Consumer tech · Ranked by price to features
10 Best Antivirus Software of 2026
By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 7, 2026 · Next review December 22, 2026
Bitdefender is the best antivirus software for multi-device households in 2026, with Total Security Family covering 25 devices for $79.99 in the first year. Avast suits people who want a free tier and clear renewal prices; Norton 360 Deluxe suits families who want VPN and backup bundled at $119.99 for 5 devices. Avast and AVG both have free antivirus, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Multiplatform at $29.99 for 3 devices is the cheapest paid first year we found.
- Tools ranked
- 10
- With free plan
- 2
- Cheapest paid plan
- Bitdefender, $2.50
- per month, billed yearly at $29.99 for 3 devices (first year)
By the numbers
- $308 billionIDC projects global security spending of $308 billion in 2026 and $430 billion by 2029.IDC
- $213 billionGartner estimates worldwide end-user spending on information security reached $213 billion in 2025.Gartner
- 4%Security budgets grew 4% on average in 2025, down from 8% in 2024 and the slowest growth in five years, based on a survey of 587 CISOs.IANS Research
- 10.9%Security budgets averaged 10.9% of IT spending in 2025, down from 11.9% in 2024, the first drop in five years, according to IANS Research.IANS Research
- $4.99 millionThe global average cost of a data breach reached $4.99 million in IBM's 2026 study of breaches between March 2025 and February 2026.IBM
- 7.7%US subscription spending rose 7.7% year over year in July 2026, faster than overall card spending, based on Bank of America payments data.Bank of America Institute
Comparison table
| Tool | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender | 01 | 9.0 | 9.0 | $2.50per month, billed yearly at $29.99 for 3 devices (first year) | No |
| Avast | 02 | 8.6 | 8.9 | $4.09per month, billed yearly at $49.08 for 2 devices (first year) | Yes |
| Norton 360 | 03 | 8.3 | 7.6 | $5per month, billed yearly at $59.99 for 1 device (first year) | No |
| AVG | 04 | 8.2 | 8.3 | $4.99per month, billed yearly at $59.88 for 10 devices (first year) | Yes |
| Malwarebytes | 05 | 8.2 | 8.0 | $5per month, billed yearly at $59.99 for 3 devices | No |
| ESET | 06 | 8.1 | 7.6 | Check price | No |
| Trend Micro | 07 | 8.1 | 7.9 | $6.25per month, billed yearly at $74.95 for 5 devices (first year) | No |
| McAfee | 08 | 8.0 | 7.2 | Check price | No |
| Sophos Home | 09 | 7.7 | 7.8 | Check price | No |
| TotalAV | 10 | 7.5 | 7.0 | Check price | No |
Click a column to sort. Prices are the cheapest paid plan quoted from each vendor's US pricing page; "Check price" means the US price check is pending.
How this ranking works
One method for every tool. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests. Value carries the most weight.
Full methodThis list is for home users choosing antivirus software and comparing what the first year and the renewal will cost for the number of devices they own. We compared documented features and published prices on each vendor's US site in November 2026. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Starting prices are the cheapest paid plan, shown per month from the yearly first-term bill in USD, with the device count. Most antivirus vendors discount the first year and renew at a higher price, so we list renewal prices wherever the vendor prints them. Four vendors did not show USD prices from our location and are marked pending.
The verdict
Bitdefender is the first pick for most homes. It has the lowest verified first-year price per device, from $29.99 for 3 devices to $79.99 for 25, though it does not print its renewal price. Avast is the safer choice for budgeting: Premium Security costs $49.08 for 2 devices in year one and the store shows the $77.99 renewal next to it, and Free Antivirus costs nothing. Norton 360 Deluxe is the strongest bundle at $119.99 for 5 devices with VPN, 50 GB backup and parental control. Large families should also compare AVG Ultimate at $59.88 and Malwarebytes Standard Family at $119.99, both for 10 devices.
- 01Top value
Bitdefender
9.0/10Security suite range from a single-user antivirus up to a 25-device family plan with parental controls.
Price
$2.50per month, billed yearly at $29.99 for 3 devices (first year)
Antivirus Plus Multiplatform $29.99 first year for 3 devices; Total Security Individual $59.99 first year for 5 devices; Total Security Family $79.99 first year for up to 25 devices. Renewal may be higher.
