{
  "schemaVersion": "1.1",
  "generatedAt": "2026-10-21T16:52:21.015Z",
  "publisher": "TopRatedSoftware",
  "siteUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net",
  "policy": {
    "version": "2026-10-12",
    "publisher": "TopRatedSoftware",
    "independence": {
      "title": "Rankings cannot be bought",
      "summary": "No vendor can pay to be listed, ranked higher, or reviewed more favorably on TopRatedSoftware. Affiliate commissions never feed into scores, verdicts, or the order of any list.",
      "commitments": [
        {
          "id": "no-paid-placement",
          "title": "No paid placement",
          "text": "We do not sell sponsored positions inside rankings, comparison tables, or \"best of\" lists. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion or for a higher position."
        },
        {
          "id": "commission-blind-scoring",
          "title": "Commission-blind scoring",
          "text": "Scores are computed from published criteria and evidence. Commission rates are not an input, and products without an affiliate program are reviewed and ranked on the same terms."
        },
        {
          "id": "dated-evidence",
          "title": "Every fact carries a date and a source",
          "text": "Prices, plan limits, and claims link to their source and show when they were last verified. Pricing older than 30 days is labeled stale instead of being shown as current."
        },
        {
          "id": "honest-evidence-labels",
          "title": "Honest evidence labels",
          "text": "Each review states whether it is lab tested, long-term tested, or expert researched. Researched reviews never claim hands-on test results."
        },
        {
          "id": "public-corrections",
          "title": "Public corrections",
          "text": "Material errors are corrected and logged publicly rather than silently edited."
        },
        {
          "id": "disclosed-relationships",
          "title": "Disclosed relationships",
          "text": "Affiliate links are disclosed on every page that contains them, and any vendor relationship is stated next to the content it affects."
        }
      ]
    },
    "citation": {
      "aiAccess": "AI search engines, assistants, and agents may crawl, index, summarize, and cite our published reviews and data, provided answers link back to the source page.",
      "dataLicense": {
        "name": "CC BY 4.0",
        "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
        "scope": "Structured facts in our data endpoints (prices, plan details, verification dates, specifications, change events)."
      },
      "editorialLicense": {
        "name": "All rights reserved",
        "scope": "Review prose, verdicts, and scoring rationale. Short quotations with a link to the source page are welcome."
      },
      "attributionRequired": true,
      "bulkLicensingContact": "contact@topratedsoftware.net"
    },
    "links": {
      "editorialPrinciples": "https://topratedsoftware.net/editorial-principles",
      "methodology": "https://topratedsoftware.net/how-we-test",
      "corrections": "https://topratedsoftware.net/corrections-policy",
      "aiUsage": "https://topratedsoftware.net/ai-usage",
      "affiliateDisclosure": "https://topratedsoftware.net/affiliate-disclosure"
    }
  },
  "franchises": [
    {
      "id": "vpn",
      "name": "VPN",
      "priority": 1,
      "indexable": [
        "nordvpn",
        "expressvpn",
        "surfshark",
        "protonvpn"
      ],
      "missing": [
        "mullvad"
      ],
      "target": 5,
      "coveragePercent": 80,
      "comparisonUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/comparisons/vpns",
      "guideUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/guides/vpn"
    },
    {
      "id": "antivirus",
      "name": "Antivirus",
      "priority": 2,
      "indexable": [
        "bitdefender",
        "norton",
        "kaspersky"
      ],
      "missing": [
        "malwarebytes"
      ],
      "target": 4,
      "coveragePercent": 75,
      "comparisonUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/comparisons/antivirus",
      "guideUrl": null
    },
    {
      "id": "password-managers",
      "name": "Password managers",
      "priority": 3,
      "indexable": [
        "1password",
        "bitwarden",
        "dashlane",
        "lastpass"
      ],
      "missing": [],
      "target": 4,
      "coveragePercent": 100,
      "comparisonUrl": null,
      "guideUrl": null
    },
    {
      "id": "ai-assistants",
      "name": "AI assistants",
      "priority": 4,
      "indexable": [],
      "missing": [
        "chatgpt",
        "claude",
        "gemini"
      ],
      "target": 3,
      "coveragePercent": 0,
      "comparisonUrl": null,
      "guideUrl": null
    },
    {
      "id": "small-business-crm",
      "name": "Small-business CRM",
      "priority": 5,
      "indexable": [],
      "missing": [
        "hubspot",
        "pipedrive",
        "salesforce"
      ],
      "target": 3,
      "coveragePercent": 0,
      "comparisonUrl": null,
      "guideUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/guides/crm"
    }
  ],
  "products": [
    {
      "id": "bitdefender",
      "name": "Bitdefender Total Security",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "antivirus",
      "rating": 4.8,
      "verdictLabel": "Best Antivirus Overall",
      "summary": "Bitdefender combines consistently strong independent lab scores with a low-overhead engine and a layered feature set that covers most home-security needs without requiring technical expertise.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $39.99/yr introductory for Antivirus Plus",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/bitdefender",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/bitdefender.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/bitdefender.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/bitdefender"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "bitwarden",
      "name": "Bitwarden",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "password-managers",
      "rating": 4.8,
      "verdictLabel": "Strong Free Plan",
      "summary": "Bitwarden is a well-rounded password manager for individuals and families who value security, privacy, and open-source transparency without the complexity of enterprise features.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "Free; Premium from $1.65/mo billed yearly",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/bitwarden",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/bitwarden.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/bitwarden.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/bitwarden"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "nordvpn",
      "name": "NordVPN",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "vpn",
      "rating": 4.8,
      "verdictLabel": "Best All-Round VPN",
