All the antiviruses on the market for protection, gameplay performance, and pricing - find antiviruses that would provide excellent anti-malware protection, wouldn't slow down a PC during high-performance gaming, and provide a good value for all types of gamers.
Most top-tier antivirus programs have some gaming mode in their Internet protection packages. Still, typical gaming modes only suspend virus scans and notifications so that your gaming experience isn't interrupted by notifications and CPU-intensive scanning. It is beneficial, but there are some extra tools that the best antiviruses use to improve the performance of PC gamers, like:
Cloud-Based Scanning — Runs scans from the "cloud" to keep your CPU free for games. It prevents an antivirus from hogging the CPU during the scan.
Game Booster — Reallocates background processes so that your CPU can focus on the game running. It makes your computer run faster.
Device Cleanup — Removes junk files, cached files, and background processes to free up space. It frees up RAM and memory to improve system performance.
Only found a few antivirus programs that provide some combination of these performance optimization features. Whether you're looking for a complete security suite for your family, a performance-boosting beast without extra protection features, or a super-lightweight cloud-based antivirus package, you'll find what you're looking for on this top 10 antiviruses for PC gamers list.
Avira
Avira's cloud-based malware scanner is excellent for PC gamers - it takes up barely any CPU power while providing 100% malware protection for your devices. It comes with a perfect game booster that enhances CPU performance. Gaming features not included in Avira's free plan do not include gaming features, but they still have a fantastic ad-blocking web extension and secure system tune-up equipment. Customers looking for multi-device coverage, VPN with unlimited data, and game booster should upgrade to Avira Prime, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
BullGuard
BullGuard is one of the favorite antiviruses for PC gaming of 2022. BullGuard has a perfect malware scanner, a fantastic Game Booster mode that speeds up CPU performance, customizable game profiles that adjust the program's settings based on the game you're playing, and System Tune equipment. BullGuard's Malware Scanner and Game Booster are available with the cheapest antivirus plans. Still, upgrading to BullGuard Premium Protection also gives you Wi-Fi scanning, identity theft protection, and parental controls. Every BullGuard plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Panda
Panda has cloud-based scanning that doesn't slow down gameplay and an automatic gaming mode that kicks in when running. Panda is a good choice for non-technical customers looking for a simple antivirus with additions like a VPN, password manager, and parental controls. You can try Panda risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
McAfee
McAfee Gamer Security offers high-end PCs a streamlined cloud-based antivirus scanner and performance monitoring and optimization tools. The detailed performance monitoring features are also accessible, tracking and monitoring various factors like frame rate, GPU usage, and RAM. While McAfee Gamer Security is a good option for enthusiastic gamers, customers looking for a complete-featured antivirus should try McAfee Total Protection. Every McAfee plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a comprehensive antivirus suite with built-in gaming modes. Kaspersky's game mode doesn't have many features, but it gets the job done. Kaspersky has several helpful extra features, including online shopping and banking security, a password manager, a VPN, and system clean-up tools. Plus, all Kaspersky purchases come with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Norton
Norton 360 is the best Internet security suite on the market for PC gamers - its antivirus engine detected malware in all the tests, and its Game Booster feature significantly improved the system's performance during gameplay. And with excellent family safety, dark web monitoring, and many other valuable features, Norton is one of the most complete-featured programs on this list. Every Norton plan comes with a 60-days money-back guarantee.
Trend Micro
Trend Micro Assistant is a good antivirus program with additional features, including a mute mode that pauses scans and notifications. Trend Micro's malware scanner detected most malware samples during the test, and its mute mode worked well during gameplay—but the mute mode required to be activated manually. Every Trend Micro plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes provides a low-impact anti-malware program with a reasonable malware detection rate and a budget-friendly price. Malwarebytes detected 95% of the test malware and blocked nearly all phishing websites during the tests. Also, Malwarebytes comes with an automatic gaming mode, and customers can upgrade to get a faster VPN. All Malwarebytes plans include a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bitdefender
Bitdefender offers lightweight antivirus protection that doesn't slow down gaming computers. Bitdefender automatically suspended scans and notifications whenever playing games, and its robust real-time malware detection protected the device without affecting the framerate. All of Bitdefender's plans are feature-rich, budget-friendly, and backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Webroot
Webroot is a lightweight and straightforward antivirus that hardly takes up disk space. Webroot doesn't have a game mode, but it's created to stay in the background, not slow down your game sessions. You can try Webroot with a 70-day money-back guarantee.
How to Select the Best Antivirus for PC Gamers?
Security: Recommend programs only with a deep malware database, powerful scanning engine, and safe game mode.
Optimization: Great game antivirus programs are optimized for high frame rates, fast connection speeds, and low RAM and CPU usage. Top picks performance of PC brands like BullGuard and Norton.
Ease of use: Every antivirus on this list is easy to use — they come with intuitive layouts, helpful submenus, and responsive and helpful technical support.
Additional features: Every antivirus program recommended includes other features like a game booster, webcam protection, VPN, and parental controls.
Good value: Recommend programs that cover multiple devices at a reasonable price are good deals for first-time customers and provide a money-back guarantee.
