Securing your digital life requires more than just a basic firewall. As cyber threats evolve, the antivirus and security market has shifted toward comprehensive suites that integrate VPNs, password managers, and identity theft protection. Our selection focuses on balancing real-time detection capabilities with system performance, ensuring your devices remain protected without slowing down your daily workflow.
Updated This Week
9
products
Interactive Comparison
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
SECURITY: Multi-layered protection designed to prevent and neutralise viruses and malware. SECURITY: Tools to prevent unauthorised access to – or hijacking of – your computer, including anti-phishing and firewall tools.
PRIVACY: Tools to prevent unauthorised online tracking, unauthorised ads appearing, or anyone using your peripherals. PRIVACY: Unlimited & fast VPN.
PRE-PAID SUBSCRIPTION WITH SIGN UP AND ACTIVATION ONLINE: A payment method (credit card or PayPal) must be saved in your Norton account to activate and use.¹ No charge occurs before the billing date for the subscription renewal.
SUBSCRIPTION WITH AUTOMATIC RENEWAL: No service disruption since this subscription automatically renews annually. If you do not wish to renew, you can cancel the subscription renewal in your Norton account at any time before the day on which you are due to be charged.
DEVICE SECURITY - Award-winning antivirus powered by McAfee Smart AI to protect you from new and evolving threats
SECURE YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY - automatically when using public Wi-Fi. Protect your personal data and activity with Secure VPN. It safeguards your banking, shopping, and browsing by turning public Wi-Fi into your own secure connection
PRE-PAID SUBSCRIPTION WITH SIGN UP AND ACTIVATION ONLINE: A payment method (credit card or PayPal) must be saved in your Norton account to activate and use.¹ No charge occurs before the billing date for the subscription renewal.
SUBSCRIPTION WITH AUTOMATIC RENEWAL: No service disruption since this subscription automatically renews annually. If you do not wish to renew, you can cancel the subscription renewal in your Norton account at any time before the day on which you are due to be charged.
DEVICE SECURITY - Award-winning antivirus powered by McAfee Smart AI to protect you from new and evolving threats
SECURE YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY - automatically when using public Wi-Fi. Protect your personal data and activity with Secure VPN. It safeguards your banking, shopping, and browsing by turning public Wi-Fi into your own secure connection
Norton 360 advanced AI tools help keep you safe by spotting hidden scams online and in your text messages, and thanks to the built-in Genie AI-Powered Scam Protection Assistant, guidance about avoiding scams and suspicious offers is just a tap away.
DEVICE SECURITY - Award-winning antivirus powered by McAfee Smart AI to protect you from new and evolving threats
SECURE YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY - automatically when using public Wi-Fi. Protect your personal data and activity with Secure VPN. It safeguards your banking, shopping, and browsing by turning public Wi-Fi into your own secure connection
Comprehensive protection for Windows against all types of threats: viruses, worms, ransomware, trojans, zero-day attacks, phishing, rootkits, and much more.
12 + 3 MONTHS EXTRA, PRE-PAID SUBSCRIPTION WITH ENROLLMENT AND ACTIVATION ONLINE: A payment method (Credit card or PayPal) must be saved in your Norton account to activate and use. You won’t be charged until the pre-paid terms ends.
SUBSCRIPTION WITH AUTOMATIC RENEWAL: No service disruption since this subscription automatically renews annually. If you do not wish to renew, you can cancel automatic renewal in your Norton account anytime.
For most users, a mid-range suite from a recognized brand provides the best ROI, offering a necessary blend of malware protection and essential privacy tools without overpaying for unused features.
Market Overview: antivirus and security
AI
The market is moving away from standalone antivirus tools toward 'all-in-one' security hubs that address privacy, data encryption, and online anonymity.
Buying Guide: antivirus and security
AI
When selecting security software, prioritize the balance between threat detection rates and system resource usage. Consider if you need integrated tools like a VPN or parental controls.
Selection Criteria
Products were selected based on verified user reviews, compatibility across multiple operating systems, and the value provided by bundled security features.
Budget Advice
AI
Prices vary widely. Entry-level plans are affordable for single users, mid-range options cover small households, and premium suites offer extensive device support and advanced privacy tools.
Conclusion: antivirus and security
AI
Choosing the right security suite depends on how many devices you own and which extra features you actually use. Explore our full list of recommendations to find the best fit for your home setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
AI
While built-in tools provide basic protection, paid suites offer advanced features like unlimited VPNs, encrypted password managers, and proactive identity monitoring that OS defaults typically lack.
Most modern suites are designed to run in the background with minimal impact. However, some comprehensive scans can temporarily use more CPU, which is why choosing a lightweight option is key for older hardware.
A single-device license covers one machine, whereas multi-device plans allow you to protect a mix of PCs, Macs, and smartphones under one subscription, often proving more cost-effective for families.
We use Google Analytics to measure site usage. In the EEA, UK and Switzerland, analytics cookies require your consent; without consent, only cookieless signals are sent. Elsewhere, measurement is enabled by default and you can decline. Declining does not limit access to the site.
Learn more