5 Best Antivirus Software With FREE s

Reading time: 19 min

First published: Jan 21, 2021

Updated 10 times since publishing

Safeguarding your children’s online activity is important because kids spend a lot of time online nowadays, and many school activities like tests are also conducted online. Plus, while the internet has lots of useful information, it also has plenty of harmful content.

As someone well-versed in antivirus solutions, particularly in the realm of s, I have undertaken comprehensive testing of various antivirus programs to pinpoint the most efficient choices for safeguarding your children’s online activities. During my assessments, I meticulously handpicked the antivirus software that excels in not only protecting your devices from malware but also provides a suite of robust features. With these selected antivirus solutions, you can securely protect your kids while upholding the overall security of your devices.

Norton stood out as the best antivirus with s in my tests. It offers 100% malware detection and many ways to protect your children, like location tracking, web filtering, app filtering, and more. Best of all, you can try Norton completely risk-free because it’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Try Norton’s s risk-free

Quick Guide: Best Antiviruses With 100% Free s

  1. Try Norton risk-free.
  2. McAfee — Effectively safeguards kids with its Safe Family s, but it gets more expensive after the first year.
  3. Intego — Provides a feature-rich suite with chat monitoring, but it’s only available on Mac.
  4. Bitdefender — Offers geofencing and other advanced s but doesn’t detect 100% of real-time malware.
  5. Panda — Has content filtering and anti-theft features but lacks advanced tools.

Try Norton risk-free for 60 days

Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

The Best Antivirus Software With Free s — Fully Tested in 2025

1. Norton — Best Overall Antivirus With Airtight Security and Effective s

Key Features:

  • Safeguards kids with GPS tracking, content filters, and more.
  • Blocks 100% of real-time cyber threats.
  • Has various additional security features like cloud storage and a built-in VPN.
  • Provides 24/7 live chat and phone .
  • Offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Norton is easily the best antivirus with s. It offers industry-leading malware detection to block cyber threats and effective s to safeguard your children. It provides s via its Norton Family app, which is simple to navigate and set up.

You can easily set up Norton’s s within minutes
You can easily set up Norton’s s within minutes

In my tests, I found that Norton’s s provide multiple ways to protect your kids. It offers various restriction levels based on age, or you can adjust the settings manually. You can use Norton’s s to protect your kids in the following ways:

  • Set screen time limits so your kids don’t spend too much time online.
  • Block access to inappropriate apps and websites.
  • Filter search engine content to protect your kids against dangerous results.
  • Monitor videos watched on YouTube.
  • Track their location and keep them safe with geofencing.

Norton also provides a QR code that sends you straight to the app page, thus letting you easily install Norton Family on all your kids’ devices.

The security app also provides industry-leading security. Norton’s scans and real-time security find and remove 100% of malware, thus keeping you and your kids’ devices safe against all cyber threats. You’ll also get a customizable firewall, encrypted cloud storage, and a built-in VPN for added layers of protection.

Norton’s customer is among its biggest highlights. It only took a minute to connect to a live chat agent whenever I needed help, and they always provided helpful answers to my questions.

You can subscribe to Norton for as low as /year. However, its s are only available in the /year Deluxe plan and onwards. Its plans include the following:

  • Antivirus Plus — provides Norton’s core antivirus, 2GB of cloud storage (in the US), and manager for 1 device.
  • 360 Standard — includes Norton’s VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, the features in Antivirus Plus, and protects up to 3 devices.
  • 360 Deluxe — provides Norton’s s, Privacy Monitor, the features in 360 Standard, and protection for up to 5 devices. Also, this plan increases the cloud storage to 50GB (in the US).
  • 360 Select — offers protection for up to 10 devices, Norton’s ID theft protection, 250GB of cloud storage (in the US), and all the features in 360 Deluxe.

The Deluxe plan is the best choice because it offers Norton’s s and important security features. You can try Norton risk-free regardless of your plan. It’s backed by a 60-day money-day guarantee, and claiming a refund is easy. I had my money back in just 5 days when I requested a refund via live chat after my tests.

Protect your kids with Norton

2. McAfee — Provides Reliable s and Well-Rounded Security Against Malware

Key Features:

  • Protects kids with effective Safe Family s.
  • Detects 100% of zero-day malware and real-time threats.
  • Offers a highly customizable built-in firewall.
  • Provides 24/7 live chat and phone .
  • Has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

McAfee’s Safe Family app includes various useful features. I used Safe Family to block inappropriate apps, filter websites, and limit screen time. Best of all, it only took a few minutes to and set up, and I had the app running on my kids’ devices in minutes.

