Reading time:

Updated on Aug 23, 2024

Emsisoft Anti-Malware Overview

Emsisoft Anti-Malware claims to offer a dual antivirus engine for getting rid of stubborn malware, which was something I was looking to do. I wanted to test it for myself and see if there was more to this low-cost antivirus option. I tested the malware detection abilities and examined the features and the overall performance.

After my tests, I wasn’t too impressed with this antivirus. While I appreciate some standout features like its remote management feature, emergency kit malware removal tool, and budget-friendly pricing, I was left dissatisfied with the overall performance.

Try Norton risk-free for 60 days

In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary

Security

- 2

Emsisoft offers decent protection against malware and other cyber threats. It scores a near-perfect malware detection rate and provides a portable malware removal tool. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer advanced security features like ID theft protection, a virtual private network (VPN), and a password manager, which is crucial for comprehensive security.

Virus Scan — Offers Near-Perfect Malware Detection Rates

Emsisoft has decent malware detection rates. It scored 99.5% detection rates for prevalent malware discovered in the past 4 weeks. To test the malware removal abilities, I downloaded over 1,000 malware samples to a test PC and ran Emsisoft’s Malware scan. During my tests, the virus scanner found nearly all malware samples, above the industry average of 99.4%.

Emsisoft uses a dual-scanning approach to check for malware. It uses its own anti-malware engine to scan your system along with Bitdefender’s engine to produce better detection rates. Bitdefender on its own achieves 100% detection rates, so it’s surprising that despite combining 2 engines, it still doesn’t achieve a perfect score.

Emsisoft provides 3 malware scanning options:

  • Quick scan — Scans active running processes and files.
  • Malware scan — Looks for malware in critical areas of the system.
  • Custom scan — Checks specified files or folders.

I tested each scan option and was generally impressed with the speeds and detection abilities. During my tests, the Quick Scan checked 64,000 files in less than a minute while the Malware scan took about 6 minutes to scan over 84,000 files. Since there’s no full scan option, I decided to run a Custom scan of my main drive. It took 44 minutes to scan over 580,000 files.

Screenshot of Emsisoft Malware scan result page

The Malware scan checked all folders that are likely to host malware infections

While these performances are impressive, they don’t match those of top-tier antivirus options. For instance, Norton’s full scan of 1,000,000 files took just 22 minutes and detected 100% of the malware files in the same tests. Plus, I’d rather trust a more established antivirus provider like Norton to provide comprehensive protection for all types of devices.

Real-Time Protection — Protects Against Most Cyber Threats

Like its malware scan, Emsisoft provides near-perfect protection against real-time malware threats. The antivirus can protect your system against most threats such as viruses, trojans, spyware, worms, keyloggers, and more. During testing, Emsisoft blocked 98.7% of malware, web, and emailed-based attacks.

In comparison, Norton blocked 100% of all cyber attacks when I tested its real-time protection, proving its lead in the antivirus protection industry.

One interesting feature I found while testing Emsisoft is its Behavior Blocker. It is a powerful security feature that monitors the behavior of programs and files, blocking any malicious process. Its efficiency in blocking even the most sophisticated threats makes it a standout feature in Emsisoft’s arsenal.

Screenshot of Behavior Blocker notifications page

Behavior Blocker is quick at spotting ransomware attacks

During tests, I ran a ransomware simulator and Emsisoft’s Behavior Blocker immediately identified the program and prevented it from causing changes to my PC. Behavior Blocker also proved effective against rootkits, spyware, and other evasive malware forms.

System Performance — Has a Significant Impact on System Performance

Emsisoft had a significant impact on my system resources during tests. I noticed it consumed twice as much CPU resources compared to other antivirus options like Norton and McAfee. To measure the extent of the system slowdown, I recorded my PC’s performance before and during a system scan with Emsisoft.

Here’s a summary of what I found in the table below.

 Test Type  CPU Utilization (no scan)  Memory Utilization (no scan)  Disk Utilization (no scan)  CPU Utilization (Full Scan)  Memory Utilization (Full Scan) Disk Utilization (Full Scan)
Emsisoft  24% 73%  3 MB/s  97%  82% 7 MB/s

From my extensive tests, I observed a significant increase in resource consumption while using Emsisoft antivirus. My CPU utilization spiked from 24% to 97%, which resulted in a slowdown of my PC. I also measured how the impact of Emsisoft on various activities on my computer. Here’s what I found:

  • Slowdown when launching popular websites: 19%
  • Slowdown when launching standard software apps: 44%
  • Slowdown when copying files: 11%
  • Slowdown during installation of frequently-used apps: 36%

Overall, Emsisoft Anti-malware software will slow down your system. For antivirus software that won’t have many system resources with little to no impact on system performance, I recommend giving Norton a try. During my tests, Norton had a negligible impact on system performance. Plus, you can test Norton risk-free using the 60-day money-back guarantee.

Emergency Kit — Gets Rid of Malware Without Need for Installation

Emsisoft’s Emergency Kit is a versatile and robust malware removal tool that offers effective protection against cyber threats. The kit’s primary function is to detect and remove stubborn malware, including viruses, trojans, spyware, and other malicious elements, safeguarding your device and data from potential harm.

Screenshot of Emsisoft's Emergency Kit page

The portable version of Emsisoft doesn’t require installation to scan for malware

Emsisoft’s Emergency Kit is portable and exportable to a USB drive. You can quickly use it on any PC to remove malware without having to install the antivirus on that computer.

There are 2 versions: a user-friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface) and a command-line version. The GUI’s straightforward design enables both tech-savvy users and novices to initiate scans and take necessary actions. However, the command-line version caters to advanced users and IT professionals who prefer command-based operations for more specialized tasks.

I found that Emergency Kit is great for removing malware from infected systems that prevent new apps from running. This standout feature is what makes Emsisoft quite interesting compared to its competitors. Panda Dome antivirus has a similar feature to Emergency Kit, but it lacks the command-line version for advanced users.

Features

- 8

This is where Emsisoft pales compared to the more established antiviruses like Norton and McAfee. Apart from the browser security feature, it lacks other features that would have made it a comprehensive internet security suite. It doesn’t have a VPN, password manager, firewall, or parental control features.

Browser Security — Blocks Phishing and Malicious Websites

Emsisoft’s Browser Security offers a web protection solution designed to enhance online safety. Compatible with popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge, it acts as a robust shield against cyber threats during web browsing.

During my testing, the extension blocked malicious websites, phishing attempts, and harmful downloads. It uses advanced technology to scan web pages in real time, providing a proactive defense against emerging threats.

Screenshot of Emsisoft Browser Security extension

You can report a site as malicious, even if Browser Security misses it

While it’s not as sophisticated as those of competitors like McAfee and TotalAV, it does provide decent protection. Emsisoft’s Browser Security ensures a secure browsing experience, minimizing the risk of malware infections and data breaches.

Management Console — Manage Your Device Security Remotely

Emsisoft Management Console offers one of the best remote management antivirus features, empowering you to efficiently oversee and control your antivirus protection from anywhere. With this powerful web-based tool, you can remotely deploy Emsisoft security solutions, ensuring consistent protection across all your devices.

Screenshot of Emsisoft's remote management dashboard

You can also configure your security settings remotely with Emsisoft’s Management Console

You can run scans remotely, check logs, create and enforce security policies, customize scanning schedules, and receive real-time alerts for potential threats. You can also configure your protection settings from anywhere, right from your browser. It’s basically a clone of your antivirus software, managed remotely for your convenience.

I find it particularly useful for managing all family devices when traveling. This ensures that I can monitor the protection levels of family members, especially the non-tech-savvy users like my parents while I’m away. If you have a small team, this tool also comes in handy for protecting your employees’ devices.

