Click here to buy secure, speedy, and reliable Web hosting, Cloud hosting, Agency hosting, VPS hosting, Website builder, Business email, Reach email marketing at 20% discount from our Gold Partner Hostinger You can also read 12 Top Reasons to Choose Hostinger’s Best Web Hosting
You want reliable malware protection and a VPN but juggling separate subscriptions, slow VPNs, and unclear product pages is exhausting. Bundled antivirus + VPN offers a tidy one-bill solution, but vendor VPNs vary wildly — some are unlimited and fast, others are capped or basic wrappers. The practical solution is to choose one of the well-rounded bundles below (or pair a lean antivirus with a standalone audited VPN if privacy is paramount). This guide lists 7 best antivirus with VPN options, explains hidden tradeoffs, and shows which bundle fits which real-world use case.
How I picked these 7
I rated suites on five practical criteria: antivirus effectiveness, VPN quality & limits, multi-device cover, usability, and renewal value. I cross-checked vendor product pages for VPN inclusion and limits, and prioritized widely available consumer bundles that appear on major retailers. For claims about bundled VPNs and “unlimited” traffic, I relied on official product pages.
The 7 best antivirus with VPN
1. Bitdefender Premium Security — best overall single-bill combo
Why choose it: Top-tier malware protection plus Bitdefender Premium VPN (advertised as unlimited encrypted traffic on Premium plans). Bitdefender bundles modern features (ransomware protection, password manager) and markets the VPN as unlimited for Premium Security. If you want a single subscription to cover malware and an always-on VPN, this package is a clear winner.
Best for: Travelers, streamers, and anyone who wants an unlimited VPN included.
Watch out for: Compare device limits and renewal pricing — Premium plans often cost more after the first year.
2. Norton 360 (Deluxe / Premium tiers) — best for families and extras
Why choose it: Norton 360 bundles antimalware, cloud backup, password manager, and Secure VPN across several tiers. It’s a practical all-in-one for households that want parental controls and backup alongside privacy features. Norton’s product pages explicitly list Secure VPN with device coverage tied to the plan.
Best for: Families and users who want identity/backup extras.
Watch out for: Advanced VPN features may be limited compared to standalone VPN vendors.
3. McAfee Total Protection (with McAfee Secure VPN) — best for multi-device value
Why choose it: McAfee often bundles a VPN with multi-device plans and promotes “unlimited” device coverage on certain SKUs. It’s competitively priced for households with many devices, and the centralized management console is easy to use. Click here to learn more about McAfee.
Best for: Large households and users who prioritize convenience and wide device support.
Watch out for: Check whether the Amazon SKU is region-locked and confirm the VPN’s traffic policy.
(Ad)
4. Kaspersky Total Security (with Kaspersky Secure Connection VPN) — best core AV + basic VPN
Why choose it: Kaspersky’s antivirus engine is consistently strong; the Secure Connection VPN is ideal for casual privacy and public Wi-Fi protection. If your priority is the AV engine more than advanced VPN functionality, this is a solid pick.
Best for: Users who want the best-in-class antivirus with a basic, trustworthy VPN for occasional use.
Watch out for: The VPN is sometimes capped at low daily MB unless you buy a Premium VPN add-on.
5. Avast Ultimate / Premium Security (with SecureLine VPN) — best cleanup + privacy extras
Why choose it: Avast bundles its SecureLine VPN with privacy tools and cleanup features in Ultimate packages. It’s a convenient all-in-one for users who also want system optimization and a password manager.
Best for: Users wanting a mix of privacy and PC-cleanup tools.
Watch out for: Avast’s consumer reputation has ebbed and flowed; check current privacy policy and plan details.
6. AVG Internet Security (with AVG Secure VPN) — best budget pick from a known brand
Why choose it: AVG (same family as Avast) offers bundled options that include Secure VPN. AVG packages are often priced attractively on retail channels and provide straightforward protection.
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want a recognizable AV brand and a basic included VPN.
Watch out for: Many AVG VPN features are limited compared to dedicated VPN providers.
7. TotalAV (Antivirus + Secure VPN) — best for simple interface and ease of use
Why choose it: TotalAV markets lightweight antivirus protection with an integrated VPN. The user interface and setup are very beginner-friendly. For users who dislike cluttered suites, this is an approachable option.
