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Trend Micro is a business security company that also offers antivirus products for home and individual users. With extensive plan options available, users can choose a tier that suits their antivirus and digital security needs. Read on for a review of Trend Micro’s available products and services, and device if this product is right for you.
Trend Micro antivirus ties for 5th place in our rating of the Best Antivirus Software of 2024. The company’s business products focus on cloud and network security, including hybrid cloud security. Trend Micro supports security research on a global basis and has partnerships with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice, the United Nations, and Interpol. Trend Micro says that its threat research provides the basis for its antivirus software, including its ability to detect zero-day attacks.
Ranked #5 in Best Antivirus Software of 2024 (tie)
Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Antivirus Software of 2024
Ranked #9 in Best Mac Antivirus Software of 2024
Ranked #2 in Most Affordable Mac Antivirus Software of 2024
Pros:
Anti-phishing and malicious URL blocking
Hardened browser
Ease of use
Cons:
No parental control
Strict licensing options
Limited firewall
Trend Micro offers a credible security package that effectively blocks viruses, ransomware, and other malware quickly and efficiently. It’s available as a stand-alone AV package with the Antivirus+ Security, regularly priced at $39.95 per year. An enhanced security package, Trend Micro Maximum Security, includes parental controls and multiplatform coverage for up to five users and is regularly priced at $89.95 per year. Trend Micro Premium Security Suite covers up to 10 devices and includes dark web monitoring and a virtual private network (VPN), which sells for a regular price of $129.95 per year. Note that Trend Micro regularly offers first-year discounts that can be substantial.
Professional reviewers say that Trend Micro's antivirus software is generally effective in blocking malicious files, ransomware, and other threats to keep you secure online. It is also relatively easy to use. In addition, the company offers other security products like a password manager, identity theft protection, and a stand-alone VPN if you want even more protection. However, they have found that the company's site-blocking technology, which is included in its parental controls, is ineffective. Professional reviewers have also said that Trend Micro is relatively inflexible in some configuration options, has limited capability to add more devices, and has a greater-than-average impact on system performance.
Trend Micro is easy-to-use and generally effective antivirus and antimalware software with an extensive number of plans and add-ons. But it's more expensive than many competitors, and lower plans are relatively limited, which often prompts users to upgrade to more expensive plans.
Trend Micro offers three levels of security software, starting with its basic Antivirus+ Security and Antivirus for Mac. Upgraded versions include Maximum Security and Premium Security Suite. The three levels differ in the features included with each. Note that the prices listed below may be discounted for the first year.
Antivirus+Security ($39.95):
Antivirus for Mac ($39.95):
Internet Security ($79.95):
Maximum Security ($89.95):
Premium Security Suite ($129.95):
Mobile Device Security (Free):
Home Network Security ($149.95):
Trend Micro antivirus products are available with either one or two-year durations. They are frequently offered at a discount. Device numbers at each level are set and can’t be expanded. The only means of adding more devices is to either get the next higher level or add another license. Note that these prices may be discounted.
Both Trend Micro and McAfee offer excellent virus and malware detection and remediation, but independent reviewers found that McAfee was slightly more effective in detecting some zero-day and trojan attacks than Trend Micro. In addition, Testers have found that McAfee demands less in system resources than Trend Micro, with some saying that McAfee interferes less with normal use when running scans. Trend Micro’s parental control features weren’t particularly effective according to some professional reviewers. In addition, Trend Micro produced more false positive results when scanning for malware, complicating the work of finding malware. All things considered, McAfee appears to be the better solution of the two.
Learn more in our McAfee review.
Avast delivers better results than Trend Micro in tests by professional reviewers. While both antivirus products found nearly all of the malware presented, Trend Micro depended heavily on its connection to its cloud services. One test found that Trend Micro’s offline virus and malware scanning was only slightly more than 50% effective when the computer was offline. Avast also offers webcam protection, can encrypt important files, and can scan a Wi-Fi network for security vulnerabilities. Avast has its own advanced firewall, while Trend Micro depends on adding some enhancements to the Windows firewall. In use, Avast uses much less in system resources and, as a result, slows a system down less. Of the two, Avast is the clear winner.
Learn more in our Avast review.
Price reflects discount.
Price reflects discount.
All Trend Micro antivirus packages include antivirus and malware protections. However, Trend Micro antivirus software lacks some cybersecurity features that many other antivirus software vendors include, most prominently a VPN. Instead of a single all-inclusive solution, Trend Micro sells a number of different cybersecurity protections that can be used on their own or with its antivirus software.
Trend Micro says it updates its virus definitions more than 100 times a day. More complete software updates are issued several times a year, typically every month, according to Trend Micro. All virus definitions and software updates are conducted automatically and invisibly to the user.
Trend Micro's "passive mode" allows users to temporarily disable antivirus protection, which it advises against. But this "passive mode" allows you to run another antivirus program alongside Trend Micro's for extra protection.
If you need to uninstall Trend Micro antivirus or cybersecurity software, it recommends using Trend Micro Setup Wizard, the same program used when you initially install its products. Alternatively, Trend Micro offers special Uninstall Utilities, which can be found on the Trend Micro website.
Still looking for more information about antivirus software or trying to find the best antivirus software for you? Explore the directory below to learn more.
At U.S. News & World Report, we rank the Best Hospitals, Best Colleges, and Best Cars to guide readers through some of life’s most complicated decisions. Our 360 Reviews team draws on this same unbiased approach to rate the products that you use every day. To build our ratings, we researched more than 37 antivirus companies and analyzed 16 antivirus reviews. Our 360 Reviews team does not take samples, gifts, or loans of products or services we review. All sample products provided for review are donated after review. In addition, we maintain a separate business team that has no influence over our methodology or recommendations.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
Protect your devices and online privacy. Includes Antivirus, VPN, and Identity Theft Alerts. Covers 10 devices.
Protect your devices and online privacy. Includes Antivirus, VPN, and Identity Theft Alerts. Covers 10 devices.