Ease Of Use

- 7

Emsisoft offers a user-friendly and intuitive app with a straightforward installation process. It’s, however, only available for Windows and Android devices. The absence of a Mac and iOS app makes it a limiting security suite for comprehensive protection. There are antiviruses for Windows with lots of extra features that also work for other platforms.

Desktop App — Easy Download Process and Intuitive Windows App

Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home offers a neatly arranged Windows app with a clean appearance. Getting started with the software was pretty easy. Once you’ve signed up, you can download and install the software in a few minutes. I downloaded the free trial from the Management Console and set it up, ran a scan, and explored the menus in a matter of minutes.

Screenshot of Emsisoft's Windows app interface

The installation process was straightforward and took only a few minutes

The desktop home page is arranged in a grid-like style, making it very easy to find all the features. You can run a scan, check the logs, and adjust settings with a tap of a button. There are also toggle buttons for the firewall, silent mode, and network lockdown.

Generally, I liked the minimalistic design of the Windows app which makes navigation easy. Plus, there’s the “i” icon, which when hovered upon shows you a short description of what a particular feature is about. I think this is a nice touch, especially for those using antivirus software for the first time.

Mobile App — Robust Protection for Android Devices

Emsisoft’s mobile app is equally impressive. Available only for Android, it comes with a decent range of features for protecting your phone. These features include:

  • Malware Scanner — Conducts on-demand scans to detect and remove malware and other security threats from your Android device.
  • Web Protection — Safeguards your mobile browsing by blocking access to malicious and harmful websites.
  • Anti-Theft Tools — Provides features like remote locking, locating, and wiping your device in case of loss or theft, ensuring your data stays secure.
  • App Lock — Adds an extra layer of security by allowing you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint, protecting your sensitive information.
  • App Security Scan — Regularly scans your installed apps for potential security risks and alerts you to any privacy concerns.

The Malware Scanner is a vital tool for detecting and removing malware, keeping your device free from harmful files. I ran the Emsisoft Mobile Security scanner, and it found the malware planted on my test device.

The Web Protection feature ensures secure browsing by blocking access to dangerous websites. It blocks dangerous websites and phishing links, allowing you to browse the web safely.

Screenshot of Emsisoft Mobile Security scan results

You can activate web protection and scan for threats with the Emsisoft Mobile Security app

With Anti-Theft Tools, you can safeguard your data in case of loss or theft, while App Lock adds an extra layer of protection to your sensitive apps. The App Security Scan helps you stay aware of any potential security risks posed by your installed apps.

Overall, Emsisoft Mobile Security provides a reliable and practical solution to keep your Android device safe and secure. However, the absence of an iOS app means you wouldn’t be able to protect your iPhone. If you use an iPhone, I recommend you try these iOS-optimized apps to protect you against cyber threats.

How to Download Emsisoft Anti-Malware Software on Windows

  1. Visit Emsisoft Website — Open your web browser and go to Emsisoft’s official website and sign up.
  2. Verify your email address — Login to your email and click the verification link sent to you from Emsisoft.
  3. Set up your Workspace — Choose a name for your workspace and the number of devices you want to protect.
    Screenshot showing Emsisoft's workspace creation process
  4. Choose Emsisoft Anti-Malware — Select “Emsisoft Anti-Malware” for protection and the security management option of your choice.
    Screenshot of Emsisoft's product selection process
  5. Download the Installer — Click on the “Download” button next to the chosen version to save the installer file.
  6. Run the Installer — Locate the downloaded installer file and double-click on it to run the installation process.
  7. Complete Installation — Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Activate the software with a license key (if applicable) and ensure it is up-to-date.
  8. Run a Scan — Perform a full system scan for comprehensive protection against malware on your Windows computer.
    Screenshot of Emsisoft's scan options

That’s it. You’ve successfully installed Emsisoft Anti-Malware on your computer.

