Quick comparison: best antivirus software
| Product | Price on vendor page | Devices | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 first year; renews $124.99/year | 5 (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) | 60 days |
| Bitdefender Total Security (Individual) | $59.99 first year; $119.99 for 2 years; renewal not listed | Up to 5 | 30 days |
| Bitdefender Total Security (Family) | $79.99 first year; $159.99 for 2 years | 5 members, up to 25 devices | 30 days |
| Malwarebytes Premium | Price not shown (placeholder text on page) | Standard covers 1 device | 60 days |
Norton 360 Deluxe: most included for the first-year price
Norton lists 360 Deluxe at $49.99 for the first year, renewing at $124.99 a year, for 5 PCs, Macs, tablets or smartphones. Norton VPN is included, along with 50 GB of Cloud Backup (the footnotes say Windows only, not Windows in S mode or on ARM) and dark web monitoring, which the page says is not available in all countries.
A 60-day money-back guarantee is listed, and a Virus Protection Promise offers a refund if Norton experts cannot remove a virus, with conditions.
- VPN and cloud backup included
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Renewal price clearly shown
- Renewal is about 2.5 times the first-year price
- Cloud backup is Windows-only with exceptions
- Dark web monitoring not available everywhere
Bitdefender Total Security: Windows, Mac, Android and iOS cover
Bitdefender lists Individual at $59.99 for the first year or $119.99 for 2 years (1 member, up to 5 devices), and Family at $79.99 for the first year or $159.99 for 2 years (5 members, up to 25 devices). Prices exclude sales tax.
The page lists no renewal price and says renewal may be higher than the initial price. A 30-day risk-free period is stated, with refund requests to refunds@bitdefender.com within 30 days of purchase or an automatic renewal date.
- Family plan covers up to 25 devices
- Covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS
- 30-day refund window
- Renewal price not listed
- Refund window shorter than Norton or Malwarebytes
- Prices exclude tax
Malwarebytes Premium: pricing not visible on its page
The Malwarebytes pages we read showed placeholder text instead of amounts for the Standard plan (“[ Purchase Price ]/yr.”), so this guide cannot report a price. The Standard plan is described as antivirus for a single phone, tablet or PC, features vary by operating system, and a 60-day money-back guarantee is mentioned.
First-year versus renewal pricing was not stated for consumer plans. Check the live checkout before buying.
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Simple single-device Standard plan
- Free antivirus page linked
- Consumer price not shown on the page we read
- Device counts for Individual and Family not stated
- Features vary by operating system
Verdict: best antivirus software in 2026
Our short verdict on the best antivirus software: decide using the price, limits and data gaps shown above, not the headline discount.
If you are still comparing the best antivirus software, use the free plans, trials or refund windows as your real test.
If you want the most extras for the first-year price on a Windows 11 PC, Norton 360 Deluxe is the one that publishes both the price and the renewal. If you need many household devices, Bitdefender Total Security Family lists up to 25.
Malwarebytes Premium may suit a single device, but verify the live price first. Windows 11 also ships with Microsoft Defender, so consider whether you need extras such as a VPN or backup before paying.
Whatever you buy, set a calendar reminder before renewal, since two of the three do not publish a renewal price on the pages we read.
Related guides for the best antivirus software: identity theft protection services · best password manager for families.
Sources (vendor pages read October 2026): Bitdefender Total Security · Norton 360 Deluxe · Malwarebytes Premium
Windows 11 antivirus FAQs
What is the best paid antivirus for Windows 11?
On published pricing, Norton 360 Deluxe offers the most included features for $49.99 in year one. Detection performance was not tested here.
How much does Norton 360 Deluxe cost?
$49.99 for the first year, renewing at $124.99 a year, for 5 devices, per Norton’s page.
How much does Bitdefender Total Security cost?
$59.99 for the first year or $119.99 for 2 years for up to 5 devices; Family is $79.99 for the first year for 5 members and up to 25 devices.
What does Malwarebytes Premium cost?
The page we read showed placeholders instead of prices, so we do not quote one.
Do these offer refunds?
Norton and Malwarebytes list 60 days and Bitdefender 30 days.
Do I need antivirus on Windows 11?
Windows includes Microsoft Defender. Paid suites add things like a VPN, backup and monitoring, so decide whether those extras matter to you.
Do these cover Macs and phones?
Norton and Bitdefender list Windows, macOS, Android and iOS support.
Will renewal cost more?
Norton renews at $124.99; Bitdefender says renewal may be higher; Malwarebytes did not state it.
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