Source-backed analysis13
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
13 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Kaspersky Review
Long-established antivirus suite with strong lab results and a geopolitical controversy
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
- Linux
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
A fit for people who want multi-device protection and choose by independent lab results. The key consideration is that the company is based in Russia, is banned from US sales, has been warned against by Germany and was pulled from Google Play, so anyone for whom that matters should look at other vendors.
Best for: Users who want a multi-device suite (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) with a VPN and password manager
Skip it if: Users in the US, where the Commerce Department barred sales and updates in 2024
Pros
- All three plans cover Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux
- An unlimited VPN and password manager are included from the Plus plan up
- AV-TEST gave Kaspersky Premium Best Usability 2025 (no false alarms) and Best macOS Security 2025
Cons
- Renewal prices are well above first-year prices (Premium rises from USD 72.99 to USD 119.99 per year)
- Russia-based; banned from US sales (2024) and warned against by Germany's BSI (2022)
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- The Android apps were removed from Google Play in October 2024; Kaspersky points users to Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery and Xiaomi GetApps
- KSN data from EU users is processed on servers in both the EU and Russia
Best for
- Buyers who choose by AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives results
Skip it if
- Organizations that cannot accept security software from a Russia-based vendor
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
Kaspersky is a security company founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, formerly Kaspersky Lab and renamed Kaspersky in 2019. Its company page cites over 6,000 employees and customers in more than 200 countries and territories; the headquarters timeline places it in Moscow, with a European office in Zurich, Switzerland. The consumer line has three plans: Standard, Plus and Premium.
The official page lists Standard (Antivirus) with 12 protection features, including antivirus, anti-phishing, a two-way firewall and payment protection. Plus (Internet Security) has 17, adding an unlimited VPN, a password manager and a data leak checker. Premium (Total Security) has 24, adding 24/7 remote IT support, an identity protection wallet, a smart home monitor and a free year of Kaspersky Safe Kids. All three run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux. Since October 2024 Google has removed Kaspersky's Android apps from Google Play following the US restrictions; the company suggests Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery or Xiaomi GetApps instead.
Pricing and value
List prices are in USD, VAT excluded. Standard: USD 49.99 for the first year on 3 devices, then USD 74.99 per year. Plus: USD 69.99 first year on 5 devices, then USD 106.99. Premium: USD 72.99 first year on 5 devices, then USD 119.99. Subscriptions auto-renew, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. When comparing vendors, use the renewal price, not just the first-year price.
Lab results
On March 12, 2026, AV-TEST announced that Kaspersky Premium received Best Usability 2025 for consumers (with no false alarms in its tests) and Best macOS Security 2025. Kaspersky's press release says Premium scored 99.99% on 9,995 files in AV-Comparatives' malware protection test (September 2025) and 187 points in the performance test; these figures are vendor-published, so check them against the labs' own reports.
More analysis
Controversy and trust
On March 15, 2022, Germany's BSI advised against using Kaspersky antivirus because of the war in Ukraine; the warning cited no evidence of product abuse. In June 2024 the US Bureau of Industry and Security issued a Final Determination barring new sales from July 20, 2024 and updates from September 29, 2024, citing the company's subjection to Russian government jurisdiction. Kaspersky disputes this, calling the decision based on theoretical concerns. Users should weigh this alongside lab scores.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Standard (Antivirus)
Personal$6.25/mo
3 devices, 1 year. USD 49.99 for the first year, then auto-renews at USD 74.99 per year (VAT excluded). 12 protection features: antivirus, anti-phishing, two-way firewall, online payment protection and more.
Plus (Internet Security)
Personal$8.92/mo
5 devices, 1 year. USD 69.99 for the first year, renews at USD 106.99 per year (VAT excluded). 17 features, adding an unlimited VPN, password manager, data leak checker and hard drive health monitor.
Premium (Total Security)
Personal$10/mo
5 devices, 1 year. USD 72.99 for the first year, renews at USD 119.99 per year (VAT excluded). 24 features, adding 24/7 remote IT support, an identity protection wallet, remote access detection, a smart home monitor and a free year of Kaspersky Safe Kids.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Kaspersky offers a full refund within 30 days if you are not satisfied with a new plan.
