Webroot Essentials review

Webroot Essentials is the cheapest paid way into this list at $34.99 for the first year on one device, rising to $49.99 at the regular price. It protects PCs, Macs, tablets and phones with cloud-based antivirus and ransomware protection, advanced web filtering that warns you before you open a fraudulent site, real-time anti-phishing and a password manager. Webroot says it scours 95% of the internet three times a day for new threats and that its scans are fast and light, which suits older computers. Plans for 3 and 5 devices cost $48.99 and $62.99 in the first year. What you give up is breadth: there is no VPN, cloud backup or parental control in Essentials, and identity features sit in pricier Webroot plans. Webroot's FAQ also covers older products such as AntiVirus Basic and Complete, so check which plan you are renewing.

Who it is for

Buyers protecting a single computer on a tight budget who want a light, fast scanner.

Price

Essentials $34.99 for the first year for 1 device (regular $49.99); 3 devices $48.99; 5 devices $62.99.

Essentials 1 Device Individual protection plan for 1 device Save 30% $34.99 /first year $49.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• Cloud-based antivirus and ransomware protection
• Advanced web filtering that warns about risky sites
• Real-time anti-phishing
• Password manager included
• Protection for Android and iOS devices against malicious apps and links

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest paid entry price on this list
• Strength: Fast scans that use few system resources, per Webroot
• Strength: Plans for 1, 3 or 5 devices
• Weakness: No VPN in Essentials
• Weakness: Fewer extras than Bitdefender or Norton
• Weakness: First-year price renews at $49.99 for 1 device

Key facts

• Platforms: PC, Mac, tablets, smartphones, Chromebook
• Devices: 1, 3 or 5
• Regular price: $49.99 for 1 device
• Password manager: Included
• Threat updates: Scans 95% of the internet 3 times a day, per Webroot

Where it ranks

Webroot Essentials is No. 8 in our Best Antivirus Software verdict.