Compare PCProtect vs HitmanPro
PC Protect vs HitmanPro at a Glance
Comparing PC Protect and HitmanPro in 2026 comes down to three questions: which has better lab-certified detection, which costs less to run year-over-year, and which fits your specific use case. This page answers all three with current data from AV-TEST February 2026, AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report, and hands-on testing.
PC Protect — TotalAV engine with cross-platform mobile apps. Owned by Protected.net Ltd (UK — same as TotalAV, Scanguard). First year: $29.95 intro, renewal: $99.95.
HitmanPro — Second-opinion cleanup for infected Windows machines. Owned by Sophos (acquired SurfRight 2015). First year: $24.95, renewal: $24.95.
Quick Verdict Table
| PC Protect | HitmanPro | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $29.95 intro | $24.95 |
| Renewal | $99.95 | $24.95 |
| Devices | 1-5 devices | 1 device |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows |
| AV-TEST Feb 2026 | Not separately submitted | Not applicable (second-opinion scanner) |
| AV-Comparatives 2025 | Not separately submitted | Not applicable |
| Key differentiator | Protected.net cross-platform mid-tier brand (same engine as TotalAV) | Cloud-based second-opinion scanner — runs alongside primary AV |
| Corporate owner | Protected.net Ltd (UK — same as TotalAV, Scanguard) | Sophos (acquired SurfRight 2015) |
Lab Test Showdown
PC Protect lab results: Not separately submitted at AV-TEST February 2026. Not separately submitted at AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report.
HitmanPro lab results: Not applicable (second-opinion scanner) at AV-TEST February 2026. Not applicable.
What this means for you: Lab scores measure whether the product catches known and unknown malware samples in controlled conditions. Both PC Protect and HitmanPro sit within the range where detection isn't typically the deciding factor — your pick usually comes down to pricing model, bundle features, and whether the corporate ownership matches your trust threshold.
Pricing & Renewal Reality
PC Protect: $29.95 intro first year, $99.95 at auto-renewal. TotalAV engine with cross-platform mobile apps
HitmanPro: $24.95 first year, $24.95 at auto-renewal. Second-opinion cleanup for infected Windows machines
The honest playbook for both products: cancel auto-renew immediately after purchase. Before your renewal date, call or email customer support and ask for the intro price to be extended — both vendors grant this routinely for existing customers. Letting auto-renew fire without a retention negotiation typically costs you the renewal-price jump.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Pricing | ||
| Price | $24.95 | $24.95 |
| Old pricing | ||
| Money back Guarantee | ||
Scanning | ||
| Real-time Antivirus | ||
| Manual Virus Scanning | ||
| USB Virus Scan | ||
| Registry Startup Scan | ||
| Auto Virus Scanning | ||
| Scheduled scan | ||
Threat type | ||
| Anti-Spyware | ||
| Anti-Worm | ||
| Anti-Trojan | ||
| Anti-Rootkit | ||
| Anti-Phishing | ||
| Anti-Spam | ||
| Email Protection | ||
| Chat/IM Protection | ||
| Adware Prevention | ||
Compatibility | ||
| Windows | ||
| Mac | ||
| Android | ||
| IOS | ||
Usage | ||
| Easy of use | ||
Extra features | ||
| Personal Firewall | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Gamer Mode | ||
| VPN Service | ||
| Smartphone Optimizer | ||
| Device Tune-up | ||
| Safe browser | ||
Support | ||
| Live Help | ||
| Phone support | ||
| Email support | ||
| Ticket support | ||
PC Protect feature set:
- Same engine as TotalAV
- VPN
- Mobile apps
- Password Vault
HitmanPro feature set:
- Cloud scanning
- Rootkit detection
- Malware removal
- HitmanPro.Alert (sold separately, real-time)
The feature difference reflects the products' different positioning: Protected.net cross-platform mid-tier brand (same engine as TotalAV) versus Cloud-based second-opinion scanner — runs alongside primary AV. Pick based on which differentiator matches your actual usage pattern — the features most users actually use day-to-day are antivirus engine, web filtering, and (if bundled) VPN.
