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Total Defense alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Total Defense alternative for most people is Avast (3.0 GPA), first in our ranking of antivirus apps. It's also the best free one.

Total Defense compared with 6 alternatives: Norton 360, McAfee, VIPRE, Avast, ESET and 1 more.

Total Defense is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $39.99 per year for 3 PCs (sale price shown, $59.99 crossed out; renewal price not stated). 2 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

Black Friday: is there a Total Defense sale?

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Total DefenseThis toolFree trial · from $39.99/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Android
Norton 360Free trial · from $84.99/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
McAfeeFree plan · from $119.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
VIPREFree trial · from $14.99/yrTrial onlyWindows
AvastFree plan · from $77.99/yrYesmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
ESETFree trial · from $12.99/yrTrial onlymacOS, Windows, Android
K7 SecurityPaidNoWindows, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

Total Defense starts at $3.33 a month when paid by the year and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 5 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: ESET.

Norton 360, McAfee and Avast score higher without starting lower. VIPRE starts lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10$20More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessTotal DefenseNorton 360McAfeeVIPREAvastESET

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of antivirus apps, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Total Defense

  1. Norton 360

    Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup

    • Norton 360 starts at $84.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year from $34.99.
    • Norton 360 also lists an iOS app.
    • Norton 360 also covers password manager, vPN and ad and tracker blocking.
    • Norton 360 does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Households that want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager in one subscription

    Norton 360 vs Total DefenseNorton 360 pricing and details

  2. McAfee

    Antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring for PCs, Macs and phones

    • McAfee starts at $119.99 per year for 5 devices at renewal (Essential), after a first year at $39.99.
    • McAfee has a free plan, which Total Defense lacks.
    • McAfee also lists an iOS app.
    • McAfee also covers vPN.
    • McAfee does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Households that want one subscription across PCs, Macs and phones

    McAfee vs Total DefenseMcAfee pricing and details

  3. VIPRE

    Home antivirus in three tiers, from basic scanning to a VPN bundle

    • VIPRE starts at $14.99 per year (Antivirus Plus; page does not say whether this renews).
    • VIPRE lists no macOS and Android apps, which Total Defense has.
    • VIPRE also covers vPN.
    • VIPRE does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Windows users who want a low-priced antivirus with an upgrade path

    VIPRE vs Total DefenseVIPRE pricing and details

  4. Avast

    Free antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate

    • Avast starts at $77.99 per year at renewal (Premium Security, 1 computer), after a first year at $49.08.
    • Avast has a free plan, which Total Defense lacks.
    • Avast also lists an iOS app and a browser extension.
    • Avast also covers vPN.
    • Avast does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Windows users who want real-time antivirus without paying

    Avast vs Total DefenseAvast pricing and details

  5. ESET

    Antivirus and home security plans priced by device count

    • ESET starts at $12.99 per year for 1 device (Mobile Security for Android).
    • ESET also covers vPN.
    • ESET does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Buyers who want a light antivirus for one Windows PC or Mac

    ESET vs Total DefenseESET pricing and details

  6. K7 Security

    Home antivirus suites and business endpoint security from K7

    • K7 Security also lists an iOS app.
    • K7 Security lists no macOS app, which Total Defense has.
    • K7 Security also covers system monitor.
    • K7 Security does not cover file sync, which Total Defense does.

    Suits: Home users comparing a Windows antivirus with mobile apps from one vendor

    K7 Security vs Total DefenseK7 Security pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Total Defense

  • Essential Anti-Virus is Windows only; Mac and Android coverage starts with Premium.
  • The 1-year and 2-year prices are shown as discounts from crossed-out prices with no end date, and no renewal price is stated.
  • The virus-removal assurance applies only to customers enrolled in Automatic Renewal.
  • Supported Windows versions on the Essential page are Windows 11 (64-bit), 10 and 8.1.
Total Defense pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Total Defense?

The alternatives to Total Defense in this directory are Norton 360, McAfee, VIPRE, Avast, ESET and K7 Security. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Total Defense.

Is there a free alternative to Total Defense?

Yes. McAfee and Avast have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Total Defense alternatives work on iOS?

The Total Defense listing does not include an iOS app. Norton 360, McAfee, Avast and K7 Security list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.