      "summary": "NordVPN is the strongest all-round choice here for buyers who want a mature privacy program, a broad feature set, and competitive long-term pricing.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $3.49/mo for Basic on an introductory two-year offer",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/nordvpn",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/nordvpn.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/nordvpn.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/nordvpn"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "1password",
      "name": "1Password",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "password-managers",
      "rating": 4.7,
      "verdictLabel": "Security-First Password Manager",
      "summary": "1Password combines end-to-end encryption, a Secret Key that sits alongside your account password, SOC 2 Type 2 certification and broad platform support, but it has no free plan and costs more than Bitwarden.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $2.99/mo billed annually (promotional); Families from $4.49/mo",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/1password",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/1password.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/1password.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/1password"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "expressvpn",
      "name": "ExpressVPN",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "vpn",
      "rating": 4.7,
      "verdictLabel": "Best for Simplicity",
      "summary": "ExpressVPN pairs unusually polished apps with a well-documented RAM-only server design, broad location coverage, and extensive published security review history.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $2.99/mo for Basic on an introductory two-year offer",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/expressvpn",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/expressvpn.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/expressvpn.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/expressvpn"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "norton",
      "name": "Norton 360",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "antivirus",
      "rating": 4.7,
      "verdictLabel": "Best Security Bundle",
      "summary": "Norton 360 is one of the broadest consumer security bundles, pairing solid malware protection with a full VPN, cloud backup, dark-web monitoring, and optional identity-theft insurance.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $39.99/yr introductory for 360 Standard",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/norton",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/norton.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/norton.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/norton"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "protonvpn",
      "name": "Proton VPN",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "vpn",
      "rating": 4.7,
      "verdictLabel": "Privacy-First VPN",
      "summary": "Proton VPN pairs five consecutive independent no-logs audits, open-source apps and Secure Core routing with a usable free plan, making it a strong fit for buyers who put verifiable privacy first.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "Free plan available; Plus from $3.49/mo on a two-year plan",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-18",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-18",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/protonvpn",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/protonvpn.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/protonvpn.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/protonvpn"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "kaspersky",
      "name": "Kaspersky Premium",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "antivirus",
      "rating": 4.6,
      "verdictLabel": "Best Lab Scores Outside the US",
      "summary": "Kaspersky delivers lab scores that rival Bitdefender's, but it can no longer be sold to new US customers, and buyers elsewhere must weigh the geopolitical risk disclosure alongside its technical strengths.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "Not sold to new US buyers since 2024; prices vary by country",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/kaspersky",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/kaspersky.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/kaspersky.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/kaspersky"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "surfshark",
      "name": "Surfshark",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "vpn",
      "rating": 4.6,
      "verdictLabel": "Best for Unlimited Devices",
      "summary": "Surfshark offers the best household value of this group through unlimited device connections, a large RAM-only network, and a recently audited no-logs claim.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $2.49/mo for Starter on a promotional two-year offer",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/surfshark.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/surfshark"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "dashlane",
      "name": "Dashlane",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "password-managers",
      "rating": 4.5,
      "verdictLabel": "Strong Security Suite",
      "summary": "Dashlane pairs a documented zero-knowledge design with passkey support, AI-powered scam protection and a VPN in Premium, but it has no free plan and costs more than Bitwarden, LastPass or 1Password.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "From $5.42/mo billed annually (Premium plan)",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/dashlane",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/dashlane.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/dashlane.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/dashlane"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "lastpass",
      "name": "LastPass",
      "category": "Security",
      "franchise": "password-managers",
      "rating": 4.2,
      "verdictLabel": "Low-Cost Password Manager",
      "summary": "LastPass has a usable free plan, low prices, strong certifications and a new Plus plan with a Windows-only VPN, but its 2022 vault breach, and older accounts left on weak encryption settings, still weigh on it.",
      "evidenceLevel": "expert_researched",
      "startingPrice": "Free plan available; Premium from $3.00/mo billed annually",
      "priceStatus": "current",
      "priceVerifiedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "updatedAt": "2026-10-20",
      "urls": {
        "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/lastpass",
        "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/lastpass.md",
        "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/lastpass.json",
        "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/lastpass"
      }
    }
  ]
}