Kaspersky review 2026: the top lab scores in India
On the numbers, Kaspersky scored highest of the nine products in this comparison. In AV-Comparatives' February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test it blocked 99.8% of attacks, the highest rate of any product we cover, and it earned the top Advanced+ award in both of the lab's main 2026 tests while producing very few false alarms.
Verdict: The highest protection score among the nine products in our 2026 comparison, with very few false alarms. Buy it if top protection is your priority and you're comfortable with the company background explained below.
At a glance
| Real-world protection | 99.8% blocked, 1 attack got through, 3 false alarms: Advanced+ (AV-Comparatives, Feb–May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Malware protection | 99.97% online protection, 2 false alarms: Advanced+ (AV-Comparatives, March 2026) |
| Plans | Standard, Plus and Premium |
| Price | Retail prices vary widely in India; check the current price before buying |
| Guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee on the official site |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone and iPad |
Pros
- Highest real-world protection rate in our comparison (99.8%)
- Among the fewest false alarms: 2 to 3 per test
- Advanced+ in both major 2026 tests
- Widely available in India, including on Amazon.in
Cons
- Offline detection (92.1%) is lower than Bitdefender's or Norton's
- Banned in the US on national-security grounds (see below)
- Three plan tiers with overlapping features
How well it protects you
In the Real-World Protection Test, which simulates the ways people actually get infected (malicious websites, downloads and links), Kaspersky let through just 1 attack and produced 3 false alarms. In the March 2026 Malware Protection Test it reached 99.97% online protection, matching the highest score recorded, with only 2 false alarms.
One softer spot: when a PC is offline, Kaspersky detected 92.1% of samples, compared with Bitdefender's 97.6%. Like most modern antivirus, it relies partly on live cloud checks.
The US ban, in context
In 2024 the United States banned Kaspersky from selling antivirus to US customers, citing national-security concerns related to the company's Russian origins. Kaspersky disputes the decision, and the ban was not based on a finding that the software performs poorly. It does not apply in India, where Kaspersky is sold and supported normally.
Whether this matters to you is a personal judgement. Some people, especially those handling sensitive government or business data, prefer to avoid it. Many home users decide the test results matter more. If you'd rather not use it, Bitdefender is the closest alternative on protection and false alarms.
Which plan?
The core protection is the same across plans. Standard covers the essentials. Plus and Premium add privacy and identity extras, such as a VPN, a password manager and priority support. For most home users, Standard is enough.
Who should get it
- Anyone who wants the highest protection scores with very few false alarms
Who should skip it
- If the company background concerns you: choose Bitdefender or Norton, both Advanced+ with strong results.
- If you use only Windows and don't want to pay: Microsoft Defender is free and earned Advanced+ too.
Where to get Kaspersky
Prices change often, and retail keys can cost very different amounts. On Amazon.in, check the "Sold by" seller and whether a key is for a new licence or a renewal. See how to buy antivirus keys safely.