Trend Micro Maximum Security review: Better alternatives exist

Price When Reviewed

34,96

Best Prices Today: Trend Micro Maximum Security

When we last looked at Trend Micro Maximum Security, it won our favor with a simple interface and strong features. But in the years that have since passed, this antivirus suite has lost its ability to compete with rivals like Avast, AVG, and Norton.

It offers fewer features from similarly priced competing software, with several notable ones that disappoint. Its ability to catch offline threats ranks nearly dead last in benchmark results. And it can be buggy — to the point of not working.

Where this app once shone for its beginner-friendly vibe, you now have reason to seriously consider alternatives instead.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best antivirus software for Windows PCs to learn about competing products.

What does Trend Micro Maximum Security include?

As you’d expect, Trend Micro’s main features are its protections against malware and web threats. By default, its antivirus engine scans continuously for real-time dangers, including phishing sites, malicious downloads, suspicious applications, and ransomware. And to help keep your more vulnerable loved ones safe, you get parental controls that filter or limit device usage as needed.

In addition, the Maximum Security plan includes a limited password manager to boost your online security, as well as dark web monitoring to keep you abreast of data leaks and breaches that you may have gotten caught in. You also get tools to ensure your PC stays up to date (and thus less vulnerable to attacks), keep some of your local data safe, and also preserve your privacy.

Trend Micro Maximum Security does not offer a firewall or VPN. For network protection, it relies on Windows’ default firewall. As for VPN access, you must upgrade to Trend Micro’s Premium Security Suite subscription.

How much does Trend Micro Maximum Security cost?

Trend Micro / PCWorld

Trend Micro / PCWorld

Trend Micro / PCWorld

If you purchase Trend Micro Maximum Security directly from its website, it costs $50 for the first year, then increases to $100 afterward. A free 30-day trial exists — and it’s the rare one that doesn’t require payment info upfront.

Plans come with a 30-day refund policy. Be aware that Trend Micro automatically enrolls subscribers into auto-renewal at sign up.

Trend Micro Maximum Security (5-devices)

1-year plan

• $50 for the first year
• $100 per year thereafter

2-year plan

• $100 for the first year
• $160 per year thereafter

Trend Micro Maximum Security can be purchased in one- or two-year increments — though the initial discount lasts longer if you opt for the two-year plan. Your device limit covers Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and even ChromeOS.

For a little more savings, you can buy Trend Micro Maximum Security subscription codes from Best Buy. At the time of this article’s publishing, you can save another $10 on a one-year subscription, and another $5 on a two-year subscription, as compared to the first-year introductory prices.

Key features of Trend Micro Maximum Security

Installation experience

Installation went smoothly on my secondary Windows 10 machine — but not my primary test laptop, which runs Windows 11. The app refused to open, though other commands via the system tray icon worked. After multiple troubleshooting attempts, which included uninstalling and reinstalling the software, running Trend Micro’s diagnostic tool, and trying an older version of the installation file, I reset the laptop…yet still failed to get the app to run.

For my performance testing (detailed further below), I ended up installing Trend Micro Maximum Security on a different Windows 11 PC.

User interface

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When the app does install successfully, you’ll be welcomed by the dashboard. The interface has light-themed coloring, though you can apply themes to the look. Doing so adds an image to the upper part of the screen.

In the center of this main screen sits a large scan button, with smaller icons for settings and a security report to its right. Above are four icons that group related features. On the far left is Device, where you’ll configure scans, optimize your PC performance, silence non-critical notifications, and access downloads for Trend Micro (in case you want to install it on other devices). Privacy houses a security and privacy extension for social media and your browser, settings for the Pay Guard secure browser feature, and a data-theft prevention tool. Data lets you protect specific folders against ransomware, securely erase files, and access the password manager. Finally, Family is where you’ll configure the parental controls.

One quirk in Trend Micro’s interface is the layering of settings — opening them first drops you into settings for app features. To get to general settings (including the themes mentioned above), you must click on the Other Settings button in the left navbar.

Overall, despite its simplistic layout, Trend Micro’s app feels disorganized compared to rivals’ more modern interfaces. While not illogical, it has similar ease-of-use as software from 10 to 15 years ago.