avira Free Security gives you access to all of the antivirus features you need to stay fully protected from worms, malware, spyware, viruses, and other cyber threats.

The antivirus also includes a PUA Shield, which offers real-time protection against potentially unwanted applications.

Clever cybercriminals may try to hide a piece of malicious code within a legitimate application, but Avira is capable of detecting that code, allowing you to delete the downloaded file or folder before the virus spreads through your system. 

Avira can help even if your device is currently affected.

On top of the antivirus, Avira has excellent repair functionality, letting you fix and restore corrupted files. This means you won’t have to completely wipe your system and lose all of the files stored on your device for good.

On top of being free to use, Avira is regularly updated on the cloud, which ensures protection against evolving and newly emerging cyber threats.

The small engine size also allows Avira to run seamlessly in the background and keep your device protected 24/7 without straining your CPU or hijacking your RAM memory. 

6. Intego — Best Antivirus for Mac

Intego is an award-winning antivirus software designed to protect users from Mac-specific malware and other harmful programs.

The antivirus has passed multiple independent audits from respectable cyber security firms and has repeatedly proven that it can identify and remove 100% of malware on macOS. 

Intego offers standard real-time protection, as well as partial and full scans.

What’s interesting is that it allows you to scan other iOS devices — your smartphone, iPad, and iPod — by connecting them to your laptop. You can also scan external hard drives to make sure they’re free from viruses, spyware, keyloggers, and other threats before transferring the files to your Mac. 

If you opt for the Mac Premium Bundle X9, you’ll also have access to additional useful features such as parental control and duplicate file removal.

There are even performance optimization features that can prolong your Mac’s lifespan and ensure it runs smoothly without slowing down or freezing. 

That said, Intego isn’t the most straightforward antivirus out there. There are six different apps you have to download and install if you want to take advantage of all of Intego’s features.

On top of that, Intego doesn’t offer a dedicated iOS app, so you have no other option but to scan your iPhone and iPad by connecting them to your laptop. 

At around $20 per year for a single device, it’s also one of the most expensive antivirus solutions on our list.

Other leading antivirus software providers, like Surfshark and TotalAV, offer the same level of security for Mac users, plus a plethora of additional features, at more affordable prices.

Best Philippines Antiviruses Compared

What is Antivirus Software?

An antivirus is a piece of software — a program or an application — that protects your device from all forms of cyber threats.

It scans the files on your device and uses an algorithm to detect and remove harmful code, viruses, malware, spyware, and other programs that might harm your device or get unauthorized access to your system. 

Apart from scanning the files already on your device, leading antivirus software solutions also offer real-time protection.

They can check the files you download — be it executables, installs, movies, games, videos, or images — and warn you if they detect signatures of malicious software or code. This gives you a chance to remove the infected file from your device before your system interacts with it.

Without an antivirus, your devices are exposed to all kinds of cyber threats. Downloading files from malicious websites, clicking a dubious link in an email, or torrenting movies and games from unreliable sources can cause serious issues. 

Some viruses attack your system directly and can corrupt your files or even access the data you have stored on your PC, laptop, or phone.

Others can monitor your keystrokes and send your accounts and passwords to hackers that can use them to empty out your credit card or lock you out of your email account. 

Cyber threats have evolved in recent years, and hackers are finding new and clever ways to infiltrate the systems of unsuspecting users. Built-in protection on Windows and macOS does virtually nothing to prevent these attacks, and mobile phones are even more vulnerable. 

Antivirus has become a necessity today, and we strongly recommend installing one as soon as possible to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. 

Why You Need Antivirus Software

Most people rely heavily on the internet in their day-to-day lives, and cybercriminals know this.

Whether you’re working online, watching videos on YouTube, binging your favorite TV show on Netflix, or torrenting games and movies, cyber threats lurk around every corner. 

If your device isn’t protected by quality antivirus software, there’s a high chance your device might get infected. A single click on the wrong link, pop-up, or download button can allow malware to infiltrate your device and wreak havoc on your system. 

Given the fact that we often shop online, log into a bunch of different services on the web, and share sensitive information with our friends or colleagues, having your data compromised can cost you dearly in the long run. 

Antivirus offers much-needed protection against cyber attacks, ensures your device is free of malicious software and preventing future cyber threats from interacting with your system. 

Here are the main reasons why you absolutely need good antivirus software. 

Staying Protected Against Viruses and Malware

Viruses and malware can do all sorts of damage to your device — from slowing it down and infecting your browser with ads you can’t remove to corrupting your files and even crashing your system. 

Some viruses can operate silently for months before you notice something is off, while others might make your device unusable in a matter of days.

At best, these cyber threats are an annoyance. At worst, they can gain access to your accounts and passwords, corrupt your work and personal files, and force you to wipe the device and reinstall the operating system. 

The best antivirus software in the Philippines can repel these cyber threats and protect your device and sensitive data.

Most leading antivirus software solutions work silently in the background, without slowing your device, providing 360-degree protection while being barely noticeable. 

Protecting Sensitive Data

Spyware, ransomware, keyloggers, and similar harmful programs might get access to your files, accounts, passwords, and even credit card information.

Many people in the Philippines were affected by the cyber attack on the Bankers Association of the Philippines, having their bank accounts wiped clean overnight. 

If you want to avoid this nightmare scenario, you need an antivirus like Surfshark One. Apart from protecting your device, the best antivirus software in the Philippines also monitors your accounts and will immediately notify you if it detects any suspicious activity.

This gives you enough time to change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication before cybercriminals can abuse your information. 

