The cheapest antivirus is not necessarily the one with the lowest first-year price. Compare the full renewal cost, the number of devices covered and the protection evidence—not just the introductory offer. For Windows users, Microsoft Defender is also a no-extra-cost baseline worth considering before adding a subscription.
What “cheap” should mean for antivirus
Compare what you will pay across the whole subscription, not just the first term. A low introductory offer can be followed by a higher renewal price, and a subscription that covers several devices may be a better fit for a household than a cheaper single-device plan. Check the device limit, operating-system support and renewal terms for the exact offer available in your country.
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Bundles also complicate price comparisons. A package may include a VPN, identity monitoring, password manager, parental controls or cloud storage alongside malware protection. Those extras affect the price, but only add value if you expect to use them. AV-Comparatives cautions that its 2025 price table reflected Austria in December 2025 and should not be used to compare products with different package features.
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Shortlist: options with recent independent test evidence
Independent test results are snapshots, not permanent rankings. They reflect particular test types, periods and product versions, and an award does not establish which subscription is cheapest for you.
#1 Best Overall
- SPEED-OPTIMIZED, CROSS-PLATFORM PROTECTION: World-class antivirus security and cyber protection for Windows (Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11), Mac OS (Yosemite 10.10 or later), iOS (11.2 or later), and Android (5.0 or later). Organize and keep your digital life safe from hackers
- SAFE ONLINE BANKING: A unique, dedicated browser secures your online transactions; Our Total Security product also includes 200MB per day of our new and improved Bitdefender VPN
- ADVANCED THREAT DEFENSE: Real-Time Data Protection, Multi-Layer Malware and Ransomware Protection, Social Network Protection, Game/Movie/Work Modes, Microphone Monitor, Webcam Protection, Anti-Tracker, Phishing, Fraud, and Spam Protection, File Shredder, Parental Controls, and more
- ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING: Your product-specific code is printed on a card and shipped inside a protective cardboard sleeve. Simply open packaging and scratch off security ink on the card to reveal your activation code. No more bulky box or hard-to-recycle discs. PLEASE NOTE: Product packaging may vary from the images shown, however the product is the same.
| Option | Independent test evidence | Cost and coverage established here | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Microsoft was among the products receiving Advanced+ in AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Consumer Malware Protection Test and among seven products receiving Advanced+ in its February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test. | No extra-cost subscription price is established here. Device limits and operating-system coverage depend on the Microsoft product and device; confirm what is included for your setup. | A Windows user who wants to start with built-in protection rather than pay for a separate subscription. |
| Bitdefender Total Security | Bitdefender was among the Advanced+ recipients in both AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Consumer Malware Protection Test and its February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test. It was also among the vendors named for best overall results across 2025 in AV-Comparatives’ annual report. | Current local price, renewal price, device count and supported operating systems are not established here; check the exact edition and offer before buying. | A paid candidate with strong results across the cited tests; assess whether its bundle fits your devices and needs. |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | Norton was among the Advanced+ recipients in AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Consumer Malware Protection Test and its February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test. Tom’s Guide reported a 6/6 AV-TEST result for Norton 360 in the February 2026 Protection, Performance and Usability categories. | Tom’s Guide displayed $49.99 per year for Norton 360 Deluxe in an article last updated September 22, 2026. This is a dated editorially reported offer, not a vendor price independently confirmed here. Verify local price, renewal amount and device count. | A possible paid choice if the currently available price and included features suit you; do not assume the displayed annual offer is your renewal price. |
AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 Consumer Malware Protection Test assessed 20 consumer products. Its February–May 2026 Real-World Protection Test assessed 20 home-user security programs; seven received Advanced+: Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Microsoft, Norton and TotalAV. These results help identify tested candidates, but neither test names a universal “best cheap antivirus.”
When built-in or free protection may be enough
TechRadar identifies Windows Security and Microsoft Defender as useful built-in protection for Windows, particularly when kept updated. That makes Defender a sensible baseline for a Windows user who mainly needs core malware protection and does not need a paid bundle. It is not a guarantee of protection for every person, device or situation.
Rank #2
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
A free tier may also be worth considering if you need basic protection rather than paid extras. TechRadar notes that a free Avast One tier is available. Its existence does not establish whether it is the right choice for your devices or whether its current features meet your needs; check the current edition details.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Before paying for another layer, identify the gap you want it to fill. A VPN, identity monitoring, password manager, parental controls and cloud storage are separate bundle features, not interchangeable measures of malware protection. If you only need the core protection already included with your Windows setup, a subscription may add cost without solving a specific problem.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Premium 2027 Antivirus, 10 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41JNWru8mYL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 10 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Check renewal and cancellation before subscribing
- Find the full price. Record the first-term amount, the renewal price, the billing interval and the renewal date shown for your region and chosen device count.
- Check how renewal works. AV-Comparatives explains that auto-renewal may be mandatory or enabled by default, though it may be possible to remove it during purchase. Read the checkout terms rather than assuming renewal is optional.
- Understand cancellation. Find the vendor’s cancellation procedure before paying, and note any deadline that applies to stopping a renewal.
- Compare like with like. Match the number of devices and the features you will actually use. A package with more extras is not automatically better value if you do not need them.
How to make the final choice
- Choose the no-extra-cost route if you use Windows, want core protection and are comfortable relying on the built-in option while keeping it updated.
- Consider a paid subscription if you need coverage beyond your existing setup or want particular included features. Compare its renewal cost and device coverage with those of other offers in your region.
- Treat lab awards as evidence, not a shopping verdict. The tests cited here support several candidates, but do not settle which one is cheapest for your household or which extras are worth paying for.
Prices change by location and date. Confirm the current offer, term, renewal amount, device limit, supported operating systems and cancellation terms directly before subscribing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERFUL, LIGHTNING-FAST ANTIVIRUS: Protects your computer from viruses and malware through the cloud; Webroot scans faster, uses fewer system resources and safeguards your devices in real-time by identifying and blocking new threats
- IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION: Protects your usernames, account numbers and other personal information against keyloggers, spyware and other online threats targeting valuable personal data
- REAL-TIME ANTI-PHISHING: Proactively scans websites, emails and other communications and warns you of potential danger before you click to effectively stop malicious attempts to steal your personal information
- ALWAYS UP TO DATE: Webroot scours 95% of the Internet three times per day including billions of web pages, files and apps to determine what is safe online and enhances the software automatically without time-consuming updates
Rank #4
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
