Many developers have experienced the frustration of antivirus software interfering with their work, slowing down builds, or blocking essential development tools. As a programmer, you need robust protection that doesn’t compromise your productivity or workflow. You also likely need to secure multiple devices, from your main development machine to testing environments and mobile devices.
We’re here to help. Our team has conducted extensive hands-on testing to identify seven high-quality antivirus solutions tailored for software developers. Whether you’re looking for customizable scan exclusions, minimal system impact, or protection across multiple platforms, we’re confident you’ll find a suitable option in this guide.
We’ll dive deeper into each antivirus solution further down. For now, here’s a quick overview of our top picks:
- Norton 360: Top-rated antivirus with comprehensive protection for up to 10 devices. Offers real-time malware defense, VPN, password manager, and dark web monitoring. Excellent for families and multi-device users.
- BitDefender: Unobtrusive antivirus ideal for developers. Provides file exemption from scans, custom scan options, and a file decryption utility. Available in free and paid versions.
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus: Clean, lean interface with powerful customization options. Offers various scan types and exclusion settings. Provides a 30-day free trial.
- AVG: Feature-rich antivirus with a free version. Includes malicious app detection, email scanning, ransomware protection, and more. Great for users wanting extra features at a low cost.
- McAfee Total Protection: Well-known security suite with no device limit. Offers identity theft monitoring, social media privacy optimization, and scam protection.
- Surfshark Antivirus: Budget-friendly option for Windows, Android, and MacOS. Protects against viruses, unauthorized webcam access, and spyware. Includes VPN service.
- TotalAV: Provides real-time virus scanning and phishing protection for multiple devices. Includes system optimization tools to improve performance.
How we choose the top antivirus services for developers
Selecting the right antivirus software for developers is crucial. To ensure we only recommended the best options, our top picks had to meet the following criteria:
- Delivered impressive results in our latest antivirus testing, with high malware detection rates
- Offers customizable scan exclusions for files, folders, and applications
- Has minimal impact on system performance, especially during development tasks
- Provides support for multiple devices and operating systems
- Offers additional features that could benefit developers, such as VPNs or system optimization tools
- Is fairly priced, with either a fully-featured trial or a money-back guarantee
- Allows easy configuration and management of security settings
The best antivirus for developers
Now, let’s take a closer look at the best antivirus apps of 2024 that cater to the unique needs of software developers. We’ll begin with our top recommendation, Norton 360:
1. Norton 360
Norton 360 is our top pick for developers seeking comprehensive protection without compromising system performance. Its suite offers robust real-time malware defense and custom scan options ideal for large codebases. In our tests, Norton excelled at detecting both EICAR test files and live malware samples across all scanning modes with minimal impact on system resources.
Norton’s intuitive interface offers various scan types, including quick, full, and custom scans. The software allows easy exclusion of specific files or folders from scans, crucial for developers working with extensive project files. Additional tools like VPNs and dark web monitoring enhance overall security, though some may be redundant for developers.
With protection for up to 10 devices, Norton 360 is perfect for developers managing multiple systems. The suite includes a password manager and cloud backup, adding value to development workflows. Norton frequently discounts its plans, making it an affordable option for those wanting comprehensive security. A 60-day money-back guarantee is available, allowing ample time to test the full suite risk-free.
Pros:
- Highly trusted brand
- 100% malware detection score
- Includes a 60-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Pricier than rivals
- Quietly includes auto-renewal
BEST OVERALL PROTECTION:Norton 360 offers comprehensive security for up to 10 devices. It includes real-time malware defense, VPN, and dark web monitoring. 60-day money-back guarantee.
2. BitDefender
BitDefender is our top pick for developers seeking an unobtrusive antivirus solution. Available in both free and paid versions, it offers a robust set of features without hampering your workflow. The free version includes essential protections and a file decryption utility, while the paid version adds extras like a VPN and vulnerability scanner.
In our tests, BitDefender excelled at detecting both EICAR test files and live malware samples across all scanning modes. Its customizable scan options allow you to exclude specific files, folders, and apps – perfect for preventing unnecessary scans of your development environment. Despite its thorough scanning capabilities, BitDefender maintains a remarkably low impact on system resources, ensuring your computer remains responsive during scans.
While the free antivirus offers solid protection, the paid version unlocks more advanced features. Pricing varies, but BitDefender often runs promotions offering significant discounts on long-term plans. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for paid versions, allowing you to try the full feature set risk-free.