Privacy
Kaspersky's policy says sending data to the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) rests on user consent, controlled by a checkbox in product settings. KSN data can include detected threats, suspicious files and visited URLs, with logins and passwords stripped from URLs. Data from EU users is processed on servers in the EU and Russia; data may be shared within the group, with service providers and with authorities on legal request. The policy is dated February 28, 2022 and gives no KSN-specific retention period. The company is headquartered in Russia; the US has banned its sales and Germany's BSI has advised against its use over concerns about Russian state influence. Kaspersky disputes both.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kaspersky banned?
In the US, yes: BIS barred new sales from July 20, 2024 and updates from September 29, 2024. Germany issued a warning (BSI, March 15, 2022) rather than a ban. The sources opened mention no ban elsewhere.
How much does Kaspersky cost?
On the global site (USD, VAT excluded): Standard USD 49.99 first year, Plus USD 69.99, Premium USD 72.99; renewals are USD 74.99, 106.99 and 119.99 per year. Prices may differ by region.
What does Premium add over Standard and Plus?
Plus adds an unlimited VPN, password manager and data leak checker over Standard, for 5 devices instead of 3. Premium adds 24/7 remote IT support, an identity protection wallet, a smart home monitor and a free year of Kaspersky Safe Kids.
Can I get Kaspersky on Google Play?
No. Google removed Kaspersky's Android apps from Google Play in October 2024 following the US restrictions. Kaspersky suggests downloading and updating through Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery or Xiaomi GetApps.
Is there a refund?
Yes. Kaspersky offers a full refund within 30 days on new plans.
Review evidence & sources13
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.5
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 6.0
- Performance
- 8.5
- Support
- 6.0
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
The iOS app holds 4.7/5 from about 6,500 ratings on the UK App Store. AV-TEST's Best Usability 2025 award reflects zero false alarms rather than the interface. On Android, installing and updating is harder now that the app is off Google Play.
Why this score
Premium lists 24 features including an unlimited VPN, password manager and 24/7 remote IT support; Plus already includes the VPN and password manager. All plans run on five operating systems.
Why this score
First-year prices are competitive (Standard USD 49.99 for 3 devices), but renewals are roughly 50 to 65 percent higher (Standard USD 74.99, Premium USD 119.99 per year).
Why this score
Per Kaspersky's own press release, Premium scored 99.99% in AV-Comparatives' malware protection test and 187 points in its performance test (September 2025); these are vendor-reported figures. AV-TEST also gave it Best macOS Security 2025.
Why this score
Premium includes 24/7 remote IT support and there is a 30-day refund. The sources consulted do not show the support channels for Standard and Plus or how good support is.
Why this score
KSN sharing is consent-based and can be switched off, but EU user data is still processed in Russia. The US Commerce Department found national security risks and Germany's BSI advised against use; Kaspersky disputes this, and the BSI warning cited no evidence of abuse.
What users say
- App Store (UK): VPN & Security by Kaspersky4.7/5 · 6,500
- Kaspersky.com customer rating (Premium, vendor site)4.7/5 · 1,500
Sources
- Vendor-providedKaspersky home security plansNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky Premium pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky Standard pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky Plus pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky company pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky products and services privacy policyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky press release: AV-Comparatives results (2025-11-25)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedKaspersky statement regarding the BSI warningNov 10, 2026
- pressUS BIS: Kaspersky Final DeterminationNov 10, 2026
- review-siteAV-TEST Awards 2025 for KasperskyNov 10, 2026
- pressSilicon UK: Kaspersky denies it is a security riskNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store (UK): VPN & Security by KasperskyNov 10, 2026
- pressSecurity Affairs: Google removed Kaspersky apps from the Play Store (2024-10-04)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Kaspersky
- Headquarters
- Russia
- Launched
- 1997
- Category
- Utilities
Capabilities
- Mobile app
Platforms
- Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
- Linux
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- Korean
- German
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Thai
- Indonesian
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Update.AV-TEST announces Kaspersky Premium wins Best Usability 2025 and Best macOS Security 2025 for consumers.
- Update.Per Kaspersky's press release, Premium scores 99.99% in AV-Comparatives' malware protection test and 187 points in its performance test.
- Company.Google removes Kaspersky's Android security apps from Google Play and disables its developer accounts, citing the BIS restrictions.
Full change history (7)
- Company.Second stage: Kaspersky must stop providing signature and codebase updates and stop operating KSN in the US.
- Company.First stage of the US BIS determination takes effect: Kaspersky barred from new agreements with US persons.
- Company.Germany's BSI warns against using Kaspersky antivirus, citing the war in Ukraine.
- Company.The company is founded as Kaspersky Lab.
About the author
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