Antivirus
Top Companies in 2025
PC Matic vs ZoneAlarm
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- Generous cloud coverage
- Identity monitoring included in all plans
- Includes automated PC optimization tools
- Supports unlimited devices with top-tier plans
- Includes both free and premium plan options
- Built-in phishing protection via browser extension
- Real-time malware detection with cloud scanning
- Anti-bot tools
- No free version or trial available
- Full support requires an extra paid subscription
- May block safe programs due to allowlist model
- Entry-level plan lacks privacy tools like VPN and backup
- Desktop protection only available for Windows
- Essential features locked behind top-tier plan
- Lacks recent evaluations from independent testing labs
- Features like VPN and password manager not available
PC Matic is a U.S. cybersecurity company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Sioux City, Iowa. They began as a diagnostic software provider and have since evolved into an antivirus company offering protection across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Their standout feature is application allowlisting, a prevention-based approach that blocks unknown programs by default, setting them apart from other providers. They offer several tiered plans that scale by features and device limits, with options like VPN access, cloud backup, and identity monitoring. While standard support is limited, users can add 24/7 access through a separate subscription.
They’ve earned solid marks from AV-TEST for protection and performance, but aren’t broadly evaluated by other major testing labs. Customer feedback varies, with some users appreciating their simple setup and lightweight design, while others report issues with false positives or difficulty accessing support without add-ons. This review explores their strengths, limitations, and overall value to help you determine whether their model fits your needs. Whether you’re interested in a more proactive defense or just weighing your antivirus options, read on to see where they stand.
ZoneAlarm is a long-standing name in personal cybersecurity, founded in 1997 and now operating under the umbrella of Check Point Software Technologies. Headquartered in San Francisco, they’ve built their reputation on firewall technology and have since expanded into complete antivirus and internet security solutions. Their services are geared toward individuals and small-scale users looking for a mix of automatic protection and manual control, particularly Windows users who want more say in what their systems allow and block. They offer a free antivirus plan with core malware defense and a personal firewall, and their paid plans add features like anti-ransomware, advanced phishing protection, and mobile security tools. Their standout features include a two-way firewall, real-time cloud-based scanning, and application-level controls, giving users a clearer window into their device’s behavior. Customer feedback is mixed. Some users praise the software’s reliability, ease of use, and long-term consistency, while others cite concerns around billing practices, support responsiveness, and occasional system slowdowns. ZoneAlarm has received recognition in the past, though they haven’t participated in recent third-party testing—something potential users may want to weigh. So what does all this mean for your device? Read on to explore whether their tools match your security needs.
- Security Rating : Fair
- VPN : Available
- Price : Starts at $50 per year
- Customer Experience : Fair
- Firewall : Available
- Free Trial : Unavailable
- Trustpilot Score : 2.2 out of 5
- Security Rating : Fair
- VPN : Unvailable
- Price : Starts at $35.95 per year
- Customer Experience : Fair
- Firewall : Available
- Free Trial : Unavailable
- Trustpilot Score : 1.6 out of 5
- Application allowlisting security model
- SuperShield default-deny engine
- Anti-cryptojacking protection included
- Two-way firewall
- Application controls
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Real-time security updates
- Adware Removal—Undisclosed
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam—Undisclosed
- Anti-Theft—Undisclosed
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan—Undisclosed
- File Encryption—Undisclosed
- 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—Undisclosed
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Boot Time Scans—Undisclosed
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control—Undisclosed
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode—Undisclosed
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control—Undisclosed
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Android
- Browser Plugins—Undisclosed
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS—Undisclosed
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Community Forum
- —Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket