Is Kaspersky still safe to use in 2026 for US users?

Technically the existing software still works, but it's degrading. Kaspersky stopped providing definition updates to US users on September 29, 2024. Without regular updates, real-time protection against new threats gets weaker over time. US users should switch.

What is UltraAV and should I keep it?

UltraAV is an antivirus from Pango Group that was automatically installed on roughly 1 million former Kaspersky US customers' computers in September 2024 — many without explicit consent. It has limited independent lab data and has received significant criticism. If you have it, you can uninstall it and replace it with Bitdefender, ESET, or Windows Defender.

Is Kaspersky still good outside the US?

Technically, yes. Kaspersky still earns top scores from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. The concern is jurisdictional — the potential for the Russian government to compel access under Russian law — not the software's technical capability. EU users asking this question get split answers from the security community.

Can I get a refund on my unused Kaspersky subscription?

Kaspersky's official position has been case-by-case credit toward UltraAV, rather than direct refunds. Users who refused the UltraAV transition and uninstalled Kaspersky have reported difficulty getting prorated refunds. Contact Kaspersky support directly and be persistent.

Does Bitdefender perform as well as Kaspersky?

Yes, at a comparable level. Both regularly earn 6/6 from AV-TEST and top ratings from AV-Comparatives. The protection quality is functionally equivalent. The main difference is business model and pricing structure.

Best Kaspersky Alternative in 2026: After the US Ban

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Last reviewed: June 27, 2026

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The short version

For US users leaving Kaspersky, Bitdefender is the closest paid replacement. ESET is better if light system impact matters more. Windows Defender is a valid free exit if you want to stop paying.

Best for: Former Kaspersky users who need a clean replacement path after the US ban and UltraAV transition.
Avoid if: You are outside the US and only need a technical Kaspersky comparison, not a migration decision.
Main tradeoff: Bitdefender is the closest protection match, but ESET and Defender may fit better depending on budget and performance needs.
Safer alternative: Do not keep UltraAV by inertia if you distrust the forced transition.

In September 2024, US Kaspersky users woke up to find a different antivirus icon on their taskbar. The software was called UltraAV. Many users hadn’t heard of it. Most hadn’t explicitly agreed to install it.

What happened: Kaspersky, banned by the US government effective September 29, 2024, sold its US customer base — roughly 1 million accounts — to Pango Group, the parent company of UltraAV. A software update pushed the transition automatically. Kaspersky and Pango said customers were notified; many users said they received no clear communication that the switch would happen without their action.

The result was one of the most-discussed Reddit threads in r/antivirus history in 2024. The sentiment toward UltraAV was not good.

If you’re still sorting this out in 2026, here’s what actually matters.

The Kaspersky situation — what’s actually happening

The US ban is real and its effects are ongoing. Kaspersky stopped providing definition updates to US users on September 29, 2024. The software still runs, but without regular updates, it’s increasingly less effective against new threats. Every week that passes without updates, the protection gap grows.

The ban was based on national security concerns — specifically, the potential for the Russian government to compel a Russian company to cooperate under Russian law. The ban wasn’t triggered by a specific documented breach or evidence of malicious activity. That distinction matters when people ask if Kaspersky “was caught doing something.”

The technical software quality isn’t the concern. Kaspersky consistently earns top AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives scores. The concern is jurisdictional — and for US users, the practical consequence is an antivirus that’s no longer receiving updates.

What to do about UltraAV

If UltraAV was automatically installed on your machine, you have a simple choice: keep it or replace it.

The case against keeping it: UltraAV has limited independent lab data. Its forced installation without explicit consent generated significant distrust. The security community consensus is that better-verified alternatives exist.

Uninstalling is straightforward — through Windows Settings like any other program. Replacing it with Bitdefender, ESET, or Windows Defender gives you verified protection with a cleaner track record.

Decision flow

Kaspersky replacement path

The best replacement depends on why you used Kaspersky in the first place.

01

Closest protection match

You want a mainstream paid suite with top independent lab positioning and minimal setup friction.

Try Bitdefender first
02

Lightest daily feel

You liked Kaspersky because it stayed out of the way and you care about system impact.

Compare ESET
03

Subscription fatigue

You mainly want out of the forced transition and do not want another renewal to manage.

Configure Defender

The best alternatives

Bitdefender — Closest equivalent to Kaspersky

Bitdefender is the most direct replacement for Kaspersky in terms of detection quality. Both regularly earn 6/6 from AV-TEST and Advanced+ from AV-Comparatives. The Autopilot mode runs quietly without requiring user decisions, which was one of Kaspersky’s strengths.

AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Malware Protection Test gave Bitdefender a 99.94% online protection rate with only 4 false alarms. That’s consistent with what Kaspersky was earning before the ban.

Pricing

First year

$19.99

Renewal (year 2+)

$89.99 +350%

⚠️ Note: renewal price increases significantly after year 1. Set a calendar reminder before auto-renewal.

Check current price → Start free trial

Prices last checked: Jun 2026. May vary. Affiliate disclosure.

Note the renewal price. Bitdefender’s first-year pricing is heavily discounted. Year two renews at $89.99. Set a calendar reminder.

Best for: Former Kaspersky users who want equivalent detection quality with minimal setup.

ESET Internet Security — Best for light system footprint

Kaspersky had a reputation for light system impact, and ESET is the closest alternative on that dimension. It runs with minimal overhead, covers Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux, and doesn’t push upsell notifications during normal use.

ESET’s network inspector scans your router and connected devices for vulnerabilities — a feature that has no direct Kaspersky equivalent but is genuinely useful for home network security.

Pricing

First year

$49.99

Renewal (year 2+)

$59.99 +20%

Check current price → Start free trial

Prices last checked: Jun 2026. May vary. Affiliate disclosure.

Best for: Users who prioritized Kaspersky for its light footprint and want the same experience.

Windows Defender — The free option

If you’re frustrated about being forced into a subscription you didn’t choose, Windows Defender is a legitimate alternative that costs nothing and has no renewal surprises.

AV-TEST’s February 2026 evaluation gave Microsoft Defender a perfect 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability — the same score as Bitdefender and Norton. For careful users who keep Windows updated, it’s genuinely sufficient.

Best for: Users who want to stop paying for antivirus after the Kaspersky situation, and who have careful browsing habits.

Comparison brief

Best Kaspersky alternatives at a glance

Do not treat this as one universal replacement. Pick based on what you miss from Kaspersky: protection match, lightness, or no subscription.

Bitdefender

Best for: Former Kaspersky users who want the closest mainstream paid replacement.
Watch out: First-year pricing is promotional, so check renewal before paying.
Bottom line: Best default switch for most US users.

ESET

Best for: Users who care most about light system impact and fewer interruptions.
Watch out: Less bundled than Norton-style suites.
Bottom line: Best quiet paid alternative.

Windows Defender

Best for: Careful users who want a free baseline after the Kaspersky mess.
Watch out: No bundled VPN, identity monitoring, or cross-platform suite.
Bottom line: Best no-renewal exit.

For most former Kaspersky users: install Bitdefender’s 30-day trial, run it alongside whatever you have now, and see if it feels right before paying.

If you want the lightest possible footprint and are willing to pay slightly more upfront: ESET.

If budget is the main concern: configure Windows Defender properly with Controlled Folder Access enabled and the browser extension installed.

What I wouldn’t do: keep UltraAV out of inertia. The forced transition was handled poorly, and you have better options.

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Sources and last checked notes

U.S. Department of Commerce, Kaspersky final determination and prohibition: https://www.commerce.gov/
Kaspersky U.S. transition support information: https://usa.kaspersky.com/
AV-TEST, Windows home-user antivirus test results archive: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
AV-Comparatives, Malware Protection Test March 2026 and test archive: https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/

GuardPick is not an antivirus testing lab. We evaluate software based on product information, pricing, trial availability, refund policies, feature fit, third-party lab references (AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives), and hands-on usage where possible.

Best Kaspersky Alternative in 2026: After the US Ban

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