Pros:
- Rich selection of antivirus tools
- “As good as it gets” independent lab test results
- Good consumer-friendly billing practices.
- Doesn’t produce high battery drain for Android
Cons:
- Pushes some additional software at checkout.
- Live chat is unavailable for canceling
PERFECT MALWARE RESULTS:BitDefender Antivirus has a vast range of antimalware features. It has 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our full BitDefender review.
3. ESET NOD32 Antivirus
ESET NOD32 Antivirus is our pick for developers who value customization and a clean interface. While it doesn’t offer a free version, it provides a 30-day trial without requiring credit card details. After the trial, it costs $48.99 per year for robust protection.
ESET’s interface is intuitive and clutter-free, making it easy to navigate. It offers four scan types: Smart scan (optimized full scan), Context menu scan, In-depth scan, and Computer scan. The software excels at detecting both ESET and live malware samples across all scanning modes. Its standout feature for developers is the ability to easily exclude specific files or folders from scans, which is perfect for protecting your development environment.
In our tests, ESET’s full system scan had a noticeable impact on system performance, making exclusions for your build environment and IDE recommended. Despite this, ESET’s powerful customization options and strong detection capabilities make it an excellent choice for developers who want granular control over their antivirus protection.
The 30-day free trial allows you to fully explore ESET’s features before committing to a purchase, making it a risk-free option to consider for your development setup.
Pros:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Provides protection against phishing, ransomware, spyware, and more
- Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
- Transparent billing policy
Cons:
- Auto-renew can only be turned off after purchase
- Charges much more for multi-device protection
FEATURE-RICH:ESET NOD32 is a top pick for users who value customization. It has apps for all major platforms and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ESET NOD32 review.
4. AVG
AVG Antivirus is our feature-rich pick for developers who want comprehensive protection without breaking the bank. Its free version offers an impressive array of tools, including antivirus, malicious app detection, email scanning, ransomware protection, network scanning, and a firewall.
In our tests, AVG performed well in detecting both EICAR test files and live malware samples across all scanning modes. However, it didn’t detect zipped EICAR samples until they were unzipped. The software allows easy exclusion of specific files or folders from scans, which is crucial for developers working with large codebases.
AVG’s interface, while packed with features, can be less intuitive than some competitors. It offers various scan types, including quick, full, boot-time, and custom scans. Additional tools like a file shredder and WiFi scanner add value, though some may be redundant for developers.
The free version provides robust protection, while paid plans unlock additional features. AVG frequently offers discounts on its premium plans, making it an affordable option for those who want extra security features. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for paid versions, allowing you to test the full suite risk-free.
Pros:
- Dual-engine approach powered by Bitdefender’s software
- Offers ransomware protection
- Perfect protection and usability scores from AV-Test
- 60-day free trial exclusively for Mac users.
Cons:
- Pricey option for multi-device users.
- Privacy practices could be tightened
TRY FOR 60 DAYS:AVG Antivirus is a trusted name in the AV industry. It offers apps for desktop and mobile, with a range of antimalware features.
Read our full AVG review.
5. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection is our pick for developers needing unlimited device coverage. It excels at malware detection with minimal system impact, crucial for resource-intensive development tasks. In our tests, McAfee caught 100% of malware samples across various scanning modes. The software offers customizable scan exclusions that protect large codebases and development environments.
McAfee’s interface is intuitive, providing quick, full, and scheduled scan options. It includes a vulnerability scanner and easy file/folder exclusions, which are essential for developers working with extensive project files. Additional features like a password manager, VPN, and identity monitoring add value, though some may be redundant for development workflows.
With no device limit on premium plans, McAfee is ideal for developers managing multiple systems or test environments. The suite includes optimization tools that can enhance development machine performance. McAfee frequently offers discounts on its plans, making comprehensive security affordable. A 30-day money-back guarantee and virus protection pledge provide risk-free testing opportunities for developers.
Pros:
- Very good at identifying malware
- Trusted name in the AV industry
- All-in-one online protection
- One of the few services that will happily secure every device you own
Cons:
- Relatively slow system scanning
- Antivirus not available on its own
UNLIMITED DEVICE COVERAGE:McAfee Total Protection secures all your devices. It includes advanced features like identity monitoring and social media privacy tools. 30-day free trial available.
Check out our full McAfee Antivirus review.
