Antivirus Protection Software | Parse

Antivirus Protection Software in AI answers

Data as of Oct 18, 2026Based on 224 AI responsesReviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky

AI summary

Bitdefender has become the AI assistant's top recommendation for antivirus software, prized for its balance of protection and performance. However, Microsoft's built-in Windows Security has surged in prominence, now frequently positioned as the best truly free alternative to paid suites.

Most-mentioned brands

Rank and Mentioned in · since Jul 5

#	Brand	Recommended for	Mentioned in
1	Microsoft DefenderMicrosoft product line 72%		72%
2	Bitdefender 67% Now the top-ranked choice, praised for excellent detection and light system impact.	Now the top-ranked choice, praised for excellent detection and light system impact.	67%
3	Malwarebytes 44% Often suggested as a specialized secondary scanner for malware removal.	Often suggested as a specialized secondary scanner for malware removal.	44%
4	ESET 36% Positioned as a lightweight option for advanced users who prefer minimal system impact.	Positioned as a lightweight option for advanced users who prefer minimal system impact.	36%
5	Avast 34% A frequently mentioned free option, but often with notes about aggressive upselling.	A frequently mentioned free option, but often with notes about aggressive upselling.	34%
6	Norton 31% Slipped from the top spot but remains a leading recommendation for all-in-one suites.	Slipped from the top spot but remains a leading recommendation for all-in-one suites.	31%
7	Bitdefender Total SecurityBitdefender product line 28%		28%
8	Bitdefender AntivirusBitdefender product line 25%		25%
9	Norton 360 DeluxeNorton product line 25%		25%
10	AVG 25%		25%
11	Microsoft 23%		23%
12	Malwarebytes for TeamsMalwarebytes product line 17%		17%
13	TotalAV 13% Frequently cited as a good choice for beginners or budget-conscious users.	Frequently cited as a good choice for beginners or budget-conscious users.	13%
14	McAfee 13% Consistently recommended for users needing to protect many or unlimited devices.	Consistently recommended for users needing to protect many or unlimited devices.	13%
15	Intego 13%		13%
16	Avira 11%		11%
17	Microsoft Defender for IndividualsMicrosoft product line 10%		10%
18	Norton VPNNorton product line 9%		9%
19	ESET AntivirusESET product line 8%		8%
20	uBlock Origin 6%		6%
21	Avast OneAvast product line 5%		5%
22	Webroot 4%		4%
23	Windows SecurityMicrosoft product line 3% Rose to prominence as the best built-in, no-upsell free antivirus for Windows.	Rose to prominence as the best built-in, no-upsell free antivirus for Windows.	3%
24	Apple 3%		3%
25	McAfee Total ProtectionMcAfee product line 3%		3%
26	Google Play ProtectAndroid product line 3%		3%
27	Bitdefender Mobile SecurityBitdefender product line 3%		3%
28	MacKeeper 3%		3%
29	Kaspersky · kaspersky.com 2%		2%
30	Surfshark AntivirusSurfshark product line 2%		2%
31	F-Secure 2%		2%
32	Surfshark OneSurfshark product line 2%		2%
33	AVG AntiVirusAVG product line 2%		2%
34	DefenderUI 1%		1%
35	Milestone Systems 1%		1%
36	Macworld 1%		1%
37	Kaspersky · kaspersky.com.tr 1%		1%
38	Norton LifeLockNorton product line 1%		1%
39	Microsoft SmartScreen 1%		1%
40	Surfshark 1%		1%
41	Norton Mobile SecurityNorton product line 1%		1%
42	Windows Firewall Control <1%		<1%
43	ClamAV <1%		<1%
44	Sophos HomeSophos product line <1%		<1%
45	Trend Micro <1%		<1%
46	AVG Secure Browser <1%		<1%
47	Total Security <1%		<1%
48	Microsoft 365 AppsMicrosoft product line <1%		<1%
49	Microsoft EdgeMicrosoft product line <1%		<1%
50	Google Chrome <1%		<1%
51	Android <1%		<1%
52	Mozilla <1%		<1%
53	Kaspersky Total SecurityKaspersky product line <1%		<1%
54	Malwarebytes Browser GuardMalwarebytes product line <1%		<1%
55	Brave <1%		<1%

Recommendations by AI engine

ChatGPT SearchGoogle AI Mode

Widest split: Bitdefender Antivirus, 4% on ChatGPT Search and 48% on Google AI Mode.

Mentioned in on each AI engine, by brand
Brand	ChatGPT Search	Google AI Mode
Microsoft Defender	76%	67%
Bitdefender	72%	63%
Malwarebytes	23%	65%
ESET	53%	18%
Avast	34%	35%
Norton	36%	25%
Bitdefender Total Security	40%	15%
Bitdefender Antivirus	4%	48%
Norton 360 Deluxe	18%	33%
AVG	22%	27%

Antivirus Protection Software in AI answers

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