Antivirus with a VPN: when the bundle is worth it — and when it isn't
Most big security suites now include a VPN in at least some plans. Whether that's a bargain depends on what you'd actually use a VPN for.
Short answer
Only if you'd actually use the VPN. A bundled VPN is good value when it replaces one you'd otherwise pay for — regular public Wi-Fi or travel. Bundled VPNs often have fewer features than standalone services and may be limited to higher tiers or capped, so compare the renewal price and what the VPN includes on your plan.
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A VPN used to be a separate subscription. Today the major consumer security suites fold one into some of their plans, and the bundle is often the headline of the marketing. It can be genuinely good value — or a feature you pay for every year and never switch on. The difference comes down to how you use the internet.
What a VPN does, in one paragraph
A VPN encrypts the connection between your device and the VPN provider, so the network you're on — café Wi-Fi, a hotel, your internet provider — can't see what you're doing. It also changes the location websites see. It does not stop malware, phishing pages or scam calls; that's the antivirus's job. Our guide to what a VPN protects covers the limits in more detail.
Do Norton, McAfee, TotalAV, Avast and Avira include a VPN?
- Norton — a VPN is bundled in its higher tiers.
- TotalAV — Total VPN is included in the Internet Security and Total Security plans, not the entry plan.
- McAfee — higher tiers commonly bundle a VPN alongside identity monitoring.
- Avast — paid tiers add scam protection, a VPN and clean-up tools.
- Avira — even the free tier includes a VPN, capped at 500 MB a month on desktop; Avira Prime includes it with unlimited data.
Exactly which tier includes the VPN, on how many devices and with what limits changes over time — confirm it on the plan page for the tier you're actually buying.
Where bundled VPNs tend to fall short
- Fewer features than dedicated VPN services — server choice, protocols or split tunnelling can be limited.
- Some plans include the VPN only in higher tiers, or cap data in lower ones.
- The VPN's device limit may differ from the antivirus licence.
- Streaming and torrenting support varies and is rarely the bundle's focus.
- A VPN sees your traffic, so its logging policy deserves the same scrutiny as a standalone service's.
When the bundle is worth it
- You want protection on public Wi-Fi now and then — travel, cafés, hotels.
- You value one app, one bill and one renewal date over the best possible VPN.
- You weren't going to pay for a separate VPN anyway, so the bundled one is a free upgrade in practice.
When a standalone VPN is the better buy
- You use a VPN every day, stream through it or need many server locations.
- You want specific features such as split tunnelling, dedicated IPs or a particular protocol.
- You'd rather your VPN didn't disappear if you switch antivirus at renewal time.
How to compare bundles
- Write down what you'd use a VPN for — that decides whether a basic bundled VPN is enough.
- Check that the VPN is included in the exact tier you're considering, and on how many devices.
- Look for any data cap on that tier.
- Read the bundled VPN's logging policy.
- Compare the renewal price of the bundle with antivirus plus a separate VPN — not just the first-year prices.
A bundled VPN is a good deal only if you'd use it. Price the renewal, not the promise.
Sources · checked 14 Oct 2026
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