A malware infection can have serious consequences like spam advertising, personal data theft, or the loss of important files. Effective malware removal can help prevent these worst-case scenarios by identifying and isolating threats like adware, spyware, and ransomware before they take down your system.
Thankfully, default operating system (OS) and system protection against cyberthreats is improving all the time. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider downloading a trustworthy, secure malware removal app for keeping your PC and other devices clean. We have found the best software solutions available in 2025.
What is the best malware removal software right now?
I tested the best malware removal software to find the tools that detect threats like potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and ransomware on your device and remove them before they wreak havoc.
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My top recommendation is Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which scans your device in real-time and on-demand. It can then identify and disinfect or quarantine files and applications deemed malicious or compromised by malware. Plans start at $25 per year. You could also check out Malwarebytes, another of my favorites, which has solid threat protection capabilities.
Read on to explore my top picks for the best malware removal software solutions in the market today.
The best malware removal software of 2025
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Bitdefender is well-known in the antivirus space and a solid choice for malware removal on Windows and macOS.
Why we like it: Antivirus Plus detects all kinds of malware including ransomware that could compromise your files and backups. It will either disinfect or quarantine compromised items. You can turn on real-time protection and/or run manual scans of your system, high-risk locations, or specific files.
Review: Bitdefender Total Security
In addition to malware removal, Bitdefender offers anti-phishing protection, an anti-tracker for maintaining your privacy as you browse, and a VPN. However, you’re limited to 200MB of traffic daily unless you upgrade to a Premium or Ultimate plan. Note that Antivirus Plus for Windows has a handful of additional features like Wi-Fi security assessments, a file shredder, and performance settings that add value for Windows users.
Who it’s for: Bitdefender is a great one-size-fits-all malware removal solution with excellent security features and should suit the majority of home users.
It also scores well on independent lab tests for Windows and Mac operating systems. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus — branded as Antivirus for Mac — is the basic paid tier priced at $25 for one device or $30 for three devices, due to its frequent discounts.
Who should look elsewhere: Bitdefender does have free versions available for Windows and macOS that offer basic antivirus scanning, but they are more limited in scope. If you want a free solution, explore my other recommendations.
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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus features: On-access and on-demand scanning | Live customer support | Anti-phishing and anti-tracking features
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Malwarebytes protects your system from threats like Trojans, botnets, adware, spyware, crypto-miners, and potentially unwanted programs and modifications (PUPs and PUMs).
Why we like it: Malwarebytes protects against ransomware, exploits, brute force attacks, and tampering on Windows. On macOS, it blocks apps from developers suspected of releasing malware.
Review: Malwarebytes
Users on both systems can add the Browser Guard extension to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge to detect and block malware, third-party ads and trackers, and scams on the web. If you upgrade to the Plus plan for $45 annually, you also get a built-in VPN.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants protection for both operating systems and mobile.
The app is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and quarantines any threats it detects that need reviewing, deleting, or restoring. Malwarebytes’ free tier allows manual scans, while its paid plans can run scheduled scans alongside real-time protection that detects and blocks threats.
Malwarebytes offers a 14-day trial of Plus, after which you can downgrade to the free tier. Its paid plans are on the pricey side relative to the features offered, but the app is easy to use and performs well. Malwarebytes’ free plan with on-demand scanning can also be a backup to other built-in or third-party antivirus tools.
Who should look elsewhere: This is a useful set-and-forget antivirus. If you want more control over protection and advanced features, you may want to explore my other recommendations.
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Malwarebytes features: On-access, scheduled, and on-demand screening | Browser Guard extension | VPN (on Plus and Ultimate plans | Multi-platform
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Avast is well-known in the security industry, making it one of the top antivirus programs available to consumers.
Why we like it: Avast One Essential is a free malware scanning and removal product available for Windows and macOS that comes with a whole suite of features to keep your system clear of threats. It also scores highly on independent lab tests.
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Avast One scans your files on access for malware and offers options for scheduled and on-demand scans. The app quarantines any detected threats for further action. You also get a firewall, ransomware protection, network vulnerability reports, web traffic scans, and a VPN. It’s limited to 5GB of traffic per week.
Who it’s for: If you’re looking for a free malware removal solution, this is for you. But beware: Avast often attempts to upsell you within the app. Otherwise it’s an excellent choice for comprehensive protection at no cost.
Who should look elsewhere: It’s an excellent app, despite the free version’s limits. Still, you could also look at Avast’s premium subscriptions for additional protection, starting from $3 month.
Avast One Essential features: On-access, scheduled, and on-demand scanning | Multi-platform | VPN (limited)
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ESET is another digital security provider that scores well on independent antivirus tests.
Why we like it: Its Home Security software can detect threats and clean them from Windows and macOS systems. You get real-time and on-demand scanning with various customization options. In addition, ESET will identify and quarantine viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malware threats.
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Who it’s for: Anyone who wants in-depth, high-quality antivirus scans first, and other features second.
ESET doesn’t have a fully free anti-malware program beyond its 30-day trial period. It does offer a free on-demand scanner for Windows that detects and removes malware. While there is no real-time protection, it can back up other security tools on your system.
The Essential package costs $48 per year and includes a firewall, anti-spam protection, and other advanced privacy and security features. ESET NOD32 Antivirus is cheaper at $40 per year but only includes basic antivirus for Windows. The ESET Ultimate costs a hefty $144 per year, but it’s the only tier with a VPN and browser privacy features.
