Even if you are not online, running your computer without antivirus protection is highly unsafe. Through vulnerabilities on Steam, Origin, or Uplay, you can still catch a virus. There is also a significant chance that games you get from dubious sites include malware.
They might make your browser add new toolbars, and occasionally they might even steal your social media passwords. Gamers are likely to be more vulnerable to internet threats than ordinary users. There is the fact that they utilize the internet more frequently than ordinary users.
However, increasing online gaming retailers and in-game microtransactions expose players to more significant online risks.
What Are The Features that the Best Antivirus Gaming Software Must Have?
The best gaming performance and malware security shouldn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Fortunately, antivirus programs are available that protect your PC from the most recent dangers and keep it tuned for gaming.
These best antivirus gaming programs include cutting-edge features, including a special gaming mode, quick cloud-based scanning, PC optimization tools, parental controls for young gamers, and more. They are:
Gaming mode:
This mode prioritizes your system’s resources and optimizes the software’s settings to increase your gaming performance.
Game boosting mode:
With this function, you may choose specific games to run quicker than other software on your PC by setting them as priorities inside the antivirus interface.
System clean-up tools:
These tools are helpful after installing new software or making system configuration changes (which frequently happens in the case of gaming). You don’t want a sudden error message to ruin your gaming experience!
Parental Control:
Parental controls will prevent your children from accessing inappropriate stuff or spending excessive time on their computers unsupervised.
Do antivirus programs lower FPS?
Gamers frequently disagree on whether antiviral software can affect frame rates. Of course, the answer is true. However, there are several factors involved that aren’t always related to the software itself.
It’s significant to remember that there are numerous varieties of antivirus software, and each one functions uniquely in terms of how it interacts with your computer. For example, others perform selective scanning based on user-defined parameters.
In contrast, others are more intrusive and continuously scan processes that are running on your computer (such as only checking email attachments when you open an email program).
Your choice of antivirus software will determine how much it slows down your PC. If it drastically slows down your PC, you should think about switching to a less resource-intensive solution, like Webroot Antivirus.
List of the best antivirus gaming for PC with key highlights
To help you play games safely and securely, we have created a list of the best antivirus gaming systems must have. Let’s begin!
#1. Norton 360 for gamers
This antivirus software can be an excellent investment if you are a serious or professional gamer who needs to play for a few hours each day. This antivirus is also available for three users, enabling you to split the cost with your gaming friends and assure the security of all the devices linked to your gaming network.
Since this antivirus has a notification optimization option, you can quickly respond to urgent activities while ignoring non-critical alarms. You don’t need to give this antivirus for gamers any thought because it works with practically all operating systems.
Key Features:
- With Game Optimizer, PC performance is enhanced both online and offline.
- Low-impact scans won’t cause your device to slow down, even when you’re scanning while playing.
- 100% of zero-day attacks are detected and blocked by superior malware security.
- Live chat, email ticketing, and online forums are all available for customer service round-the-clock.
- 60-day money-back guarantee
#2. McAfee Gaming Security
The antivirus tool designed just for gamers, McAfee Gamer Security, provides outstanding overall security together with a powerful Game Booster feature. For the short-term safety requirements of professionals, this economic antivirus plan for one device and one year may be another excellent choice.
In addition, this antivirus program provides you with a secure online shopping and payment experience, identity and privacy protection, the option to surf privately using a VPN, and more.
The customization possibilities are less than those of the other solutions on the list, and the security is somewhat on the level with Webroot rather than Kaspersky or BullGuard in terms of effectiveness.
Also Read: Best PC Antivirus Programs of 2023
The price difference between the two is significant, but you still receive a Game Booster that improves performance. Overall, if you are okay with compromising on protection quality to obtain a cheaper Game Booster, you should choose this option.
Key Features:
- PC optimization tools improve device performance for smooth gaming
- Malware detection is low-impact for minimal effect on your PC
- 100% detection results for new and known malware threats
- Customer support through live chat, phone, and forums
- 60-day money-back guarantee
#3. Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender is a top-notch antivirus software for online gaming. To aid gamers in preventing lag or stuttering while they play, the company offers a special automatic gaming mode that optimizes CPU utilization.
Along with its numerous helpful features like parental controls and banking security capabilities integrated into the software, Bitdefender also offers fantastic value and is simple to use.
Key Features:
- Detects and blocks 100% of new and known malware
- Automatic game mode detects full-screen activity to improve the game experience
- Customer support through live chat, email, phone, and forums
- Cloud-based scanning keeps system impact low for top PC performance
- 30-day money-back guarantee
#4. Panda
Panda’s lightweight app is an intelligent choice for gamers looking for their first antivirus software because it is simple and intuitive. Panda’s Gaming Mode automatically mutes all alerts while your game runs in full-screen mode to guarantee that you may play without interruption.
You don’t need to explicitly activate this mode because it is already on when you download and install Panda.
Key Features:
- Game Mode automatically stops notifications when full screen-detected
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Strong malware detection with 99.7% test result
- Cloud-based scanner keeps system impact low during scans
- 24/7 live chat, email ticketing, phone support, and forums
#5. Avira
If you want to keep your computer safe but want to avoid paying any money, Avira is a fantastic choice. However, due to the numerous intrusive adverts, many users stay away from the free version of Avira.
Key Features:
- For greater performance, Game Boost mutes notifications and redirects CPU power.
- Cloud-based scanning has minimal impact on your PC
- 100% malware detection test result
- Email and phone support, plus online forums
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Quick Comparison Table: Best Antivirus Gaming Software
Below is the quick comparison table for the best antivirus gaming software to help you quickly identify the major features.
| Game mode | Parental Controls | Cloud-Based Scanning | |
| Norton | Yes | Yes | No |
| McAfee | No | Yes | No |
| Bitdefender | Yes | No | Yes |
| Panda | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Avira | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion: Best Antivirus Gaming Software
Considering everything, using an antivirus can significantly improve your gaming. In addition to defending your PC from potential online threats, destructive attacks, and phishing, it can improve gaming performance.
Security protections are unquestionably present, but some players are discouraged from running antivirus software because it is popularly believed that doing so will make the game sluggish.
Also Read: List of Best antivirus software
However, many different antivirus software is designed with gaming in mind, and each has something special to offer. Bitdefender Total Security is the best antivirus product for gaming based on how well each antivirus performs. It is lightweight enough for any machine and has an automatic gaming mode that increases CPU speed.
It is simple to use, had many characteristics, and struck an excellent mix between false positives and detection rates. At $36 per year, it’s also among the least expensive options.
FAQs: Best Antivirus Gaming
Continue reading as we cover some of the most frequently asked questions about the best antivirus software to clear all your doubts.
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Will using antivirus software impact the game’s performance?
Yes, the majority of antivirus software will affect how you play games. Virus scans and other security programs consume many CPU resources, which can interfere with gameplay or cause latency.
Additionally, alerts for scans, malware risks, or other features may appear inconvenient, which could be better when you’re engaged in a demanding online game.
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What is the best free antivirus for gaming?
Unfortunately, no free antivirus will provide you with the same level of gaming security as these paid alternatives. Free antivirus software lacks essential security features like ransomware protection, a specialized game mode, and PC gaming optimization tools.
Pop-up messages, sluggish in-game replies during virus scans, and a generally negative gaming experience are all to be expected.