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Best for Robust Security
Best for Enhanced Firewall
Best Lightweight Protection
Our top pick for antivirus with firewall protection is Norton, which includes advanced features that protect against malware, viruses, and other threats. AVG, Webroot, and McAfee also offer solid antivirus solutions for home users interested in an antivirus plus firewall solution.
Antivirus software with a firewall is a great solution that adds multiple layers of security to your home network. Read on to find out which is the best for your home.
Compare the best firewall protection
Methodology
Norton 360: Best for robust security
AVG: Best for enhanced firewall
Webroot: Best lightweight protection
McAfee: Best for families
How to choose a firewall
Bottom line
FAQs
The best antivirus with firewall protection 2026
Compare the best firewall protection
| Antivirus |
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| Best for | Robust security | Enhanced firewall | Lightweight protection | Families |
| Star rating | ||||
| Max number of protected devices | Unlimited | 10 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Firewall | ||||
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | ||||
| 24/7 customer support | ||||
| Extras | Parental controls, dark web monitoring, cloud backup, software updater, and more | Sensitive Data Shield, Webcam protection, AntiTrack, WiFi scanner | Password manager, identity theft protection, VPN, cloud storage | VPN, password manager, identity theft protection, data removal services |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Starting price | Starts at $29.99/first yr | Free or $31.20/first yr | Starts at $29.99/first yr | Starts at $39.99/first yr |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 |
Get AVG |
Get Webroot |
Get McAfee |
How we tested the best antivirus software for home firewall protection
When evaluating antivirus programs for firewall protection, we looked at compatibility, price, ease of use, and reputation. We wanted to ensure we recommend software that is easy for anyone to use and can be configured with little to no advanced technical knowledge.
We also wanted it to work for a variety of operating systems and have several price points for any budget.
Finally, we only wanted to recommend software that is reputable and has third-party testing behind it. We want security providers who both know the history of the industry and are making strides forward in the next generation of protection.
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics.
This means our testing process ensures the product is easy to use, protects as promised, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would.
Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.
Norton 360: Best for robust security
What we liked
Performance: We like how thorough Norton 360 is regarding your security needs. It’s powerful, trusted, and has great third-party testing scores. That means that not only does it claim to be a great security product, but it can back those claims up with solid proof.
Third-party testing is important because it ensures that products do what they claim, and Norton always gets top scores.
Robust cybersecurity suite: Norton is a security suite that has something for everyone. If you’re single, there’s a Norton product for you. If you’re a multi-generational family, Norton 360 has you covered.
If you add LifeLock, you’ll have even more security, not just online but for your identity as well. That includes identity monitoring, credit monitoring, restoration services, and identity theft insurance.
Anywhere you fall with your needs, Norton has thought of a way to cover them. We can really appreciate a company with that much consideration of its users.
What we didn’t like
Pricey: All of that power and convenience comes at a cost. Norton’s not cheap, and renewal pricing can actually cost more than your initial annual price. That’s why it’s important to lock in Norton’s new customer pricing by choosing a multi-year plan.
Confusing plans: Because there’s something for everyone, it can be easy to get confused about which product to purchase. Norton’s advanced firewall is included with every Norton 360 product, although it’s not always listed on the features page. Confusing language like this could definitely be fixed.
Norton 360 specs
| Starting price | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | No |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 60 days for annual plan and 14 days for monthly plan |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, VPN, identity theft protection, dark web monitoring, and more |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 |
Test results
To see if Norton 360 is really as good as it claims, we also looked at test results from other independent testers. This gave us a better idea of how well Norton detects malware. We checked with AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs.
Norton received perfect scores across almost all of the third-party tests and with our in-house tests as well. It only received a less-than-perfect score in the AV-Comparatives malware protection test.
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| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.98% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Norton 360 |
Star rating summary
There’s no question that Norton is one of the best antivirus solutions, so its perfect scores across all categories are no surprise. With Norton, you'll receive a user-friendly dashboard, a wide range of pricing for any budget, and comprehensive features for antivirus and other cybersecurity needs.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 20% | 5.0 |
| Prices & value | 3% | 5.0 |
| Features | 22% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 40% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 3% | 5.0 |
AVG: Best for enhanced firewall
What we liked
Comprehensive firewall: AVG offers four categories of firewall protection: Apps, Networks, Logs, and Premium. Apps track active and inactive apps. With Networks, you can choose whether to trust connected networks.
The Logs feature records system activity and allows you to see which processes are running or have run so you can identify possible malware and block it. With Premium, you have increased security against data leaks, remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks, and address resolution protocol (ARP) attacks.
Real-time alerts: Although AVG has a higher price point for premium coverage, the paid plans offer robust, easy-to-use firewall security features. Plus, AVG sends security alerts to let you know what's happening in real-time.
Easy-to-understand subscriptions: We also love how uncomplicated AVG is with its subscription plans. There are three options. That’s it. You won’t have to worry if you’re getting the right thing because it’s all right there for you to see.
What we didn’t like
Limited free plan: AVG has a free product for security, but if you want an enhanced firewall, you’ll need to upgrade. Because AVG Antivirus Free is good for a budget, it doesn’t include a lot of extra features and only offers limited firewall protection.
Limited customer support options: Also, AVG’s customer support isn’t the most robust. There’s no phone number to call, and you either need to use their guides to troubleshoot or wait for an email response from a technician after submitting a ticket. This may be inconvenient.
AVG specs
| Starting price | $31.20/first yr |
| Free version | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | No |
| Extras | Ransomware protection, safe shopping and banking, phishing protection |
| Learn more | Get AVG |
Test results
To assess AVG's malware detection abilities, we reviewed scores from independent testers AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. We also tested AVG's ability to detect EICAR dummy files.
AVG received perfect scores across platforms for AV-TEST and almost perfect scores in the most recent AV-Comparatives and SE Labs tests. It also passed our in-house testing.
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| AV-TEST Windows score | 17.5/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.97% |
| SE Labs results | 99% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get AVG |
Star rating summary
AVG has a solid star rating of 5.0 and was deemed the best performance speed antivirus program. It received a perfect score in several categories because you can select a budget-friendly plan with a wide range of features or opt for its free antivirus program.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 20% | 5.0 |
| Prices & value | 3% | 5.0 |
| Features | 22% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 49% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 3% | 5.0 |
Webroot: Best lightweight protection
What we liked
Comprehensive firewall: Webroot's firewall monitors data traveling through your computer's ports. It also works with the Windows firewall to monitor incoming traffic, creating two layers of network protection without slowing down your device.
During our testing, Webroot had a notably low performance impact, so its firewall runs quietly in the background without interrupting your daily tasks.
Immediate threat detection: One thing that stood out during our hands-on testing was how quickly Webroot got to work. It flagged a preexisting malware file during installation before setup was even complete. It also received a perfect 3/3 EICAR score.
All protection toggles, including the firewall, real-time shield, and web protection, were active by default, so there's no configuration required to get covered.
Prolonged trial period: Most antivirus programs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but Webroot has a generous 70-day money-back guarantee. It also offers a 14-day free trial, so you have plenty of time to decide if Webroot is right for you.
What we didn’t like
Outdated third-party test results: Webroot's AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives results are several years old and mediocre, which makes it harder to fully assess its standing against the competition. Its most recent SE Labs score of 97% is encouraging, but more frequent third-party testing would inspire greater confidence.
No 24/7 support: Webroot is the only service on this list that doesn't provide 24/7 support. Email and phone support is only available weekdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. Although this may not be a deal breaker for some, this can be frustrating if you need technical support over the weekend.
Webroot specs
| Starting price | $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | No |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 70 days |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | No |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | Password manager, identity theft protection, VPN, cloud storage |
| Learn more | Get Webroot |
Test results
Most of Webroot's third-party test results are mediocre or nonexistent. That's because Webroot hasn't submitted itself for testing to AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives for several years now.
Webroot does have recent SE Labs results, which are solid. It also passed all of our in-house EICAR tests.
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| AV-TEST Windows score | 11.5/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A |
| AV-TEST Android score | 9/12 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | N/A |
| SE Labs results | 97% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Webroot |
Star rating summary
Webroot received a solid star rating of 4.4 because it offers all the standard antivirus features like a firewall, phishing protection, and multiple scan options. It earned a perfect score with our EICAR testing as well.
Webroot received a lower score in the test results category because of its outdated AV-TEST results.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 20% | 4.5 |
| Prices & value | 3% | 5.0 |
| Features | 22% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 49% | 4.3 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 3% | 5.0 |
McAfee: Best for families
What we liked
Usability: McAfee has a clean dashboard and aesthetic design that makes it easy for anyone to use. We really like that you can install the software on unlimited devices and monitor them all from your dashboard. Plus, it has a lower annual price than Norton for unlimited devices.
