Independent lab results45 of 45
Protection features25 of 25
Price4 of 20
Refunds and security10 of 10
antivirus product · Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky
Antivirus suites sold outside the United States, with a firewall and anti-ransomware in the cheapest plan and a free rescue disk.
A US Commerce Department ruling has barred new Kaspersky sales in the United States since July 20, 20241.
In short
- Kaspersky may not sell to US buyers: new US agreements were banned from July 20, 2024, and updates to US users ended on September 29, 20241.
- Standard costs $49.99 for the first year on one device in the global store, then $64.99 a year2.
- Standard includes a firewall, anti-ransomware and anti-phishing2.
- The free antivirus page now offers Kaspersky Standard free for 30 days, not a lasting free edition5.
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk is a free tool that disinfects a PC when the operating system will not start6.
Kaspersky is only an option outside the United States, where a 2024 Commerce Department ruling bars its sale1. Elsewhere, Standard includes a firewall, anti-ransomware and anti-phishing for $49.99 in the first year, plus a free Rescue Disk2,6. The catch is that there is no lasting free edition, and Standard renews at $64.992,5.
Best for: Buyers outside the United States who want a firewall in the cheapest plan.
Where the points come from
Independent lab results 45 of 45 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST score | 18 of 18AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Kaspersky Premium 21.24 & 21.25).8 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives award | ADVANCED+AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: ADVANCED+ (Kaspersky).9 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives protection rate | 99.8%AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 99.8% (Kaspersky).9 | 15 / 15 |
Protection features 25 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOSKaspersky Standard lists apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS2. | 8 / 8 |
| Firewall | YesStandard includes anti-phishing and firewall tools2. | 5 / 5 |
| Ransomware protection | YesAnti-ransomware watches the PC for ransomware activity and blocks it before files are locked2,5. | 5 / 5 |
| Rescue or offline scan | YesKaspersky Rescue Disk disinfects a PC when the operating system cannot boot6. | 4 / 4 |
| Browser protection | YesAnti-phishing alerts you to phishing links in emails and on websites5. | 3 / 3 |
Price 4 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free edition with real-time protection | NoThe free antivirus page offers Kaspersky Standard free for 30 days only5. | 0 / 8 |
| First-year price | $49.99/yrStandard, 1 device, first year, global store in US dollars2. | 2 / 6 |
| Price from the second year | $64.99/yrStandard, 1 device, renews at $64.99 a year2. | 2 / 6 |
Refunds and security 10 of 10 points
The rule behind each line: how we score antivirus products.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard, 1 device1 device | $49.99 first year2 | $4.17 | Renews at $64.99/year |
| Standard, 3 devices3 devices | $52.99 first year2 | $4.42 | Renews at $74.99/year |
| Standard, 5 devices5 devices | $58.99 first year2 | $4.92 | Renews at $85.99/year |
| Plus, 1 device1 device | $61.99 first year3 | $5.17 | Renews at $79.99/year |
| Premium, 1 device1 device | $64.99 first year4 | $5.42 | Renews at $98.99/year |
Prices are from Kaspersky's global store in US dollars, which is closed to US buyers1,2. First-year prices are discounted; Standard renews at $64.99 a year2.
Strengths
Concerns on record
- The US Commerce Department found that Kaspersky products pose unacceptable risks to US national security and banned their sale1.
Other antivirus products
- 1
BitdefenderPeople who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year94/100$24.99/yrfirst-year price - 2
Microsoft Defender AntivirusWindows users who want protection without buying anything88/100$0first-year price - 4
AvastPeople who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection83/100$49.08/yrfirst-year price - 5
NortonPeople who want a firewall and cloud backup in one paid app77/100$29.99/yrfirst-year price
Kaspersky vs Bitdefender · Kaspersky vs Microsoft Defender Antivirus · All 10 antivirus products
Sources
- Kaspersky Lab, Inc. Prohibition, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kaspersky Standard – Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kaspersky Plus Antivirus - Advanced Internet Security Software, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kaspersky Premium Antivirus with unlimited VPN, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Free Antivirus Software for all Devices, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk 18, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Kaspersky Transparency Center, Kaspersky. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026, AV-TEST. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026, AV-Comparatives. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.kaspersky.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Kaspersky Lab.