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We’ve tested plenty of online privacy and security tools at CNET over the years, including VPNs, antivirus and password managers with the same focus on quality and value for money. Each one is designed for a specific task, so you shouldn't rely on just one.

A VPN might be able to provide surface-level malware protection, but it won’t do anything about malware already on your computer like a full antivirus solution will. By the same token, antivirus software can’t encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy like a VPN can. An antivirus program is a security tool that can help keep your computer secure and free of harmful malware. Your antivirus software can analyze files you download and continuously scan your system in real time to detect and neutralize threats. Ultimately, VPNs and antivirus software cover different parts of your overall privacy and security needs.

That’s why you should consider using both a VPN and antivirus software. And you don’t need to buy each separately, as some of the best VPNs also offer an optional antivirus add-on. While it can be a little more expensive than just the base VPN subscription, bundled plans can bring the price down way below purchasing a VPN and antivirus separately -- plus, you can manage your antivirus and VPN from the same app. Both Windows and MacOS computers come with built-in antivirus software, so you may not necessarily need a third-party antivirus solution. If you do, there are plenty of options, including free antivirus apps.

Whether to bundle your VPN and antivirus software is entirely up to you and will depend mostly on your budget and what you want out of your VPN and your antivirus software. Perhaps the two most compelling reasons to bundle VPN and antivirus software are cost and convenience. 

It’s convenient to have multiple online services under one umbrella with a consistent user experience as opposed to having multiple logins or dealing with different interfaces across various services. You could also potentially save some cash by bundling under one provider. An annual subscription for a standalone VPN can range anywhere from $40 to $140 or more per year and an annual subscription for an antivirus program can cost an additional $20 to $100 per year, depending on how many devices you need to protect. Whereas, if you bundle your VPN and antivirus software, you can expect to pay around $60 to $100 per year total.

On the other hand, if the VPN’s antivirus solution doesn’t include the features you’re looking for or doesn’t provide all of the protections you need, then you’ll probably want to go with a separate antivirus program. Or if the VPN that works best for your needs doesn’t include antivirus protection, then you’ll need to go with separate solutions.  

There’s a lot that can go into your decision on which service to go with, but based on my years of using and researching VPNs, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN with antivirus software.

Antivirus software included with the VPN

If you want a VPN with an antivirus included, your primary consideration will be that the VPN you choose offers antivirus protection. Not many VPNs include antivirus software at this time, so your choices are somewhat limited. But VPNs are increasingly adding additional services like password managers and antivirus solutions to their portfolios, so you may have more options in the future. Antivirus companies like Norton and Avast also offer VPN solutions. 

Privacy/security

You’ll want your VPN to protect your privacy and your antivirus software to secure your computer. Look for a VPN that offers modern encryption (either AES-256 or ChaCha20) as well as reliable VPN protocols, like WireGuard, OpenVPN or vetted proprietary protocols. You'll also want foundational privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and an audited no-logs policy. The antivirus software that comes along with your VPN should include virus/malware detection and removal, real-time protection, malicious website blocking and automatic updates to keep on top of evolving threats.  

Price

If you’re on a budget, price will be an important consideration. If you’re purchasing a VPN bundled with antivirus software, then you can expect to pay about $15 per month or between $60 and $100-plus per year, depending on what’s included in the VPN’s package. Naturally, it’ll be more expensive than getting just the VPN on its own, but you’ll probably save some cash over getting a VPN and antivirus separately. If you’re worried about committing to a year-long subscription, you can always back out after testing the antivirus if your provider offers a money-back guarantee. Regardless, we generally don’t recommend you subscribe for any time longer than a year, as a lot can change in terms of quality and performance within that timeframe.

Usability

Your VPN should be as easy to use as any other app you’re used to using. Connecting to a VPN server and navigating the settings should be a simple, straightforward affair -- whether you’re an experienced VPN user or a total newbie. As for the antivirus, you should barely even know it’s there because it should work in the background with minimal impact on the performance of your computer. That said, you should be able to hop into the settings and customize your antivirus security protection and schedule scans easily whenever you need to.

