Quick answer: Our top pick is Norton 360, followed by Avast One and AVG. Entry prices start near $13/mo. All 5 are compared below on price, strengths and the key trade-off of each, so you can match one to your needs.
The shortlist below is ordered for real-world value, not marketing budget. This guide rounds up the 5 tools we'd actually recommend for this job, with what each does best, what it costs, and who should pick it.
We looked at where each tool genuinely earns its keep for this use case, what the entry tier really costs, and who walks away happy. Pricing reflects public plans at the time of writing.
~$39.99-89.99 first year (plan dependent), renewals higher
families
The picks, ranked
1. Norton 360 Antivirus
All-in-one suite bundling antivirus, VPN, cloud backup and LifeLock identity options (Gen Digital). Best suited to teams that care most about all-in-one.
Why it's on this list: Bundles antivirus, VPN, cloud backup and optional LifeLock identity protection in one subscription. Made for users wanting one subscription covering security, privacy and identity.
Free antivirus heritage plus an all-in-one Avast One suite with VPN and breach monitoring (Gen Digital). Best suited to teams that care most about free-tier.
Why it's on this list: Long-standing free antivirus now rebuilt as the modular Avast One suite. Made for users wanting a solid free antivirus or a low-cost all-in-one suite.
Standout features:
AI-powered scam detection
Device cleanup/tune-up tools
Standout strength: Capable free tier with real-time protection.
Worth knowing: Shut down its Jumpshot data-selling subsidiary in 2020; later fined $16.5M by the FTC.
Pricing: Free tier; ~$50-100/year for Avast One paid tiers
Long-standing free antivirus brand sharing Avast's engine, with affordable paid Internet Security tiers (Gen Digital). Best suited to teams that care most about free-tier.
Why it's on this list: A long-standing free antivirus brand running Avast's proven detection engine. Built for budget users wanting reliable free or low-cost antivirus.
Standout features:
Free antivirus for Windows, Mac and Android
Enhanced firewall and ransomware protection (paid)
Standout strength: Strong AV-TEST scores (6/6).
Worth knowing: Scored 6/6 in each AV-TEST category (Jan-Feb 2025).
Pricing: Free tier; ~$50-80/year Internet Security
Consistently top independent lab detection scores with light system impact and a feature-packed Total Security suite. Picked here for how cleanly it handles windows.
Why it's on this list: Routinely tops AV-Comparatives/AV-TEST detection while keeping system impact low. A natural fit for windows users wanting top detection with minimal performance hit.
Standout features:
Photon technology to minimize performance impact
Web/anti-phishing and safe online banking
Standout strength: Consistently top independent lab detection scores.
Worth knowing: Highest online protection rate (99.97%) in AV-Comparatives March 2026 Malware Protection Test.
Pricing: ~$3.33/mo first-year Total Security (multi-device), renewals higher
Unlimited-device family plans, identity monitoring and an integrated VPN. Picked here for how cleanly it handles families.
Why it's on this list: One subscription covers unlimited household devices with AI scam protection built in. Aimed squarely at large households wanting unlimited-device coverage and identity tools.
Standout features:
Password manager
Unlimited-device family/individual plans
Standout strength: Identity monitoring and data-broker removal included on higher tiers.
Worth knowing: Scored 6/6 protection (100% zero-day detection) in AV-TEST.
Pricing: ~$39.99-89.99 first year (plan dependent), renewals higher
Work backwards from the one job you most need done. Match it to the entry whose ‘why it's on this list’ lines up, sanity-check the pricing against your budget, then shortlist two and trial them on the same real task. Whichever clears your workflow with the least friction is your pick.
FAQ
What is the best option in this list?
For most people, Norton 360 is the strongest all-round pick in this guide, but the right choice depends on your budget and exact workflow.
Are there free options?
Yes — Avast One and AVG offer a free plan or tier, so you can validate fit before paying. Check each entry's pricing line above.
How were these tools chosen?
Each pick is judged on fit for the specific job in this guide — its real strengths, pricing and who it suits — using features and facts drawn from independent reviews and the vendors' own documentation, cited in Sources below.
How often is this guide updated?
We revisit pricing and rankings regularly as vendors change plans and ship features.
Sources
The features, strengths and facts cited for each pick above are drawn from these independent reviews and vendor pages: