Software reviews

Security

Bitdefender Total Security

4.8/5 out of 5

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.

Security

Bitwarden

4.8/5 out of 5

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.

Security

NordVPN

4.8/5 out of 5

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.

Security

1Password

4.7/5 out of 5

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.

Security

ExpressVPN

4.7/5 out of 5

ExpressVPN pairs unusually polished apps with a well-documented RAM-only server design, broad location coverage, and extensive published security review history.

Security

Norton 360

4.7/5 out of 5

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.

Security

Proton VPN

4.7/5 out of 5

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.

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.

Security

Surfshark

4.6/5 out of 5

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.

Security

Dashlane

4.5/5 out of 5

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.

Security

LastPass

4.2/5 out of 5

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.