Cheapest antivirus for PC in 2026

As of September 2026, the cheapest antivirus software is Bitdefender. Currently, you can get Bitdefender for as little as Bitdefender Antivirus price.

🏷️ LIMITED OFFER: Get Bitdefender with discounts up to 78% 🏷️

An antivirus is a necessary security tool used to protect your device from malicious malware. Using antivirus software will not only protect your device but also add an extra layer of security, preventing your data from being compromised. While advanced antiviruses usually cost more, you can still get a good, cheap antivirus software.

To find the best cheap antivirus in 2026, I tested over 15 services. My tests revealed that Bitdefender, Norton, TotalAV, Surfshark Antivirus, and McAfee are the most affordable antivirus options that still deliver quality services. Continue reading and find the best cheap antivirus software and its benefits.

Top 5 cheapest antivirus software for PC

1. Bitdefender Antivirus

   Overall best and cheapest antivirus for only $1.08/month
   9.4
2. Norton Antivirus

   Cheapest antivirus for laptop and other devices for $2.50/month
   9.1
3. TotalAV

   Cheapest antivirus software for security that you can get for $1.59/month
   9.7
4. Surfshark Antivirus

   Affordable antivirus with real-time protection for $3.39/month
   8.8
5. McAfee Antivirus

   Cheap antivirus with robust protection against malware for $2.50/month
   8.3

Best and cheapest antivirus software of 2026

To find the best affordable antivirus, I checked out several viable options, and based my choices on the software’s security feature availability, my own tests, results by independent test labs, overall brand reputation, and, of course, pricing. So, here are my top 5 choices of the best cheap antivirus software for PC protection:

Top 1. Bitdefender – the best cheap antivirus software, starting at $1.08/month

Bitdefender is the cheapest antivirus, offering robust anti-malware, spam, cryptominer, and email protection, along with other additional features for only $12.99/month (now 74% off).

As any reputable AV, Bitdefender has a very solid core feature pack including deep system scans, ransomware protection, and real-time threat protection, which, during testing, proved to be very solid with 99% accuracy. When comparing my results with those from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, I found that Bitdefender achieved a score of 27/30 from AV-Test. According to AV-Comparatives, Bitdefender got an almost perfect 99.8% protection rate with very low false positives.

As for the additional features, Bitdefender offers parental controls, secure online banking, and a highly secure VPN for an additional layer of security. Lastly, there’s the unique feature called Scamio, which is an AI-based chatbox that analyzes the legitimacy of any message or link you receive.

Bitdefender is the cheapest and one of the best antivirus software for PC and other devices. You can set up the antivirus on up to 5 devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. And if you change your mind about this AV after all, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee during your first month of its use. Additionally, a free version is available, which has no hidden costs.

For a deeper investigation of Bitdefender Antivirus, read our Bitdefender Antivirus review.

Top 2. Norton Antivirus – affordable antivirus software for the first year

Norton Antivirus is another cheap antivirus software that you can get for only $29.99/month. The software performs exceedingly well with threat and malware detection. However, Norton’s interface is not the most intuitive, making it a bit less beginner-friendly than my other choices.

Besides the mandatory security features, such as real-time protection and deep scans, Norton AV comes with a whole slew of additional features. There’s a reliable VPN service, parental controls, cloud backup, firewall, and data breach alerts. All of these features ensure your cybersecurity. As for their effectiveness, Norton AV malware detection rates kept a high score of 98% accuracy, while deep scan rates hovered at a solid 92%. During AV-Test examination, Norton got a 6/6 in the Protection, Performance, and Usability categories. AV-Comparatives reported a 99.5% protection rate, with a small number of false positives.

The top-tier plans also include dark web monitoring and a unique feature called LifeLock that guards users against identity theft.

Norton antivirus software is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. You can set up the antivirus on up to 10 devices, depending on the plan that you choose. The program allows you to try the services risk-free with a 30-day free trial or a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Norton Antivirus, read our Norton Antivirus review.