Support

- 6

My personal experience with Emsisoft support was highly satisfactory. I had the option to choose from live chat, email, and an online knowledge base. The response time was generally fast and the support agents were helpful. The only issue was that live chat wasn’t always available and there was no phone support which is available with competitors like Norton and McAfee.

Live Chat — Fast and Helpful, but Not Available 24/7

The live chat option is particularly impressive as it provides prompt and efficient assistance from knowledgeable support agents. Whenever I encountered an issue or had a question, the support agents were friendly, and patient, and demonstrated a deep understanding of the product, guiding me through troubleshooting steps or addressing any concerns with ease.

Unfortunately, Emsisoft’s live chat support is not available 24/7, and the lack of specific hours for its availability was inconvenient. This limitation can lead to frustration when seeking immediate assistance during off-hours or in urgent situations.

Despite the limitation of non-continuous availability, Emsisoft compensates by offering email support and a comprehensive knowledge base.

Email Support — Relatively Fast Email Response Time

Emsisoft’s email support is reliable and reasonably fast. When I needed more detailed explanations or had non-urgent inquiries, I opted for email communication. The support team consistently responded within 4 hours, and their responses were thorough and helpful.

Screenshot of Emsisoft email support response

It took just 4 hours to get a response from Emsisoft’s email support

I asked a question about the firewall feature and Emsisoft support informed me that the antivirus doesn’t have its own firewall.

Online Resources & FAQs — Well-Organized and Extensive Knowledge Base

Emsisoft’s online knowledge base is a valuable resource for self-help. Whenever I wanted to explore more about specific features, settings, or general best practices, the knowledge base provided a vast repository of informative articles and guides. It was well-organized and easy to navigate, allowing me to find the information I needed without hassle.

Overall, my experience with Emsisoft support was positive. Their combination of live chat, email support, and a comprehensive knowledge base ensures that you have various avenues to seek assistance and get the most out of their anti-malware solution.

Price

- 6

Emsisoft offers low-cost pricing plans, effective for removing malware threats and real-time protection. There’s only 1 premium plan for home users and 2 for businesses with a 30-day free trial. While all the plans provide decent protection, they lack extra features like VPN and ID theft protection, available in top-tier antiviruses like Norton and TotalAV.

Free Version — Powerful Virus Scanner & Malware Removal Tool

Emsisoft offers a free malware removal tool, available when you exhaust the 30-day free trial of the Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home plan. While it lacks real-time protection, remote management, or customer support, it does offer decent protection against viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware, and other threats.

That said, it lacks extra features like parental controls, VPN, or password manager, which are available on Avira Free antivirus. Avira offers perfect malware detection rates, real-time protection, and extra features like VPN, password manager, device optimization tools, and more.

Anti-Malware Home — Offers Good Protection, but Lacks Extra Features

This plan offers multiple features at decent pricing for malware removal and real-time protection. The features include:

  • Real-Time Protection — Constantly monitors your system to detect and block malware in real time, ensuring proactive defense against threats.
  • Dual-Engine Scanner — Utilizes both Emsisoft’s and Bitdefender’s scanning engines, enhancing detection rates for a comprehensive security solution.
  • Behavior Blocker — Proactively identifies and stops suspicious behaviors of applications, preventing new and unknown threats from causing harm.
  • Anti-Ransomware Protection — Safeguards your files and data from ransomware attacks, providing an extra layer of defense against this prevalent threat.
  • Web Protection — Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts, securing your online browsing and preventing harmful downloads.

Anti-Malware Home covers either 1, 3, or 5 Windows devices. You won’t find any discounts for first-year subscriptions as you would get with top antivirus options like Norton and McAfee, but the prices are generally cheaper than the competition.

The lack of extra features like VPN and password, crucial for comprehensive security also puts Emsisoft at a disadvantage. Personally, I think a top-tier antivirus like Norton offers more value for overall security than a low-cost, but feature-limited option like Emsisoft.

