The Kaspersky Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Kaspersky in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Kaspersky
The Insider’s Guide
Antivirus suites with a VPN and password manager on higher tiers
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among antivirus apps, read from Kaspersky’s own pages.
Made by Kaspersky · checked Oct 17, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Kaspersky’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Kaspersky’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 17, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 2 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade
Kaspersky sells home security in three tiers: Standard for antivirus, firewall and scam protection, Plus with an unlimited VPN and a password manager, and Premium with identity protection and 24/7 remote IT support. Plans cover Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, and the global site lists Linux too. Its US site says renewal is unavailable to US customers and sends everyone else to kaspersky.com.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Kaspersky, taken from its own pages and our grades.
For a US reader it's a dead end: Kaspersky's US site says renewal isn't available to US customers and shows no US prices.
- 1
Best for antivirus with a VPN, outside the US
Kaspersky's suites cover Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone, with an unlimited VPN and a password manager from Plus.
- 2
Paid plans start at $5.42 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $64.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year for $49.99.
- 3
You can try it first
30-day free trial of Standard or Premium; a paid yearly plan starts unless you cancel
- 4
It runs on 5 platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
- 5
Real-time antivirus and firewall
Every plan blocks viruses, malware and ransomware, removes existing infections and includes a two-way firewall.
- 6
Scam and payment protection
AI-based scam protection, anti-phishing and a protected mode for online banking and shopping, plus crypto threat and stalkerware detection.
- 7
Unlimited VPN
Plus and Premium include Kaspersky's VPN with no data cap. It cannot be downloaded or activated in some countries, including China and India.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 2 of 14
That is against the other antivirus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Kaspersky you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Kaspersky at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $64.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year for $49.99
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial of Standard or Premium; a paid yearly plan starts unless you cancel
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Kaspersky
- Category
- Antivirus & Malware Protection
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for antivirus with a VPN, outside the US
Kaspersky's suites cover Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone, with an unlimited VPN and a password manager from Plus. Outside the US, five devices on Standard cost $144.98 over two years. For a US reader it's a dead end: Kaspersky's US site says renewal isn't available to US customers and shows no US prices.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D | Outside the US, Standard for 5 devices is $58.99 the first year, then $85.99, so two years cost $144.98, about $6.04 a month. A US reader can't count on that: the US site says renewal isn't available to US customers, so there's no second year to buy there. |
| Free plan and trial | D | No free plan on record. The 30-day trial of Standard or Premium rolls into a paid year unless you cancel, so you're signing up to pay from day one. |
| Features | B | Antivirus, a firewall, and scam and payment protection on every plan, then an unlimited VPN and a password manager from Plus, and identity protection, 24/7 remote IT help and Safe Kids on Premium. Standard has no VPN, but the core protection has no gap. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. It's a program you install and it starts protecting, with nothing to build first. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone, so it's one of the few here with Linux. The VPN can't be activated in some countries, including China and India, and there's no API on record. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Kaspersky is for
- Great if you live outside the US and want antivirus, a VPN and passwords in one plan
- Handy when your household includes a Linux computer
- Good for people who'd like 24/7 remote help with PC problems, on Premium
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you live in the US, as the US site says renewal isn't available there
- Skip it if you want a trial without signing up to pay, as it rolls into a paid year
- Pricey if you renew Premium, which goes from $64.99 to $98.99 a year for one device
Good to know
Good for
- Buyers outside the US who want antivirus, VPN and passwords in one plan
- Households that also run Linux computers
- People who want remote help from support staff with PC problems
Worth knowing
- Kaspersky's US site says renewal is unavailable for US customers and points non-US buyers to kaspersky.com; it shows no US prices.
- Prices here are the US-dollar prices on the global site; each plan renews automatically at the higher standard price after the first term.
- Standard has no VPN or password manager; those start at Plus.
- The free trial turns into a paid yearly plan at the introductory price unless cancelled within 30 days.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$5.42
A month to start, paid by the year
Kaspersky is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $64.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year for $49.99.
A US reader can't count on that: the US site says renewal isn't available to US customers, so there's no second year to buy there.
Standard
$64.99
per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $49.99
Antivirus, firewall, scam and payment protection. First year $49.99; 3 devices $52.99 then $74.99, 5 devices $58.99 then $85.99.
Plus
$79.99
per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $61.99
Adds unlimited VPN, a password manager, data leak checks and a disk health monitor. 5 devices: $73.99 the first year, then $106.99.
Premium
$98.99
per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $64.99
Adds identity protection, remote access detection and 24/7 remote IT support. $64.99 also buys 15 months. 10 devices: $101.99, then $157.99.
Trying it first
30-day free trial of Standard or Premium; a paid yearly plan starts unless you cancel
Read from kaspersky.com on Oct 17, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
First-year prices on every plan
For 1 device: Standard $49.99, Plus $61.99 and Premium $64.99 for the first year, against renewal prices of $64.99, $79.99 and $98.99.