“avpm/3/1 (Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Multiplatform) USD 29.99” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 9.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.6
Best forHouseholds that want low first-year prices and a family tier that scales to 25 devices.
Bitdefender has the widest spread of device counts in this list and the lowest verified first-year prices for multi-device coverage. Antivirus Plus Multiplatform is listed at $29.99 for the first year across 3 devices. Total Security Individual is $59.99 for one member on up to 5 devices, and Total Security Family is $79.99 for 5 members on up to 25 devices, which is about $3.20 per device for the year. Total Security covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS with antivirus, ransomware and cryptomining protection, real-time blocking of phishing and fake shops, a password manager, data breach detection and a VPN limited to 200MB per day per device. The Family tier adds parental controls with internet time limits, content filtering, routines such as bedtime, location tracking and activity reports. The catch is renewal: the terms say the first-year price is followed by the applicable renewal price, which may be higher, and that figure is not printed on the page. Budget for a bigger bill in year two.
- ✓Lowest first-year price per device among the verified USD offers here
- ✓Family plan covers 5 members and up to 25 devices
- ✓Webcam and microphone access protection on Total Security
- ✕Renewal price is not shown on the product page and may be higher
- ✕Included VPN is capped at 200MB per day per device
- ✕Parental controls need the Family plan
- Cheapest plan:
- $29.99 first year, 3 devices
- Total Security Individual:
- $59.99 first year, 5 devices
- Total Security Family:
- $79.99 first year, 5 members, 25 devices
- Platforms:
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Bottom line: The best value for multi-device homes, with 25 devices on the family plan for $79.99 in year one. Check the renewal price before the second year.
- 02
Avast
8.6/10Avast One app with a free antivirus tier and paid Premium Security and Ultimate plans for 2 or 10 devices.
Price
$4.09per month, billed yearly at $49.08 for 2 devices (first year)
Free Antivirus; Premium Security $49.08 first year for 1 computer and 1 mobile device, renews at $77.99 a year; 10 devices $69.48 first year, renews at $99.99
“Premium Security Save 37% $77.99 $49.08/first yr” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Value (40%)
- 8.9
- Features (35%)
- 8.3
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.5
Best forPeople who want a free antivirus first and a clear renewal price if they upgrade.
Avast is the most transparent store here about what happens after year one. Every paid offer prints the renewal price next to the discount. Premium Security for one computer plus one mobile device costs $49.08 for the first year and renews at $77.99. The 10-device version is $69.48 in year one and $99.99 after that. Ultimate costs $49.08 for 2 devices or $69.48 for 10 in the first year, renewing at $109.99 and $139.99. Free Antivirus inside the Avast One app gives basic protection on PC, Mac, Android and iPhone or iPad. The paid plans add blocking of scam texts and scam calls, Wi-Fi security checks, unsafe website blocking, suspicious email alerts and protection against PC remote access attacks, and Ultimate layers on Premium VPN, Cleanup Premium and AntiTrack. Since Ultimate costs the same as Premium Security in year one, it is the better first purchase, as long as you budget for its higher renewal. The store offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The renewal jump is real, but you see it before checkout.
- ✓Permanent free tier for basic protection
- ✓Renewal prices are printed next to every offer
- ✓30-day money-back guarantee
- ✕Renewal is 59% higher than the first-year price on Premium Security
- ✕The cheapest paid plan covers only 2 devices
- ✕VPN and PC cleanup need the Ultimate bundle, which renews at $109.99
- Free plan:
- Yes, Free Antivirus
- Premium Security, 2 devices:
- $49.08 first year, then $77.99
- Premium Security, 10 devices:
- $69.48 first year, then $99.99
- Refunds:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Bottom line: A useful free tier and honest renewal labels make Avast the safest bet for budget planning. Expect the bill to rise by about $29 a year after the first term on the 2-device plan.
- 03
Norton 360
8.3/10Norton's antivirus and Norton 360 suites with cloud backup, VPN and dark web monitoring.