This may seem like overkill, but we recently counted our devices and found that we have over 30 in our home that connect to the internet. By enabling the firewall on McAfee’s antivirus, we can boost our overall protection across all of these devices.
Value: We do like McAfee’s pricing. Even the family plan is pretty reasonable and includes bonuses like identity theft protection. It’s not the least expensive product on the market, but at least you know you’re getting solid protection at a reasonable price.
What we didn’t like
Confusing plans and renewal prices: Like Norton, McAfee has a lot of options. It’s great for customization but can get confusing. Also, like Norton, the initial price isn’t guaranteed on renewal.
Features cost extra: McAfee offers other products like parental controls, but they come at an additional fee. Since McAfee offers a family plan, we hoped they’d be included. It would be nice if they’d consider additional, reasonably priced bundles with everything you need.
McAfee specs
| Starting price | $39.99/first yr |
| Free version | No |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 60 days for annual plan |
| Firewall | Yes |
| Phishing protection | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes |
| Network protection | Yes |
| Parental controls | Yes |
| Extras | VPN, identity theft protection, password manager, data cleanup |
| Learn more | Get McAfee |
Test results
When we tested McAfee, we also looked at test results from other independent antivirus testers. This gives us a better idea of how the antivirus copes with malware detection and prevention. We looked at test scores from AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs.
McAfee received perfect scores in both third-party and in-house testing.
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| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.97% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get McAfee |
Star rating summary
During our testing, it was no surprise that McAfee earned nearly perfect scores across the board. The only thing that held it back was its long scan times, which made it a less convenient choice over other available options.
McAfee still did its job well, so that wait may be worth it for you.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 20% | 4.5 |
| Prices & value | 3% | 5.0 |
| Features | 22% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 49% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 3% | 5.0 |
How to choose a firewall
We suggest choosing a firewall that’s included with the best antivirus software. You won’t have to worry about configuring it yourself while having additional protections in place. Also, you can feel confident knowing that it’s compatible with your security software.
If you do decide to purchase a separate firewall, whether it’s hardware or software, ensure it’s compatible with your current software and hardware. Also, make sure you know how to properly install and configure it so you can get the most benefit.
Types of firewalls
There are three main types of firewalls: packet-filtering, stateful inspection, and proxy. Some of the earliest firewalls were application-specific proxy systems, which are still in use today.
Newer next-generation firewalls are mostly used to protect users from computer viruses, malware, and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. They can even help with filtering geo-locations.
While the old proxies do provide solid protection, next-generation firewalls offer more variety and a wider breadth of coverage for a several systems, networks, and other devices.
Bottom line: The best antivirus software with firewall protection
The best antivirus software with firewall protection is one that's easy to use, affordable on any budget, and comes equipped with coverage for all of the people in your network. Whatever your situation, making sure you have security software that fits your needs is essential.
That’s why we chose Norton 360, AVG, Webroot, and McAfee. While each of these programs provides you with a range of different features and price points, they’re all trusted and worthwhile programs you can feel good about using.
FAQs
Which firewall is the most secure?
Proxy servers are considered the most secure firewall. A proxy server is essentially a secure tunnel to access the internet. It has its own IP address, which allows it to hide yours.
They also work to balance internet traffic, which can help with lagging, buffering, and connectivity. While this likely won’t come into play in the average home, it means that you can use one to keep your traffic from getting all jammed up by regulating the flow.
Are there free firewalls?
Yes, there are free firewalls. As with many free products, you’ll need to make sure it has excellent ratings and third-party testing results to check the effectiveness and validity of the product.
Most will come with restrictions like they only work on Windows or are preinstalled on your router. It’s a good idea to research the best practices for your particular free firewall so you’re using it effectively.
What is the difference between a router and a firewall?
A firewall and a router are two completely different things. A firewall, whether it’s hardware or software, is a security feature meant to filter your internet traffic and keep it secure based on a certain set of rules.
A router is a piece of equipment that distributes the internet from your modem to all of the connected devices in your space. Some routers may have cybersecurity features, including firewalls, installed on them, but they don’t require that to function properly.
What are the disadvantages of traditional firewalls?
The disadvantages of traditional firewalls definitely don’t outweigh the benefits, but they can cause issues. They have less flexibility when it comes to specifics within applications, can slow down your network, require a lot of management, and lack upgrade abilities to keep up with emerging threats.