I picked the best VPNs with antivirus based on our exhaustive VPN testing process and took into account which of CNET’s top VPN picks offer fully fledged, high-quality antivirus protection alongside their VPN services. When we evaluate VPNs at CNET, we test the VPN’s speeds by conducting over 250 internet speed tests per provider, run DNS leak tests, check its streaming capabilities, test all features across available platforms and evaluate its overall usability and value. We also take a deep dive into each VPN provider’s privacy policy, along with its corporate structure and history. Throughout the process, we maintain close contact with company representatives via email and video conferencing to ensure any questions we may have are clarified or issues we have are addressed.  

NordVPN

NordVPN is a top-tier VPN provider that earns an honorable mention here because of its Threat Protection Pro feature that’s built into its VPN software. While not a full-fledged antivirus solution, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro does many things that an antivirus program does, like scanning downloaded files to check for potential threats, scanning existing applications for vulnerabilities and blocking malicious websites. The feature also blocks ads and trackers and can detect double extensions to help guard against files sneaking malware onto your device.

NordVPN is currently the only VPN to be awarded AV-Comparatives’ anti-phishing certification. However, Threat Protection Pro lacks key antivirus features like full system scans, quarantine and removal of existing malware, webcam protection and automatic updates. In February 2026, NordVPN added CrowdStrike Threat Intelligence to its Threat Protection Pro service to bolster malware, phishing and scam website protection.

NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro feature is available along with the VPN and NordPass password manager on the Plus, Complete and Prime subscription tiers for Windows and Mac users. The Plus tier costs $15.29 per month, $65.88 for the first year or $93.36 for the first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $179.88 annually). The Complete plan goes for $18.69 per month, $83.88 for the first year or $129.36 for the first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $219.48 annually). Prime costs $25.29 a month, $107.88 for the first year or $177.36 for the first two years (the one- and two-year plans renew at $296.28 annually).

As a VPN, NordVPN is one of the best. The VPN boasts fast speeds, a huge network of servers in 130 countries, excellent streaming capabilities and solid privacy features. 

Read our NordVPN review.     

Norton VPN

Norton may be best known for its antivirus solutions, but just as many VPNs now offer security software, so too does Norton offer privacy software. In our hands-on testing, we were underwhelmed by Norton VPN in our 2024 testing. While we found it easy to use, we experienced IPv6 leaks, there was a lot of personal data collection, and its US jurisdiction proved less than ideal for people with serious privacy concerns. Since then, Norton VPN has made many improvements, making it seem like a more attractive option on paper. For instance, Norton has added support for Google TV, Apple TV streaming devices and smart TVs. But we haven't fully reassessed it, and therefore can't vouch for it at this time.

Compared with many of our top VPN picks, Norton VPN falls short with a smaller international server roster and lack of a Linux app. But for the money, you can get a VPN with more robust privacy features, better app support and faster speeds.

Read our Norton Secure VPN review.

Just as a handful of VPN providers now offer bundles that include additional cybersecurity tools, so too do many antivirus providers -- like Bitdefender and McAfee -- now offer VPNs. While bundling can be convenient, offering potential financial savings and the convenience of a single bill rather than multiple, a package deal has downsides.

Namely, many VPNs from antivirus providers haven't been audited (an important trust signal), lack diverse app support, have small server networks and may be slow. Additionally, you might miss out on features to enhance your privacy even further than a standard VPN connection, such as obfuscation (which tries to hide the fact that you're using a VPN), or specialty servers that make it even more difficult to trace your traffic back to your device, like Tor Over VPN and double VPN servers.

Accordingly, we don't suggest using your antivirus provider's VPN for anything but basic privacy. For most people, from streaming enthusiasts to privacy buffs, we recommend sticking with a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. On a budget, Surfshark and Mullvad are great choices, and Proton VPN is the best free VPN on the market.

If you already have a VPN and don't want to pay for security software, there are some great free antivirus programs -- including built-in software for both Windows and MacOS (yes, even Macs can get viruses).

For more, learn how to keep your computer and phone safe from cyber threats.