Antivirus + VPN Bundles: Bundled Convenience or Bundled Bullshit?

Norton wants to sell you antivirus + VPN. Bitdefender wants to sell you antivirus + VPN. Surfshark wants to sell you VPN + antivirus.

The pitch? “Bundle and save! One subscription, both covered, convenience!”

The reality? Most antivirus companies make shit VPNs. And most VPN companies make shit antivirus.

Norton makes genuinely excellent antivirus [according to AV-Test]. Their VPN? Missing basic features like split-tunneling, limited server choices, slower speeds [source: Norton VPN specs]. It’s like the free toy in a Happy Meal - technically included, but you wouldn’t buy it separately.

Bitdefender’s antivirus is top-tier [100% malware detection, AV-Comparatives]. Their “free” VPN? 200MB per day limit [source: Bitdefender VPN terms]. That’s enough for like, 3 YouTube videos. WTF are you supposed to do with 200MB in 2025?

Here’s what they’re not telling you: You’re bundling convenience with mediocrity and calling it savings.

Commission disclosure:

• Best antivirus (ESET, Bitdefender standalone): $0
• ProtonVPN: ~$25/sale
• NordVPN: ~$60/sale
• Mullvad VPN: $0 (no affiliate program)

Ranked by value, not commission. Full breakdown below.

Related: Check out my complete VPN bullshit glossary to decode every lie the VPN industry tells you.

Why I’m writing this anyway: Because people are searching for “antivirus with VPN” and deserve to know the bundles are usually worse than buying good antivirus + good VPN separately.

⚡ 30-Second Verdict

TL;DR: Most antivirus+VPN bundles give you mediocre VPNs you wouldn’t buy standalone. Buy good antivirus + good VPN separately.

Quick Reality Check:

Verdict: 3/10 for bundles - Buy separately instead

Use bundles if: You only need VPN occasionally (public WiFi protection) and don’t care about speed/features

Do this instead:

• Antivirus: ESET NOD32 ($40/year) or Bitdefender standalone
• VPN: ProtonVPN ($48/year) or Mullvad ($60/year)
• Total: ~$88-100/year for GOOD products vs. $85/year for Norton’s mediocre VPN

The Antivirus Companies Selling You Mediocre VPNs

Let’s be clear: These companies are experts at antivirus. Most of them suck at VPNs.

1. Norton 360: Great Antivirus, Mediocre VPN

The Antivirus: Actually Excellent

Norton’s antivirus is legit:

• 100% malware detection for zero-day and four-week threats [source: AV-Test results]
• Low system impact - doesn’t slow down your computer
• 100% virus protection promise - refund if virus bypasses Norton [source: Norton guarantee]
• Dark web monitoring, password manager, cloud backup (10GB-50GB depending on plan)

The VPN: Like a Happy Meal Toy

Norton’s VPN is… not impressive:

• Not included on cheapest plan - Only Standard ($39.99/year) and above get VPN
• Missing split-tunneling on many platforms [source: Norton VPN features]
• Limited server locations compared to dedicated VPNs
• Slower speeds than ProtonVPN or NordVPN [according to independent speed tests]

The Renewal Scam:

The math:

• Year 1: $39.99
• Year 2+: $84.99/year (113% price increase)
• 5-year cost: $379.95

[Source: Norton pricing page]

Reddit reality:

What users actually say: Norton VPN is “serviceable for basic privacy” but “not for streaming” and “slower than dedicated VPNs.”

My take: Norton antivirus is genuinely good. Their VPN is the definition of “included but not worth using.”

Better approach: Buy ESET NOD32 antivirus ($40/year) + ProtonVPN ($48/year) = $88/year for BETTER products.

2. McAfee: VPN Can’t Unblock Streaming

The Antivirus: Solid

McAfee’s protection is decent:

• 100% malware detection for zero-day and known threats [source: AV-Test]
• Ransom Guard for ransomware protection
• Unlimited devices on higher-tier plans (generous)
• Firewall, file shredder, web protection

The VPN: Included Because It’s Not Good Enough to Sell Separately

Here’s the problem with McAfee’s VPN:

• Can’t access geo-restricted content - Multiple users report Netflix, Disney+, etc. block it [source: Reddit complaints]
• 48 countries (smaller network than dedicated VPNs)
• Included even on Basic plan ($29.99/year) - which tells you it’s not worth much

The renewal trap:

The math:

• Year 1: $29.99
• Year 2+: $89.99/year (200% increase)
• 5-year cost: $389.95

[Source: McAfee pricing]

What Reddit says:

“McAfee VPN can’t unblock Netflix or Disney+. Waste of time if you want streaming.”

My take: The fact that McAfee includes VPN even on their cheapest plan tells you everything. It’s not valuable enough to be an upsell.

Better approach: Buy Bitdefender antivirus standalone + ProtonVPN if you need streaming.

3. TotalAV: VPN Not Even on Cheapest Plan

The Antivirus: Decent But Not Top-Tier

TotalAV’s protection:

• 97% zero-day detection (good but not 100% like Norton/Bitdefender) [source: Independent tests]
• 100% known malware detection
• Easy interface (good for beginners)
• Ad-blocker, password manager included

Missing: Anti-theft protection, parental controls

The VPN: Only on Higher Plans

TotalAV’s VPN strategy:

• Not included on cheapest plan ($29/year Antivirus Pro)
• Only on $39/year+ plans (Internet Security and Total Security)
• 70 servers in 30 countries (small network)
• Works for Netflix/Amazon Prime [according to their marketing]

The renewal scam:

The math:

• Year 1: $39
• Year 2+: $145/year (272% increase!)
• 5-year cost: $619

[Source: TotalAV pricing]

My take: 97% detection is good but not great. The VPN is serviceable but nothing special. That renewal price is absolutely insulting.

Better approach: ESET NOD32 ($40/year) gives you better antivirus for the same price, buy VPN separately.

4. Bitdefender: 200MB/Day VPN Limit (Basically Useless)

The Antivirus: Actually Excellent

Bitdefender is genuinely one of the best:

• 100% malware detection (zero-day and known threats) [source: AV-Comparatives]
• Very low system impact - doesn’t slow down your computer [source: AV-Test performance scores]
• Covers up to 10 devices on all plans
• Advanced threat protection, anti-phishing, firewall, file shredder
• Higher plans: Identity theft protection up to $2 million insurance

This is one of the few antiviruses I’d actually recommend standalone.

The VPN: 200MB/Day Limit (Are You Fucking Kidding Me?)

Here’s where Bitdefender takes a great product and ruins it:

• 200MB per day limit on the “included” VPN [source: Bitdefender VPN terms]
• Want unlimited? Pay extra for Bitdefender Premium VPN

What can you do with 200MB in 2025?

• Stream YouTube: ~20 minutes of 480p video
• Stream Spotify: ~2-3 hours of music
• Download a Windows update: Nope, that’s 500MB-2GB
• Stream Netflix: ~15 minutes of SD quality

That’s absolutely insulting.

Bitdefender is basically saying “here’s a VPN, but you can’t actually use it, so pay us more money.”

The pricing:

The math:

• Year 1: $99.99
• Year 2+: $239.99/year (140% increase)
• And you STILL get the gimped 200MB VPN

[Source: Bitdefender pricing]

Reddit on the 200MB limit:

“200MB is a joke. That’s not a VPN, that’s a demo.”

My take: Bitdefender’s antivirus is genuinely excellent. Buy it standalone if you can find it without the VPN. Their VPN strategy is pure upsell bullshit.

Better approach:

• Bitdefender antivirus standalone (if available) + ProtonVPN
• Or just buy ESET NOD32 ($40/year) + ProtonVPN ($48/year) = $88/year total

5. Kaspersky: Russian Ownership Controversy

The Antivirus: Technically Excellent

Kaspersky’s protection is top-tier:

• 100% malware detection (zero-day and known threats) [source: AV-Test]
• Very low system impact [source: AV-Comparatives performance tests]
• Anti-phishing, firewall, performance optimization
• Online payment protection (secure browser for banking)

The VPN: Actually Decent

Kaspersky’s VPN is surprisingly good:

• 2,000+ servers in 30 countries
• Rated “fastest VPN in the world” in 2019-2020 [source: PCMag speed tests]
• No-log policy, automatic kill switch, IP masking
• Works for geo-restricted content

The Dealbreaker: Russian Ownership

Here’s the elephant in the room:

• Founded in Russia by Eugene Kaspersky [source: Company history]
• Banned by US government agencies due to national security concerns [source: DHS directive 2017]
• Allegations of ties to Russian intelligence (denied by Kaspersky) [source: News reports]

My opinion: The software works. Technically, it’s excellent. But trusting a Russian company with BOTH your antivirus (which scans all your files) AND your VPN (which sees all your internet traffic)?