Who should look elsewhere: Anyone using other anti-malware tools. I tested ESET Home Security Essentials, packaged as ESET Cyber Security on macOS and ESET Internet Security on Windows. I found that it’s not the most intuitive to install or use, especially with its more granular settings, and it doesn’t play nicely with other anti-malware systems. If you want an option that is easier to operate, consider an entry-level solution.
ESET Home Security Essential features: On-access and on-demand scanning | Multi-platform | Live customer support
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I recommend the Emsisoft Emergency Kit for people wanting a fast, easy-to-use, free malware cleanup tool.
Why we like it: The app’s user-friendly design makes it abundantly clear where to conduct an on-demand scan. The main Overview tab consists of four sections, and the option at the far left lets you perform either a Quick Scan, a more in-depth Malware Scan, or a Custom Scan.
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Whatever you select, Emsisoft will immediately scan your computer’s files for malicious software and quarantine suspicious files. This process can take a while depending on how much is saved on your machine. In my experience, the longest scan took almost 20 minutes, but rest assured, the app is going through every nook and cranny.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a rapid scanning tool, especially a portable one. I like that Emsisoft’s Emergency Kit doesn’t require installation on your device. You could, for example, run it on a USB drive and receive the same experience.
Who should look elsewhere: Emsisoft’s software doesn’t offer other forms of protection such as a firewall. It’s simply a scanning tool, and a good one at that, but if you want additional layers of security, look elsewhere.
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Emsisoft Emergency Kit features: On-demand scanning | Works from a USB | Compatible with Windows
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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our pick for the best overall malware removal software because it provides comprehensive and reliable protection against threats across platforms at a reasonable price. The other four malware removal options on this list also offer excellent protection with various features worth considering.
Best malware removal software
On-access scans
Multi-platform
Free tier
Notable features
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
✓
✓
✓
Anti-phishing and anti-tracking, live support
Malwarebytes
✓
✓
✓
Ransomware protection (Windows), Browser Guard
Avast One Essential
✓
✓
✓
Firewall, network scanner, ransomware protection
ESET Home Security Essential
✓
✓
x
Firewall, anti-spam protection
Emsisoft Emergency Kit
x
x
✓
Portable, works from a USB
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Choose this malware removal software…
If you want…
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
All-around antivirus protection that effectively detects and removes malware. Bitdefender Antivirus provides real-time protection and fliexlble scanning options.
Malwarebytes
Effective, user-friendly malware detection and removal. Malwarebytes also provides a range of protective services, including browser protection and a VPN.
Avast One Essential
Comprehensive protection and malware removal at no cost. The free tier is limited, but it will certainly help you handle malware detection and removal tasks.
ESET Home Security Essential
A robust, highly customizable anti-malware program. While it’s not the best option for beginners, if you are tech savvy, this software could be the best option for you.
Emsisoft Emergency Kit
A basic scanner that can double as a backup to your other Windows antivirus/anti-malware tools. It’s portable, too, which can be handy in sticky situations.
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When selecting the best malware removal for you, I recommend comparing the following factors:
- Scan types: Some malware removal tools will automatically scan items on your device for malware each time they are downloaded, opened, or executed. This is known as on-access scanning. Others will scan only on demand or manually. If you want real-time protection that you don’t have to think about, consider a tool with on-access scans.
- Price: You don’t necessarily need to pay for malware removal. Free tools like Avast One Essential and secondary scanners from Emsisoft and Malwarebytes do a solid job detecting and quarantining threats. However, a paid program may provide more features or customization options.
- Additional features: If you’re just looking for malware removal, a more straightforward program or secondary scanner may be all you need. However, some software has extra features to protect your device such as firewalls or VPNs.
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To select the best malware removal tools, we identified programs from reputable security companies. We then looked at independent test results and went hands-on to compare features, performance, and user experience. We conducted most of our testing on MacOS Sequoia 15.1.1 except for Emsisoft, which we ran on Windows 11.
Note: The Windows version of most malware removal programs has additional features that are unavailable on MacOS.
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Once anti-malware software has detected a threat, it attempts to stop that threat from wreaking further havoc on your system. In some cases, it can disinfect files and delete malware. In others, the software will quarantine the files until users assess and manually remove the threat.
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Antivirus and anti-malware are two names for the same thing. Traditionally, antivirus software protects against known security threats, but as threats evolve, so do the programs that fight them. Most current antivirus software stands up to more sophisticated malware like spyware, rootkits, and ransomware. In addition, cloud-based programs can be frequently updated as threats emerge.
Malware removal is part of anti-malware, and paid antivirus, along with some free plans, typically offers on-access or real-time protection. Alternatively, you can use an on-demand scanner that will detect and clean up any threats that are present.
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Major operating systems have built-in protection against malware. Windows Defender, for example, does a fine job of catching and removing threats, especially if you follow security best practices on your device. A handful of third-party antivirus alternatives with malware removal are also available for free. You can upgrade to a premium paid tier if you need or want additional features like a firewall or VPN.
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Are there any alternative malware removal software options to consider?
Many antivirus solutions on the market can detect and remove malware. If the options listed above don’t fit your needs, you can try these others below
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