Bitdefender Total Security and ESET Security Ultimate are the strongest third-party Kaspersky alternatives in current Windows testing, while Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the sensible no-separate-purchase option. Norton 360 is another well-tested choice. The right pick depends on whether you prioritize independently measured protection, low false alarms, lighter system impact, or an included Windows solution.
Which Kaspersky alternatives are best in 2026?
Current independent results support a shortlist rather than one universal winner. AV-TEST evaluated 16 Windows home-user products during May and June 2026, using current public versions in their default configurations. Bitdefender Total Security, ESET Security Ultimate, Kaspersky and Norton 360 each achieved the maximum 6/6 in protection, performance and usability. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Consumer) scored 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance and 6/6 for usability. See the full AV-TEST Windows results.
That makes Bitdefender and ESET the closest third-party alternatives to compare first, Microsoft Defender the built-in path for people who do not want another suite, and Norton 360 a credible additional comparator.
How the leading alternatives performed
| Product | AV-TEST protection | AV-TEST performance | AV-TEST usability | AV-Comparatives online protection (March 2026) | False alarms in that test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Total Security 27.0 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 99.94% | 4 |
| ESET Security Ultimate 19.1 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 99.93% | 16 |
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Consumer) 4.18 | 6/6 | 5.5/6 | 6/6 | 99.93% | 3 |
| Norton 360 26.4/26.5 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | Not stated in this test | Not stated in this test |
| Kaspersky Premium 21.24 (reference) | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 99.97% | 2 |
AV-TEST awards up to six points each for protection, performance and usability; its June page says it used the most current publicly available version of every product. AV-Comparatives’ malware test used 10,030 samples. Its figures are a separate snapshot under different conditions, not a permanent product ranking. The complete methodology and results are published by AV-Comparatives.
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Bitdefender Total Security: the closest all-round replacement
Bitdefender is the most straightforward first comparison for someone leaving Kaspersky. It matched the maximum AV-TEST score in all three categories and recorded 99.94% online protection with four false alarms in AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 malware test.
Those results indicate strong protection with relatively few mistaken detections in that particular run. They do not establish that Bitdefender will be best for every computer, workload or future test cycle. Confirm the current plan’s device limits, operating-system coverage, renewal terms and included features for your region before buying; those details were not established by the cited tests.
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ESET Security Ultimate: strong scores, more false alarms in one test
ESET Security Ultimate also received 6/6 for protection, performance and usability from AV-TEST. AV-Comparatives measured 99.93% online protection in March 2026, with 16 false alarms.
The detection rate is effectively in the same range as Bitdefender in that test, but the higher false-alarm count matters if you install uncommon software, run development tools or manage files that security software may not recognize. Treat the false-alarm number as a result from one sample set, not a fixed characteristic of every ESET installation.
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Rank #3
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Microsoft Defender: is Windows’ built-in protection good enough?
For many Windows users, yes. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is included with Windows and appears in both current independent test programs. It scored 6/6 protection, 5.5/6 performance and 6/6 usability in AV-TEST’s June 2026 results. AV-Comparatives recorded 99.93% online protection and three false alarms in its March malware test.
Defender is the practical choice if you want no separate antivirus purchase or installation. A paid suite may still be worth comparing when you specifically need additional bundled functions, support or coverage beyond what your Windows setup provides. Do not assume feature equivalence: plans, regions and device allowances differ, so check the exact offer before switching.
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Norton 360: another tested alternative
Norton 360 achieved 6/6 in protection, performance and usability in AV-TEST’s June 2026 Windows test. AV-Comparatives’ February–May 2026 real-world test placed Norton among seven products receiving its highest Advanced+ award, alongside Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Microsoft, Avast, AVG and TotalAV. That award reflects the conditions of that real-world assessment; it is not a universal ranking of suites or features. Read the full real-world report for scope and methodology.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why false alarms and test design matter
Detection percentages alone can hide usability costs. In AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 malware test, Kaspersky reached 99.97% online protection with two false alarms; Bitdefender reached 99.94% with four; ESET and Microsoft each reached 99.93%, with 16 and three false alarms respectively. The lab specifically asks readers to consider false-alarm rates alongside protection rates.
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Do not merge AV-TEST points, AV-Comparatives’ real-world awards and malware-test percentages into one league table. They measure different conditions, time periods and outcomes. Compare products within the same test, then consider whether the test’s date and method resemble how you use your PC. The AV-TEST results and AV-Comparatives methodology explain those boundaries.
Choose by your actual Windows needs
Choose Bitdefender first if
- You want a third-party suite with maximum scores across AV-TEST’s three categories.
- You value a low false-alarm count in the cited March 2026 comparison.
- You are willing to verify current plan pricing, renewals and device limits yourself.
Choose ESET first if
- You want another top-scoring third-party product to compare directly with Bitdefender.
- You are comfortable evaluating how its detections interact with specialized or less common software.
Choose Microsoft Defender if
- You prefer Windows’ built-in protection and do not want a separate purchase.
- You accept that paid suites may bundle additional functions that Defender does not provide in the same way.
Consider Norton 360 if
- You want a further independently tested alternative with maximum AV-TEST category scores.
- You are comparing suite bundles rather than protection results alone.
How to switch from Kaspersky safely
- Check your Windows version and backups. Install pending Windows updates and ensure important files are backed up before changing security software.
- Install the replacement before removing protection when practical. Download the chosen product from its official vendor and follow its setup prompts. If you are moving to Defender, Windows should reactivate its built-in protection after the other antivirus is removed.
- Remove Kaspersky through Windows. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the Kaspersky entry and choose Uninstall. Follow any restart request and use the vendor’s removal utility only if the normal uninstall cannot complete.
- Restart and verify status. Open Windows Security and confirm that one real-time antivirus provider is active, definitions are current and no warning banner remains.
- Run an update and a manual scan. Update the new product, start a full or thorough scan, and review any quarantine or false-positive notices before restoring blocked files.
What the tests cannot tell you
These results do not verify regional prices, renewal costs, license caps, privacy practices, macOS or mobile performance, or the exact feature bundle attached to a particular subscription. They also cannot guarantee protection for an individual user. Use the linked lab reports for the measured results, then check the current official product page for the plan and region you would actually purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