Price
$5per month, billed yearly at $59.99 for 1 device (first year)
AntiVirus Plus $59.99 first year for 1 device; Norton 360 Standard $94.99 for 3 devices; Norton 360 Deluxe $119.99 for 5 devices
“Norton AntiVirus Plus $59.99 0% OFF* $59.99 first yr.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.6
- Features (35%)
- 9.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.6
Best forHouseholds that want backup, VPN and identity alerts bundled with antivirus.
Norton packs the most extras into a mid-priced suite. Norton 360 Deluxe costs $119.99 for the first year on 5 PCs, Macs, tablets or phones and includes antivirus, ransomware and hacking protection, scam and deepfake protection, a password manager, 50 GB of cloud backup, a VPN, dark web monitoring, Privacy Monitor and parental control. Norton 360 Standard is $94.99 for 3 devices with 2 GB of backup, VPN and dark web monitoring, and AntiVirus Plus is $59.99 for a single device with 2 GB of backup and a password manager. Every plan carries the 100% Virus Protection Promise. On the page we checked, each plan showed 0% off, so the first-year price matched the list price, and the renewal figure was a blank placeholder. For one device, Norton costs twice what Bitdefender charges for three. It makes more sense at the Deluxe tier, where the backup and VPN would otherwise be separate subscriptions. The LifeLock tiers add identity theft protection at a much higher price.
- ✓Deluxe bundles VPN, 50 GB backup and parental control for 5 devices
- ✓Virus Protection Promise on every plan
- ✓LifeLock identity theft plans available as an upgrade
- ✕Highest verified price per device for a single device
- ✕No discount was shown on the first year from our check
- ✕Renewal price was not printed on the page we fetched
- AntiVirus Plus:
- $59.99 first year, 1 device
- Norton 360 Standard:
- $94.99 first year, 3 devices
- Norton 360 Deluxe:
- $119.99 first year, 5 devices
- Cloud backup:
- 2 GB to 50 GB by plan
Bottom line: Norton 360 Deluxe is the strongest all-in-one bundle for five devices at $119.99. It is poor value if you only need antivirus on one computer.
- 04
AVG
8.2/10AntiVirus FREE plus paid Internet Security and an Ultimate bundle with VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack.
Price
$4.99per month, billed yearly at $59.88 for 10 devices (first year)
AntiVirus FREE; AVG Ultimate $59.88 first year for 10 devices, regular price $149.99 a year
“$149.99 $59.88 billed at once for the first year” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Value (40%)
- 8.3
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.3
Best forHouseholds that want a free antivirus and a 10-device bundle with a VPN for under $60 in year one.
AVG gives away a basic antivirus and sells its best bundle cheaply in the first year. AVG AntiVirus FREE covers the basics with no subscription. AVG Ultimate includes Internet Security, Secure VPN, TuneUp and AntiTrack for 10 devices across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, billed at $59.88 for the first year against a regular price of $149.99. That makes it one of the cheapest ways in this list to get antivirus plus a VPN on 10 devices for year one. AVG Internet Security is also sold on its own for a single PC or Mac and in a 10-device pack, with a 30-day free trial on PC and a 60-day trial on Mac. The weak points are the renewal jump, which is steeper than Avast's, and a store page that hides plan details in tabs and toggles. AVG and Avast share the same parent company, so if you already like one, the other offers few extra features. Set a reminder before the first term ends.
- ✓Permanent free antivirus
- ✓Ultimate covers 10 devices with a VPN at $59.88 in year one
- ✓Long trial period on Mac
- ✕Ultimate regular price of $149.99 is 2.5 times the first-year price
- ✕Store layout makes it hard to compare plans
- ✕Shares its owner and much of its technology with Avast
- Free plan:
- Yes, AntiVirus FREE
- AVG Ultimate, 10 devices:
- $59.88 first year, $149.99 regular
- Ultimate includes:
- Internet Security, Secure VPN, TuneUp, AntiTrack
- Trial:
- 30 days PC, 60 days Mac
Bottom line: AVG Ultimate is a cheap first year for 10 devices with a VPN. The regular $149.99 price makes year two much less attractive.
- 05
Malwarebytes
8.2/10Antivirus with scam and ad blocking, sold in 3-device and 10-device plans with optional VPN and identity protection.