Screenshot of McAfee's Safe Family s
You can easily monitor your kids’ online activities with McAfee’s s

I learned during tests that McAfee’s s let you easily track your kid’s location. The location tool sends notifications when your child reaches specified locations, and a geofencing feature immediately informs you if your child exits a certain area.

McAfee also provides reliable security against malware. I found that McAfee detects and blocks 100% of real-time threats from infecting your system. Plus, it offers the following for added security:

  • WebAdvisor — blocks malicious websites to protect you against infections.
  • Firewall — defends you against unauthorized connections and provides many customization options.
  • Built-in VPN — secures your online activity with AES 256-bit encryption.

McAfee offers 24/7 live chat, phone , and a helpful community forum. Its live chat is helpful but slower than Norton’s because connecting to an agent takes a few minutes.

You can subscribe to any of the following plans if you get McAfee:

  • Total Protection Plus — has McAfee’s core antivirus, firewall, manager, web protection, ID monitoring, file shredder, VPN, and protection for up to 5 devices.
  • McAfee+ — includes McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup scans, everything in Total Protection Plus, and protects up to 10 devices.
  • McAfee+ Advanced — offers McAfee’s lost wallet protection, full-service Personal Data Cleanup, $1M ID theft coverage, monthly credit reports, and all the features in
  • McAfee+ Ultimate — provides McAfee’s s, credit lock, daily credit reports, $25K ransomware coverage, and everything in McAfee+ Advanced.

You can get McAfee for as low as /year, but the s are only available in its McAfee+ Ultimate individual plan. However, the family variants of McAfee+ Advanced or also include s.

Regardless of your plan, you can try McAfee risk-free. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try all its features risk-free. Getting a refund is slightly harder than it is for Norton, but it only took a 5-minute phone call. I had my money back 7 days after confirming my refund.

Protect your kids with McAfee

3. Intego — Provides Excellent s and Security for macOS Devices

Key Features:

  • Has advanced features like the anti-predator function.
  • Blocks all zero-day malware and real-time threats.
  • Includes an intuitive 2-way firewall for effective security.
  • Offers live chat, phone, and email .
  • Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Intego provides reliable s with various configuration options to safeguard your kids. It provides greater control over what your children can access online. However, setting up Intego’s s takes longer than the other options on this list.

Intego’s ContentBarrier offers various ways to keep your kids safe
Intego’s ContentBarrier offers various ways to keep your kids safe

Intego also lets you screen-record your kids’ activity and monitor keystrokes to ensure your kids aren’t sending inappropriate messages.

During tests, Intego successfully detected and quarantined 100% of real-time threats and zero-day malware. Plus, its 2-way firewall monitors incoming and outgoing traffic to protect your system. Unfortunately, Intego only works on macOS, meaning you can’t use it to secure other platforms.

I was also pleased with Intego’s customer . I connected with a live chat agent within seconds whenever I needed help, and they always provided helpful answers.

You can get Intego for as low as $19.99/year, and its plans include the following:

  • Mac Internet Security — includes Intego’s core antivirus features and firewall.
  • Mac Security and Performance — provides the features in Internet security and offers Intego’s optimization features.
  • Mac Bundle — has all the above features and includes Intego’s s and personal backup.

You should get Intego’s /year Mac Bundle because it includes all the app’s security features and s. Best of all, you can try Intego risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s easy to claim a refund, and I had my money back within 10 days of requesting mine.

Protect your kids with Intego

4. Bitdefender — Feature-Rich Antivirus With Reliable s

Key Features:

  • Stops 99.7% of real-time threats and zero-day malware.
  • Provides an excellent suite with features like geofencing.
  • Improves protection via SafePay and other security features.
  • Has 24/7 live chat, email , and phone .
  • Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bitdefender is a feature-rich antivirus with excellent s. You can easily use it to protect your kids’ Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. However, some features like screen time tracking, website filtering, and application filtering don’t work on iOS devices.

Bitdefender’s suite has various tools to protect your children

Bitdefender’s suite has various tools to protect your children

In my tests, I was impressed with the various tools Bitdefender provides to protect children. You can block unsafe apps and websites, set screen time limits, track your kids’ location, and more. Also, you can access your kids’ list to see if they have any suspicious s added.

