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Best for Comprehensive Security
Best for Affordability
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Slow scans compared to other options
We chose Norton 360 as our top pick. In this review, we will highlight the features and pricing plans of Norton and our other top picks, Bitdefender and McAfee, of antivirus solutions with a virtual private network (VPN).
| Antivirus |  |
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| Star rating | |||
| Starting price | Starts at $29.99/first yr | Free or $24.99/yr (first year only) | Starts at $39.99/first 2 yrs |
| Max number of protected devices | Unlimited | 10 | Unlimited |
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | |||
| Firewall | |||
| Phishing protection | |||
| Ransomware protection | |||
| 24/7 customer support | |||
| Extras | Parental controls, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, software updater, and more | Vulnerability scan, VPN, cryptomining protection, parental controls, webcam protection | VPN, password manager, identity theft protection, data removal services |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 | Get Bitdefender | Get McAfee |
4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
Norton is ideal for the digitally savvy individual seeking a well-rounded antivirus suite. Norton 360’s extensive features include a VPN to protect your online transactions and web browsing, a password manager to safely store your credentials, and even parental controls for those who care about their child's online safety.
Norton 360 offers an exhaustive set of features designed to safeguard against a variety of cyberthreats. It also has a variety of pricing plans to choose from, such as the Plus, Standard, Deluxe, and Premium plans. While the price point isn’t the cheapest, Norton offers a balance between features and value.
Norton’s Secure VPN is included with all Norton 360 plans. Having a VPN service included ensures that you can maintain privacy when connected to potentially insecure Wi-Fi networks. Depending on your Norton 360 plan, you can connect the VPN on anywhere from three to unlimited devices.
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Take a look at some of Norton 360’s other bells and whistles:
While Norton 360 is undoubtedly packed with features, the lack of a free version can be off-putting for some users. In addition, Mac users might feel left out as some of the features available for Windows, such as Power Eraser, aren't available on macOS.
| Starting price | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | No |
| VPN | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, dark web monitoring |
| Learn more | View Norton 360 Plans |
Super reliable antivirus software with a non-intrusive free version
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
If you’re seeking real-time, robust protection against malware, hackers, and computer viruses, Bitdefender emerges as a knight in shining armor — especially where affordability is a main concern.
Bitdefender offers a free version of its antivirus protection for Windows, macOS, and Android devices with daily virus scans and threat alerts. This is great for those who cannot afford to pay for a subscription plan or who have a very tight budget.
Bitdefender also offers multiple premium plans, which include antivirus solutions and security suites for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices with a starting price of $24.99/yr (first year only). Premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it before you commit.
On its most recent round of testing, Bitdefender had perfect AV-TEST scores on Windows, macOS, and Android. Third-party testing from institutes like AV-TEST is important so you know you’re getting proven antivirus protection that performs in real-world environments. Bitdefender’s proven ability to swiftly detect and neutralize threats with a boatload of features makes it one of the best antivirus programs.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, Total Security, and Premium Security all come with Bitdefender’s VPN. It allows for 200 MB of bandwidth per device, and it has VPN server locations in 53 countries worldwide.
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Additional security features included with Bitdefender’s premium paid include:
While we appreciated that Bitdefender offers a free antivirus app, it only includes a virus scanner. As far as the VPN, its 200 MB of bandwidth per day is limited, especially if you’re looking to use your VPN for heavy-bandwidth activities like streaming Netflix and torrenting. Bitdefender does offer a Premium VPN with unlimited data, but upgrading can cost you at least an additional $29.99 per year.
| Starting price | $24.99/yr (first year only) |
| Free version | Yes |
| VPN | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, dark web monitoring |
| Learn more | View Bitdefender Plans |
Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
McAfee offers comprehensive antivirus packages to safeguard your files and apps on your devices from viruses, malware, Trojans, and more. If you’re a parent, its parental controls are top-notch. Having parental controls ensures that your children’s online activities remain secure and age-appropriate, so you can have peace of mind while they engage in online activities.
McAfee offers various antivirus plans for different budgets and needs: a basic plan called McAfee Essential and various tiers of its premium McAfee+ plans, including McAfee+ Premium, McAfee+ Advanced, and McAfee+ Ultimate.
Starting with McAfee Essential, you get a VPN with your plan. McAfee VPN comes with a kill switch and offers the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols.
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Most McAfee family plans come with parental controls and provide coverage for up to two adults and four children. McAfee’s parental controls allow you to limit content, manage screen time, and receive location-based alerts. Some of the identity features also cover children, including identity monitoring, lost wallet protection, a password manager, and more.
Unfortunately, McAfee doesn’t offer a free plan and McAfee+ plans can be costly. The starting price for McAfee+ is $89.99/first yr for McAfee+ Premium. Even McAfee Essential ($49.99/first yr) is double the price of Bitdefender’s basic plan ($40.99/yr (first year only)).
During our testing, McAfee passed its DNS leak test but failed its WebRTC leak test. If you’re looking for a VPN with proven online security capabilities, you’d be better off pairing McAfee antivirus with a separate VPN provider like NordVPN.
| Starting price | $39.99/first 2 yrs |
| Free version | No |
| VPN | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, social privacy manager, scam protection |
| Learn more | View McAfee Plans |
While the aforementioned tools were standouts, there are other antivirus providers with VPNs that may be better suited for you.
It depends on the level of protection you seek. VPNs protect your personal data while browsing online while antivirus software defends against malware and other online threats. For comprehensive protection, it's best to use both.
If you’re seeking a standalone VPN to combine with your VPN, our list of the best VPNs is a great place to start.
Our top three antiviruses with VPNs, Norton, Bitdefender, and McAfee, can all cover multiple devices. Norton 360 plans can cover three to unlimited devices, Bitdefender can cover three to 10 devices depending on your plan, and McAfee can cover five to unlimited devices depending on your plan.
Antiviruses shouldn't block VPNs, but conflicts can arise; whitelisting the VPN or updating both can help.
In an age where digital threats are pervasive, security tools like Norton 360, Bitdefender, and McAfee offer more than just antivirus protection — they offer peace of mind. Each comes with its own strengths, ensuring there's something for every kind of user. Close runners-up like Avast and Avira also deserve a nod for their commendable performance.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
| |
$29.99/first yr | Best for comprehensive cybersecurity | Get Norton 360 |
| |
$24.99/yr (first year only) | Best for affordability | Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review |
| |
$39.99/first 2 yrs | Best for families | Get McAfee Read McAfee+ Premium Review |
For the best antivirus programs with a VPN, our selection criteria hinged on a mix of real-world performance, user reviews, and the richness of features. Here’s what we considered.
4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan
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