Best cloud antivirus of 2023

The best cloud antivirus software makes it simple and easy to protect your business computing assets from a single antivirus platform. 

This is because a cloud antivirus platform allows you to set up a virtual gateway for your network, rather than go through all the labor of installing protection to each one of your business machines.

This allows for enhanced protection against malware and ransomware because it reduces the chances of malicious attacks getting into your business network in the first place. Additionally, because these are cloud-based solutions, it means you can apply this protection to any device, whether desktop or mobile.

On top of this, while the best cloud antivirus software platforms used to work by matching records of known threats, now they work to advanced machine learning algorithms to detect unwanted software behaviors and isolate them so that they can't harm your business assets.

Using best cloud antivirus software platforms makes it much easier to manage, especially as there's no need to constantly update software on multiple devices. However, it is worth bearing in mind that installing antivirus to combat malware can only be one part of an overall IT security policy.

Meanwhile, below are our top picks of the best cloud antivirus software currently available.

We've also featured the best antivirus rescue disk software.

The best cloud antivirus of 2023 in full:

Best cloud antivirus overall

Malwarebytes is anti-malware software that works across all platforms, and was first launched in 2006. 

Malwarebytes (formally known as Malwarebytes Anti-malware) scans and removes any malicious software that may be lurking on your system. It works by scanning in batch modes rather than scanning any individual files that are open. 

Malwarebytes also includes its own endpoint protection security solution. It features layers of different detection technology, to match Malwarebytes' layered approach to security. The multi-vector protection offered by this service provides a high level of defense.

The cloud platform delivers Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection via a single unified endpoint agent.  This leads to the instant deployment and management of this service. 

The solution offers a free trial that gives users instant access to its endpoint protection. It also offers full functionality for up to 100 endpoints. 

If you decide that Malwarebytes Endpoint Solution is for you after the free trial, you will need to contact their sales team in order to get a quote.

Read our full Malwarebytes review.

Best cloud antivirus for performance

Sophos is a British security software and hardware company. They have been developing and selling antivirus software from the 1990’s.  

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 will include automated malware clean-up and cloud-based admin and reporting portal access.

Best cloud antivirus 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. Webroot requires you to purchase a minimum of 5 endpoints. 

For more advanced needs, you can contact Webroot for a quote.

Read our full Webroot review.

Best cloud antivirus 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 Cloudcare. 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, Cloudcare 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.

Cloudcare 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.

Read our full Avast Clourdcare review.

Best cloud antivirus for small businesses

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.

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Best cloud antivirus FAQs