Emsisoft Business & Enterprise Security — Excellent Security for All Types of Businesses

Emsisoft offers 2 plans for businesses — Business Security & Enterprise Security. The Business Security plan is best for small businesses and supports 2 admins and 10 protection & permission policies. On the other hand, the Enterprise Security plan is more suitable for medium and large-scale organizations — offers unlimited admins and protection & permission policies.

These plans include all the features of Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home, along with additional functionalities designed to secure networks and endpoints at scale. It offers centralized management through the Emsisoft Management Console, IT administrators gain full control over security policies, real-time monitoring, and reporting.

You get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try the plans risk-free. Plus, you can easily integrate them with Active Directory for efficient user and device management.

Final Verdict

Emsisoft Anti-Malware offers decent protection against malware, but it could do better. I like that it catches most malware threats and the remote security management feature gives it an edge over many competitors. However, the fact that it lacks almost every advanced security feature necessary for comprehensive protection makes it hard to justify the price.

For comprehensive protection, I recommend you go for a more comprehensive internet security suite like Norton. With Norton, you’d get 100% malware protection rates, and lots of extra features like VPN, ID theft protection, password manager, parental controls, and more. You can try Norton risk-free using the 60-day money-back guarantee.

FAQs on Emsisoft Anti-Malware & Antivirus

Is Emsisoft antivirus any good?

Yes, Emsisoft Antivirus is a reliable and effective anti-malware solution, but it’s only compatible with Windows and Android devices. During my tests, Emsisoft detected nearly all the malware samples planted on my test computer, scoring 99.5% detection rates. I particularly like the Emergency Kit tool, great for removing malware on the go.

Emsisoft’s focus on behavioral analysis and dual-engine scanning enhances its ability to detect and remove both known and unknown threats. However, Emsisoft needs more security features such as VPN, password manager, and ID theft protection, to make it a reliable solution for comprehensive protection.

Is Emsisoft Emergency Kit safe?

Yes, the Emsisoft Emergency Kit is safe to use. It is specifically designed to be a portable and on-demand malware scanner, ensuring that it does not interfere with your existing antivirus software. The kit is meant to be used as an emergency response tool to detect and remove malware from your system.

When used correctly, it provides an additional layer of security without conflicting with your primary antivirus protection. However, like any security software, it is essential to download the Emsisoft Emergency Kit from the official website to ensure its authenticity and safety.

Is Emsisoft compatible with iOS or Mac?

No, Emsisoft Anti-Malware is not compatible with iOS or Mac operating systems. It is specifically designed to work on Windows and Android platforms. On PCs, Emsisoft Anti-Malware provides robust protection against malware threats, while the Android version ensures secure mobile browsing and protects against mobile threats.

If you want to protect your Mac or iOS device, you should go for comprehensive anti-virus options like Norton and TotalAV.

Which antivirus is better than Emsisoft?

Norton Antivirus is better than Emsisoft and holds our top spot due to its comprehensive security features and proven track record. Norton offers 100% malware detection rates, real-time threat protection, and a vast global intelligence network for swift threat response.

Its seamless integration with multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, ensures all devices are well-protected. Additionally, Norton’s user-friendly interface, VPN service, and secure online transactions further elevate its effectiveness, making it the preferred choice for robust and reliable cybersecurity protection.

Try Norton antivirus risk-free 

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research, and also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more

Wizcase was established in 2018 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Intego and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on Wizcase are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Written by: Enemali Okwoli
Enemali Okwoli is a Writer at WizCase. He focuses on crafting relevant security tips for individuals and businesses. Enemali has written hundreds of articles on security products including, VPNs, Antiviruses, and Password Managers. He enjoys testing security tools for different platforms and presenting well-researched methods that readers can use to secure their devices. Prior to joining WizCase, Enemali worked with 2 different startups as a content writer where he wrote scores of web copies and tech-related articles. By keeping up with the latest security threats and trends, Enemali has been able to develop in-depth knowledge and insights into the complex world of cybersecurity. When he isn't writing or researching the latest security tools, you'll find him watching sci-fi movies or running for fitness.