Best antivirus for multiple devices

Using multiple devices in a single household is common nowadays. Whether you have a large family or a company, you want to make sure all devices connected to the Wi-Fi you use are safe and protected. With multi-device antivirus software, you can keep all your devices from getting infected with threats and malware.

The best antivirus for multiple devices will allow you to use it on more than one device at the same time and provide all the essential security tools you need to keep them safe.

Not all antivirus software supports simultaneous connections. That’s why we tested several different programs and rounded up the best 5 multi-device antivirus software.

Top 5 best multi-device antivirus software

1. Norton 360 – Best antivirus for multiple devices in 2023
2. Bitdefender – Best multi-device antivirus for Windows PCs
3. TotalAV – Most user-friendly antivirus software for simultaneous connections
4. McAfee – Best multi-device antivirus for large families
5. Webroot – Most lightweight antivirus for multi-logins

The best antivirus software for multiple devices of 2023

Antivirus software for multiple devices are essential if there’s more than one device connected to your Wi-Fi. You can’t protect one and neglect the other ones because any one of them can infect the entire network. Here are the top 5 multi-device antivirus software of 2023:

1. Norton 360 – Best overall multi-device antivirus in 2023

Norton 360

1

9.5

/10

Visit Norton 360 >

Pros & cons

• All packages can be used on multiple operating systems
• Includes cloud storage for multiple devices
• Comes with dark web monitoring and a VPN

• Expensive

There are very few multi-device antivirus programs that are as well-known as Norton 360. Its most affordable product can be used on 3 devices of any operating system and includes most of the features the company is known for. You can use it on Windows, macOS, smartphones, and even tablets.

Norton 360 comes with advanced security features such as dark web monitoring, a VPN that can be used on multiple devices, and a password manager.

Dark web monitoring is an especially useful feature. It’ll scour the Internet and alert you if it finds any of your personal information online.

With the Standard package, you get 2 GB of cloud storage. The LifeLock Select package, which is the most expensive one, significantly increases the cloud storage capacity to 250 GB and includes advanced parental controls. It can be used on a total of 10 devices.

Norton 360 LifeLock Select lets you use it on 10 devices.

There’s no free version, but Norton 360 comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. You can get the Standard package for $39.99 per year.

2. Bitdefender – Affordable multi-device antivirus for Windows users

Bitdefender

1

9.6

/10

Visit Bitdefender >

Pros & cons

• Inexpensive multi-device antivirus software
• Built-in VPN can be used on multiple devices
• Entry-level package covers 3 Windows devices
• Has a free version

• Only one of the three packages run on multiple operating systems

Bitdefender’s entry-level version is affordable, can be used on 3 Windows devices at the same time, and comes with a myriad of virus protection features such as malware, spyware, and adware protection, an anti-tracker, anti-phishing, a VPN, and more. Bitdefender Premium Security can be used on any 10 devices and it’s a complete antivirus package with all the features the company has to offer.

There are multiple products Bitdefender offers and the most inexpensive one is Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. Keep in mind that it can only be used on Windows devices.

Bitdefender Premium Security is the only product that can be used on other operating systems.

You can use the built-in VPN to change your IP address and encrypt your online traffic. It has a daily data cap of 200 MB, but you can get more data for an additional fee.

The antivirus consistently receives high scores from independent testing labs such as AV-Test and it also performed well during our own tests, successfully managing to remove all malware and threats from our systems.

Bitdefender running on multiple devices. (Source: bitdefender.com)

Bitdefender is available for $24.99 per year. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. TotalAV – Best multi-device antivirus for beginners

TotalAV

1

9.7

/10

Visit TotalAV >

Pros & cons

• Comes with free additional licenses for multiple devices
• 100% compatible on all major operating systems
• Real-time antivirus protection available on all plans

• No VPN or ad blocker on the Pro version

TotalAV is a user-friendly multi-device antivirus that’s popular among beginners. It offers three products, all of which can be used on multiple devices and they come with free additional licenses. Its ease of use and advanced virus protection features have helped it earn a spot in many lists of best antivirus programs.

The entry-level product of TotalAV doesn’t have a VPN, a password manager, and an ad blocker, but you can use it on any operating system and it even has an app for Android and iOS. Its Android app makes it one of the best antivirus programs for Chromebook. 

All products offer real-time antivirus protection, PUA and ransomware protection, and various tools for optimizing your devices. They’re all fully compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

TotalAV is one of the most user-friendly antiviruses for multiple devices.

TotalAV’s price starts from $19 per year and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. McAfee – Multi-device antivirus that’s ideal for large families or companies

McAfee

1

9.4

/10

Visit McAfee >

Pros & cons

• Comes with a VPN that can be used on multiple devices
• Unlimited devices on all plans except McAfee Plus
• Includes a firewall that you can use on multiple devices

• VPN can be slow sometimes
• Expensive

McAfee is our fourth best multi-device antivirus software. All of its products except McAfee Plus allow you to use them on an unlimited number of devices. Packed with features like ransomware protection, anti-phishing, parental controls, a firewall, and identity monitoring, McAfee is perfect for big families or corporations.

