Antivirus
Top Companies in 2025
BullGuard vs Emsisoft
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- Clean, easy-to-use interface
- Multi-platform compatibility
- Strong behavioral threat detection
- Built-in vulnerability scanner
- Emsisoft Emergency Kit for personal use
- Robust third-party integrations for enhanced features
- Limited macOS and iOS features
- No free version
- Mixed results in zero-day tests
- Emsisoft Mobile Security is only available for android devices
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, BullGuard developed a reputation as a reliable antivirus provider with a focus on home users, families, and gamers. Their services stood out for blending strong, multi-layered threat detection with performance optimization features—most notably their Game Booster, which allowed users to enjoy lag-free gaming while staying protected. BullGuard’s security suite included essential tools like real-time protection, a configurable firewall, encrypted cloud backup, and a secure browser for financial transactions. Their interface was praised for being user-friendly, especially for non-technical users, and they performed consistently well in independent lab tests from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. While macOS and mobile support was limited compared to Windows, BullGuard maintained a loyal customer base thanks to their practical features and straightforward approach to cybersecurity. In addition to strong malware defenses, they offered useful extras such as a vulnerability scanner, customizable parental controls, and system optimization tools, making them a well-rounded option. In 2021, they were acquired by NortonLifeLock, and by mid-2022, all BullGuard products and services were fully migrated to Norton’s ecosystem, ending standalone BullGuard offerings.
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in New Zealand, Emsisoft is a cybersecurity provider known for developing lightweight, high-performance anti-malware tools for Windows users. Their software uses a dual-engine scanner to detect and remove a wide range of threats, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Emsisoft’s products include real-time protection layers, behavior-based threat detection, remote management, and tools like an Emergency Kit maker for cleaning infected systems. Features such as RDP attack monitoring, scheduled scans, and MITRE ATT&CK mapping are designed to meet both personal and business security needs. Plans are divided into three tiers: Anti-Malware Home, Business Security, and Enterprise Security + EDR. Users praise the platform for its fast performance, intuitive design, and responsive support, though some note limited macOS/Linux compatibility and no browser cleaner.
- Security Rating : Good
- VPN : Separate add-on
- Price : Starts at $29.99/year for 1 device
- Customer Experience : Fair
- Firewall : Included
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Trustpilot Score : 1.3 out of 5
- Security Rating : Fair
- VPN : Unavailable
- Price : Starting at $26.63 a year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : False
- Free Trial : Available
- Trustpilot Score : 4.3 out of 5
- Game Booster for lag-free gaming
- Encrypted cloud backup included
- Customizable parental controls
- Dedicated secure browser for finance
- Mirror view in the management console
- Execution tree and timeline visualization
- Emergency kit maker
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket