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Kaspersky

Consumer antivirus and security suite, the successor to Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Internet Security.

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux

Is Kaspersky free?

No, it's a paid product

3 alternatives with a free option

Switch from Kaspersky to

All 7
Verified facts
4 of 4
Alternatives ranked
7
Approved reviews
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About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a long-running antivirus brand from the Russian-founded company Kaspersky Lab. Its older standalone products, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Internet Security and Total Security, were folded into three subscription plans: Standard, Plus and Premium. All of them include real-time scanning against viruses, ransomware and spyware, plus payment protection and cleanup tools such as a duplicate and large-file finder. Higher tiers add an unlimited VPN, a password manager, identity protection and the Safe Kids parental controls. It runs on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, with Linux support listed for some distributions. Plans are paid yearly subscriptions with a money-back period rather than a free tier. Kaspersky products score well in independent lab tests, but sales and updates in the United States ended in 2024 after a US government ban, and some organisations elsewhere avoid it for similar policy reasons.

Best for: Home users outside the US who want a full security suite with VPN and parental controls bundled.

Kaspersky pricing (checked Nov 1, 2026)

Each line is quoted from Kaspersky's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or termWhat it saysCheckedSource
Entry planKaspersky StandardNov 1, 2026kaspersky.com
Money-back guarantee30 daysNov 1, 2026kaspersky.com

Pros and cons

What works

  • Strong results in independent antivirus lab tests
  • Higher plans bundle VPN, password manager and parental controls
  • Covers desktop and mobile platforms under one subscription

Why people leave

  • No longer sold or updated in the United States following a 2024 US government ban
  • Mobile features are limited in some countries
  • Bundled cleanup and upsell tools add clutter if you only want antivirus

Kaspersky vs Bitdefender, ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Malwarebytes

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeKasperskyBitdefenderESET NOD32 AntivirusMalwarebytes
PricingPaidFree plan + paidPaidFree plan + paid
Verified price—$59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices—$59.99 a year (Standard, 3 devices)
Free planNoYes, Windows onlyNoCleanup scanner
Open sourceNoNoNoNo
Self-hostableNoNoNoNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Android, iOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, Android, iOSWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Android, iOS

Full Kaspersky vs Bitdefender comparisonFull Kaspersky vs ESET NOD32 Antivirus comparisonFull Kaspersky vs Malwarebytes comparison

Top Kaspersky alternatives

See all 7
  1. 1Bitdefender logo
    Bitdefender

    Top-rated suite in lab tests with a similar plan structure and no US sales restrictions.

    68.8
  2. 2ESET NOD32 Antivirus logo
    ESET NOD32 Antivirus

    Lightweight antivirus with a low system footprint, for those who only want malware protection.

    64.8
  3. 3Malwarebytes logo
    Malwarebytes

    Simpler anti-malware tool with a free on-demand scanner and a clean interface.

    61.8
  4. 4So
    Sophos Home

    Business-grade scanning for home PCs and Macs, managed for the whole family from one web console.

    57.5
  5. 5Avast Antivirus logo
    Avast Antivirus

    Has a free antivirus tier, so you can drop the subscription entirely.

    57.2

Why people left Kaspersky

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Kaspersky, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

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Kaspersky: common questions

What is Kaspersky?

Kaspersky: Consumer antivirus and security suite, the successor to Kaspersky Anti-Virus and Internet Security. Best for home users outside the US who want a full security suite with VPN and parental controls bundled. Available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux.

Is Kaspersky free?

No, Kaspersky is a paid product. Entry plan: Kaspersky Standard (checked on Kaspersky's own site).

How much does Kaspersky cost?

Kaspersky is a paid product. Entry plan: Kaspersky Standard; Money-back guarantee: 30 days. Checked on Kaspersky's own site, November 2026.

Does Kaspersky have a free trial or refund?

Money-back guarantee: 30 days. Source: Kaspersky's own site.

Is Kaspersky open source?

No, Kaspersky is not open source.

What platforms does Kaspersky run on?

Kaspersky is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to Kaspersky?

The highest-ranked Kaspersky alternatives right now are Bitdefender, ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Malwarebytes. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

Kaspersky vs Bitdefender: what's the difference?

Kaspersky is a paid product; Bitdefender is free with paid plans. Only Kaspersky runs on Linux.

See all 7 Kaspersky alternatives