Antivirus feature comparison
A general overview of what each product category typically includes. Features vary by plan, region and version, and vendors change them often, so confirm details on the official website before you buy. Prices are intentionally not listed.
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| Feature | Microsoft Defender | Bitdefender Total Security | Norton 360 | McAfee Total Protection | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Built into Windows | Paid suite | Paid suite | Paid suite | Free + paid |
| Real-time malware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Premium) |
| Web / phishing protection | Yes (SmartScreen, Edge) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Browser Guard) |
| Ransomware protection | Yes (controlled folder access, off by default) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes (Windows Firewall) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (uses Windows) |
| VPN | No | Included, limited data on some plans | Included on many plans | Included on many plans | Separate product |
| Password manager | Basic (Edge / Microsoft account) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Parental controls | Yes (Microsoft Family Safety) | Yes | Yes on selected plans | Yes on selected plans | No |
| Identity / dark web monitoring | No | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Cloud backup | OneDrive (separate) | No | Yes on selected plans | No | No |
| Multi-device coverage | Windows only | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
| Best suited for | Basic, no-cost protection | Feature-rich all-in-one | Bundled extras and backup | Families wanting many devices covered | Second-opinion scanning |
Swipe sideways on small screens. Reviewed November 2026.
How to read this table
All five can provide core malware protection. The real differences are the extras, device coverage and how much you want to manage yourself. Independent lab results (such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives) are a good way to check detection and speed before you decide.
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