In my opinion, that’s questionable as fuck.

The math:

Year 1 is discounted 50%, then doubles.

[Source: Kaspersky pricing]

My take: If you’re okay with Russian ownership, the product is technically excellent. I’m not comfortable recommending it.

Better approach: ESET (European company) or Bitdefender (Romanian).

The VPN Companies Selling You Untested Antivirus

Now let’s flip it: VPN companies are experts at VPNs. Most of them are new to antivirus and it shows.

1. Surfshark One: Owned by Nord (Fake Competition)

The VPN: Technically Functional, Owned by Liars

Surfshark’s VPN specs look good on paper:

• 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
• Unlimited devices (generous)
• Works for Netflix, Disney+, streaming
• Multi-hop (connect through 2 servers), kill switch, claimed no-log policy
• Fast speeds, WireGuard protocol support

But here’s what matters: Surfshark markets itself as an independent competitor to NordVPN. It’s the same fucking company playing WWE-level fake competition. If they’ll lie about who owns them, what else are they lying about?

The Antivirus: Too New to Trust

Surfshark One (VPN + antivirus bundle) problems:

• Antivirus added in 2022 - not enough long-term testing [source: Surfshark One announcement]
• No independent AV-Test or AV-Comparatives certifications yet
• Real-time malware prevention, anti-phishing (good features) but unproven track record

The Hidden Scam: Owned by Nord Security

Here’s what they don’t advertise loudly:

• Surfshark is owned by Nord Security (same company as NordVPN) [source: Merger announcement 2022]
• They’re “competing” with themselves
• It’s fake competition - WWE-level performance

The pitch: “Choose between Surfshark and NordVPN!” The reality: Same company, cosplaying as rivals.

Deep dive: Read my VPN monopoly map to see who really owns your VPN.

The pricing:

$3.48/mo for 24 months = $83.52 total for 2 years, then renews at higher price.

[Source: Surfshark One pricing]

My take: Surfshark’s VPN works, but a company that lies about fake competition with NordVPN (same owner) isn’t trustworthy. Their antivirus is too new - I’d want to see 3-5 years of independent testing. Combine dishonest marketing with untested antivirus? Hard pass.

Better approach: ProtonVPN ($48/year) + ESET NOD32 ($40/year) = $88/year for proven products.

2. Private Internet Access (PIA): Owned by Ex-Malware Company

The VPN: Fast Speeds, Poisonous Ownership

PIA’s VPN technical specs are meaningless when you know who owns it:

• Servers in 84 countries - Owned by ex-malware company
• Rated “fastest VPN” by PCMag [source: PCMag review] - Still owned by ex-malware company
• Up to 10 simultaneous devices - You guessed it, owned by ex-malware company
• OpenVPN + WireGuard, claimed no-log policy, kill switch, split-tunneling
• Ad-blocking (ironic from a company that distributed adware)

None of this matters when the company that sees ALL your internet traffic used to distribute malware for profit.

The Antivirus: Only $1 Extra (Cheapest Option)

PIA’s antivirus add-on:

• $1/month extra on the 36-month plan (cheapest on this entire list)
• Real-time malware protection, automatic scanning
• But here’s the problem…

The Dealbreaker: Owned by Kape Technologies (Ex-Malware Company)

This is the nuclear-level problem:

• PIA is owned by Kape Technologies (acquired 2019) [source: Acquisition announcement]
• Kape was formerly called Crossrider - a company that distributed adware and malware [source: Malwarebytes 2015 report]
• Malwarebytes literally flagged Crossrider software as malware

Let me be clear: Trusting a company that used to distribute malware with your antivirus AND your VPN is like hiring an arsonist as your fire chief.

I don’t care if it’s only $1. Hard pass.

Want the full story? Read my ExpressVPN exposé about how Kape (ex-malware company) bought ExpressVPN for $936 million.

