UK Which AV Test

Steve C · Apr 14, 2026

See the enclosed comparison of AV software by UK consumer organisation Which. Any comments?

echo2446 · Apr 14, 2026

It doesn't mention ESET, which is usually top-rated.
It doesn't mention impacts (performance and resource consumption) on your computer, which could be critical for some users.
Although it's true that Microsoft Defender doesn't have notable or enabled-by-default anti-phishing and anti-ransomware modules, you can use an ad blocker, security extensions, and stay knowledgeable and careful about phishing, scams, and downloads, and you may be able to live without those features. The total score may not reflect that it's a seriously capable virus/malware detector that is sufficient (and can be enhanced), free, and fully integrated for careful users.

Webweaver · Apr 14, 2026

Feels like a chart made by someone who just looked up prices and asked chatgpt summarize each AV. Like for example for BD Total and Free why is ease of use harder to use on Total Security than the free version? The only difference is a couple features and a firewall, which in the default configuration is hands off.

Kaspersky is also left off the list which iirc is still available in the UK, unlike the US. Seems silly to leave off the list considering it's detection rate.

Also the chart doesn't really have any useful data about detection rates.

idgat · Apr 14, 2026

An attention-seeking puff "survey" piece with no efficacy judgements. Majority of "points" in scores are purely commercial/market based.

Pointless. Worthless.

kelper · Apr 14, 2026

I subscribe to Which? magazine and will look at this review. Many of their Best Buys for appliances get poor reviews on Amazon from verified buyers so they are not infallible.

Defender is not in the table on their website today. I wonder if MS threatened to sue?

It does mention Windows Security in passing, "Its anti-phishing identified some of the well-known phishing test pages we threw at it, but it missed newer examples entirely. Here, the difference between Windows Security and even the worst antivirus on test is stark. We also didn't find its anti-ransomware capabilities particularly impressive."

kelper · Apr 14, 2026

Webweaver said:
Also the chart doesn't really have any useful data about detection rates. The table is but a small part of the review which goues into deatail.

But the table is only part of the full review.

EB2XR6 · Apr 14, 2026

As other replies have mentioned does not show a number of products.
On a previous system I tried a number of the products and found some of the most recommended products were also resource hogs.
I have been a long time Webroot User and have found it very good.
I had an issue last year with a USB keyboard which was remedied in a couple of days with an update.
I also use Microsoft Safety Scanner as a Secondary Scanner but it has never found anything that has got by Webroot.

kelper · Apr 14, 2026

I use Webroot. When it needs renewing, I look on eBay for a code-only deal. Webroot Secure Complete retails for £65 for five devices for one year. But it's only £20 on Amazon. Some years it's even cheaper on eBay from Mustech - a company I can recommend.

EB2XR6 · Apr 14, 2026

kelper said:
I subscribe to Which? magazine and will look at this review. Many of their Best Buys for appliances get poor reviews on Amazon from verified buyers so they are not infallible.

Defender is not in the table on their website today. I wonder if MS threatened to sue?

It does mention Windows Security in passing, "Its anti-phishing identified some of the well-known phishing test pages we threw at it, but it missed newer examples entirely. Here, the difference between Windows Security and even the worst antivirus on test is stark. We also didn't find its anti-ransomware capabilities particularly impressive."

I have a problem with a lot of the recommendations of these type of Magazines as they often don't have the products for a long time.
Manufacturers are building in obsolescence into appliances and the consumers are getting well and truly reamed.
Heat pump clothes dryers although they are energy efficient have to be run for a lot longer causing excessive wear on bearing, motors etc.
If the parts are available they are often expensive add the cost of labour it not very economical to get the appliance repaired.
Some manufacturers are deceptive also where they have some models made in an expensive labour country and others made in a cheaper labour country.
What they don't tell you is the electronics used in both appliances are sourced from the cheaper labour country.

kelper · Apr 14, 2026

AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, MGR Effitas and SE Labs all rate Microsoft Defender/Windows Security very highly, so I would ignore the Which? report.