Price
$5per month, billed yearly at $59.99 for 3 devices
Standard from $59.99 a year for 3 devices; Plus with VPN from $79.99; Standard Family from $119.99 a year for 10 devices
“Standard Device security Starts from $59.99/yr. Protects 3 devices” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.9
Best forPeople who want a light, simple antivirus and a cheap 10-device family plan.
Malwarebytes keeps its lineup simple. Standard starts at $59.99 a year for 3 devices and covers PCs, tablets and phones with antivirus, ransomware and exploit protection, plus safe browsing with a scam and ad blocker. Plus, from $79.99 a year, adds a WireGuard VPN with no logging and no data metering. Total and Ultimate layer on identity protection with $1 million or $2 million of insurance, and Ultimate is listed at $139.99 a year, down from $279.99. Households can step up to Standard Family at $119.99 a year for 10 devices, or Plus Family at $149.99. A single-device Standard plan exists for people with just one computer. There is no permanent free real-time antivirus, but the free malware remover, AdwCleaner and Browser Guard extension are useful on their own. Compared with the suites above, the paid tiers include fewer extras such as backup or parental controls, so the value case rests on the clean apps and the 10-device family price.
- ✓Clear device counts on every plan
- ✓Free malware remover and AdwCleaner tools
- ✓Family plan includes 10 devices
- ✕No permanent free real-time antivirus
- ✕Ultimate costs $139.99 even after its 50% discount
- ✕Fewer extras than Norton or Bitdefender at the same price
- Standard:
- From $59.99 a year, 3 devices
- Plus:
- From $79.99 a year, 3 devices, VPN
- Standard Family:
- From $119.99 a year, 10 devices
- Free tools:
- Malware remover, AdwCleaner, Browser Guard
Bottom line: A simple antivirus with an easy family upgrade to 10 devices. Choose Norton or Bitdefender instead if you want backup or parental controls included.
- 06
ESET
8.1/10ESET Home Security in Essential, Premium and Ultimate tiers, priced by the number of devices from 1 to 25.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.6
- Features (35%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.9
Best forTech-savvy users who want light system impact, file encryption and a choice of exact device counts.
ESET sells its home suites by the device, which suits households that do not fit the usual 3, 5 or 10 packs. At checkout you pick any number from 1 to 10, and Premium and Ultimate also come in 11 to 25 device tiers. Essential covers real-time antivirus with protection against malware, phishing, ransomware and AI-driven scams, plus safe payments and AI interaction security. Premium adds file and USB encryption, folder protection that lets only trusted apps make changes, and VPN connections: 3 on the 1 to 10 device plan and 5 on the 11 to 25 plan. Ultimate raises that to 10 or 25 VPN connections with unlimited data, adds VPN for Router, and includes identity recovery with $1M of insurance. ESET says its small footprint keeps scans fast. We could not load USD prices from our location, so pricing is marked pending. The settings are more detailed than in Avast or Norton, which suits experienced users more than beginners.
- ✓Pay only for the exact number of devices you need
- ✓Small system footprint
- ✓Unlimited VPN data on the plans that include it
- ✕USD prices did not load from our location
- ✕VPN connection count depends on plan and device tier
- ✕More settings than most users need
- Tiers:
- Essential, Premium, Ultimate
- Device counts:
- 1 to 25
- VPN:
- 3 connections on Premium for 1 to 10 devices, 10 on Ultimate
- Identity:
- $1M insurance on Ultimate
Bottom line: ESET is the pick for people who want to pay for an exact device count and like detailed controls. Confirm the USD price on the vendor's page.
- 07
Trend Micro
8.1/10Maximum Security suite for 5 devices with Pay Guard banking protection, parental controls and a password manager.
Price
$6.25per month, billed yearly at $74.95 for 5 devices (first year)
Maximum Security $74.95 first year for 5 devices, regular price $104.95; 2 years $139.95
“$104.95 $74.95 29% off” Quoted from the pricing page, November 7, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.9
- Features (35%)
- 8.3
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forFamilies who bank online and want parental limits on PCs, Macs and phones.
