Webroot Antivirus Review: Flexible Plans for Every User

At a Glance

Founded in 1997, Webroot is a cybersecurity company based in Broomfield, Colorado. With over two decades of experience, they have built a reputation for providing advanced endpoint and network protection to individuals and businesses worldwide. In 2019, Webroot, along with Carbonite, became part of OpenText, a prominent player in Enterprise Information Management, further strengthening their offerings in cyber resilience and disaster recovery.

Webroot’s mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves security in a connected world. Their approach focuses on identifying, predicting, and remediating threats while delivering lightweight and fast-performing solutions. The company is trusted by major technology firms and integrates with popular remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools like Autotask, Continuum, ConnectWise, and Kaseya.

Features & Services

Protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware: Webroot’s antivirus software uses cloud-based malware detection to scan and remove threats like ransomware and spyware in real time. It defends your personal data, credit card details, and system control settings against new and emerging attacks across any supported operating system.

Real-time anti-phishing: The system blocks malicious sites and fake domain names before you even click, helping protect you from phishing attempts, fraudulent emails, and unsafe links that could lead to identity theft.

Password manager: Webroot’s advanced features include a password manager that stores logins, credit card numbers, and other sensitive info in an encrypted vault. This tool is integrated across both desktop and mobile apps for convenience and security.

Unlimited cloud backup: Webroot offers unlimited cloud storage to back up important files on your hard drives and protect them from ransomware attacks. This extra feature ensures fast and reliable file recovery if your data is lost or compromised.

Parental controls: Available in Webroot’s security suite, parental controls allow you to manage internet security for the whole family, limiting access to unsafe content and apps on all devices.

System optimizer to improve device performance: This tool clears junk files, browser traces, and leftover malware samples from previous infections. It improves boot times, frees up storage, and speeds up system performance—even on a unique system configuration or standard test system.

Dark web and identity monitoring: Webroot’s identity theft protection includes dark web scanning, which checks for your email addresses, phone numbers, and login credentials being sold or shared on dark web marketplaces.

Credit and financial account monitoring: This feature alerts you to unusual activity involving your credit card or financial accounts.

Protection for up to 10 devices: Webroot’s family plan covers your whole family. Under one subscription, you can protect multiple users across mobile apps, tablets, and desktops.

Mobile and Chromebook protection: Webroot Mobile Security and Webroot’s Android app offer tailored antivirus protection for smartphones and Chromebooks, guarding against app-based threats, unsafe downloads, and browser-based attacks.

24/7 customer service: Webroot’s customer support includes live chat, phone support, and expert tech support. Whether you’re recovering your Webroot account, restoring files in safe mode, or asking about a recent scan, the team is based in the United States and ready to help.

Plans & Prices

Webroot Essentials

The Essentials plan starts at $37.49 per year for one device or $52.49 per year for up to three devices. It’s designed for individuals or small households who need fast, reliable antivirus without extra add-ons. You’ll get protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing threats, along with a secure password manager. The software works on PC, Mac, mobile, and Chromebook, and it runs quietly in the background with minimal system impact.

Webroot Premium

The Premium plan costs $77.99 per year and covers up to five devices and identity protection for one individual. It includes all the features from the Essentials plan, plus dark web monitoring, credit and financial account surveillance, and alerts for suspicious activity. You’ll also get up to $1 million in identity theft expense reimbursement and 24/7 access to identity restoration experts. 

Webroot Premium Family

Premium Family is priced at $149.99 per year and extends coverage to 10 devices and 10 identities. It includes everything from the Premium plan but is tailored for households. There are no age restrictions, and protection extends to children, students, and seniors. The plan also includes a dedicated elder fraud hotline, making it one of the most inclusive and family-friendly cybersecurity plans on the market.

Webroot Total Protection

Total Protection starts at $89.99 per year and covers five devices and one identity. This all-in-one plan includes antivirus, identity monitoring, a VPN for safe browsing, and unlimited cloud backup for one PC or Mac. You also get parental controls and a password manager, making it a good fit for users who want all aspects of their digital lives protected under one subscription.

Webroot Antivirus for PC Gamers

Priced at $29.99 per year, Webroot Antivirus for PC Gamers offers fast, low-impact protection tailored to gaming. It includes real-time antivirus, phishing protection, advanced web filtering, and a system optimizer that helps maintain top performance. This plan is designed specifically to avoid slowing down gameplay and doesn’t require switching to a special “gamer mode”—you can play uninterrupted with full protection.

Get 30% Off Your Gaming Plan

Advantages

Dark web scanning

Webroot Premium and Total Protection include dark web monitoring to help protect your personal information, such as email addresses, passwords, and financial data. This feature checks dark web marketplaces and alerts you if your details have been compromised. It adds an extra layer to identity theft prevention, going beyond what many standard antivirus apps offer.