This app also provides reliable malware detection. Bitdefender successfully blocked 99.7% of real-time threats before they infected my system. However, it’s less effective than Norton’s flawless 100% detection. You’ll also get other security features, including:

  • SafePay — provides a secure environment for you to bank and shop online.
  • Firewall — serves as your network’s first line of defense.
  • Built-in VPN — secures your browsing activity with AES 256-bit encryption.

You can get Bitdefender for as low as $24.99/year, and it currently offers the following plans:

  • Antivirus Plus — has Bitdefender’s core antivirus features, VPN (200MB/day), and offers protection for 1 device (Windows only).
  • Internet Security — includes Bitdefender s, Privacy Firewall, protection for 3 Windows devices, and all the features in Antivirus Plus.
  • Total Security — has everything in Internet Security, Bitdefender’s optimization tools, and protection for up to 5 devices (all platforms).
  • Security — offers Bitdefender’s manager, unlimited VPN, protection for 10 devices, and all of Total Security’s features.
  • Ultimate Security — provides everything in Security and includes Bitdefender’s ID monitoring.

I advise getting Bitdefender’s Total Security Plan for $40.99/year because it includes s and offers the best overall value. Of course, you can try Bitdefender risk-free, regardless of your plan. I even tested its refund policy and got my money back within 5 days of requesting a refund.

Protect your kids with Bitdefender

5. Panda — Includes Effective Real-Time Security and Easy-To-Use s

Key Features:

  • Has a 100% detection rate against zero-day malware.
  • Includes s that help filter dangerous websites and protect kids.
  • Helps track stolen devices with its useful anti-theft tool
  • Offers live chat and email .
  • Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Panda provides easy-to-use s that you can set up within minutes. To use Panda’s s, simply click the s icon, configure the settings, and that’s it.

During tests, Panda’s s effectively filtered unsafe websites. You can easily block entire website categories to protect your kids from inappropriate adult or gambling sites. Also, you’ll get notifications if your kids try to access blocked sites. Unfortunately, Panda’s s are Windows-only and aren’t as feature-rich as the other apps on the list, but they’re suitable for basic protection.

It’s not exactly a feature, but you can use Panda’s anti-theft feature to monitor your kids’ location. There’s also an Application Control function that lets you block certain apps.

Panda also had an impressive 100% real-time malware detection rate in my tests. It successfully stopped all zero-day malware from infecting my system and has features like a firewall, web protection, and a built-in VPN for added security.

You can get Panda for as low as $22.50/year and can choose from the following plans:

  • Essential — includes Panda’s antivirus features, WiFi protection, and VPN (150MB/day).
  • Advanced — has Panda’s s, ID protection, and everything in Essential.
  • Complete — offers Panda’s optimization tools, manager, and all of Advanced’s features.
  • — provides Panda’s priority customer , unlimited VPN, and all the features in Complete.

You’ll get the best value for money with Panda’s plan. For $40.50/year it has Panda’s s and other vital security features. Also, you can try Panda risk-free because of its 30-day money-back guarantee. Claiming refunds is easy via web form, and I had my money back within 8 days of asking for a refund.

Protect your kids with Panda

Some Antiviruses That Didn’t Make the Cut

The following antiviruses provide good protection against malware but couldn’t make this list because they don’t have s:

1. TotalAV

TotalAV is a top antivirus with excellent real-time malware detection and many additional security features. It’s also among the best antiviruses with a built-in VPN, but its lack of s means it couldn’t make the cut.

2. Microsoft Defender

Although Windows’ built-in antivirus provides adequate security, I don’t recommend it because it doesn’t have proper s. Microsoft Defender offers basic app filtering, web filtering, and screen time restrictions. Unfortunately, it’s missing the advanced s needed to ensure your kids’ safety.

Quick Comparison Table: 2025’s Best Antiviruses With s

Real-Time Detection Rate Web filtering Geofencing Screen Time Limiting Lowest Price Money-back Guarantee
Norton 100% ✔ ✔ ✔ 60 days
McAfee 100% ✔ ✔ ✔ 30 days
Intego 100% ✔ ✘ ✔ $19.99 30 days
Bitdefender 99.7% ✔ ✔ ✔ $24.99 30 days
Panda 100% ✔ ✘ ✘ $22.50 30 days

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Install & Use an Antivirus With s

