2025 Antivirus Trends, Statistics, and Market Report

Antivirus Adoption in 2025: Usage Stays Flat While Protection Gaps Widen

Approximately 66 percent of U.S. adults used antivirus software in 2025, a figure that has remained flat year over year. Among users, 25 percent employ antivirus software on both business and personal devices, while 41 percent use it exclusively on personal devices—a slight increase from 39 percent in 2024. The remaining 34 percent of Americans currently operate without antivirus protection.

These statistics translate to roughly 169 million Americans actively using antivirus software. Our data also notes a nearly 20-percentage point gap between those who believe antivirus is necessary (85 percent) and those who actually use it (66 percent). This disconnect suggests significant barriers to widespread adoption remain.

Some of the plateau in adoption may reflect shifting definitions of “protection.” Modern built-in defenses can now provide strong baseline protection for users who regularly update software and avoid risky downloads. However, these native tools may lag behind premium antivirus programs in responding to fast-emerging or “zero-day” vulnerabilities, ransomware, and phishing attacks — areas where dedicated security teams still offer an edge.

One in Four Smartphone Users Run Antivirus Software

Protection levels vary dramatically across device types. Personal computers remain the most protected category, with 63 percent of PC owners using real-time antivirus software. However, this represents a massive 20-percentage-point decline from 83 percent in 2022, suggesting growing reliance on built-in protections like Microsoft Defender or a decline in perceived need for third-party solutions.

Mobile devices present a concerning protection gap: only 25 percent of mobile phone owners use antivirus software despite near-universal smartphone ownership at 95 percent. Tablets fare even worse, with just 22 percent of owners employing antivirus protection. However, virus incidence rates are very low on smartphones: only two percent of smartphone users reported having a virus in the last year, compared to seven percent of PC users.

How many people use antivirus software?

By device type

Whether antivirus is necessary for smartphones largely depends on the operating system. iPhones benefit from stricter app sandboxing and rarely encounter traditional malware, so antivirus apps on iOS often focus on features like phishing protection, password management, VPNs, and secure cloud storage.

On the other hand, Android devices face greater malware risk due to their open app ecosystem — particularly for users who sideload apps or frequently connect to public Wi-Fi. Many Android phones now come with built-in protections such as Samsung Knox or Google Play Protect, which can provide an adequate baseline defense for most users.

Operating system choice significantly influences adoption patterns. Among personal computer users, 69 percent of Windows users have antivirus software installed compared to just 37 percent of macOS users. This disparity likely reflects macOS’s perceived security advantages, though Windows systems did experience higher malware incidence at 7.6 percent of users versus 4.1 percent of macOS users.

Our research showed that antivirus adoption increases steadily with age. Users aged 60 and older demonstrate the highest PC antivirus adoption at 73 percent, compared to just 51 percent for those 18-29, a 22-percentage-point gap that reflects generational differences in perceived security needs.

Free Antivirus Use Surges: Are Americans Sacrificing Security or Getting Smarter?

The antivirus market experienced a significant shift toward free solutions in 2025. Free antivirus usage rebounded to 61 percent from 52 percent in 2024. Free antivirus tools have improved significantly, often using the same malware databases as their paid counterparts.

For most users seeking basic protection, free options deliver comparable malware detection. However, they typically lack advanced safeguards like real-time protection, zero-day defense, ransomware rollback, and sandboxing — features that matter most for high-risk users such as professionals, business owners, and journalists.

Market Leaders in 2025: Microsoft Defender Defends Market Domination

Microsoft Defender maintains market leadership despite experiencing a five-point decline from 28 percent in 2024 to 23 percent in 2025. McAfee holds second position at 18 percent, up one point from 2024, while Norton occupies third place at 13 percent.

Top Antivirus Brands

Among users, by year

While cyberattacks surge, today’s operating systems have more defenses than ever. This is partially why built-in tools like Microsoft Defender and macOS’s native security features dominate the market, reducing the perceived need for third-party antivirus among confident users who keep software updated and practice safe browsing habits.

The market remains highly fragmented, with no single brand dominating. The top three providers—Microsoft Defender, McAfee, and Norton—account for only 54 percent of all antivirus users. Microsoft’s decline from 29 percent in 2022 to 23 percent in 2025 suggests users are diversifying beyond default solutions, while McAfee’s gains likely stem from pre-installation bundling.

Strong loyalty characterizes the market, with 84 percent of users making no changes to their antivirus software in the past 12 months. However, nine percent adopted antivirus for the first time in the past year—a significant increase from four percent in 2022. Younger users aged 18-29 show remarkably higher first-time adoption at 21 percent, suggesting growing security awareness among digital natives.

What Drives Antivirus Adoption? Privacy and Malware Protection Are Key Motivators

General security against malware and viruses remains the dominant motivation, cited by 84 percent of antivirus users. Privacy protection holds steady as the second most common reason at 57 percent. The most dramatic change appeared in “preinstalled on device,” which jumped eight points from 23 percent to 31 percent, indicating growing passive acceptance of built-in solutions.

