VPN apps and antivirus software are both designed to improve your security online, but they work in fundamentally different ways. They offer complementary, but different, layers of protection — which is why it’s best to use both.
Antivirus software protects against malware, but won’t encrypt your internet connection. A VPN will secure your browsing data, but can’t do much to protect against viruses. Combine the two, and you’ll be a long way to fulfilling digital security best practice.
Thankfully, you don’t have to pay for two separate subscriptions anymore as a lot of the best VPN apps also have legitimately good antivirus capabilities. And with Black Friday deals coming in thick and fast, now is a great time to improve your digital security for less.
Surfshark: $2.69 $2.19 / month
Surfshark One isn’t the cheapest subscription the company offers but it’s probably the best deal. It’s only 10¢ more a month compared to the Starter plan and includes a full antivirus solution, with all this:
Scheduled device scans
Real-time web protection
Webcam security
You’ll also get access to Incogni, a data removal service that automates requests to remove personal information from databases and people search sites.View Deal
Norton VPN: $3.33 / month
Norton has long been associated with some of the best antivirus software on the market and with Norton VPN, you’re not just getting a solid VPN, you’re also getting access to the company’s in-house security and antivirus expertise.
It might not be on sale right now, but if you want to combine antivirus protection with a VPN, then it’s hard to ignore Norton.
The Norton VPN Plus subscription includes
AI-powered scam detection
⌚️ Real-time protection against malware
Dark web personal info alerts
The company is so confident they’ll be able to keep your devices secure, they offer a 100% ‘Virus Protection Promise’ that means if you somehow get a virus, they can’t remove the company will refund you. View Deal
Does combining a VPN with antivirus lower the quality of both?
Short answer: no. Surfshark is one of our top-ranked VPN apps and has consistently been considered the best cheap VPN. The company are also investing in the antivirus product, with the latest change including a brand-new interface and full ARM support.
Likewise, Norton has updated its VPN app considerably this year and it’s starting to compete with the best, recently adding features like Double VPN, IP rotation and a kill switch.
The antivirus options from both may not be quite as advanced, compared with the best standalone antivirus software options we’ve reviewed, but the convenience of combining both a VPN and antivirus into one subscription is definitely worth considering.
If you’re interested, you can try both Surfshark and Norton for free with their 7-day and 14-day trials, respectively.