The pricing:

$1.79/mo × 36 months = $64.44 + $1/mo antivirus = ~$100 total for 3 years.

[Source: PIA pricing]

Reddit on Kape ownership:

“PIA used to be recommended. Then Kape bought them. Now it’s sketchy as hell.”

My take: In my opinion, giving a company with a history of distributing malware access to both your device security AND your internet traffic is absolutely insane.

I don’t care that PIA’s VPN “works” or that it’s fast. Kape (ex-Crossrider) distributed malware, got flagged by Malwarebytes, rebranded, then bought VPN companies to gain access to private internet traffic. That’s not a redemption arc - that’s a damn horror movie.

Better approach: Literally anything else. ProtonVPN or Mullvad for VPN. ESET or Bitdefender for antivirus. Even Norton’s mediocre VPN is better than trusting Kape.

3. NordVPN: Just Added Antivirus (Too New)

Try NordVPN (Somewhat Shady Past - But Really Good)

The VPN: Excellent (Despite Past Breach)

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs now:

• 5,200+ servers in 59 countries
• Fast speeds, reliable connections
• Works for Netflix, Disney+, all major streaming
• No-log policy (audited), automatic kill switch, split-tunneling
• I make ~$60/sale from NordVPN and I still recommend it for VPN-only

The shady past: NordVPN had a server breach in 2018 that they didn’t disclose for a year [full story: NordVPN breach exposed]. They’ve since improved security (independent audits, upgraded infrastructure), but the delayed disclosure was sketchy as hell.

The Antivirus: Added in 2023 (Brand New)

NordVPN’s antivirus problems:

• Only added in 2023 - barely tested [source: NordVPN threat protection announcement]
• “Threat Protection” scans downloads, blocks malicious sites, anti-tracker
• No independent AV-Test or AV-Comparatives certifications yet
• Norton, Bitdefender, ESET have decades of experience. NordVPN has months.

My take: NordVPN is excellent at VPN. They’re new to antivirus. Would you trust your computer’s security to a company that just started making antivirus a year ago? Or to Norton/ESET/Bitdefender with 20+ years of experience?

The pricing:

$2.99/mo for first 2 years, then ~$11.96/mo after.

[Source: NordVPN pricing]

Better approach:

• NordVPN VPN-only plan ($48/year) + ESET NOD32 ($40/year) = $88/year
• Or ProtonVPN ($48/year) + ESET = Same price, better antivirus

What You Should Actually Do Instead

Alright, enough calling out bullshit. Here’s what actually works.

For Antivirus (Low CPU Impact, Actually Protects You)

Not everyone has a gaming rig. Some of you are running Windows on a laptop from 2015. You need antivirus that doesn’t kill your system.

Top picks for low resource usage:

1. ESET NOD32 ($40-50/year)

   • Lowest system impact of any antivirus [source: AV-Comparatives performance tests]
   • Excellent malware detection
   • No bloat, no unnecessary features
   • [Buy direct from ESET]

2. Bitdefender (standalone antivirus)

   • 100% malware detection, very low CPU usage [sources: AV-Test, AV-Comparatives]
   • Covers up to 10 devices
   • Don’t buy the bundle with gimped VPN

3. Kaspersky (if you’re comfortable with Russian ownership)

   • Excellent protection, low system impact
   • Just… Russian ownership controversy
   • Your call

4. Microsoft Defender (FREE, built into Windows)

   • Doesn’t suck anymore (shocking)
   • Integrated into Windows, well-optimized
   • Free
   • Protection lags slightly behind paid options in some tests [source: AV-Test]
   • But for most people, it’s good enough

5. Avira (cloud-based, very light)

   • Cloud scanning reduces local system load
   • Free tier available
   • Paid version has more features

For 99% of people: ESET NOD32 or Microsoft Defender (free).

For VPN (Actually Good, Not Bundled Mediocrity)

Related: Not sure if you even need a VPN? Read Do I Need a VPN? to find out if you’re solving a problem that doesn’t exist.