Top 3. TotalAV – cheapest antivirus for PC protection

TotalAV is the best cheap antivirus that guarantees reliable malware detection and offers a user-friendly interface, which you can get for $19.00/year.

*Check out TotalAV discount codes for extra savings on premium plans

TotalAV offers real-time protection, which continuously monitors your web activity for malware and other malicious entities. During my testing, TotalAV’s real-time protection performed at 90% accuracy, while deep system scans performed at around 95%. AV-Test gave TotalAV a perfect score of 18/18 in all categories (Protection, Performance, and Usability). AV-Comparatives testing revealed that TotalAV received a 99.5% real-world protection rate.

Besides the core features, TotalAV also offers a trustworthy VPN service that adds an additional layer of cybersecurity. System tune-up tools and a clean-up feature declutter your device. Lastly, there’s even an ad blocker to prevent you from accidentally clicking on malicious links. This alone makes it one of the best, if not the best value, antivirus programs.

The TotalAV software is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. There is a free version available, but it comes with some limitations. If you want to save money, I recommend getting the cheapest plan for only $19.00/year. If you want to try it out with no strings attached, the annual plans come with a 30-day guarantee, while the monthly ones have a 14-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of TotalAV, read our TotalAV review.

Top 4. Surfshark Antivirus – best budget antivirus with VPN included

Surfshark Antivirus is a very affordable antivirus with a VPN and other extra features for only $3.39/month. Besides its stellar cybersecurity feats, the software probably has the sleekest-looking apps that are easy to navigate and use, even if you’ve never used an AV before.

Naturally, Surshark Antivirus comes with the mandatory security features, such as real-time protection, which operates at a nice 90% accuracy, deep system scans, and a sure-shot ad-block called CleanWeb that stops all malicious popups before you even see them. During AV-Test independent tests, Surfshark Antivirus received a total of 17/18 score in Protection, Performance, and Usability. For more detailed test results, check out the full Surfshark Antivirus review.

In addition to the core features, Surfshark also offers a very robust and secure VPN, which you can get with the Surfshark One plan. On top of that, there are parental controls and data breach alerts.

One thing I particularly liked about this cheap antivirus software is the webcam protection that locks your camera and informs you if any websites try to access it without your consent. Lastly, Surfshark’s malware database is updated every 3 hours, so you can rest assured that no zero-day viruses will breach the protection layer.

Surshark Antivirus is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. While Surfshark VPN offers unlimited connections, you can set up the antivirus on up to 5 devices. Additionally, you can safely try it out, knowing that there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Top 5. McAfee – cheap antivirus solution that’s easy to use

McAfee is an affordable antivirus software for PCs, perfect for those who prioritize an all-in-one protection suite across devices. It combines a low price ($2.50/month) and award-winning threat detection to make a solid choice for security-conscious users.

McAfee’s Basic Total Protection plan is more than enough for a comprehensive all-in-one security solution. It includes an antivirus solution, web protection, and a scam detector. I especially liked that the cheapest plan also adds a VPN, password manager, and identity monitoring and alerts – features that other providers tend to include in higher-price tiers. Therefore, a casual user can successfully benefit just from the cheapest plan, which is only $2.50/month for the first year.

Talking about malware detection, McAfee offers three types of scans: Quick, Full, and Custom. During my tests, McAfee detected around 82% of malware samples in a Quick scan. While it was lightweight for the device system, I couldn’t say the same about other types of scans. Despite impressive performance in detecting malware, the whole process took a significant amount of time (over one hour) and CPU load occasionally spiked up to 100%.

Lastly, McAfee supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Chrome OS. It’s a solid budget-friendly antivirus solution for a variety of devices, coming with a reliable malware detection, VPN, and password manager. Plus, you can try it risk-free with a 30-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How much does antivirus protection cost?

