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If you decide Aura antivirus isn’t for you, try one of our top alternatives: Bitdefender, Avast, McAfee, AVG, or Norton. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or want easy-to-use software, one of these options has you covered.
Each alternative protects against viruses and ransomware but has different features for individual needs. Let’s get into the details and find which one is right for you.
Top 5 alternatives compared
The top 5 antivirus alternatives
How to cancel an Aura subscription
Aura alternatives FAQs
Bottom line
What is Aura?
Aura is an online security provider that offers antivirus protection, identity theft protection, and parental controls. Its antivirus solution has the same quality of service for devices as its identity protection does for personal data.
Aura’s antivirus protection helps defend against malware, including ransomware, spyware, and adware. It also offers protection against Trojans, worms, and viruses. Certain plans include identity theft protection with credit locks and transaction monitoring too.
- Virtual private network (VPN) included with every plan
- 24/7 customer support
- Easy to use
- No third-party testing
- Pricey
Top 5 alternatives compared
Antivirus | ||||||
Starting price | $35.99/first yr | $29.99/yr (first year only) | $35.88/first yr | $39.99/first 2 yrs | $46.68/yr (first year only) | $29.99/first yr |
Free version | ||||||
Firewall | ||||||
Phishing protection | ||||||
Ransomware protection | ||||||
Parental controls | ||||||
Learn more | Get Aura | Get Bitdefender | Get Avast | Get McAfee | Get AVG | Get Norton |
The top 5 antivirus alternatives
If you’re looking to compare some of the best antivirus software or you just want alternatives to Aura’s antivirus, we have five top picks. Having the features and extras you want makes a difference when choosing an antivirus. Check out our suggestions below.
Bitdefender
Bitdefender’s award-winning software is offered in various packages. There are plans for individuals, families, and even small businesses. Bitdefender includes specialized mobile protection for your specific operating system, which is a great choice for anyone who needs to protect a variety of devices.
What we liked
Bitdefender consistently has strong third-party testing scores, showing that it’s safe and effective. The scores extend to both desktop and mobile, making it a great choice for people with a variety of devices. We’re fans of the extra features like parental controls and a VPN too.
What we didn’t like
The basic package only protects Windows computers. To protect additional operating systems, you’ll have to purchase a mid-range or higher package.
Bitdefender specs
Starting price | $29.99/yr (first year only) |
Free version | Yes |
Firewall | Yes |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | Yes |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | Yes |
Extras | VPN, password manager, social media protection, gaming mode, work mode, movie mode, and identity theft protection |
Learn more | Get Bitdefender |
Avast
Avast has been a reputable name in the free antivirus market for a while, but its paid plans are where it really shines. That being said, if you need a quick, free antivirus, we recommend giving this one a try. It’s comprehensive, so even people on tight budgets can get the best protection.
What we liked
Avast offers a lot with its free plan, but even more with its paid ones. We like that you don’t have to shell out a lot if you need protection and that Avast’s protection can be upgraded at any time. We also like the inclusion of identity theft protection in Avast One Platinum, which includes a budget-friendly rate.
What we didn’t like
Avast’s free plan offers many features, but only for one device. If you want to protect more, you’ll need a paid plan. While we get why Avast is set up this way, sometimes you need quick protection on multiple devices.
Avast specs
Starting price | $35.88/first yr |
Free version | Yes |
Firewall | Yes |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | Yes |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | No |
Extras | VPN, performance enhancement tools, identity theft protection, and scam prevention tools |
Learn more | Get Avast |
McAfee
McAfee antivirus has been a household name for almost as long as the internet has existed. Due to this prominence, the company really understands potential online dangers and customers’ needs. While the company offers plans for everyone, families really win out with McAfee.
What we liked
McAfee seamlessly integrates parental controls into its family plan, which also includes identity theft protection, a password manager, and AI-powered scam protection. We also like the social privacy manager feature, which helps you navigate the privacy settings on popular social media networks.