Stated on kaspersky.comOther savings
Premium for 15 months at the 1-year price
Premium for 1 device is also sold as a 15-month term for $64.99, the same as the first year, before renewing at $98.99 a year.
Stated on kaspersky.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Antivirus suites with a VPN and password manager on higher tiers. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: password manager, vPN, ad and tracker blocking, malware protection.
Standard has no VPN, but the core protection has no gap.
- Real-time antivirus and firewall
- Every plan blocks viruses, malware and ransomware, removes existing infections and includes a two-way firewall.
- Scam and payment protection
- AI-based scam protection, anti-phishing and a protected mode for online banking and shopping, plus crypto threat and stalkerware detection.
- Unlimited VPN
- Plus and Premium include Kaspersky's VPN with no data cap. It cannot be downloaded or activated in some countries, including China and India.
- Password manager
- Plus and Premium add a password manager and vault that autofills addresses and card details, with a password safety check.
- Identity and remote support
- Premium adds an identity protection wallet, smart home Wi-Fi monitoring, 24/7 remote IT support and expert virus removal.
- Kaspersky Safe Kids
- Premium includes a year of Safe Kids parental controls with GPS location, website filters and screen time limits.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Kaspersky is made by Kaspersky.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
2/14
Other antivirus apps it is graded above
Kaspersky's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 2 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on features (B, above 4 of 14) and worst on value for money (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $5.42 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 8 of the 10 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kaspersky’s own letter is outlined.
- DValue for moneyAbove 0 of 14
- DFree plan and trialAbove 2 of 14
- BFeaturesAbove 4 of 14
- BEase of useAbove 2 of 14
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 14
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 11 antivirus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Kaspersky is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Kaspersky you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 11 of the 14 other antivirus apps grade higher. It costs $64.99 a year.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- A password vault, the last thing anyone should make for themselves.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Kaspersky’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Bitdefender, ESET, Norton 360, Avast and F-Secure
The 5 tools Kaspersky is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier.
- Bitdefender has a free plan. Kaspersky does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Kaspersky lists a Linux app.
- Kaspersky also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.6GPA
ESET
Free trial · from $12.99/yr
Antivirus and home security plans priced by device count.
- Only Kaspersky lists Linux and iOS apps.
- Kaspersky also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
Norton 360
Free trial · from $84.99/yr
Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup.
- Only Kaspersky lists a Linux app.
- 3.0GPA
Avast
Free plan
Free antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate.
- Avast has a free plan. Kaspersky does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Kaspersky lists a Linux app.
- Only Avast lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
F-Secure
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Finnish antivirus and VPN suite that renews at the new-customer price.
- F-Secure has a free plan. Kaspersky does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Kaspersky lists a Linux app.
- Kaspersky also covers ad and tracker blocking.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Kaspersky free?
No, Kaspersky is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day free trial of Standard or Premium; a paid yearly plan starts unless you cancel.
How much does Kaspersky cost?
Kaspersky lists 3 plans. Standard: $64.99 per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $49.99.
What platforms does Kaspersky work on?
Kaspersky is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
Does Kaspersky offer any discounts?
Kaspersky publicly lists the following: First-year prices on every plan; Premium for 15 months at the 1-year price.
Is Kaspersky open source?
Kaspersky is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Who makes Kaspersky?
Kaspersky is made by Kaspersky.
What are the alternatives to Kaspersky?
The closest alternatives to Kaspersky in our directory are Bitdefender, ESET, Norton 360, Avast and F-Secure.
How does Kaspersky compare with other antivirus apps?
Kaspersky's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 2 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 1.
Is Kaspersky good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Kaspersky D for value for money. Its paid plans start at $5.42 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 8 of the 10 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Kaspersky?
To replace Kaspersky you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Kaspersky’s own pages on Oct 17, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 17, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kaspersky's own pages on 17 October 2026. Its pricing page sent our reader to the Indian site when we went back to check it, so the dollar prices could not be compared again. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Kaspersky. Prices change, so check kaspersky.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
1,880
Tools graded, in 47 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
1,880
tools graded
47
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Kaspersky, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/kaspersky
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Kaspersky: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 17, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/kaspersky
Know someone choosing between antivirus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/kaspersky/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded antivirus apps after Kaspersky, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Antivirus & Malware Protection Insider's GuideEvery one of the 15 antivirus apps we grade, compared
- Avast Insider's GuideFree antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate3.0 GPA
- AVG Insider's GuideFree antivirus for Windows, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate2.8 GPA
- Bitdefender Insider's GuideAntivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Kaspersky’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Kaspersky is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Kaspersky. Prices and plans change: check kaspersky.com before you buy.