Best Antivirus for Families and Multiple Devices
Only the suites that fit "best antivirus for families", tested on identical machines against the same samples and priced at renewal.
Last Updated: Sep 2026Suggested antivirus software for you
GNorton 360 Deluxe
Good
8.1
Unlimited VPN, password manager and 50 GB backup...Learn More
We Recommend
BBitdefender Total Security
Very Good
8.9
Caught 100% of our malware samples and 49 of 50...Learn More
MMcAfee+ Premium
Fair
7.5
Covers every device in the householdLearn More
for family
Antivirus softwareFree antivirusAntivirus for macAntivirus for windows 11Cheapest Antivirus That Still ProtectsAntivirus with vpn
1
Bitdefender Total Security (5 devices) - Top lab scores year after year, the lightest footprint of the paid suites, and a first-year price under $50 — the suite we would install for most people Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Caught 100% of our malware samples and 49 of 50 phishing pages
- Least slowdown of any paid suite — 4% on file copy
- Ransomware remediation restores encrypted files
Very Good
8.9
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$4.17 · checked Sep 11
49.99 USD
99.99 USD/yr
2
Norton 360 Deluxe (5 devices) - The most complete bundle: strong protection plus an unlimited VPN, 50 GB cloud backup, a password manager and parental controls — at the highest renewal price Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Unlimited VPN, password manager and 50 GB backup included
- Norton Family parental controls in the box
- Caught 99.5% of our samples; 6/6 in AV-Test
Good
8.1
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$4.17 · checked Sep 11
49.99 USD
119.99 USD/yr
3
McAfee+ Premium (Unlimited devices) - Unlimited devices, an unlimited VPN and identity monitoring for a family, with the steepest renewal in the ranking Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Covers every device in the household
- Unlimited VPN and identity monitoring included
- Protection Score coaching is genuinely useful for non-technical users
Fair
7.5
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$4.17 · checked Sep 11
49.99 USD
149.99 USD/yr
Frequently asked questions about antivirus software
Do I still need antivirus in 2026?
Windows 11 ships with Microsoft Defender, which scored well in our malware test and in the labs. Paid suites add better phishing and ransomware protection, cross-device coverage, and extras like a VPN or identity monitoring. If you are careful and Windows-only, Defender is enough; families, Mac users and anyone who clicks first should look at Bitdefender.
Why is the renewal price so different from the first year?
The security industry sells on introductory discounts. Norton 360 Deluxe is $49.99 in year one and $119.99 after; McAfee climbs to $149.99. Our value score uses the renewal price because that is what you pay for most of the time you own it. Set a reminder and re-shop every year.
Is Kaspersky still available in the US?
No. The US Commerce Department banned sales and updates of Kaspersky software in 2024. It is not in this ranking for that reason.
How do you test antivirus?
Identical Windows 11 and macOS machines, a clean image restored before each suite. We run 200 malware samples collected in the previous 30 days and 50 live phishing URLs, time file copy, app launch and browsing against the clean image, and check for false positives on 100 legitimate installers. Lab results from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives are averaged into the protection score.
*Scores: Protection 35 · Performance 20 · Features 15 · Usability 10 · Value 20; score = Σ ÷ 10, ties break on the earlier test date. Prices shown were checked on the date beside each and may change. Affiliate links are added only after a score is locked and can never change it. How we rank.
#1 Bitdefender Total Security8.9 · $4.17
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