Avoiding Future Repair Costs

Getting a virus is typically only the start of the problem. When the malicious software starts hindering the performance of your device or completely crashes your system, you have to take your PC, laptop, or phone for repair.

This typically takes a few days and can cost upwards of $100. 

Meanwhile, you won’t be able to use your device.

If your work is tied to your PC or Mac, this means you’d have to find a replacement or take unpaid days off from work. Even not having your phone for a few days is a major inconvenience. 

On average, the best antivirus software in the Philippines costs less than a single repair fee, so it’s definitely more cost-effective to invest in good antivirus protection. 

Phishing Attack Protection

Phishing attacks are a common way for cybercriminals to gain access to your sensitive information.

These cyber attacks are usually disguised as emails from your bank, insurance company, or another trusted institution and typically ask you to update your account details for security reasons. 

If you click the link in the email, chat message, or text message, and provide your login credentials, cybercriminals will instantly have access to your accounts.

By the time you wise up to what had transpired, they would have stolen money from your bank account or changed your passwords and locked you out of your accounts.

Antivirus software can detect these threats and scam attempts, keeping your accounts and passwords protected. 

Ensuring Online Privacy

Every time you visit the internet, you leave a digital footprint. While you might absent-mindedly accept all cookies, you should keep in mind that plenty of websites store your data, log your sessions, monitor your physical location, and jot down your interests.

This data is often sold to advertisers that use it to serve you targeted ads and bombard you with promotional emails. 

The best antivirus software in the Philippines — like Surfshark One, TotalAV, and Norton — all offer powerful VPNs that mask your IP address, hide your physical location, and prevent third parties from accessing your online activity logs.

On top of that, they block trackers and annoying ads, ensuring complete privacy and providing an uninterrupted online experience. 

What is the Safest Antivirus Software in the Philippines?

While you can’t go wrong with any of the 10 leading antivirus tools we reviewed in this guide, we firmly recommend Surfshark One for users in the Philippines.

There are several advantages Surfshark One offers in comparison to other alternatives, such as a powerful VPN, a secure search, and real-time alerts. 

The Surfshark VPN is especially useful for anyone in the Philippines, as it allows you to bypass artificial restrictions placed by the government and access any website online, even the ones on the government’s ban list.

It also hides your IP address, prevents tracking, blocks ads and ensures nobody can trace or monitor your online activity, be it advertisers, your internet service provider (ISP), or the government. 

Free Antivirus Software vs Paid Antivirus Software

There are several antivirus software providers — including Avira — that offer free versions of their software.

While most of them do offer a decent level of protection against viruses and malware, the free plans are typically limited in some capacity — you can either only use them on a single device or are locked out of advanced security features. 

Paid antivirus software offers more robust protection and typically comes with a slew of other useful features on top.

For example, Surfshark One includes a powerful antivirus, a state-of-the-art VPN, a secure search, and real-time alerts on one subscription plan. Plus, you can install Surfshark on an unlimited number of devices, rather than having to choose between your PC, laptop, and mobile phone. 

If you want to ensure your devices are fully protected and that you can enjoy maximum online security and privacy, then you need a paid antivirus software solution. 

How to Get an Antivirus Software in the Philippines

Most people choose to have their devices unprotected because they mistakenly believe an antivirus is difficult to set up and configure. This couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Even if you have absolutely no technical knowledge or experience, you can set up the best antivirus software in the Philippines in under five minutes. 

Here are step-by-step instructions for downloading and setting up the Surfshark Antivirus: 

Step 1: Get Surfshark Antivirus

Visit Surfshark’s website, select the Surfshark Antivirus under Products, and click the ‘Get Surfshark Antivirus’ button. 

Choose one of the three pricing plans and proceed to account creation. 

Step 2: Complete the Payment and Create Your Surfshark Account

Create your Surfshark account by typing in your email address, then choose the desired payment method. 

Surfshark accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and even cryptocurrency. 

Step 3: Download Surfshark Antivirus on Your Device

After the payment goes through, you’ll be redirected to your Surfshark account. From here, navigate to ‘Apps & Extensions’ and download the Surfshark setup that corresponds with your device’s operating system. 

Step 4: Run Your First Scan

After installing Surfshark, log into your account and navigate to the Antivirus tab on the left-hand side of your screen. Choose whether you want to scan the full device or run a quick scan of the most vulnerable parts and click the ‘Scan’ button.

Wait for a few minutes for the software to finish the scan and remove all of the discovered threats. 

That’s all there is to it! You can keep Surfshark Antivirus on for real-time protection and run periodic scans to ensure your device is malware-free.

Conclusion: What is the Best Antivirus in the Philippines?

The internet is truly a magical place, but it’s simultaneously an avenue for cybercriminals to sneak their way into your device and gain access to your files and sensitive information.

Without proper protection in place, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to cyber attacks whenever you browse the web or download anything from the internet. 

With phishing scams, malware, trojans, spyware, keyloggers, and other viruses running rampant online, an antivirus is no longer a luxury — it’s become a necessity. 

Whether you’re looking for the best antivirus for Android, the best antivirus for iPhone, or the overall best antivirus software in the Philippines, you can’t go wrong with any of the antivirus software on our list. 

That said, if you want complete protection online, we strongly recommend Surfshark One.

This robust security suite includes a powerful antivirus, a best-in-class VPN, real-time threat protection, an ad-blocker, a secure search, and more.

Plus, it provides 360-degree protection for all your devices and is one of the most affordable cyber security solutions on the market. 

FAQs