How we tested and selected the best cheap antivirus

I performed extensive in-house tests to find the best cheap antivirus software. All tests were carried out on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 device with the Windows 11 Pro operating system installed. To test each antivirus, I downloaded unzipped malware files and stored malware samples in my computer to see if the antivirus would detect them. Additionally, I compared my results with the recent tests done by AV-Test, AV Comparatives, and SE-Labs. Below, you can find the main criteria of this examination:

• Malware detection rate (30%). The main purpose of antivirus software is to protect devices from malicious malware and other online threats. That’s why I only selected antiviruses that have real-time scanning, malware and ransomware detection, and anti-phishing tools.

• System performance impact (25%). To ensure that your daily activities are not affected, I looked for antivirus programs that are lightweight and don’t significantly slow down your computer.
• Additional features (25%). For total security, I looked for antivirus software that has extra features. Features like a VPN, password manager, or firewall add an extra layer of privacy.
• Price (20%). To find the best cheap antivirus, I had to compare each provider in terms of its price. I also only included software that has a money-back guarantee and allows risk-free testing.

During my tests, all top antivirus software achieved accuracy rates above 89%. While all antiviruses showed excellent results, TotalAV stood out with the best scores overall.

Visit TotalAV now

How to get the best value antivirus software cheaply?

The easiest way to get an affordable antivirus is to purchase the software license directly from a cheap software vendor. However, that is not the way to get a value antivirus software cheaply, and here are your other options:

1. Take advantage of seasonal promotions. Expect the prices of your favorite software to drop on Black Friday, during the holiday season, before the start of the school year, and on other notable dates.
2. Opt for multi-year subscriptions. While this might sound daunting at first, getting a 2, 3, or even longer AV subscription is always cheaper than paying month-to-month. Remember that most companies have a 30-day money-back guarantee, or in Norton AV’s case, even a 60-day one.
3. Use free trial periods to test the software. Almost all respectable AV software comes with a money-back guarantee or free trials. It’s the perfect way to test out if the software works for you before you commit.
4. Look for bundle offers. Why purchase an AV and a VPN software separately, when there are money-saving bundles like the Surfshark One, where you get the whole security package in one? Even if you're looking for some other things, like a password manager, those can also often be found together with an AV in a budget-friendly package.
5. Explore referral programs. AV software companies often have referral programs. It either works by you referring their product to someone else or vice versa. By using such programs, offered by providers like TotalAV, you’ll be getting a nice discount on it.

Summary

Protecting your device from various threats is essential, and an antivirus is the most effective tool for doing so. While there are a few free antivirus programs available, they are often limited and unreliable. To ensure total security and still save some money, it’s important to choose an effective yet affordable option. During my tests, I found out that Bitdefender is the best cheap antivirus software in 2026, which you can get for only $12.99/month. Bitdefender proved to be successful in detecting and blocking malware and other threats. It also includes additional features for enhanced security at a budget-friendly price.

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You may also want to read:
Bitdefedner vs Norton: which is better in 2026?
Best antivirus for Windows 10
Antivirus for Chromebook
Antivirus apps for iPhone & iPad
Best McAfee alternatives

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FAQ

What is the cheapest antivirus software in 2026?

The cheapest antivirus software in 2026 is Bitdefender. Currently, you can get Bitdefender for as little as $12.99/month with a 74% discount. This deal will save you $37 for a top antivirus software that will protect your devices from various malware.

What is the best cheap antivirus for Windows 10?

The best cheap antivirus for Windows 10 is Bitdefender. Bitdefender Antivirus is an excellent option for Windows 10 as it successfully detects and blocks various threats. It also offers additional features like parental controls, webcam protection, and anti-tracking tools for even more security.

Is there a reliable cheap antivirus with VPN?

Yes, Surfshark Antivirus is a reliable antivirus software with a VPN. Surfshark is one of the top providers that offers an advanced VPN and a reliable antivirus, all in one package. While it’s a premium service, it still offers affordable pricing, available for $50.85/year.

Which antivirus products offer the best value for money?

Bitdefender offers the best value for money. The provider offers robust protection against viruses, ransomware, and other online threats, and the starting price is only $12.99/month. While it’s the cheapest antivirus software, it still delivers excellent services and even offers additional features for more security.