How to read antivirus test results

Last updated: 5 October 2026Responsible editor: Barbara Hall

Antivirus ads love to quote test scores. Here is how to tell what a score actually says, and what it leaves out.

Who tests antivirus software

The best-known independent labs include AV-TEST (Germany) and AV-Comparatives (Austria). Each publishes its methods and results on its own website. Vendors pay for some kinds of testing and certification. Labs say this does not influence results, but it is one reason to compare several sources.

How AV-TEST's consumer Windows scores work

AV-TEST rates three categories, each out of 6 points:

• Protection: how well the product blocks real-world attacks, including new “zero-day” malware, and widespread known malware.
• Performance: how much the product slows everyday tasks such as opening websites, downloading and installing software, and copying files.
• Usability: mostly false positives, meaning legitimate websites or software wrongly blocked or flagged.

Under AV-TEST's published criteria, the maximum is 18 points. Products are certified from 10 points and receive the “Top Product” award from 17.5 points.

Five questions to ask about any quoted score

1. Which test round? Labs publish new results every few months, and products move up and down. A score from two years ago tells you little about today.
2. Which platform? A Windows result says nothing about the Mac or Android version.
3. Which category? “100% protection” can sit next to a weak performance score.
4. Is the product in the latest round? Products are not tested in every round. A missing result is not a failure, but it does make the evidence older.
5. Who is quoting it? Vendors and affiliate sites, including this one, have a commercial interest. Check the lab's own page.

What tests do not tell you

• How easy it is to cancel, or how much renewal costs.
• How the vendor handles your data. Read its privacy policy.
• How well its non-antivirus extras work, such as VPNs or breach alerts.

Sources

1. AV-TEST, certification criteria: https://www.av-test.org/en/about-the-institute/certification/
2. AV-TEST, “Test antivirus software for Windows 11 – home users”: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
3. AV-Comparatives, independent test reports: https://www.av-comparatives.org/