Kaspersky Review
BANNED IN US - Still available internationally
Overall Rating
Based on our testing
Quick Answer
Kaspersky scores 6/10 in our testing. It's best for outstanding malware detection and safe money protects. Key strength: Outstanding malware detection rates (international). Main weakness: BANNED in United States since September 2024.
Quick Summary
Kaspersky offers excellent malware detection with a user-friendly interface. NOTE: As of September 2024, Kaspersky is banned in the United States and cannot receive updates. Existing US users were migrated to UltraAV. International users still have access.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Outstanding malware detection rates (international)
- Safe Money protects online banking
- Low system impact
- User-friendly interface
- Good parental controls
- Competitively priced internationally
What could be better
- BANNED in United States since September 2024
- Cannot receive updates for US customers
- Russian government ties led to Commerce Dept. ban
- US users auto-migrated to UltraAV
- VPN has daily data limits (300MB on Standard)
Typical Promotions
- •Black Friday - up to 60% off
- •Multi-year savings
- •Bundle discounts
Best time to buy: Black Friday
Kaspersky Pricing
- 5 devices
- Unlimited VPN
- Password manager
- Data leak checker
- 3 devices
- Real-time protection
- Performance optimization
- NOT available in US
- 10 devices
- Identity protection
- Premium support
- Safe Kids
Key Features
Kaspersky In-Depth Review
Kaspersky is Kaspersky offers excellent malware detection with a user-friendly interface. NOTE: As of September 2024, Kaspersky is banned in the United States and cannot receive updates. Existing US users were migrated to UltraAV. International users still have access. With an overall rating of 6/10 based on our testing, it offers a solid foundation with some areas for improvement in the antivirus software space.
Key Findings
- Outstanding malware detection rates (international): This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Kaspersky.
- Safe Money protects online banking: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Kaspersky.
- Low system impact: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of Kaspersky.
Performance & Speed
In malware detection tests, Kaspersky showed solid detection rates with some room for improvement against newer threats. System impact during scans was noticeable but manageable.
Features & Functionality
Kaspersky includes real time protection, ransomware protection, firewall, vpn included. The features cover the essentials, though power users may find some gaps compared to premium alternatives. We particularly appreciated outstanding malware detection rates (international).
Pricing & Value
Kaspersky pricing starts at $27.99/month. The premium pricing is justified if you need the advanced features, but may be overkill for basic use cases.
Ease of Use
Kaspersky's interface may require some time to learn, particularly for users new to this category. The user experience is clearly a priority for the development team.
Our Testing Methodology
Our testing used live malware samples from MalwareBazaar, measured detection rates against zero-day threats, and benchmarked system performance impact. We tested scanning speeds, false positive rates, and the effectiveness of real-time protection across common threat vectors.
- Users who prioritize outstanding malware detection rates (international)
- Users looking for a solid, capable option
- Users who can't accept banned in united states since september 2024
- Budget-restricted users who need a more affordable option
The Bottom Line
Kaspersky is a capable option for specific use cases, particularly if you prioritize outstanding malware detection rates (international). However, consider alternatives if banned in united states since september 2024 are deal-breakers for your needs.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. Our editorial content is independent and unbiased. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links. Read our full disclosure
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Kaspersky FAQ
How much does Kaspersky cost?
Kaspersky starts at $27.99/mo for the Kaspersky Standard plan. They also offer Kaspersky Plus ($29.99/mo), Kaspersky Premium ($49.99/mo).
Is Kaspersky worth it in 2025?
Kaspersky scores 6/10 in our testing. Outstanding malware detection rates (international). However, banned in united states since september 2024.
What are the pros and cons of Kaspersky?
Pros: Outstanding malware detection rates (international); Safe Money protects online banking; Low system impact. Cons: BANNED in United States since September 2024; Cannot receive updates for US customers; Russian government ties led to Commerce Dept. ban.
Is Kaspersky safe to use?
Kaspersky is a legitimate antivirus software service. We recommend reviewing their privacy policy for full details.