The parental controls McAfee offers will let you track your children’s devices and block inappropriate content. Identity monitoring works the same way as Norton 360’s dark web monitoring, so you’ll always be notified if any personal information of yours is leaked.

You can use McAfee on unlimited devices.

McAfee is just as popular as Norton and has received multiple awards from independent testing labs over the years. All the packages also come with a VPN that can be used on multiple devices.

You can get McAfee’s most inexpensive plan for $39.99 per year with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Webroot – Light and fast antivirus for multiple devices

Webroot

1

8.9/10

Visit Webroot >

Pros & cons

• Lightweight antivirus for multiple devices
• Cloud-based multi-device antivirus
• 70-day money-back guarantee

• Doesn’t always score well in independent testing labs

Webroot is a lightweight antivirus for multiple devices. It covers a maximum of 5 devices and you can use it on Windows, macOS, Chromebook, Android, and iOS. A cloud-based antivirus, Webroot often ranks poorly in independent testing labs due to the uncommon methods it uses to scan for viruses. Nevertheless, it’s a great multi-device antivirus because of all the features it offers.

It uses a cloud-based virus scanner to detect, isolate, and eliminate any threat it finds. Your system will never slow down during a scan because it’s extremely light and doesn’t use too much RAM.

Anti-phishing tools, ransomware protection, and a firewall are present in all Webroot products. It also has custom-built protection for Chromebook and native apps for iOS and Android devices. Dark web monitoring is only available in the Premium package.

Webroot can be used on 5 devices at the same time.

Webroot for multiple devices starts at $35.99 per year. There’s no free version, but it has a 70-day money-back guarantee.

Comparison of the best multi-device antivirus

To help you easily understand the differences (and similarities) between the top 5 multi-device antivirus programs, we’ve added a table below:

Methodology: how we tested these antivirus programs

Testing antivirus programs on multiple devices can be a challenging task because of the sheer amount of programs that are available on the market. For the purpose of creating the list in this article, we tested around 30 antivirus programs on different devices and operating systems.

There were many things we considered while testing the virus protection tools. The most important one was the performance of the antivirus. We tried to see how it differed across platforms and if the program slowed down our system or not.

We also kept the rankings published by independent antivirus testing labs in mind during the testing process. These labs are quite reliable when it comes to antivirus rankings.

The features were another thing we considered during the testing. The Windows version of most antivirus programs tend to have more features than their macOS counterparts, so we had to make sure that no essential feature was dropped from other operating systems and platforms.

We wanted to make sure the antivirus programs on our list aren’t too complicated, so user-friendliness was another deciding factor.

Price was also important in helping us create this list. We know you want to protect your devices, but if you’re a casual user, then chances are you’re not willing to spend $100 per year on any antivirus software.

Do I really need antivirus for multiple devices?

Yes, you need antivirus for multiple devices because it’s important to protect every device that’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network you use. Devices owned by children are often more easily targeted and if you use the same Wi-Fi connection as them, your entire network (and devices connected to it) could be compromised.

Most antivirus programs have powerful parental controls you can use to keep your children’s devices safe from threats and malware. You can restrict their Internet usage and even monitor their activities.

Some even come with a built-in VPN, which is especially useful for multiple devices because it protects the entire network from online threats and cybersecurity risks.

Multi-device antivirus programs are perfect for families and companies who use the same Wi-Fi network because they keep all of their devices protected from malware, ransomware, phishing sites, and more.

How to install antivirus on multiple devices?

Installing an antivirus on multiple devices takes only a few seconds. Just follow the steps below:

1. Choose an antivirus from our list and buy a subscription of your choice for it.
2. We recommend Norton 360 because it has powerful features and can be used on 10 devices.
3. Download and install the antivirus on your devices.
4. Once the initial scan is finished, you’re ready to start using it!

Is there any free multi-device antivirus?

Yes, there are some free multi-device antivirus programs you can use, but they won’t have the same advanced virus protection features as paid ones.

Avira has a free version for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It includes a free VPN and a password manager, but to use any other feature, you have to upgrade to a premium plan. It’s won several awards by independent testing labs and is a great multi-device antivirus overall.

The biggest disadvantage of using free antivirus programs is that you don’t get advanced security features with them. Things like dark web monitoring, parental controls, and firewall are all incredibly effective security tools that are only available in premium antivirus programs.

We recommend using a paid antivirus software and taking advantage of the money-back guarantee. Norton 360 is one of the most powerful antivirus programs on the market and has a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, Norton 360 is the best antivirus for multiple devices. It’s received multiple awards from independent AV testing labs and you can use it on a maximum of 10 devices of all major operating systems.

Getting an antivirus for multiple devices is essential for families and companies so all of them can be protected. If they’re connected to the same Wi-Fi, then all devices need to have an antivirus to keep the entire network safe.

You can get a free antivirus like Avira, but there are a lot of features you’ll miss out on unless you upgrade to a premium plan. We always recommend buying premium antivirus software so you get the best protection and your data remains safe.