What we didn’t like
When we tested McAfee, we didn’t always find smooth compatibility with Mac. While it absolutely works with a Mac, we had to switch browsers for some of the features to work. This wasn’t ideal.
McAfee specs
Starting price | $39.99/first 2 yrs |
Free version | No |
Firewall | Yes |
Phishing protection | No |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | No |
Network protection | No |
Parental controls | Yes |
Extras | VPN, social privacy manager, and identity theft protection |
Learn more | Get McAfee |
AVG
AVG is another award-winning free antivirus. If you’re looking for advanced protection, however, you’ll want to test out AVG Ultimate. It’s perfect for anyone who frequently uses the internet outside of their home and wants to stay secure.
What we liked
AVG offers tools that help verify Wi-Fi networks’ security, protect against phishing scams, tune up your device, and much more. If you’re always using a public internet, AVG’s tools will help keep you safe in that volatile environment. That’s why it’s one of the best antivirus software for Mac.
What we didn’t like
AVG offers a lot of plan options that may become confusing for some people. While its all-inclusive plans have all of the features listed, you also have the opportunity to purchase those features separately, which might become frustrating if you’re trying to compare products.
AVG specs
Starting price | $46.68/yr (first year only) |
Free version | Yes |
Firewall | Yes |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | Yes |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | No |
Extras | VPN, toolbar remover, email shield, web shield, data shredder, and hack alert |
Learn more | Get AVG |
Norton
If you aren’t sure where to begin and know you want a lot of protection, Norton can simplify the process. Norton’s 360 plans include basically everything. A Norton 360 plan plus LifeLock adds security to all aspects of your online life, from your identity to your kids’ internet experience to online security.
What we liked
Norton is a powerhouse. It offers so many features and functionality that it’s great for anyone who wants a lot of protection but isn’t super tech-savvy. It’s why Norton is repeatedly named as one of the best antivirus options for Windows.
What we didn’t like
It’s pricey. All of that convenience includes a price tag that potentially may go up on renewal. Norton is definitely quality, but it may not be reasonable for every budget.
Norton specs
Starting price | $29.99/first yr |
Free version | No |
Firewall | Yes |
Phishing protection | No |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | No |
Network protection | No |
Parental controls | Yes |
Extras | Cloud storage, VPN, dark web monitoring, and identity theft protection |
Learn more | Get Norton |
How to cancel an Aura subscription
Aura includes a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. If you’ve tried it out and don’t think it’s for you, make sure to cancel within that 60-day window.
To cancel your subscription, call an Aura specialist at 1-833-681-7577 or follow the instructions below.
- Sign in to Aura.com. Hover over the gear and select Membership.
- Click Cancel membership.
- You’re offered two options. You can call Aura to discuss your plan and address any concerns, or you can select Cancel online to proceed with your cancellation.
- Aura will ask for feedback.
- Select a reason and click Cancel membership.
- Click Continue cancellation.
Aura alternatives FAQs
Is a free antivirus plan right for me?
Depending on your needs and what features you’re interested in, a free antivirus like AVG or Avast might be a good choice. The best free antivirus providers offer protection from viruses and malware. If you’re looking for simple protection, this may be the best route for you.
Does Mac have native antivirus?
Yes, Mac does have native antivirus software built into its operating system. While this isn’t impenetrable, Mac’s native protections tend to do a pretty good job. It’s worth noting that if you jailbreak your macOS or iOS devices, you’re significantly more susceptible to viruses and malware.
Can my iPhone get hacked?
Yes, it’s possible to hack an iPhone. Generally, iPhones are more secure than Androids, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use security best practices to keep your device secure. Shared Wi-Fi, suspicious apps, and older versions of iOS all make your phone more susceptible to hacking.
Bottom line
If you don’t feel Aura is the right antivirus choice for you, then you’ll definitely want to check out one of our top choices. Bitdefender, Avast, McAfee, AVG, and Norton are a mix of freemium and paid services that all have something solid to offer.
Whatever you choose, make sure to keep active protection on all your devices so you are cyber safe at all times.