Best Antivirus with Built-in VPN in 2025.
Compare security suites that bundle antivirus and VPN: Norton 360, Avast One, and AVG. Are bundled VPNs good enough?
Published: 2025-04-01 | Updated: 2025-04-08
Why Bundle Antivirus and VPN?
Security suites that bundle antivirus and VPN offer convenience and cost savings. Instead of managing two separate subscriptions, you get comprehensive protection in one app. Norton 360 ($49.99/year), Avast One ($35.88/year), and AVG Internet Security + VPN ($55.08/year) all include both features. The question is whether the bundled VPN is good enough, or if you need a dedicated VPN alongside your antivirus.
Norton 360: Best Overall Security Suite
Norton 360 offers the most complete package: antivirus with near-perfect malware detection (99.7% in AV-TEST), Norton Secure VPN with servers in 30 countries, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. The VPN includes a kill switch and no-log policy. However, the VPN is basic — it lacks split tunneling, has no streaming optimization, and doesn't support P2P. Best for users who prioritize security over VPN features. Rating: 7.8/10.
Avast One: Best Free Security Suite
Avast One's free tier includes basic antivirus and 5 GB/week VPN — the only major security suite with a free VPN. The paid plan ($35.88/year) adds unlimited VPN, data breach monitoring, and device optimization. Avast uses the WireGuard protocol for decent VPN speeds. The downside: Avast's past data collection scandal (Jumpshot, discontinued 2020) may concern privacy-focused users. Rating: 7.5/10.
Do You Need a Dedicated VPN Instead?
If you primarily need a VPN for streaming, torrenting, or bypassing censorship, a dedicated VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark will outperform any bundled VPN. Dedicated VPNs have more servers, better streaming support, faster speeds, and more advanced features. The ideal setup for maximum security: a dedicated VPN (NordVPN at $3.09/month) plus a standalone antivirus (Windows Defender is free and effective, or Norton/Avast for extra features).
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FAQ
- Is Norton VPN good enough? +
- Norton Secure VPN is adequate for basic privacy on public Wi-Fi and hiding your IP. It is not suitable for streaming geo-restricted content, torrenting, or use in restrictive countries. For those needs, use a dedicated VPN like NordVPN.
- Which is better: Norton 360 or NordVPN? +
- They serve different purposes. Norton 360 is a security suite (antivirus + basic VPN + identity protection). NordVPN is a premium VPN service. If you need both, the best combination is NordVPN for VPN + Windows Defender or Norton for antivirus.
- Does Avast One include a VPN? +
- Yes. Avast One Free includes 5 GB/week VPN. Avast One Individual ($35.88/year) includes unlimited VPN with WireGuard protocol, plus antivirus, breach monitoring, and device optimization.