ZoneAlarm Antivirus Review: A Veteran Defender with a Modern Twist?

ZoneAlarm is no stranger to the cybersecurity scene. Launched in the late 1990s by Zone Labs, the software quickly became a go-to for personal firewall protection—at a time when such tools were a rarity for everyday users. Today, under the ownership of cybersecurity giant Check Point Software Technologies (since 2004), ZoneAlarm continues its mission to secure consumer and small business endpoints. But how well does this seasoned software hold up in today’s hyper-evolving threat landscape?

Let’s break down what ZoneAlarm offers in 2025 and how it compares to modern antivirus contenders.

---

What ZoneAlarm Offers Today: Packages and Pricing

ZoneAlarm’s antivirus solutions are bundled into three primary tiers:

1. ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall

2. ZoneAlarm Pro Antivirus + Firewall

3. ZoneAlarm Extreme Security NextGen

Each tier scales up in features, device support, and price. At its core, the Free version delivers a robust two-way firewall and anti-spyware capabilities for one PC. The Pro version introduces cloud-based scanning, anti-phishing protection, and app control, while Extreme Security packs in anti-ransomware, keylogger defense, content filtering, and multi-device support—including mobile.

Here’s a quick look at their pricing (first-year discounts included):

Significant savings are offered for two-year plans—up to 68% in some cases—which is a smart move for budget-conscious users looking for long-term protection.

---

Interface and Setup Experience: A Mixed Bag

ZoneAlarm’s interface feels clean and intuitive, with clearly labeled sections: Firewall, Antivirus, Web Secure, and Hacking Protection. However, the installation process isn’t exactly snappy. Users have reported long download times (30+ minutes in some cases), and system sluggishness during setup—unusual compared to modern antivirus programs which are generally fast and lightweight from the get-go.

Once installed, the experience improves. The dashboard displays essential info—scan schedules, firewall status, and protection summaries—all in a minimalistic green-and-white design that’s easy on the eyes.

---

Features Breakdown: Strong in Some Areas, Light in Others

🔥 Firewall Protection

ZoneAlarm’s firewall remains its signature feature. It intelligently categorizes networks into “Trusted,” “Public,” and “Blocked” zones, allowing users to customize access based on context. You can assign permissions to individual apps, though this process is manual and could be more user-friendly.

That said, the firewall’s automatic behavior may be too passive for some; it allows most apps by default unless you intervene, which could be risky for less experienced users.

🛡️ Antivirus Engine

ZoneAlarm leverages Check Point’s threat detection engine, which is solid but doesn’t always lead the pack. Full scans take 50+ minutes—fairly long by industry standards—and there’s no noticeable speed boost on subsequent scans. However, real-time protection is active and effective, catching test malware instantly and sending it straight to quarantine.

Unfortunately, detection isn’t always consistent across categories. ZoneAlarm is great at spotting spyware and trojans, but less effective against more elusive threats like simulated malware or browser-based attacks.

🌐 Web Security & Anti-Phishing

The Web Secure module includes phishing protection and safe browsing filters but only works in Chrome—and even there, performance is mixed. It reliably flags phishing pages but does little against other malicious domains. Competing products often offer better coverage across all major browsers with URL filtering, download scanning, and malicious ad blocking.

🧩 Other Tools

• Anti-Ransomware (Paid only): Strong behavior-based detection.

• Anti-Keylogger: Protects sensitive keystrokes from spyware.

• Mobile Security: Android and iOS protection with app scanning and remote features.

• Application Control: Allows granular rule-setting for installed apps.

• Content Filtering: Useful for families or small offices wanting to block inappropriate sites.

---

Performance & Independent Lab Results

While ZoneAlarm hasn’t seen as much recent testing attention as some competitors (like Bitdefender, Norton, or Kaspersky), the legacy testing results are still decent:

• AV-Test (2019, Pro Version): 6/6 Protection, 6/6 Usability, 4.5/6 Performance.

• SE Labs (2019): 85% total accuracy.

• MRG-Effitas (2023, Mobile): ~82% non-PUA detection, 100% PUA, 86% trojans.

• AV-Comparatives (2024): Detected 21–30% of fake shop scams—underwhelming.

ZoneAlarm’s performance isn’t terrible, but it’s clearly fallen behind more modern, AI-powered security suites that score consistent 99–100% protection rates in 2024-2025 tests.

---

Strengths vs. Weaknesses

✅ Pros

• Excellent two-way firewall

• Low-cost Pro tier with solid protection

• Clean and simple UI

• Decent mobile support on paid plans

• Strong identity protection (in previous iterations)

❌ Cons

• Sluggish install process

• Long scan times

• No macOS support

• Inconsistent browser protection

• Free trial lacks full feature access

---

Final Verdict: Still Worth It in 2025?

ZoneAlarm stands as a testament to old-school firewall excellence but shows its age when stacked against today’s top antivirus suites. It’s best suited for users who prioritize a reliable firewall and basic antivirus features, particularly on Windows PCs.

If you’re a Windows-only user who wants essential protection with budget-friendly pricing—and you’re tech-savvy enough to manage permissions and app rules—ZoneAlarm Pro or even the Free tier could be a solid pick. But for cutting-edge malware detection, faster performance, and a seamless user experience across all platforms, newer contenders like Bitdefender, Norton, or ESET are more deserving of your attention.

---

Rating: 3.5/5 — A reliable, firewall-first antivirus that’s starting to show its age.