6. Surfshark Antivirus
Surfshark Antivirus is our budget-friendly pick for developers seeking efficient protection without compromising system resources. Available for Windows, Android, and MacOS, it offers solid defense against viruses, spyware, and unauthorized webcam access. In our tests, Surfshark detected both EICAR test files and live malware samples with minimal impact on system performance.
Surfshark’s interface is clean and intuitive, offering real-time protection and scheduled scans. The software allows easy configuration of exclusions, crucial for developers working with large project files. Additional features like a bundled VPN and data leak detection add value, though some advanced customization options may be limited compared to pricier alternatives.
With protection for up to five devices, Surfshark is ideal for individual developers or small teams. The antivirus is part of the Surfshark One bundle, which includes their VPN service, adding extra value. Surfshark frequently offers significant discounts on long-term plans, making it highly affordable. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows risk-free testing of the full suite.
Pros:
- Integrates with Broader Security Suite
- Includes ID Theft Protection
- AV works on Windows and Android
- Competitive pricing, especially for multi-device use
Cons:
- Not available on iOS
- Limited features for expert users
BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION:Surfshark One Antivirus provides affordable protection for Windows, Android, and MacOS. It comes bundled with a VPN service and a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Interested? Find out more with our complete Surfshark One review.
7. TotalAV
TotalAV is our pick for developers seeking a user-friendly, multi-platform solution. It offers protection for up to six devices across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. In our tests, TotalAV demonstrated strong malware detection capabilities, identifying both EICAR test files and live malware samples across various scanning modes.
TotalAV’s interface is intuitive, offering real-time protection, scheduled scans, and a range of system optimization tools. The software allows for easy configuration of exclusions, crucial for developers working with large project files or specific development environments. Additional features like a VPN, ad-blocker, and performance enhancement tools add value, particularly for maintaining efficient development setups.
While TotalAV’s first-year pricing is highly competitive, renewal rates increase significantly. It’s ideal for smaller development teams or individual developers managing multiple devices. TotalAV frequently offers discounts on its plans, making comprehensive security affordable initially. A 30-day money-back guarantee allows risk-free testing of the full suite, but users should be mindful of the auto-renewal policy.
Pros:
- Excellent pricing options
- Data breach monitoring service
- Reliable antivirus capable of identifying the vast majority of threats
- Has worked hard to streamline the billing process and improve functionality
Cons:
- Almost quadruples in price after the first year
- Have to contact staff directly to turn off auto-renewal
FIRST-YEAR SAVINGS:TotalAV delivers real-time virus scanning and system optimization for multiple devices. It comes at a competitive introductory price. 30-day money-back guarantee included.
Why not check out our detailed review of TotalAV?
Methodology: How we picked the best antivirus apps for developers
Our team personally tests each app and evaluates its performance across multiple categories using a scientific methodology, focusing on the unique needs of software developers. Here’s an overview of what we look for:
- Development environment compatibility: How well does the antivirus work with common development tools and environments? We test its ability to exempt specific files, folders, and applications from scans, which is crucial for developers working with large codebases and specialized software.
- Malware detection: We use sandboxed environments to test each antivirus against various malware samples, including those that might be encountered in development scenarios. We also evaluate how well they handle potentially unwanted programs that could interfere with development tools.
- Performance impact: Does the antivirus significantly slow down compilation times or IDE responsiveness? We monitor system performance during scans and real-time protection to ensure minimal impact on development workflows.
- Multi-platform support: Which platforms does the app support, and how consistent is its functionality across different operating systems? This is particularly important for developers working on cross-platform projects.
- Additional developer-friendly features: We look for features that could benefit developers, such as secure file-sharing options and VPNs for testing geo-restricted applications (some VPNs even include an antivirus). We also look for system optimization tools that could improve development machine performance.
- Customization and control: How granular are scan schedules, exclusions, and real-time protection settings? We prioritize solutions that offer developers fine-tuned control over their security setup.
- Value and licensing: Is the pricing model suitable for individual developers or small teams? We consider factors like the number of devices covered, availability of volume licensing, and any special offers for development organizations.
- Ease of use: While developers are typically tech-savvy, we still evaluate the user interface and setup process. We look for clear documentation, especially regarding configuring the antivirus for development environments.
This is a broad overview of our process, tailored to the specific needs of software developers. We aim to recommend antivirus solutions that provide robust protection without hindering the development process.