Best Antivirus Software , according to AI

updated 2026-08-10 · next run Mon Aug 17 · 09:00 UTC

As of 2026-08-10, ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity most often recommend Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, McAfee Total Protection and ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Antivirus Software.

#Name · sourcesScoreChatGPTGeminiPerplexity8-wk rankΔ wk

1↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org60—,
2↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk↳ av-test.org47—,
3↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk↳ cnet.com40—,
433—,
5↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org33—,
6↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ experte.com33—,
7↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org33—,
8↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk33—,
9↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org27—,
1027—,
1127—,
12↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org20—,
1320—,
14↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org13—,
15↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ security.org13—,
16↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org13—,
17↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,
18↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,
197—,
20↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk7—,
21↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ security.org7—,
22record →↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org7—,
23↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk7—,
247—,
25↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ experte.com7—,
26↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ security.org7—,
277—,
28↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,
29record →↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org7—,
30↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,
31↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk7—,
32↳ pcmag.com↳ techlicious.com↳ security.org7—,
33↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,
34↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ security.org7—,
35↳ pcmag.com↳ cnet.com↳ security.org7—,
36↳ pcmag.com↳ independent.co.uk7—,
37↳ av-test.org↳ kaspersky.com↳ pcmag.com7—,

Every week we ask ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity “What is the best antivirus software?” — the same question, five times per engine, under one fixed condition. Score = how often a name appears in the answers; n/5 = mentioned in n of 5 runs per engine.

Sources shown are the citations the engines consulted for the answers that named each business. Placement is never for sale. Week-over-week movement appears as runs accrue. Full method.

Not on this ledger? Find out why.

Free scan: your AI-readiness score and exactly what to fix. No account.

Run the scan