Top reasons for using antivirus (2024–2025)

Note: Multiple selections allowed

Work Requirements Collapse While Passive Acceptance of Built-In Tools Soars

Work requirements plummeted from 24 percent in 2022 to just eight percent in 2025, representing a significant shift from employer mandates. This decline likely reflects post-pandemic changes as companies reduce antivirus requirements or shift to enterprise-managed solutions.

Beyond basic malware detection, antivirus packages increasingly bundle comprehensive security features. Firewalls and network protection lead at 64 percent, up six points from 2024. Secure browsers appear in 45 percent of packages, while password managers and system performance optimization appear in roughly 30 percent of antivirus suites.

Common antivirus features

Note: Multiple selections allowed

Does Antivirus Actually Work? What 169 Million Users Really Think

Confidence Is Declining: Only 25 Percent Rate Antivirus as ‘Very Effective’

While 87 percent of Americans view antivirus software as at least somewhat effective, enthusiasm has declined. Only 25 percent rate antivirus as “very effective,” down from 31 percent in 2022. The 62 percent majority only considers it “somewhat effective.”

Still, antivirus software remains critical for specific users and situations. Those who manage sensitive data, share devices with family members, or regularly download files online face far greater exposure and benefit most from dedicated antivirus protection.

The Reality Check: PCs Still Infected Despite Protection

Real-world malware impact remains relatively low but notably higher for personal computers. Approximately seven percent of computer users experienced viruses or malware in the past 12 months, while only two percent of mobile device owners reported infections.

The Disturbing Paradox: Why Antivirus Users Report Higher Infection RatesM

A counterintuitive pattern emerges when examining infection rates among users with and without antivirus protection. Around nine percent of PC users with antivirus reported infections, while only three percent of those without antivirus reported getting a virus. Similarly, six percent of mobile users with antivirus software reported infections versus only one percent without protection.

Several explanations may account for this paradox. Antivirus users may engage in riskier online behaviors, such as torrenting or visiting suspicious sites, assuming their protection will catch any threats. Alternatively, better detection capabilities mean infections are discovered rather than remaining unnoticed.

Human Behavior Trumps Software: Most Say Safe Browsing Beats Antivirus

A strong consensus exists that computers need antivirus protection, with 85 percent of Americans agreeing. However, 63 percent believe safe browsing habits are more important than antivirus software itself. This shift toward human-centered security aligns with cybersecurity expert consensus that antivirus represents one layer of protection rather than a complete solution and that no software can compensate for poor judgment or risky habits.

Why One in Three Americans Skip Antivirus—Cost, Apathy, and Trust Issues

‘Too Expensive’ Tops the List—But Apathy Runs a Close Second

Among PC users without antivirus protection, cost and skepticism drive decisions. Expense tops the list, with 45 percent citing “too expensive” as their primary reason. Apathy follows, with 33 percent reporting they are not concerned about viruses. Another 29 percent stated that they don’t need it for personal use.

More Than Half of Non-Users Fear Antivirus Companies Will Misuse Their Data

Privacy concerns create significant barriers to adoption. Approximately 57 percent of Americans fear personal data collection and potential misuse by antivirus companies. This skepticism creates a trust barrier for the industry, with users fearing the cure may be worse than the disease. Interestingly, 58 percent support the idea that antivirus software should be open source for transparency and free access.

10 Million Americans Plan to Adopt Antivirus Soon—Is Growth Still Possible?

Among non-users, 11 percent plan to adopt antivirus software in the next six months, representing approximately 10 million people. Another 24 percent remain unsure, while 66 percent have no plans to adopt protection. This data reveals that the market is not yet saturated, with meaningful growth potential.

Antivirus Adoption Plans Among Non-Users

2025 Outlook: Protection Evolves as Threats Multiply

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Americans lost billions of dollars to cybercrime in 2024, yet 35 percent still operate without antivirus protection. The gap between awareness and action—between the 85 percent who believe protection is necessary and the 65 percent who actually use it—tells a story of cost barriers, trust issues, and evolving security priorities.

As threats evolve and built-in protections improve, expect antivirus software to become more specialized, integrated, and focused on the users who genuinely need it. The question for 2025 isn’t just “Should I use antivirus?”—it’s “What protection strategy actually fits my digital life?”

Going forward, antivirus software will likely evolve into a more personalized layer of protection — essential for high-risk or heavy-use individuals, but optional for cautious users who rely on secure ecosystems and built-in defenses. Many modern antivirus suites are also shifting toward hybrid protection, bundling VPNs, identity protection, and anti-phishing tools to stay relevant in an era of smarter built-in security.

Methodology

The study was conducted on September 25, 2025, using an online, self-administered survey. The questionnaire was designed with a mix of quantitative questions and situational scenarios to understand consumer attitudes, security practices, and behavioral responses to perceived digital threats.

Sampling and Recruitment

• Sample Size: The study surveyed a sample of 1,003 U.S. adults.
• Recruitment: Participants were sourced through a reputable online research platform to ensure the sample was diverse and representative of adults in the U.S.
• Eligibility: To participate, individuals had to be adults living in the United States.
• Representativeness: The final dataset was demographically representative of the U.S. adult population.