Best for: Non-technical users and anyone who wants a simple AV+VPN without many extras.
Watch out for: Smaller vendors sometimes have more aggressive upsells; read seller listings and terms.
A new perspective: Match the VPN to the threat model, not the brand name
Most roundups list “best” by detection scores or price. A practical (and underreported) approach is to match the VPN capabilities to your personal threat model:
Privacy-first users (journalists, activists): prefer audited standalone VPNs (ProtonVPN, Mullvad, NordVPN) — pair them with a lean AV. Bundled VPNs rarely match audited no-logs guarantees.
Frequent travelers and public-Wi-Fi users: a bundled VPN with unlimited traffic (Bitdefender Premium Security) gives strong everyday protection and convenience.
Families who want convenience: Norton 360’s combination of backup, parental controls, and VPN makes single-vendor management simpler.
This reframing helps readers decide whether to buy a bundle (convenience) or mix-and-match (privacy and specialized performance).
Are Your Devices Truly Invisible? The Surprising Truth Behind Public vs Private IP Addresses
Mini case study — a 4-person remote design team
Problem: Team shares large design files and uses coffeeshop Wi-Fi.
Choice: Bitdefender Premium Security (covers multiple devices, includes unlimited VPN) for laptops and Norton 360 for family members who also need backups.
Outcome: Faster, secure transfers over a VPN, fewer credential issues with a password manager, and centralized license management — all with lower admin overhead than separate product subscriptions.
Hidden tradeoffs
Data caps: some vendors limit the VPN in entry-level plans; “included VPN” may be a trial.
Jurisdiction & audits: bundled VPNs are rarely independently audited; if true no-logs matters, standalone providers are stronger.
Renewal pricing: first-year deals can jump significantly on renewal.
Performance: AV scans + VPN encryption can stress older machines — test trials before committing.
We have a Free Password Generator Tool that is lightweight, web-based utility that allows users to create strong, secure, and random passwords instantly. This tool is fast, responsive, and easy to use. It’s designed to help individuals, developers, and businesses generate passwords that meet modern security standards, ensuring protection against cyber threats.
Key Takeaways
Bitdefender Premium Security stands out as the best single-bill combo when you want an unlimited included VPN and strong AV. Bitdefender
Norton 360 is ideal for families who want backup and parental controls with a usable Secure VPN. Norton
Bundles are convenient for everyday privacy and public-Wi-Fi safety; privacy purists should pair an audited standalone VPN with a lean AV.
Always verify VPN limits, device coverage, jurisdiction, and renewal price before buying.
Use vendor trials to test real-world VPN speed and compatibility with your devices.
FAQs (People also ask)
Q: Is an included VPN as good as a standalone VPN?
A: Sometimes for casual privacy and secure Wi-Fi — yes. For advanced privacy, audited no-logs, or sophisticated features (multi-hop, WireGuard tuning), standalone VPNs usually perform better.
Q: Will antivirus + VPN slow my computer?
A: Modern systems handle them fine, but older machines may experience higher CPU usage during full scans and encrypted transfers. Use scheduled scans and test VPN speeds.
Q: Should I buy the cheapest plan that includes a VPN?
A: Only after confirming whether the VPN is limited (daily caps) or just a trial. A slightly higher tier that removes caps is often better value.
Q: How many devices should I cover?
A: Count all laptops, phones, and tablets you actively use. Many premium plans cover 5–10 devices; some vendors offer “unlimited” device plans but verify the definition.
Conclusion
A bundled antivirus with VPN can simplify protection — one subscription, one installer, and fewer compatibility headaches. For most users who want practical, everyday privacy plus strong malware defenses, Bitdefender Premium Security and Norton 360 are the top portable picks depending on whether you value unlimited VPN traffic or family features. If your threat model demands audited no-logs privacy or advanced VPN features, buy a standalone audited VPN and pair it with a high-quality antivirus. Try the free trials, compare renewal pricing, and pick the option that matches your real-world needs.
Try free trials before you commit, check plan details on the vendor page, and subscribe for a short term first to validate speed and compatibility. For related guides, see SmashingApps’ posts on Does Mac need antivirus?
Now loading...
