The best cloud antivirus makes it simple and easy to protect against malware such as viruses and ransomware.
1. Best overall
2. Best for performance
3. Best for ease of use
4. Best for security
5. Best for small business
6. FAQs
7. How we test
Keeping your business computing assets safe isn't always a straightforward task—luckily, that's where a reliable cloud antivirus can help out. These solutions allow you to set up a virtual gateway for your entire network, rather than go through the trouble of installing apps on each of your business machines. As a result, you'll have enhanced protection against malware and ransomware, and because these are cloud-based solutions, you'll have no trouble using them on desktop or mobile devices.
The best cloud antivirus software platforms used to work by matching records of known threats. However, now they utilize advanced machine learning algorithms to detect unwanted software behaviors and isolate them before they can damage your assets. The benefits don't stop there, either. With a cloud antivirus, you won't need to constantly update software across multiple devices
To help you find the solution that best suits you, and your business, I've put together a list of the five best cloud antivirus solutions on the market—though it's worth noting that an antivirus app is only one facet of a robust IT security policy.
The best cloud antivirus of 2024 in full:
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Best overall
Malwarebytes has been a go-to solution for removing malware since 2006—and one that works on just about any platform you can imagine.
Malwarebytes (formally known as Malwarebytes Anti-malware) scans and removes any malicious software that may be lurking on your system, and actually scans in batch modes rather than sifting through individual files that are open.
Malwarebytes also includes its own endpoint protection security solution, and varied layers of detection technology, to match its layered approach to security. This multi-vector approach to protection ensures that your network, devices, and important files are kept out of harm's way.
The cloud platform delivers Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection via a single unified endpoint agent. This leads to the instant deployment and management of this service.
Because Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection is delivered via a single unified endpoint agent, you'll be able to instantly deploy and manage the cloud platform.
If you're interested in trying Malwarebytes for yourself, you can check out the free trial, which offers instant access to its endpoint protection (with full functionality for up to 100 endpoints.) Once you're ready to take the plunge, just reach out to the Malwarebytes sales team for a quote.
Read our full Malwarebytes review.
Best for performance
Sophos is a British security software and hardware company. They have been developing and selling antivirus software from the 1990s.
Sophos Endpoint Protection protects all your devices from one simplified management console. This can be installed on your organizations servers or on the cloud.
Sophos automate their threat discovery, investigation and response process. This means that incident times are reduced. All other tactical resources can be focused on their strategic analysis. The solution does not rely on signatures to catch any malware. Instead Sophos catches threats before they even have time to setup home on your device. This means that the performance of your individual devices is not affected.
Sophos Endpoint Protection is primarily aimed at businesses and organizations. In order to get a quote, you will need to fill in a request form. The company will then send you a quote suited to your needs. However, Sophos do offer a 30-day free trial that includes automated malware clean-up and cloud-based admin and reporting portal access.
Best for ease of use
Webroot is a private American company, founded in Boulder Colorado in 1997. It operates across multiple countries such as Australia, Ireland, Japan and the UK. Their international headquarters are based in Dublin, Ireland. Webroot provide internet security for both consumers and businesses.
Webroot uses a multi-vector protection system. This protects against threats across email, web browsers and files amongst others. They use a ‘Threat Intelligence Platform’ which is cloud based. It classifies and scores over 95% of all website three times per day.
Webroot’s Endpoint Solution offers a 30-day free trial which will deploy protection and scan in seconds, without the need for bulky updates. It also allows admins to manage Webroot protection products from a single management console.
If you decide you need more from your protection suite you can choose to purchase the solution, however Webroot does require you to purchase a minimum of 5 endpoints.
For more advanced needs, you can contact Webroot for a quote.
Read our full Webroot review.
Find the best deals on Webroot products with our Webroot promo codes.
Best for security
As well as its famous and powerful free anti-virus, Avast also provide a dedicated cloud-based security platform for small and medium-sized businesses called Avast Business Hub Remote Management Platform. It provides a single management dashboard from which any device connected to it can be managed for security purposes.
This can include anything from remote access for troubleshooting, transferring files, or even communicating with users, on top of more direct security operations such as anti-virus and malware protection. Additionally, Business Hub doesn't just allow for monitoring of security threats from outside the network but also activity within it.
Web content filtering can be managed through a secure gateway, with email protection and anti-spam also provided. Backup and recovery solutions are also included as standard.
Devices can be managed in real-time, with a comprehensive range of summaries and reports available. Alerts are also built in, which can be configured to send via SMS or email. Changes to security policy made through the dashboard can be immediately applied to all connected devices.
Business Hub is also now able to handle patch management as part of a recent upgrade to the service.
Pricing depends upon individual needs and business size, but both an online demo and a free trial are available.
Best for small business
ESET is an IT security company, established in 1992. Its headquarters are in Bratislava, Slovakia. ESET was voted the most successful Slovak company for three years running between 2008-2010. Their clients include Canon, Honda and Greenpeace who have tens of thousands of endpoints between them.
ESET offers protection for both home users and businesses. The ESET Security Management Center manages endpoint products from a ‘single pain of glass’ and can be installed on Windows or Linux.
ESET endpoint products use machine learning in conjunction with their other layers of defense. The company’s endpoint protection has the ability to detect malware pre-execution, during execution and post-execution. By doing things this way ESET are able to provide extremely high levels of protection for your devices.
The software also includes a ransomware shield, which monitors all applications based on their actions. This is designed to protect and block processes that resemble the behavior of ransomware.
There are multiple options available to but the product, not least cloud-based as well as an on-premises solution. Also, you can buy from a partner which could be ideal for those looking for personal support in their home state.
Both the cloud and on-premises solutions are available to buy direct from the ESET website, with plans for cloud protection of 5 devices, with the ability to add more online.
The on-premises solution comes with a discount on a two-year license.
Read our full ESET Endpoint Protection Advanced Cloud review.
We've also featured the best business VPN.
Best cloud antivirus FAQs
Which cloud antivirus is best for you?
When deciding which cloud antivirus to use, first consider what your actual needs are. Budget software may be kinder to your wallet but may also provide a relatively limited set of tools, so if you need to use advanced options you may find a more expensive security platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your cloud antivirus.
How we test
To test for the best cloud antivirus we first set up an account with the relevant software platform, then we tested the service to see how the software could be used in different situations, and from different types of device. The aim was to push each cloud antivirus platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.
Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
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