  1. Subscribe to an antivirus with s — I suggest you get Norton to protect your kids as it offers effective s.
    Screenshot showing how to choose one of Norton's plans
  2. Norton — Norton from its web portal after subscribing to it.
    Screenshot showing how to Norton's setup from the web portal
  3. Install Norton — Run the setup to install Norton.
    Screenshot showing Norton's setup in progress on Windows
  4. Access the s — Access the s menu at the bottom of Norton’s main menu.
    Screenshot showing how to access Norton's s
  5. Create your kids’ profile — Set up your kids’ profiles in the s menu and the app on their devices.
    Screenshot showing how to create a child profile for Norton's s
  6. Enable s on your kids’ devices — Follow the prompts on the screen after installing Norton’s s to set up and enable them on your kids’ devices.
    Screenshot showing the various steps to setup Norton's s on your child's device

How I Tested and Ranked the Best Antiviruses With s

I used the following criteria to determine the best antiviruses with s:

  • suite — I chose antiviruses with a comprehensive parental suite that makes monitoring and managing your kids’ activity easy.
  • Real-time malware detection — I picked apps with effective real-time security to secure you and your kids’ devices against malware.
  • Web protection — I prioritized apps with reliable web protection to protect you and your kids from malicious websites.
  • Ease of use — I only chose antiviruses that are intuitive and easy to use.
  • Customer — I picked security apps with reliable customer to help you whenever needed.
  • Money-back guarantee — I found antiviruses with money-back guarantees, so you can test them completely risk-free.

Tips: Best Practices to Protect Your Family Online With s

Keeping the following tips in mind will help you effectively use your security app’s s to protect your family:

  1. Choose a top antivirus with reliable features like web filtering, app monitoring, time limits, and more.
  2. Set age-appropriate content filters to block inappropriate sites and apps based on your kid’s age.
  3. Monitor online activities and regularly check what sites, apps, and games your children access.
  4. Establish screen time limits to ensure they don’t spend too much time on their devices.
  5. Create individualized profiles for each kid with filters and restrictions based on their age and specific needs.
  6. Enable safe search filters so your kids don’t see inappropriate things during searches.

FAQ on Antiviruses With s

Do I really need to use s?

Yes, you need to use the s in your security app. There’s lots of disturbing and dangerous content online that isn’t appropriate for your children. Kids don’t actively seek out this content but can be targeted by scammers or online predators. Also, children are susceptible to screen-time addictions, which can impact their mental health.

What is the most effective for my family?

Ultimately, the most effective is you. However, several top antiviruses with excellent built-in s can help you protect your kids. While these tools can block inappropriate apps, filter dangerous websites, and limit screen time, you should know that kids can find a way around these rules. So, having age-appropriate conversations with your kids and setting digital safety rules together is best.

Can my kids deactivate their s?

Sometimes, yes. While top antiviruses have airtight s, tech-savvy kids often find their way around restrictions. Also, apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat use encrypted messaging, meaning even s can’t penetrate them. So, involving your kids while setting digital safety rules makes it less likely that they’ll by them.

What’s the benefit of using an antivirus with s?

Using a top antivirus with effective s gives your family 2 layers of security. First, you can protect your kids from predators, scammers, and inappropriate content on the internet. Second, you can protect your data and home network devices from malware and other cyber threats.

Safeguard your children with Norton

Protect Your Family Using an Antivirus With Reliable s

In conclusion, protecting your kids by using an antivirus with s is more important than ever. While traditional antiviruses provide effective security against malware, s are crucial to ensure your kids don’t access inappropriate content.

The antiviruses on this list include excellent s and provide reliable security against malware. So, you can use any of them to safeguard your kids while protecting their devices against malware and other cyber threats.

While every antivirus on this list is effective, Norton is the best antivirus to safeguard your kills while ensuring comprehensive security against malware. The top pick for me is due to its outstanding ability to detect malware, robust s, and exceptional customer . Best of all, you can try Norton completely risk-free for 60 days because of its money-back guarantee.

Summary — Best Software in 2025 To Protect Your Family

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research, and also take into your and our commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more

Wizcase was established in 2018 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Intego and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on Wizcase are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for s. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Osama Zahid
Written By Osama Zahid
Osama Zahid is a former Writer at WizCase. His forte is antivirus software, and he has written numerous reviews, comparisons, and guides on various cybersecurity products during his time at WizCase. Always on top of the latest software developments, he frequently runs tests to ensure that the information he presents is accurate and up-to-date. Prior to ing WizCase, Osama spent close to a decade writing about a wide range of topics, including AI, cybersecurity, computer hardware, and more. When he isn't sharing his expertise through his writing, he likes to polish his coding skills, head out for late-night runs, or immerse himself in his favorite games.
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