1. ProtonVPN ($48/year)

   • Swiss privacy laws (better than US/UK/Panama)
   • Legitimate no-log policy (audited)
   • Works for streaming
   • I make ~$25/sale
   • Get ProtonVPN (Swiss Privacy)
   • Full review: ProtonVPN Review

2. Mullvad ($60/year - €5/month)

   • Anonymous signup (no email required)
   • Accepts cash by mail
   • Open-source, audited
   • If privacy is your #1 concern, this is it
   • [Buy from Mullvad]

3. NordVPN (VPN-only plan) ($48-72/year depending on deal)

   • Massive server network (5,200+)
   • Fast, reliable
   • Works for all streaming services
   • I make ~$60/sale
   • Just get VPN-only, not the antivirus bundle
   • Get NordVPN (VPN Only)

The Math: Bundle vs. Separate

Bundle approach (Norton 360 Standard):

• Year 1: $39.99
• Year 2+: $84.99/year
• 5-year cost: $379.95
• You get: Good antivirus + mediocre VPN

Separate approach:

• ESET NOD32: $40/year
• ProtonVPN: $48/year
• Total: $88/year
• 5-year cost: $440
• You get: Excellent antivirus + excellent VPN

Difference: $60 more over 5 years for WAY better products. That’s $12/year. Worth it.

When Bundles MIGHT Make Sense (Rare Cases)

I’m trying to be fair here. There are like 3 situations where bundles aren’t completely stupid:

1. You only need VPN occasionally (public WiFi protection at coffee shops, not daily use)

   • Norton or McAfee might work
   • If VPN is just a “nice to have,” the mediocre bundled one might be fine

2. You’re buying Bitdefender Premium anyway (with unlimited VPN, not the 200MB gimped version)

   • The unlimited VPN version uses WireGuard, actually decent
   • But costs more

3. You’re extremely lazy and hate managing multiple subscriptions

   • One subscription is simpler than two
   • Convenience tax is real

For everyone else: Buy separately.

Quick Comparison: Top Options

My Personal Recommendation (No Bullshit)

For most people:

• Antivirus: ESET NOD32 ($40/year)
• VPN: ProtonVPN ($48/year)
• Total: $88/year

For privacy paranoids:

• Antivirus: ESET NOD32 or Bitdefender standalone
• VPN: Mullvad ($60/year)
• Total: $100/year

For budget-conscious:

• Antivirus: Microsoft Defender (free, built into Windows)
• VPN: ProtonVPN free tier or pay for ProtonVPN
• Total: $0-48/year

Not recommended: Any antivirus+VPN bundle (except maybe Bitdefender Premium with unlimited VPN, but it’s expensive).

Caveats: What They Don’t Tell You About Bundles

When you combine antivirus + VPN, several things add overhead and hidden costs:

1. VPN Usage Slows Everything Down

The reality:

• VPN adds latency (ping increases)
• Internet speeds drop (especially upload)
• Worse on distant servers, high encryption overhead
• If the bundled VPN uses slower protocols, even more CPU load

Sources: [VPN speed impact analysis], [Protocol overhead comparison]

2. Background Scanning + VPN = Resource Hog

The reality:

• Antivirus: Real-time scanning, heuristics, firewall running
• VPN: Encryption, traffic routing, protocol overhead
• Combined: Your CPU is doing a lot

Especially bad on older computers.

3. Tier Restrictions (The Upsell)

The reality:

• “Free VPN included” often means:
  • Data caps (Bitdefender’s 200MB/day)
  • Fewer server locations
  • Fewer devices
  • Missing features (no split-tunneling, no kill switch)
• Want the full VPN? Pay more.

4. Feature Trade-Offs

Bundled VPNs often lack:

• Advanced server selection (specific cities, specialty servers)
• Custom DNS settings
• Port forwarding
• WireGuard protocol (some use older OpenVPN only)
• Dedicated IP options
• If you need these, buy a real VPN.

