PC Matic

PC Matic provides antivirus and endpoint security for home and business users on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Its SuperShield protection uses real-time application allowlisting and a default-deny approach that blocks unknown applications. PC Matic says this can block ransomware before execution and describes using heuristics to stop malicious scripts that call tools such as PowerShell. On Windows PCs, scans can run maintenance tasks including software and driver updates, junk-file removal, and fixes for software vulnerabilities. Consumer plans list malicious ad and scam blocking and dark web monitoring; the family identity plan also lists identity theft insurance and stolen funds reimbursement, each up to $1M. PC Matic Pro applies default-deny allowlisting to applications, scripts, and processes, and is described as able to sit alongside other endpoint security solutions. Supported operating system versions include Windows 10 or newer, macOS 10.12 or newer, iOS 13 or newer, and Android 4.4 or newer. A free plan and free trial are listed. Paid annual plans include Antivirus at $60 a year, Antivirus + VPN at $110 a year, and Antivirus + VPN + Family Identity Protection at $210 a year.

PC Matic combines endpoint protection with Windows maintenance and consumer privacy and identity features. Its supported operating system minimums and the different features of its annual plans are useful points to review.

PC Matic is for home users and businesses seeking antivirus or endpoint security across its listed platforms. Windows users may also use its scans for maintenance tasks; businesses can consider PC Matic Pro’s execution controls.

PC Matic is a security suite for households and businesses, with antivirus, application controls and optional privacy, identity and maintenance features. It suits people who want unknown applications blocked rather than simply scanned. Its strongest case is that execution control; the main caveat is that useful extras are split across plans.

Overview

PC Matic’s SuperShield uses real-time application allowlisting and a default-deny approach: unknown applications are blocked from running. The company says this blocks ransomware before it executes and that its consumer protection aligns with the NIST Zero Trust standard. It also says it intercepts calls from known applications to scripting tools such as PowerShell and uses heuristics to block malicious scripts before execution.

This emphasis on controlling what can run is a meaningful distinction for users concerned about unfamiliar software and scripts. It is not the most natural fit for someone who wants only a basic antivirus subscription or does not want application controls to shape everyday use.

Key features

Protection and maintenance

The consumer plans include antivirus protection, with ransomware protection also identified as a product capability. On Windows, scans can trigger maintenance such as software and driver updates, junk-file removal and fixes for software vulnerabilities. That combination is useful for Windows users who want upkeep alongside security, but the maintenance feature does not extend to the other supported platforms.

Privacy, identity and business controls

Consumer plans add features such as malicious ad and scam blocking, dark web monitoring, and, on the family identity plan, identity theft insurance and stolen funds reimbursement, each up to $1M. PC Matic Pro is a separate business product that enforces default-deny execution control across applications, scripts and processes. It can sit on top of other endpoint security solutions and offers a free 30-day trial. The company also says US-based home technical support is available seven days a week.

Pricing

PC Matic uses a freemium model, with a free plan and paid consumer subscriptions. The annual tiers differ substantially, so the entry price is not a guide to the full feature set.

• Antivirus — $60 a year: real-time virus, malware, ransomware and phishing protection; malware scanning and removal; performance booster; free software origin scan; and a VPN limited to 300 MB daily. This is the most focused paid option for buyers who want protection without unlimited VPN or cloud backup.
• Antivirus + VPN — $110 a year: antivirus protection, unlimited standard VPN, 25 GB secure cloud backup, secure firewall, file shredder, and malicious ad and scam blocker. It is the broader choice for people who want these extras, but it does not include the family identity plan’s named identity protections.
• Antivirus + VPN + Family Identity Protection — $210 a year: includes the antivirus, unlimited standard VPN, 25 GB secure cloud backup, secure firewall, file shredder and advanced fraud monitoring. The family identity plan is the tier to consider for identity-focused protection; the listed features do not state that the insurance and reimbursement are included in every plan.
• PC Matic Privacy — $30 a year: scans and cleans browser data from Chrome, Firefox and Edge. It renews annually, and sales tax may apply; it is for browser-data cleanup rather than a full security suite.
• PC Matic Delist — $60 a year: removes personal information from data brokers, people-search sites and online directories. It renews annually, and sales tax may apply; choose it for personal-information removal, not antivirus coverage.
• Support Unlimited — $100 a year: 24/7 phone support and remote assistance for Windows and Mac computers, printers, routers, smart devices, tablets and more. It renews annually, and sales tax may apply; it is a support subscription rather than a replacement for a security plan.

The stated device limit is five. PC Matic Pro’s separate business trial lasts 30 days; its pricing is custom pricing.

Platforms

Consumer support covers Windows 10 or newer, macOS 10.12 or newer, iOS 13 or newer, and Android 4.4 or newer. Windows users get the additional maintenance tools. The different operating-system minimums matter for households with older devices, which may not meet the supported baseline.

Who it's for

PC Matic is best suited to households that value default-deny application control, use supported devices and want to choose add-ons such as VPN, browser cleanup or identity protection. Windows users have the clearest extra benefit from maintenance scans. It is a weaker fit for buyers who need a known free-plan quota, want every privacy or identity feature in the lowest tier, or are seeking a simple antivirus-only experience without execution controls.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Default-deny allowlisting blocks unknown applications, giving security-focused users a clear reason to consider it beyond antivirus alone.
• Pros: Windows scans can combine software and driver updates with junk-file removal and vulnerability fixes, extending the product beyond threat blocking.
• Pros: The annual plans offer distinct choices for VPN, backup, firewall, browser privacy and identity-oriented features.
• Cons: The basic Antivirus plan’s VPN is capped at 300 MB daily, while unlimited standard VPN and 25 GB backup start with the $110 a year tier.
• Cons: A five-device limit and operating-system minimums can constrain larger households or older devices.
• Cons: Free-plan and consumer-trial duration and limits are not defined, making them harder to assess as a sustained alternative to a paid plan.

Alternatives

For a narrower Android-only option, ESET Mobile Security for Android has a free lifetime plan with basic features and a premium tier for Android phones and tablets. Bitdefender Total Security is worth comparing if you want a paid cross-platform suite: its Total Security Individual plan is $59.99 a year at the first-year price, plus applicable sales tax, for five devices and one account.

For business buyers, Deep Instinct Prevention Platform is an enterprise product with pricing by demo request. SentinelOne Singularity Cloud Security offers per-endpoint plans with different data-retention periods. Check Point Harmony SASE requires a license after its 30-day trial. Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite prices by the number of protected stations, including servers. Kaspersky Next offers cloud or on-premises deployment. Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection is a custom-quote option covering servers, desktops, laptops and mobile devices.

For broader category comparisons, browse Endpoint Protection Platforms, Antivirus for Mac, Antivirus software or PC Optimization Software.

Verdict

Choose PC Matic if your household wants default-deny application control and can make use of Windows maintenance or the particular privacy and identity add-ons in its higher tiers. Its central strength is preventing unknown applications from running, with business execution control available separately through PC Matic Pro. Look elsewhere if you need a clearly defined free-plan allowance, want VPN and backup without moving above the entry tier, or prefer antivirus without this stricter application-control approach.