Best Kaspersky alternatives for total internet security in 2025

Kaspersky Antivirus was once a popular choice for cybersecurity but lost trust after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Concerns about ties to the Kremlin led the US to ban Kaspersky in June 2024. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry & Security prohibited sales and updates, and Kaspersky’s software was replaced across US computers with UltraAV, a different antivirus program, without user consent or notifying them.

Since Kaspersky can no longer operate in the US, finding the best alternative to Kaspersky is crucial. I’ve reviewed 17 antivirus programs to recommend the 8 best Kaspersky alternatives for 2025 to secure your devices. Keep on reading and find out everything you need to know about them!

Top 5 best replacement for Kaspersky after the US ban

1. TotalAV

   Overall best Kaspersky alternative in 2025
   9.7
2. Surfshark Antivirus

   One of the top Kaspersky competitors in 2025
   8.8
3. Bitdefender Antivirus

   Cheapest Kaspersky replacement
   9.4
4. Norton Antivirus

   Beginner-friendly antivirus to replace Kaspersky
   9.1
5. Nord Adblock

   Affordable and secure alternative to Kaspersky
   9.7

What has happened to Kaspersky?

Kaspersky, a Russian cybersecurity company, has been banned in the US due to serious security concerns. The ban officially went into effect on September 30, 2025, following years of suspicion that the Russian government might use Kaspersky for espionage. These concerns were first raised in 2017 when the National Security Agency alleged that Kaspersky had been involved in hacking US government systems and stealing sensitive information. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further amplified these fears, leading the US Federal Communications Commission to classify Kaspersky as a threat to national security. You can read more about this in our Kaspersky antivirus review.

As part of the ban, Kaspersky Antivirus software was removed from computers across the US and replaced with UltraAV, a different antivirus product, without notifying users. This abrupt replacement frustrated many and highlighted the urgency for users to find reliable alternatives.

The US government strongly advises all Kaspersky Antivirus users to switch immediately to alternative cybersecurity providers to avoid threats, as Kaspersky Antivirus is no longer being updated. With the software now effectively shut down in the US, users must act quickly to secure their devices and protect their data. Given the serious espionage allegations surrounding Kaspersky, transitioning to a trustworthy cybersecurity solution is essential for maintaining safety online. Therefore, currently, the three best alternatives for Kaspersky antivirus are: TotalAV, Surfshark AV, and Bitdefender antivirus for their strong security features, ease of use, and excellent malware protection.

Get TotalAV, the best Kaspersky alternative now

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 2025

1. TotalAV - overall best Kaspersky replacement in 2025
2. Surfshark AV - secure Kaspersky alternative in 2025
3. Bitdefender - solid Kaspersky competitor with robust security features
4. Norton AV - well-rounded antivirus to replace Kaspersky
5. Nord Threat Protection - an 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 2025

TotalAV is the best Kaspersky alternative in 2025. It has the same core security features as Kaspersky, plus an additional ad blocker and more cloud backup space. It is also slightly cheaper for the first year and supports more devices than Kaspersky. So, let’s explore TotalAV's security features a bit more. First, the real-time protection feature constantly monitors for potential threats. The WebShield extension also 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 relatively 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 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 2025

Surfshark AV is a powerful and secure replacement for Kaspersky in 2025. Surfshark AV has a well-rounded package of the 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 over 2 minutes, which is a bit longer than other AVs.

Surfshark AV is only available 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 one of the closest Kaspersky competitors, 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 core real-time protection, deep system scans, 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 that 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 100% effective in detecting real-time threats. However, with a 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 that will replace Kaspersky in 2025. 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, 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 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, the real-time and deep scans took a bit longer than 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 these plans with a 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, 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, enhancing the browsing speed. As for its capability to block phishing URLs, it intercepted 9 out of 10, proving excellent reliability. Lastly, the software is highly intuitive, and all your scans and stats are displayed on 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 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 - a 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 idle CPU.

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.

The Malwarebytes Standard plan costs $38.24/year but lacks a VPN service. The Plus plan stands at $59.99/year. While it includes a VPN, neither the Standards nor the Plus 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, and you can get it in 2025. 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, as well as a secure banking feature and device control. Lastly, it comes with a great Android mobile security app, bolstered with a convenient anti-theft tool for stolen devices.

ESET’s Real-Time Protection performed excellently throughout my testing, 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 simultaneously for just a few additional dollars. Then, there’s the Ultimate package with a metadata cleanup feature, a VPN, and ID theft protection. However, just one device costs a pretty steep $125.99/year. 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. 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.

Regarding 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 at 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 quite 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 first did in-house testing with them, trying out their real-time protection capabilities by downloading unzipped malware files to see if the software appropriately reacted. Afterward, I stored malware in the computer to check how effective each AV’s deep scans were. Then, I compared my results with 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 a password manager add a nice layer of security, so expect to find these additions in all the antivirus software listed here.
• Features. No matter how many features the AV software has listed, they are useless if they do not perform properly. That’s why I checked every feature of every AV software to ensure its 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 they have browser extensions and mobile device apps available.
• Ease of use. I'm not interested in spending hours trying to understand an antivirus program. All the software on the list is simple to use, even for beginners.

I followed these strict criteria in compiling my list of top 8 alternatives to Kaspersky in 2025 and chose reliable, worthwhile software for ultimate cybersecurity.

How to get rid of Kaspersky?

There are several ways to get rid of Kaspersky from your device. 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 entirely removed from your device, I recommend installing an alternative cybersecurity software. My top recommendations are TotalAV, Surfshark AV, and Bitdefender AV.

Get the best Kaspersky alternative now

Final thoughts

We do not recommend Kaspersky Antivirus due to serious concerns about its alleged ties to global security issues. Following the US government’s decision to ban Kaspersky on September 30, 2024, the software can no longer be sold or updated in the country, leaving users without essential security updates.

TotalAV stands out as the best replacement for Kaspersky Antivirus if you're searching for a trustworthy alternative. It offers a comprehensive security suite with advanced malware protection, a robust VPN, identity theft safeguards, parental controls, and a well-designed password manager. Currently, you can get TotalAV for just $39.00/year, complete with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t compromise on your cybersecurity—secure your devices today with TotalAV and enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is protected.

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FAQ

Is Kaspersky a Russian-owned company?

Yes, Kaspersky is a Russian-owned company. While it previously operated a British holding company and had some operations based in Massachusetts, these operations were fully closed as of September 29, 2024.

What is Kaspersky being replaced with?

Kaspersky is being replaced with UltraAV in the US. Following the ban, Kaspersky Antivirus software was removed from computers and automatically replaced with UltraAV, a different antivirus solution, without prior user notification.

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. Other great Kaspersky replacements include Surfshark AV, Bitdefender, and Norton Antivirus.

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 has also been banned from the 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.