Best Antivirus Software of 2026
Norton 360 Deluxe is the best antivirus for most people at $49.99 for the first year. Avast One is the best free option, and Bitdefender is a strong alternative.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Norton 360 Deluxe is the best antivirus for most people at $49.99 for the first year. Avast One is the best free option, and Bitdefender is a strong alternative. Best overall: Norton 360 Deluxe, $49.99. Best free: Avast One, free tier. Best for families: McAfee+ Premium, $49.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Norton 360 Deluxe | most people | $49.99 first year |
| Best free | Avast One | free protection | Free; paid tiers |
| Best for families | McAfee+ Premium | big families | $49.99 first year |
This list is based on Tom’s Guide’s[2] antivirus guide (September 2026) and the lab results it cites, with prices checked October 2026. First-year prices usually go up when you renew. To round out your security, see best password managers and best VPNs.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Software | First-year price | Devices | AV-Test protection | Extras | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 | 5 | 6/6 | VPN, 50GB backup | Most people |
| Bitdefender Total Security | $54.99 | 5 | 6/6 | — | Strong protection |
| Malwarebytes Plus | $79.99/yr | 3 | — | VPN | A simple suite |
| Avast One | Free | Up to 10 (paid) | 6/6 | — | Free protection |
| McAfee+ Premium | $49.99 | Unlimited | — | Family features | Big families |
The picks in detail
1. Norton 360 Deluxe
Best for: most peopleTom’s Guide’s[2] best overall antivirus covers five devices, according to Norton’s product page, and includes a VPN and 50GB of cloud backup. It scored 6/6 for protection at AV-Test and had a low performance impact in AV-Comparatives’ tests. It costs $49.99 for the first year.
Pricing (Oct 2026): $49.99 first year Source
Pros
- Top lab scores
- VPN and backup included
- Five devices, with VPN and backup
Cons
- Renewal costs more
2. Bitdefender Total Security
Best for: strong protectionBitdefender scored 6/6 at AV-Test. Tom’s Guide[2] lists Total Security at $54.99 for five devices.
Pricing (Oct 2026): $54.99 first year Source
Pros
- Top protection scores
- Strong AV-Comparatives score
Cons
- Five devices
3. Malwarebytes Plus
Best for: a simple suiteTom’s Guide[2] lists Malwarebytes Plus at $79.99 a year for three devices with a VPN; the Standard plan is cheaper. It had a heavier performance impact than Norton in AV-Comparatives’ tests.
Pricing (Oct 2026): $79.99/yr Source
Pros
- Includes a VPN
- Cheaper Standard plan available
Cons
- Heavier system impact in lab tests
- Three devices
4. Avast One
Best for: free protectionTom’s Guide’s[2] best free antivirus. Avast scored 6/6 at AV-Test and had a low performance impact. Paid plans add more devices and features.
Pricing (Oct 2026): Free; paid tiers Source
Pros
- Free
- Top protection scores
Cons
- Free tier has fewer features
Also considered
Microsoft Defender is built into Windows and is free. Many people don’t need more, but paid suites add extras like a VPN, backup and identity monitoring.
Watch the renewal price
Most antivirus companies offer a big first-year discount, then renew at a higher price. Check the renewal price before you buy, and turn off auto-renew if you want to shop around next year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best antivirus?
Is free antivirus good enough?
Do I need antivirus with a VPN?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Norton: Products and plans (us.norton.com)
- Tom’s Guide: The best antivirus software (Sept 2026) (tomsguide.com)
Related
McAfee+ Premium vs Norton 360 Deluxe
Both cost $49.99 for the first year in Tom’s Guide’s deals and scored 6/6 at AV-Test. McAfee+ Premium covers unlimited devices; Norton 360 Deluxe covers five but is Tom’s Guide’s best antivirus overall.
comparisonNorton 360 Deluxe vs Bitdefender Total Security
Tom’s Guide ranks Norton 360 Deluxe its best antivirus overall: it covers five devices plus 50GB of cloud backup and had the lighter system impact in AV-Comparatives testing. Bitdefender Total Security is close behind and slows games less during a full scan.
best ofBest Free Antivirus Software of 2026
Avast One Free is the best free antivirus for most people, according to both PCMag and Tom’s Guide. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is the no-frills option, and Microsoft Defender is already built into Windows.
best ofBest Password Managers of 2026
1Password is the best password manager for most people. Bitwarden is the best free and cheapest paid option, and Proton Pass has the best free plan with email aliases.
best ofBest VPN
NordVPN is the best all-rounder. Surfshark is the value pick with unlimited devices, and Proton VPN is the privacy pick with a real free plan.
best ofThe Best Free VPNs
A trustworthy free VPN exists, but every one has a catch: data caps, few locations or no streaming. Here’s which catch is easiest to live with.