AV-Comparatives Consumer Real-World Protection Test Factsheet Feb-Mar 2026

Disclaimer
  1. This test shows how an antivirus behaves with certain threats, in a specific environment and under certain conditions.
    We encourage you to compare these results with others and take informed decisions on what security products to use.
    Before buying an antivirus you should consider factors such as price, ease of use, compatibility, and support. Installing a free trial version allows an antivirus to be tested in everyday use before purchase.

Why Kaspersky Premium and Malwarebytes Premium yet ESET Essential? If they want to test a full capability of the antimalware package then they should have tested the Ultimate vesrion.

Yes I understand that ESET got 100% but that's not the problem, the problem is picking and choosing malware solution level's for example: Panda was FREE version yet Malwererebytes was Premium.
In my opinion, there’s no difference in Kaspersky’s protection capabilities across the different versions. The Standard, Plus, and Premium versions all detect and neutralize the same number of malware threats. I suppose the Premium version is listed because there’s a marketing angle behind it. Anyone who reads the review and sees that the Premium version is listed might think it’s the best choice and end up buying it.
 
Why Kaspersky Premium and Malwarebytes Premium yet ESET Essential? If they want to test a full capability of the antimalware package then they should have tested the Ultimate vesrion.

Yes I understand that ESET got 100% but that's not the problem, the problem is picking and choosing malware solution level's for example: Panda was FREE version yet Malwererebytes was Premium.
As far as I understand the explanation on their website, hat is determined by the antivirus companies themselves paying for these tests.

What strikes me as a bit odd is that F-Secure’s results fall short of Avira’s. F-Secure switched to Avira’s engine, right? So in theory, the results should be the same. Or not?
There is a difference between the Avira SDK (engine) only and Avira suite, so that probably explains it.
 
ESET and Kaspersky in this test
Happy Best Friend GIF by Claynosaurz
 
As far as I understand the explanation on their website, hat is determined by the antivirus companies themselves paying for these tests.


There is a difference between the Avira SDK (engine) only and Avira suite, so that probably explains it.
That might make sense. However, in my opinion, F-Secure may not have made a good deal.
 
In my opinion, there’s no difference in Kaspersky’s protection capabilities across the different versions. The Standard, Plus, and Premium versions all detect and neutralize the same number of malware threats. I suppose the Premium version is listed because there’s a marketing angle behind it. Anyone who reads the review and sees that the Premium version is listed might think it’s the best choice and end up buying it.
fully understand, so I guess ESET shot themselves in the foot for not enabling their livegard or liveguard or safeguard or whatever they call it. I found that PREMIUM features to be HIGHLY effective since version 19. They must have done some major changes since in the past it would rarely if ever send unknown files to the ESET cloud for analysis, nowdays it's almost a daily occurance in my case...but I am special (or so my mom says).
 
What strikes me as a bit odd is that F-Secure’s results fall short of Avira’s. F-Secure switched to Avira’s engine, right? So in theory, the results should be the same. Or not?
That might make sense. However, in my opinion, F-Secure may not have made a good deal.
What I'm impressed with is the lack of FP's for F-Secure. Even though regarding this test it was at 99%, that doesn't bother me at all. We've seen it before at 99.8, and even 100 in other tests. I also like that F-Secure had the Internet Security tested, as Total just includes the additional features, compared to its base, foundation protection. In another test or two, some of the 100 percenters will have their missed samples as well.

Happy surfing :)

Screenshot 2026-04-18 154606.png
 
Solid, stable, light on system impact, no upsells within the app, and great testing scores for ESET :)

which is why i switched back lol you cant beat not having to block that "gui.exe" through THEIR OWN firewall to limit the ads. Honestly i think avast/avg should ad a option for (I will never pay for a subscription, remove ads for me) option, but that would only be visible after half a year or so lol
 
which is why i switched back lol you cant beat not having to block that "gui.exe" through THEIR OWN firewall to limit the ads. Honestly i think avast/avg should ad a option for (I will never pay for a subscription, remove ads for me) option, but that would only be visible after half a year or so lol
The thing is consumers shouldn’t be required to perform doohickeys like blocking connections through firewalls to eliminate ads.
They also shouldn’t be given “smart scans” that serve more as “upsell scans”.

I also don’t think an alert should be made a huge deal, covering up half of the screen and requiring buttons to be pressed.

They may be selling a sophisticated protection, but it comes with experience that can’t be defined as premium.

In this relation, the Trend Micro UX is one of the few that shine.

Anyway, we all decide what we want to offer.
 
What I'm impressed with is the lack of FP's for F-Secure. Even though regarding this test it was at 99%, that doesn't bother me at all. We've seen it before at 99.8, and even 100 in other tests. I also like that F-Secure had the Internet Security tested, as Total just includes the additional features, compared to its base, foundation protection. In another test or two, some of the 100 percenters will have their missed samples as well.

Happy surfing :)

View attachment 297226
I've always liked F-Secure.