Trend Micro Maximum Security is a family suite with a few banking-focused extras. The 5-device, 12-month plan costs $74.95 for the first year, down from $104.95, and a 24-month term is $139.95. It covers PCs, Macs and mobile devices with ransomware and web threat blocking, phishing email and scam website flags, and Pay Guard, which checks that banking sites are legitimate before you sign in. Families get parental controls with both time and content limits, and the suite includes a password manager plus alerts when your email address, card numbers or other personal details appear on the dark web. A performance tool fixes common problems. At $6.25 a month for year one, it costs more than Bitdefender Total Security for the same 5 devices, and the product page we checked sells only one device count. There is no free tier. It earns its place for families who want parental limits and safer banking without paying for Norton Deluxe.
- ✓Pay Guard adds a check for financial sites
- ✓Parental controls included at the 5-device tier
- ✓Two-year term lowers the yearly cost
- ✕Highest verified first-year price per month in this list
- ✕Only one device count shown on the plan page
- ✕No free tier
- Maximum Security, 1 year:
- $74.95 first year, 5 devices
- Regular price:
- $104.95 a year
- 2-year term:
- $139.95 for 5 devices
- Platforms:
- PC, Mac, Android, iOS
Bottom line: A solid 5-device family suite with Pay Guard for online banking. Bitdefender covers the same five devices for less in year one.
- 08
McAfee
8.0/10McAfee Total Protection and McAfee+ plans with scam detection, VPN, data removal and identity coverage.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.7
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forFamilies who want antivirus, identity monitoring and personal data removal from one vendor.
McAfee now sells antivirus as one part of a wider scam and identity package. McAfee Total Protection plans cover basic device and identity protection for individuals, while McAfee+ Individual and Family plans add more privacy and identity features, with the family version covering up to 6 people. The headline tools are Scam Detector, which flags suspicious texts, sites and deepfakes, Secure VPN for public Wi-Fi, Personal Data Cleanup, which finds your details on sites selling them and requests removal, and up to $2M in identity theft coverage with a licensed expert available 24/7. McAfee states that its listed prices are first-term introductory prices for new customers, followed by annual renewal at a separate price. The pricing widget did not render from our location, so we could not confirm USD figures and the price is pending. If you only need antivirus, the bundle is more than you need; for families who also want data broker removal, it is one of the few suites that does both.
- ✓Family plans cover up to 6 people
- ✓Identity and data removal tools in the same app
- ✓30-day money-back guarantee
- ✕Prices did not load from our location
- ✕Advertised prices are introductory first-term prices for new customers
- ✕Best features sit in the pricier McAfee+ tiers
- Plan families:
- Total Protection, McAfee+ Individual, McAfee+ Family
- Family plan:
- Up to 6 family members
- Identity coverage:
- Up to $2M
- Refunds:
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Bottom line: McAfee suits families who want antivirus plus identity and data broker removal in one plan. Check the renewal price, since listed prices are first-term only.
- 09
Sophos Home
7.7/10Consumer version of Sophos business security for up to 10 Windows and Mac computers with remote management.
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30 days
- Value (40%)
- 7.8
- Features (35%)
- 7.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forThe family tech helper who manages relatives' computers remotely.
Sophos Home brings the company's business-grade engine to home computers and focuses on management rather than extras. One subscription secures up to 10 Windows and Mac computers plus an unlimited number of iOS and Android phones and tablets, and every device can be managed remotely from one dashboard. That makes it a good fit for the person in a family who looks after parents' or siblings' laptops. Protection covers a deep malware scan and clean, AI threat detection, real-time scanning, ransomware protection that blocks encryption and rolls affected files back, web protection against phishing and compromised sites, and parental web filtering by category. Sophos says there are no add-ons and no third-party ads. Premium support runs by email and chat from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on weekdays. There is no VPN or password manager. A free trial needs no credit card and paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. Prices did not show from our location, so the price is pending.
- ✓One plan covers 10 computers and unlimited phones and tablets
- ✓Remote management for helping relatives
- ✓Free trial with no credit card required, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✕No VPN or password manager in the plan
- ✕Prices did not load from our location
- ✕Live support only on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST
- Computers:
- Up to 10 Windows and Mac
- Phones and tablets:
- Unlimited iOS and Android
- Trial:
- Free, no credit card required
- Support:
- Email and chat, weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST
Bottom line: Sophos Home is the best pick for managing relatives' computers remotely. Look elsewhere if you want a VPN or password manager included.