Password manager

Included in Webroot’s Internet Security Plus and Complete plans, the password manager securely stores your login credentials, credit card details, and other sensitive information. Accessible through the Webroot app and compatible with your secure browser, it helps prevent unauthorized access and phishing attempts, making it a key security feature for anyone who manages multiple accounts online.

Web Threat Shield with browser integration

Webroot’s Web Threat Shield actively blocks malicious sites and fake domain names before you click. It works directly within your browser to flag threats and phishing pages in real time. This feature protects your personal data from online scams and helps ensure a safe browsing experience, especially when paired with Webroot’s full scan and rollback system capabilities.

Gaming-optimized performance

Unlike some security software that slows down your system, Webroot is built with performance in mind. Its antivirus engine runs in the background with minimal system impact, making it ideal for gamers and power users. You get real-time protection without interruptions—even during a full scan.

70-day money-back guarantee

Webroot offers a generous 70-day money-back guarantee, giving users plenty of time to evaluate their version of Webroot risk-free. Whether you’re testing Webroot Internet Security Plus or the more advanced Internet Security Complete.

Up to $1M in identity theft reimbursement

Webroot’s Premium plan includes up to $1 million in identity theft expense reimbursement. This benefit is backed by support from trained restoration experts and aligns with Webroot’s mission to protect your personal information.

Disadvantages

Vulnerability Scanner limited to Windows

Webroot’s Vulnerability Scanner is designed to check for outdated applications that may lack critical security patches, helping to prevent malware from exploiting known vulnerabilities. However, this feature is only available on Windows systems. Users operating on macOS, Linux, or other platforms will not have access to this specific tool, potentially leaving some security gaps unaddressed on those systems.

No built-in disk cleaner or file encryption

Unlike some competitors in the antivirus industry, Webroot does not include a built-in disk cleaner or file encryption tools in its current product lineup. While the software does offer features to eliminate traces of online activity and clean up digital clutter, users seeking comprehensive system optimization tools or the ability to encrypt sensitive files may need to look for additional software solutions to meet these needs.

Lack of recent third-party testing and poor past scores

Webroot hasn’t undergone recent third-party evaluations from major testing labs like AV-TEST, with their last recorded results dating back to 2019. That final test showed significant weaknesses in core areas, scoring just 2 out of 6 for protection, 5.5 for performance, and 4 for usability—well below industry standards. Earlier tests in 2012 showed similar issues, including a detection rate of only 90% for malware, which is low for a modern antivirus.

Customer Experience

Webroot earns a 4.6 rating on G2, but on Trustpilot, they score a much lower 3.2, with several reviewers warning others to avoid the service. Most complaints focus on support, billing issues, and refund problems, while others mention being long-time users with few complaints.

Positive reviews

The positive reviews highlight Webroot’s lightweight design, easy setup, and consistent performance. Some customers have used it for over a decade without switching, saying it runs quietly without slowing down devices. Others appreciated not needing to tweak settings or manually update the software.

Critical reviews

The negative reviews are more detailed and frequent. Users repeatedly mention unresponsive or unhelpful support, surprise charges, and difficulty canceling renewals. One customer said he was charged for something outside his original agreement and called the experience “dishonest.” Many users feel stuck when things go wrong, with some even comparing the experience to dealing with malware.

How Can I Reach Out to Webroot?

You have several options to contact Webroot for support, depending on your needs. If you’re a home user, you can browse their support page for help articles, installation instructions, and account management guidance. Business users have access to additional resources, including deployment help, product guides, and release notes. You can also reach out to Webroot through their official social media pages on Facebook, Twitter/X, and LinkedIn, where they sometimes respond to public questions or direct users to the appropriate support channels.

Conclusion

Webroot stands out as a long-established cybersecurity company offering cloud-based antivirus protection with identity monitoring, dark web scanning, and performance tools tailored for everyday users, families, and gamers. Their plans range from basic essentials to all-in-one packages with VPN, backup, and up to $1 million in identity theft reimbursement. Webroot is known for fast installation, minimal system impact, and real-time phishing and threat detection. While features like browser-based threat blocking and a reliable password manager add value, some tools, such as vulnerability scanning, are limited to Windows, and the absence of disk cleaning or file encryption may be a drawback for certain users. Customer reviews are mixed—some praise their consistent protection and ease of use, while others report issues with billing and customer service. Support is available through their website and active social media pages, with resources tailored for both home and business users.

If you’re still weighing your options, check out our top-rated antivirus software programmes. You can also use our comparison tool to see how Webroot measures up. For tips, news, and deeper insights, head over to our blog.