The Best Antivirus Software With VPNs in 2026: Comprehensive Security for Your Devices

In today‘s digital landscape, staying protected online is more critical than ever before. Cyberthreats like viruses, malware, and hacking attempts are constantly evolving, which is why having robust security software installed on your devices is a must. But antivirus protection is only one piece of the puzzle – to truly safeguard your online privacy and security, you need a virtual private network (VPN) as well.

Antivirus software detects and eliminates malicious programs and code that can infect your computer or mobile device. A VPN, on the other hand, encrypts your internet connection to shield your online activities and personal data from prying eyes. When you use a VPN, your real IP address and location are masked, making it much harder for hackers, advertisers, or anyone else to track you online.

Choosing an antivirus solution that has a built-in VPN gives you the best of both worlds – top-notch malware defense plus the privacy and security of a VPN, all in one convenient package. But with so many options out there, which antivirus + VPN combo offers the most bang for your buck? We‘ve done the research and testing to bring you our top recommendations for the best antivirus software with VPNs in 2024.

Our Top Picks

1. Norton 360: Best for Comprehensive Protection

Norton is a longtime leader in the antivirus space, and its current flagship product Norton 360 continues to impress with its extensive feature set. In addition to top-rated malware protection powered by advanced AI and machine learning, a Norton 360 subscription gets you:

• Integrated VPN with unlimited data and servers in 30+ countries
• LifeLock identity theft protection (with select plans)
• Password manager
• PC SafeCam webcam protection
• Dark web monitoring
• Parental controls and more

Plans start at $39.99/year for 1 device. For the most complete protection, we recommend Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus. At $249.99/year, it‘s pricey, but you get identity theft monitoring and reimbursement, VPN access for unlimited devices, 600 GB cloud backup, and more. All plans come with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

Pros:

• Exceptional malware detection rates
• Unlimited VPN data
• Robust identity theft features with LifeLock
• Covers up to unlimited devices

Cons:

• Gets pricey if you want all the premium features
• Full VPN access limited to higher-tier plans

2. Bitdefender Total Security: Best Value

Bitdefender‘s top-shelf Total Security package offers arguably the best bang for your buck when it comes to antivirus and VPN combos. For just $39.98 for the first year (renews at $89.99/year after that), you get coverage for up to 5 Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. The anti-malware protection is best-in-class, consistently earning perfect scores in independent lab tests.

The included VPN, while not unlimited, gives you a generous 200 MB of encrypted traffic per device per day. That‘s enough for private web browsing, though you‘ll need to pay extra for an unlimited plan ($39.99/year) if you want to stream video or torrent over the VPN. Other notable features include:

• Advanced ransomware protection
• Microphone and webcam protection
• Anti-tracker and anti-phishing defenses
• Social network protection
• Parental controls

Bitdefender‘s user interface is clean and easy to navigate, striking a nice balance between simplicity for novice users and more advanced options for power users. The Total Security plan hits the sweet spot of robust protection, useful features, wide platform support, and affordable pricing.

Pros:

• Perfect malware detection scores
• Unlimited VPN available as affordable add-on
• All-in-one protection for up to 5 devices
• Intuitive, easy-to-use interface

Cons:

• Included VPN limited to 200 MB/day
• Cheaper plans only cover 1-3 devices

3. McAfee Total Protection: Best for Families

McAfee is another well-established name in antivirus, and its Total Protection plans are tailor-made for keeping families and multiple devices safe online. Even the entry-level Individual plan, at $39.99/year, gets you licenses for up to 5 devices across all platforms.

The real standout, though, is McAfee‘s Safe Family parental controls, included with the Family plan ($49.99/year for 10 devices) and higher. You can easily manage web filtering, screen time limits, and app blocking rules for your kids across Windows, Android, and iOS. Location tracking and geofencing alert you if your child travels outside of approved areas.

In terms of malware, McAfee‘s anti-malware engine is highly rated in its detection abilities. The built-in VPN offers unlimited data, but it‘s pretty basic in terms of features and may not be the best choice for power users. Still, a great one-stop security suite for families.

Pros:

• Excellent parental controls
• Malware protection for up to 10 devices
• Unlimited data on included VPN
• 24/7 phone/chat support

Cons:

• VPN lacks advanced features
• Home network scanner only on Windows

Honorable Mentions

A few other strong contenders in the antivirus + VPN space:

• TotalAV: Great pick for beginner users, with clean and friendly apps. Unlimited VPN is a separate subscription.

• Avast Premium Security: Robust anti-malware protections and lots of bonus features like a firewall, software updater, and more. VPN offers tons of servers and fast speeds.

• Avira Prime: Has a built-in VPN, system tune-up, and password manager. Light on power-user extras but a good value overall.

Bottom Line

You can‘t go wrong with any of our top antivirus + VPN picks. Norton 360 is the most feature-rich, while Bitdefender Total Security offers some of the best malware protection at a great price. For keeping a whole family safe online, McAfee Total Protection is hard to beat thanks to its excellent parental controls.

Ultimately, choosing the right antivirus and VPN combo depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider how many devices you have, what bonus features you want, and how much VPN data you‘ll realistically use each month. Don‘t forget to take advantage of any free trials or money-back guarantees to test out a product before committing long-term.

The most important thing is that you use some kind of antivirus and VPN on all your devices. The internet threats aren‘t going away anytime soon, but with the right tools, you can browse, work, and stream with confidence knowing you‘re protected. Stay safe out there!