- 10
TotalAV
7.5/10Antivirus with tune-up tools in Plus, Internet Security and Total Security plans for 4, 6 or 8 devices.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.0
- Features (35%)
- 7.5
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.3
Best forUsers who want antivirus and PC clean-up tools in one simple app.
TotalAV combines antivirus with the clean-up tools many people buy separately. Antivirus Plus covers 4 devices with real-time protection, zero-day cloud scanning, PUA protection, phishing scam and ransomware protection, and system tune-up tools such as a disk cleaner and browser manager. Internet Security moves to 6 devices and adds Total VPN with AES-256 encryption, and Total Security covers 8 devices and adds the Total Password manager and Total Adblock. Apps run on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. Plans renew automatically at the then-regular rate unless canceled, and refunds are available within 30 days of starting an annual plan, but only after you fully end the subscription. Our check showed prices only in euros, so the USD price is pending. Compared with Bitdefender or Avast, the security feature set is thinner and the device counts are fixed per plan. The appeal is a simple app that pairs protection with routine PC maintenance.
- ✓Clean-up tools included on every plan
- ✓Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android
- ✓30-day refund window on annual plans
- ✕Only EUR prices loaded from our location
- ✕Refund requires fully ending the subscription first
- ✕Password manager only on the top plan
- Plans:
- Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, Total Security
- Devices:
- 4, 6 or 8 by plan
- VPN:
- Internet Security and Total Security
- Refunds:
- Within 30 days on annual plans
Bottom line: TotalAV suits people who want antivirus and PC clean-up in one app. Read the renewal and refund terms before buying.
What to check before you pay
Count your devices first
Plans are sold by device count, and the jump between tiers matters more than the plan name. Avast sells 2 or 10 devices, Malwarebytes 3 or 10, Norton 1, 3 or 5, Bitdefender 3, 5 or 25, and TotalAV 4, 6 or 8. ESET lets you pick any count from 1 to 10. Sophos Home covers up to 10 computers plus unlimited phones and tablets.
Compare the renewal price, not only the first year
Most antivirus prices are introductory. Avast Premium Security renews at $77.99 after a $49.08 first year, AVG Ultimate at $149.99 after $59.88, and Trend Micro Maximum Security lists $104.95 against a $74.95 first year. Bitdefender and McAfee say renewal may cost more but did not print the figure on the pages we checked.
Decide whether a free antivirus is enough
Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus FREE give basic protection at no cost. Paid plans add scam call and text blocking, VPNs, password managers, parental controls and identity alerts. Malwarebytes offers a free malware remover but no permanent free real-time protection.
Skip extras you already pay for
Suites bundle VPNs, backup and identity insurance. If you already pay for a VPN or password manager, a basic plan such as Bitdefender Antivirus Plus or Malwarebytes Standard covers the essentials for less. Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee+ make more sense when the bundle replaces separate subscriptions.
FAQ
What is the best antivirus software for home users?
Bitdefender, based on our weighted scores. Total Security Individual costs $59.99 for 5 devices in the first year and the Family plan covers 25 devices for $79.99. Avast is the runner-up for its free tier and printed renewal prices, and Norton 360 Deluxe is the most complete bundle.
Is there a good free antivirus?
Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus FREE both offer permanent free basic protection. Malwarebytes and Sophos Home offer free tools or trials but not a permanent free real-time plan.
How much does antivirus cost after the first year?
Renewal prices we confirmed run from $77.99 a year for Avast Premium Security on 2 devices to $149.99 for AVG Ultimate on 10 devices. Trend Micro Maximum Security lists $104.95 for 5 devices. Bitdefender, Norton and McAfee did not print their renewal figures on the pages we checked.
Which antivirus covers the most devices?
Bitdefender Total Security Family covers up to 25 devices for $79.99 in the first year, and ESET offers tiers of up to 25 devices. Sophos Home covers 10 computers plus unlimited iOS and Android devices, and Avast, AVG and Malwarebytes sell 10-device plans.
How did we rank this antivirus software?
We compared documented features and published prices on each vendor's US site in November 2026. Value counts for 40% of the score, features for 35% and ease of use for 25%. Prices are in USD where the vendor page showed USD; ESET, McAfee, Sophos Home and TotalAV are marked pending.
Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
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