I'm pleased to see that MGR Effitas have high praise for Webroot which some labs can't test properly.

Independent Testing for Webroot - MRG Effitas

MRG Effitas has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Webroot, regularly assessing and comparing their products.

www.mrg-effitas.com

idgat · Apr 14, 2026

kelper said:
But the table is only part of the full review.

Which makes it all the more pointless and meaningless, particularly with no point of reference cited by the OP

And I'd go so far as to say that without a reference, it's infringing copyright to post it here without an acknowledgement

kelper · Apr 14, 2026

idgat said:
Which makes it all the more pointless and meaningless, particularly with no point of reference cited by the OP

And I'd go so far as to say that without a reference, it's infringing copyright to post it here without an acknowledgement

But he refers directly to the source. He does not link to it because the 'Which?' website is paywalled.

Ghot · Apr 14, 2026

I use Bitdefender Total Security. It has AV/firewall and 11 other modules.
It works fine, doesn't let MS do whatever it wants.

I've been using it since 2013.

idgat · Apr 14, 2026

kelper said:
But he refers directly to the source. He does not link to it because the 'Which?' website is paywalled.

OK, my bad, apologies to the OP. I see that now, I just thought the "Which" word in the OP was a burst of errant typing ....

Steve C · Apr 14, 2026

kelper said:
But he refers directly to the source. He does not link to it because the 'Which?' website is paywalled.

Extract from article:

Threats evolve over time, so we test twice a year to check the consistency of each antivirus. We also monitor behaviour online and offline, to see how well each software performs without the aid of an internet connection. We subject each antivirus to more than 10,000 unique strands of malware. This includes from the web, infected files and connected USBs. The best software immediately detects and deals with malware at the source. For ransomware, we evaluate the ability of each antivirus to detect and prevent the widespread hostile encryption of files.

Vigilant and proactive action from antivirus when presented with a dodgy phishing link, webpage or emails is a must. The best should prevent you from clicking on any dodgy URLs, which often lead to malware infested webpages. In addition to common and well-known phishing test pages, we also subject each antivirus to 200 newly discovered examples.

The ease of installing and uninstalling, how well designed the apps are, the navigation of menus and the clarity of messaging make up an important part of our tests. We also evaluate the subscription and autorenew process.

I continue to use Deefnder on my PCs and have never had an obvious infection - but who know what clever hidden malware is lurking there?

Steve C · Apr 14, 2026

kelper said:
I subscribe to Which? magazine and will look at this review. Many of their Best Buys for appliances get poor reviews on Amazon from verified buyers so they are not infallible.

Defender is not in the table on their website today. I wonder if MS threatened to sue?

It does mention Windows Security in passing, "Its anti-phishing identified some of the well-known phishing test pages we threw at it, but it missed newer examples entirely. Here, the difference between Windows Security and even the worst antivirus on test is stark. We also didn't find its anti-ransomware capabilities particularly impressive."

The main link is Best antivirus software 2026: top free and paid options for your PC - Which?

The table is from the May 26 print version Which? Magazine May 2026

Defender is mentioned on the web site:

Windows Security (previously known as Windows Defender) is preinstalled with Windows 10 and 11, and includes antivirus software called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. For the most part it provides decent security coverage. Plus, its free, it updates with the operating system, it quietly works in the background and it even includes a few features, such as parental controls and a rudimentary tune-up.

It offers several basic protections suitable for everyday browsing, but its limitations lie in areas like scanning. Based on our tests, it can take multiple scans before it detects (and then acts on) malware, including from connected devices such as USB sticks.

Its anti-phishing identified some of the well-known phishing test pages we threw at it, but it missed newer examples entirely. Here, the difference between Windows Security and even the worst antivirus on test is stark. We also didn't find its anti-ransomware capabilities particularly impressive.

While Windows' built-in security is OK, if you're looking for more in-depth and dedicated online security, third-party antivirus will be a necessary upgrade. This doesn't have to cost a penny, as you can shore up your device's security with a top-scoring free antivirus, such as Avast Free Antivirus or Bitdefender Antivirus Free For Windows.

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