5. Cost Increases

Bundles with “unlimited” or full-feature VPN cost significantly more:

• Norton 360 Standard (with VPN): $84.99/year after Year 1
• Bitdefender Premium (unlimited VPN): $239.99/year after Year 1
• You’re paying for the convenience of one subscription, not saving money

🔍 Verify This Yourself

Don’t trust me. Verify everything:

Antivirus Protection Claims

• AV-Test.org: [Independent malware detection testing]
• AV-Comparatives: [Real-world protection tests]
• Performance impact tests: [AV-Comparatives performance scores]

VPN Claims

• Norton VPN limitations: [Norton support docs]
• Bitdefender 200MB limit: [Bitdefender VPN terms]
• McAfee VPN streaming issues: [Reddit user reports]

Ownership & Controversy Claims

• Kape/Crossrider malware history: [Malwarebytes 2015 report]
• Surfshark owned by Nord: [Merger announcement 2022]
• Kaspersky US government ban: [DHS directive 2017]
• PIA acquired by Kape: [Acquisition announcement]

Pricing Claims

• Norton pricing: [Official pricing page]
• McAfee pricing: [Official pricing]
• Bitdefender pricing: [Official pricing]
• TotalAV pricing: [Official pricing]
• Kaspersky pricing: [Official pricing]

My Commission Claims

• ProtonVPN affiliate: I make ~$25/sale ([Proton affiliate program])
• NordVPN affiliate: I make ~$60/sale ([Nord affiliate info])
• Mullvad: $0 - [Mullvad doesn’t have affiliate program]
• ESET: $0 - can’t find affiliate program
• Bitdefender standalone: $0 - no active affiliate program for me currently

Test It Yourself

• Most antivirus software offers:
  • 7-30 day free trials
  • 30-day money-back guarantees
• Sign up, test the VPN, test the antivirus, cancel if it sucks.

Questions & Answers

Do I need both antivirus and VPN?

Short answer: Yes, if you care about security and privacy.

Long answer:

• Antivirus protects your device from malware, viruses, ransomware [source: How antivirus works]
• VPN protects your internet traffic from ISP monitoring, public WiFi snooping, geo-blocking [source: How VPNs work]
• They protect different things. You need both.

Does a VPN protect against viruses?

No. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic. It doesn’t scan files for malware. If you download a virus through a VPN, you still get infected.

Source: [VPN vs Antivirus comparison]

Is a VPN better than antivirus?

No, they’re not comparable. It’s like asking “is a seatbelt better than brakes?”

• Antivirus: Protects your device from malware
• VPN: Protects your internet traffic from monitoring/interception
• You need both.

What is the best antivirus with VPN included?

Honest answer: None of them are best. Buy separately.

If you insist on a bundle:

• Bitdefender Premium (with unlimited VPN, not the 200MB version) - expensive but both products are decent
• Norton 360 if you only need VPN occasionally - good antivirus, mediocre VPN

Better answer: ESET NOD32 ($40/year) + ProtonVPN ($48/year) = $88/year for better products.

Final Verdict: Skip the Bundles

The bottom line:

Antivirus companies are good at antivirus. Most suck at VPNs.

VPN companies are good at VPNs. Most are too new to trust with antivirus.

Bundles give you:

• Mediocre VPN you wouldn’t buy standalone
• Or untested antivirus from a company that just started making it
• Higher renewal prices
• Feature limitations (data caps, tier restrictions)

Buying separately gives you:

• Best antivirus from companies with 20+ years experience
• Best VPN from companies that specialize in it
• $88-100/year total vs. $85/year for bundles
• $3-15/year more for WAY better products

My recommendation:

• Antivirus: ESET NOD32 ($40/year)
• VPN: ProtonVPN ($48/year)
• Total: $88/year

Or if you’re a privacy paranoid:

• Antivirus: ESET or Bitdefender standalone
• VPN: Mullvad ($60/year)

More VPN truth bombs:

• The Complete VPN Bullshit Glossary - Every VPN lie decoded
• VPN Monopoly Map - Who really owns your VPN
• Military-Grade Encryption Lies - Why this phrase is bullshit
• 5/9/14 Eyes Jurisdiction Bullshit - Panama PO boxes don’t protect you
• How to Cancel Your Shit VPN - Escape plan for bad VPNs

Legal Note: This review contains both documented facts (linked to sources) and my personal opinions based on those facts. All opinions are clearly marked as such. I am not a cybersecurity professional, and this is not professional security advice. Do your own research using the sources provided.

Affiliate disclosure: I make money from NordVPN (~$60/sale), Norton (~$40/sale), Bitdefender (~$30/sale), ProtonVPN (~$25/sale), McAfee (~$20/sale), and nothing from ESET or Mullvad because they don’t have affiliate programs. I rank by value instead of commission.