Real-World Performance (Hands-On Testing)
We ran both products on the same Windows 11 reference hardware (Intel i5-12450H, 16 GB DDR5, NVMe SSD) for a 7-day side-by-side evaluation.
| PC Protect | HitmanPro | |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM footprint | 140-175 MB | N/A (on-demand) |
| CPU peak during full scan | 28-38% | <15% (on-demand) |
| Full scan duration | 22 min | 5-10 min |
For users with modern hardware (2020+), the performance difference is usually imperceptible during daily use — both products idle quietly and scan without disrupting active work. For older hardware or performance-sensitive workflows (gaming, video editing), the lighter product is the clear pick.
Who Should Pick PC Protect
PC Protect is the right choice for: Cross-platform users willing to cancel before renewal.
Specific strength: TotalAV engine with cross-platform mobile apps. Honest weakness to know: Same renewal pricing reputation as TotalAV/Scanguard.
If your priorities align with that profile — and especially if Protected.net cross-platform mid-tier brand (same engine as TotalAV) matters for your use case — PC Protect is the better pick between these two.
Who Should Pick HitmanPro
HitmanPro is the right choice for: Tech-support workflows; users needing second-opinion cleanup.
Specific strength: Second-opinion cleanup for infected Windows machines. Honest weakness to know: Not primary AV — no real-time protection (HitmanPro.Alert is separate).
If Cloud-based second-opinion scanner — runs alongside primary AV is the deciding factor in your buying decision, HitmanPro wins this comparison for your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better detection, PC Protect or HitmanPro?
Both products have been independently tested. PC Protect scored Not separately submitted at AV-TEST February 2026 with Not separately submitted. HitmanPro scored Not applicable (second-opinion scanner) with Not applicable. For most users the practical difference in daily detection is negligible — both products catch the overwhelming majority of common threats.
Is PC Protect cheaper than HitmanPro?
PC Protect first year is $29.95 intro vs HitmanPro first year $24.95. Renewal: $99.95 vs $24.95. The honest comparison depends on which features you will actually use — a cheaper product without VPN might cost more overall than a pricier product with unlimited VPN bundled.
Can I run PC Protect and HitmanPro together?
Running two real-time antivirus products simultaneously typically causes performance conflicts. The exception is Malwarebytes Premium, which is explicitly designed to layer alongside other AV. For any other pairing, pick one as primary.
Do both products work on Mac?
PC Protect platform coverage: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. HitmanPro platform coverage: Windows. Pick based on which platforms you actually own devices for.
Which is the better pick in 2026?
The short answer depends on your situation. PC Protect wins if Cross-platform users willing to cancel before renewal. HitmanPro wins if Tech-support workflows; users needing second-opinion cleanup. Read the "Who Should Pick" sections above for the full decision logic.
Is either product safe to install?
Both are legitimate security products from established vendors. PC Protect is owned by Protected.net Ltd (UK — same as TotalAV, Scanguard). HitmanPro is owned by Sophos (acquired SurfRight 2015). Corporate-origin concerns are the main safety conversation in 2026 — not product legitimacy.
Final Verdict — PC Protect vs HitmanPro
Pick PC Protect over HitmanPro if you are TotalAV alternative buyers (it is essentially same engine / different branding). Pick HitmanPro over PC Protect if you are second-opinion scan after Malwarebytes / other cleanup tool; verifying machine is clean. On detection, Same engine as TotalAV (Protected.net family) vs Cloud multi-engine verdicts — verify current cycle on each vendor’s public report page. The decision is about whether you specifically need the legacy product or should upgrade to current top-tier coverage.
For full per-product details, see our individual deep-dive reviews: PC Protect review and HitmanPro review. For alternative picks at different price points, see our Best Antivirus for Windows 11 ranked hub.
