Find an antivirus plan that fits your budget. Compare free protection, introductory prices and what subscriptions could cost after renewal.
Eight products · commercial placement order, not an independent quality ranking. Always verify plan details before purchasing.
Real-time antivirus and optional security extras
FEATURED PARTNER · PAID LINKReview the included protection tools and current promotional terms before deciding whether a subscription is right for your devices.
Established multi-layer security suite
Compare security features, device coverage and subscription levels directly with the manufacturer.
Windows security with a strong tested result
Explore current Windows protection plans and compare additional features by subscription tier.
Free and paid antivirus options
Explore free and paid antivirus options and check which capabilities are included with the edition.
Household and device-security subscriptions
Compare household security plans, eligible devices and renewal conditions before purchase.
Anti-malware focused security options
Explore protection against malicious software, with features varying by edition and plan.
Additional paid antivirus partner option
PAID PARTNERCompare currently available protection plans and their pricing, included tools and renewal conditions.
Antivirus included with Windows 11
A built-in antivirus option for Windows 11 users who may not require a separate paid subscription.
About placement: TotalAV is our featured commercial partner and PCProtect also has a paid link. Other brands link to their official websites or to our free guide. Commercial order does not imply a scientific score. Review our methodology.
ANTIVIRUS COST COMPARISON
The cheapest introductory offer is not necessarily the cheapest antivirus over two or three years. In the US, subscription packages can differ in number of devices, included features, first-term discounts and automatic-renewal terms. This page highlights products you can investigate, but does not claim a live lowest-price ranking: prices and eligibility must be checked on the provider's checkout page.
Before purchasing, write down the first payment, the length of that term, and the price that will apply when it renews. If you expect to keep the service for more than one year, compare the combined cost of the first two terms, not just the introductory banner. Check whether tax, add-ons or optional subscriptions are selected at checkout. A vendor may offer a refund period, but that is not the same as canceling renewal automatically.
A low-cost single-PC plan can become more expensive than a family subscription if you need protection for several computers. On the other hand, paying for five licenses does not make sense when only one Windows laptop needs coverage. Check supported operating systems and whether features advertised for Windows also operate on Mac, iOS or Android. Our family and multiple-device checklist helps with the device count.
Ask whether you really need a bundled VPN, identity-monitoring service or cloud backup. These may be valuable tools, but they address different risks and may have different limits. An antivirus subscription should be evaluated on malware protection and system impact first. The antivirus-versus-VPN explainer describes why one cannot substitute for the other.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is included with supported Windows 11 systems. For people who are comfortable with its built-in protections and keep software updated, it may be enough without an additional antivirus subscription. Check our independent Windows Defender checklist before paying for overlapping protection. A free option is not automatically the correct choice for every household or workflow.
Save the renewal date, the exact plan name and the vendor's account or cancellation page. Keep a receipt and review the refund rules on the seller's site. Our step-by-step renewal cost guide offers a printable set of questions to ask before checkout. We earn commissions on qualifying purchases through identified paid links, so commercial placements are not an impartial price ranking.
Pricing methodology: compare current first-term and renewal figures on the official checkout. We publish no invented promotional price or guaranteed discount.
No honest “cheapest” ranking is possible without current checkout prices. Compare the first-term total, next renewal charge and the number of devices before purchasing.
Match lab scores to the exact tested product and Windows edition. Scores from a single round do not prove one product is always best.
Introductory pricing can differ from renewal pricing. Compare currency, taxes, device licenses and cancellation terms.
Windows 11 already includes Microsoft Defender. Additional paid suites make sense when their extra features justify the cost for you.
AV-TEST home Windows 11, July–August 2026. Scores below refer to specified products and versions, not a general ranking of our affiliate partners.
| Product | Protection | Total /18 |
|---|---|---|
| Norton 360 | 6/6 | 18 |
| Bitdefender Total Security | 6/6 | 18 |
| TotalAV | 6/6 | 17.5 |
| Microsoft Defender | 6/6 | 17.5 |
No. The first term may be discounted and the recurring price may be higher. Compare both amounts, the billing period and the cancellation deadline before paying. Use our renewal checklist.
Not if it omits a feature you need or covers too few devices. Compare independent protection results, your platform, the included license count and the full cost over the period you expect to use it.
Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus. A paid product may offer extra services, but first check which of those extras you would use. See our Defender assessment checklist.
Providers vary in cancellation procedure and refund eligibility. Read the specific purchase and renewal terms before ordering; do not assume a refund is available merely because a plan renews automatically.
We have not independently verified a same-day US checkout price and future renewal terms for every product. Instead, our guide explains what to compare. Paid affiliate links are identified; commercial placement is not a price ranking.
Check the seller's current checkout, its renewal rate and how many devices are covered.