Written by: Kate Hawkins
Last updated on Feb 13, 2024

Norton Overview

Norton is an established player in the antivirus market, so I wanted to see if Norton is really the best in 2024 or if it’s just relying on the brand name.

In order to assess Norton’s ability to meet its established standards, I conducted thorough evaluations on its virus scanning, real-time protection, and various other antivirus functionalities. These evaluations encompassed a range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, enabling me to gauge Norton’s performance across diverse operating systems.

I’m impressed to say that Norton deserves its spot as the #1 antivirus software (beating out other top competitors, TotalAV and McAfee). Norton blocked 100% of malware with very little impact on speed or system performance. It even offers a bonus password manager, parental controls, VPN, and cloud backup.

You don’t have to take my word for it though. It’s completely risk-free to try Norton with the 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can confirm the test results for yourself.

Test Norton for free

In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary

Security

- 10

Norton has few equals in the market and none that do better (although McAfee comes in at a very close second). Based on my tests, Norton has proven to be a highly secure antivirus with an excellent malware detection rate, strong anti-phishing protection, and a powerful firewall.

Virus Scan — 3 Scan Types Available

My team and I set up a test machine and downloaded malicious files only discovered in the past 2 weeks — and Norton’s full system scan flagged every single cyberattack.

Norton offers 3 scan options depending on how in-depth you want to be:

  • The Quick Scan — Focuses on the most at-risk parts of your computer
  • The Full Scan — Inspects every part of your drive and even external drives
  • The Custom Scan — Lets you scan the files and folders you want

This gives you a lot of flexibility in keeping your device safe. For example, I run a full scan every few days and a quick scan every morning on bootup.Image of Norton's Quick Scan results.

I easily configured Norton to run a Quick Scan every time I use my PC

The Quick Scan scanned about 12,600 files in 2 minutes, while the Full Scan needed just 22 minutes to scan 1,000,000 files. This is impressively fast — the fastest of any antivirus I’ve tested.

I’m even more impressed by Norton’s accuracy in detecting malware. A pitfall that antiviruses sometimes run into is flagging normal websites or programs as malicious. However, Norton didn’t falsely flag any websites or software as malware — the industry average is 16 false detections. Unlike other antivirus programs, you won’t need to spend time trying to determine which files are actually malware (or completely safe) with Norton.

You can also use Norton Insight for faster virus scans in the future. This feature scans your whole system and flags known files as trusted, then excludes them from future scans. I ran Insight and found almost 90% of my files were trusted. As a result, Norton Insight reduced my full scan time from 12 minutes to around 3 minutes.

The Power Eraser tool from Norton is a personal favorite of mine when it comes to eliminating stubborn viruses and malware. It is engineered to perform in-depth scans of your device, providing comprehensive protection. It’s worth noting that this feature is exclusive to Windows users and unavailable to those who use Android, Mac, and iOS operating systems.

Real-Time Protection — Successfully Blocks 100% Of All Cyber Threats

My team and I tested Norton’s real-time protection by setting up a test machine and opening malware-infected links discovered in the past 24 hours — and Norton blocked 100% of the malicious links. This is especially impressive when compared to the industry average detection rate of 98%.

When I encountered a website or file with a malware infection, Norton displayed a warning message to deter me from downloading or interacting any further. Once a malicious file was detected, Norton immediately moved it to the quarantine zone. You don’t need to take any action after this point, although you can decide to fully delete these files by returning to the quarantine zone in the future.

Many competitors rely heavily on their database of known malware — that’s why not all antiviruses can detect emerging threats that aren’t yet in any databases. Norton is an industry leader in this due to its sophisticated SONAR analysis. This matches known threats to sites or files you interact with and also examines the behavior of unknown applications to determine whether they’re a risk. With heuristic analysis and machine learning, Norton is always ready to protect your devices from the very latest threats.

Safe Web Browser Extension — For Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge

Safe Web is a browser extension that constantly scans websites to make sure it’s safe for you to visit. If Safe Web detects a dangerous website, you’ll see a warning pop up on the screen:Screenshot of Norton's Safe Web blocking a malicious test website.

Norton’s Safe Web adds another layer of protection when browsing

To really put it to the test, I wanted to measure Safe Web’s performance in comparison to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge’s in-built security system. I collected a list of phishing websites and opened the links on each browser. I compared these results with Safe Web, which I had installed onto a separate Chrome browser. Impressively, Safe Web detected nearly 99% of threats in comparison to Chrome (97%) in second place.

You can also download Norton’s Safe Search extension, which changes your homepage to a dedicated Norton search engine for safer browsing. Safe Search accurately detects which sites are safe and which are potentially dangerous, marking URLs with a green tick, red cross, or orange “!” to proceed with caution.Screenshot of Norton's Safe Search browser extension accurately detecting safe and unsafe URLs.

Norton’s Safe Search makes browsing the web secure

Safe Search even extends to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook and to web-based emails, marking unsafe links to help you avoid clicking on them.

For additional security, Norton offers a Banking Protection mode for Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Chrome. This opens financial websites in a secure browser window to ensure your activity cannot be monitored or tracked. This needs to be switched on manually before you can use it.

Sophisticated Firewall — Great for Beginners and Advanced Users

I like Norton’s firewall as you can use it immediately without any further configuration. This makes it a top choice for beginner users who don’t want to change any settings.

It’s also highly flexible, so I could manually control which programs have access to my internet network if I wanted more customization. For more advanced users, Norton’s high level of configurability gives you a greater level of control over your security settings. You can monitor uncommon protocols, check for DNS and ARP spoofing, set up a list of trusted networks, and more.Screenshot of Norton's Firewall settings showing high level of customizability.

Advanced users can adjust Norton’s firewall settings easily

Norton’s Firewall also has an Intrusion Protection feature that secures your devices against inbound threats. Connections that display attack signatures are instantly blocked to ensure system vulnerabilities cannot be exploited.

Norton has its own “whitelist” (a known and trusted list) of popular known programs, such as Microsoft Word and Skype, so none of these apps will be blocked by the firewall. While I could manually configure Norton with a list of trusted programs, I was glad to see that it also learns by itself. The firewall monitors new applications and blocks them if it notices any malicious actions, keeping your device safe even when you might be unaware of the dangers.

System Performance — Minimal Impact on Device

Every antivirus software will slow down your device, but I’m pleased to report that I didn’t experience any noticeable slowdown with Norton.

In my tests, I kept Norton antivirus running in the background while I launched 10 programs at once, loaded 50 websites, and transferred 5GB between my device and external hard drive 5 times. My 1TB hard drive was half full while running scans, and I have a powerful processor on my PC.

In my personal experience, there was minimal impact on my activities, with only a slight decrease of 4 to 9%. This decrease is insignificant and aligns with the performance one would anticipate from a high-quality antivirus solution. It’s important to note that your individual experience may vary depending on the device you are using.

For avid gamers and movie-watchers, Norton suspends scans and notifications when your apps are in full-screen mode. I like that I can use my PC as normal for presentations at work or online gaming with friends and Norton won’t bother me with pop-up notifications (unless there’s a serious security issue).

Features

- 9

Alongside its core antivirus features, Norton offers a host of useful protective measures. While I’ve come to expect such add-ons from antivirus software, I’m often disappointed by the performance. However, Norton surpassed my expectations with its generous cloud backup, parental controls, and password manager. The VPN still needs work in order to compete with standalone VPN services, but it’s one of the best you’ll find inside an antivirus package.

Software Updater — Checks Software for Updates to Avoid Vulnerabilities

One of the easiest ways to protect your devices from threats is to keep your software up-to-date and avoid exploitable vulnerabilities. Norton’s Software Updater can be configured to automatically scan and update software, keeping your apps and operating system at top performance.Screenshot of Norton's Software Updater updating 10 programs to protect against app vulnerabilities.

The Updater took less than 10 minutes to ensure my apps were up-to-date

I ran a Software Updater scan and found 10 items that needed updating. Some of these were apps I haven’t used in a while and don’t automatically update, and a few were high risk due to being out of date. The Updater took less than 10 minutes to update the apps (with a system restart for some Microsoft Visual programs).

Cloud Backup — Encrypted Storage for up to 500GB of Data (For US Users)

With Norton’s Cloud Backup, you get encrypted storage so that you can safely back up your important and sensitive important files. This means that you won’t need to worry if you ever have your device stolen, damaged, or locked by ransomware — you’ll always have access to your files on Norton’s cloud.Screenshot of Norton's Backup Settings feature on Windows.

Norton’s Cloud Storage is ideal for protection against ransomware attacks

It’s easy to schedule regular backups so Norton can set you automatic reminders. When I tested the backup feature, I could choose between backing up my files weekly, monthly, manually, or automatically. Norton will automatically choose files like financial documents, music, and office documents to backup, or you can manually select your important items. You can also choose to backup files to your hard drive or an external hard drive, as well as the cloud.

The most popular Standard and Deluxe plans include 2GB and 50GB respectively. For the Advanced plan, you’ll get 200GB of secure cloud storage. However, you can get up to 500GB of storage if you get the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan, available for US-based users. Unfortunately, Cloud Backup is only available for Windows PC currently — I’d like to see it extended to Mac, iOS, and Android users.

Parental Controls — Remotely Monitor Your Child’s Online Activity

Norton’s parental control software allows you to limit what your children can do and see online. It does this by blocking specific websites and apps and restricting their time spent online. This feature is only available with the Deluxe, Advanced, and LifeLock plans, but I believe it’s well worth the investment if you have kids.

Many online threats specifically target children — from websites with explicit content to dangerous strangers lurking in chat rooms. Fortunately, setting up the parental control feature is quick and simple. You create a profile for your child (up to 15 profiles!), install the Norton Family app on your child’s device (on an unlimited number of devices), log in with your own account, and select your child’s profile. Once the initial setup is complete, you can manage everything else remotely. You can set different rules for each child and Norton even has preset rules for different age groups.Screenshot of Norton's parental controls features.

Norton has an impressive number of features for parental controls

You can remotely limit screen time, block specific websites, filter content in search engines, block inappropriate videos, and even completely lock the device. If your child tries to access an inappropriate site, you’ll get an instant notification. Location tracking and app blocking are only available for mobile devices. Norton also has a “School Time” function that lets your children access the internet for online learning while blocking distracting apps.

When I tested this feature, I created a parental account and a child’s profile (“Wiz Kid”). I linked the child’s profile with an iOS smartphone. I then used the parental account to remotely block the Netflix app on the Wiz Kid profile. The restrictions were immediately active on the Android phone, and the Netflix app was blocked until I deactivated the restrictions from the parental account.

I must point out that Norton’s Parental Controls have a limitation—they are not compatible with Mac systems, and tech-savvy kids can find a way around them quite effortlessly. For example, creating an unmonitored Chrome account takes just a few minutes. It’s essential to be aware of these aspects to make informed decisions about using Norton’s Parental Controls.

Despite this, I found Norton’s feature to be an effective and comprehensive tool to help keep your kids safe and focused when they’re online.

Secure VPN — Solid Security and Accesses Sites and Apps Like Netflix

A VPN is an essential tool for staying safe online, which is why I’m happy to see that Norton offers its free Secure VPN in every plan (aside from the basic Norton 360 Standard plan). Secure VPN stands out among other antivirus and VPN packages as it has unlimited data and bandwidth. Most antivirus products with a VPN only provide a small monthly data allowance.

Secure VPN hides your browsing history from your hackers and spies. This ensures that your online activity remains secure and private, even on public WiFi networks. I ran several leak tests and found that Secure VPN easily kept my data hidden.Screenshot of Norton's Secure VPN connected to a UK server, with the results of an IP leak test showing no data leaks.

I didn’t experience any data leaks with Norton’s VPN

It also includes the following features:

  • Top-tier encryption — All connections are protected by AES-256-bit encryption to secure your data.
  • Kill switch — Cuts access to the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted (Windows and Android only).
  • Split tunneling — Lets you choose which apps are encrypted and which pass outside of the secure connection (Windows and Android only).
  • No identifying data logged — Won’t log or store your online activity while connected to Norton’s servers.
  • WiFi Security — Scans your WiFi network to ensure safety and avoid common network attacks.
  • Ad and tracker blocking — Protects you from online trackers used to target you with specific ads.

Plus, Secure VPN allows you to stream videos and browse the internet with no restrictions. During my tests, I could access the following streaming services:

Netflix HBO Max Disney+ Amazon Prime Video
UKTV ProSieben Canal+ …and more!

My speeds with Secure VPN were fast enough for lag-free streaming on local servers, with a small drop to 90Mbps from my regular speed of 115Mbps. Distant connections cause more of a slowdown, with a drop to just 40Mbps.

While Secure VPN is good for a free service, I was a little dissatisfied with its overall performance in comparison to a standalone VPN. Secure VPN only has 30 server locations worldwide, which often results in server overcrowding and slower speeds. I was further disappointed to learn that Secure VPN actively blocks all torrenting traffic. I wouldn’t recommend it for torrenting anyway, since it does keep some non-identifying logs. In contrast, top standalone VPNs all have no-log policies, fast speeds, and torrenting support.

I suggest limiting your usage of Secure VPN for streaming and casual browsing. You can find the full test results for Secure VPN in this in-depth review.

Password Manager — Store an Unlimited Number of Passwords

With Norton’s password manager, you just have to remember 1 master password and Norton will store all the rest for you. When you visit a site for which you’ve saved your credentials, Norton auto-fills your login information and password for you. Even better, your passwords will be automatically synced between devices, so you’ll never have to go through the hassle of resetting your password.Screenshot of Norton's password manager feature.

The Password Manager stores an unlimited number of passwords

The Password Manager uses military-grade encryption to protect your passwords, and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It also has a secure password generator to create uncrackable passwords for your sensitive online accounts.

I’m especially impressed with Norton’s Autochange Password feature, which I haven’t seen in other dedicated password managers. This gives Norton permission to create new strong passwords, change them for you, and then store it securely — all in a single click. You won’t have to manually update your passwords on individual websites. While this doesn’t work with all websites, it’s compatible with many major sites like Reddit, Facebook, and Netflix.

However, unlike other password managers, you can’t share credentials with others and there’s no two-factor authentication. There’s also no way to sync Norton with a different password manager, and if you forget your master password there is no emergency vault recovery. Regardless, I like the password manager and it’s a great feature within the Norton package. It’s also available for free as a standalone app.

Optimization Tools — Boosts Device Performance

Norton offers a set of basic tune-up tools designed to give your device performance a bit of a boost. These include:

  • Optimize Disk — Scans your drives to check for fragmentation, which can cause performance slowdown.
  • File Cleanup — Removes temporary files from Windows and browsers.
  • Startup Manager — Lets you choose which programs open during device startup to improve startup speed.
  • Graphs — Monitor device performance during scans, malware detections, downloads, and general use.

Screenshot of Norton's optimization tools.

Each tool works quickly to boost your device’s overall performance

During my tests, Norton’s optimization tools performed quickly and efficiently. All tools took less than a minute to run, and I had a noticeable improvement in my device performance. My PC’s startup time was already fast at just 30 seconds, but after using Norton’s Startup Manager it was reduced to just 20 seconds.

While these tools do boost performance, they could be better. TotalAV’s optimization tools also remove cookies, duplicate files, and junk items, plus it has a powerful App Uninstaller that removes all traces of programs you no longer need. However, Norton’s optimization tools work well for a quick tuneup, making them a nice bonus feature included with all plans.

SafeCam (Windows Only) — Blocks Unauthorized Webcam Access

The addition of SafeCam for Windows is a top choice from Norton, as it blocks any attempts to access your webcam if the source is unauthorized. This means you can use your PC without concern that a hacker will switch on your webcam and record you, potentially using the footage to blackmail or extort you. If an unauthorized source tries to access your webcam, Norton immediately sends a notification.

As someone with a young child, this is also a reassurance for me that my daughter won’t be exposed or disturbed by someone accessing her webcam. However, I’d like to see Norton extend this protection to the microphone as well, for added peace of mind.

ID Theft Protection — Identity Monitoring and Restoration Features

Norton’s ID Theft Protection is an excellent way to monitor your information to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. It’s available to users in more than 20 countries, actively monitoring your data for appearances on the Dark Web. You can add information like your bank details, credit card data, social media handles, and even your Gamertag.Screenshot of Norton's ID Theft Protection dashboard.

All ID Theft Protection features are easy to access and set up from your browser

The big difference with Norton’s monitoring is the use of live agents rather than automated programs using a database. These agents are able to find and access information that programs cannot reach.

ID Theft Protection is also supported by Norton’s Identity Restoration service. If your identity happens to be compromised, a dedicated support person will guide you through the process of restoring your security. They’ll help you resolve issues with financial institutions, credit card agencies, and even government bodies. This kind of help can be essential when dealing with identity theft, and it’s not something I’ve seen other services offer.

For US users, Norton provides a LifeLock service. It’s similar to the service above, but it also includes up to $1 million in insurance in the event of identity theft, plus credit reports, 401K, social security, and ID monitoring. It’s comprehensive personal security coverage and while it costs a little more, it’s well worth the protection if you’re in the US.

Ease Of Use

- 10

Norton’s installation and apps are intuitive and simple to use. I’m a particular fan of the desktop app for Windows and Mac, which offers a host of advanced features but makes them easily understandable (even for beginner users). Once I’d signed up, I followed Norton’s on-screen installation instructions and the whole process took me just 4 minutes.

Desktop App for Windows and Mac — Clear and Easy to Use

I find Norton’s desktop apps are extremely user-friendly on Windows and Mac. On the My Norton dashboard, you have quick access to all of Norton’s features, including Parental Controls, VPN settings, Cloud Backup, and the Password Manager.Screenshot of Norton's My Norton dashboard interface on Windows.

Norton on Windows and Mac is intuitive to use even for beginners

Norton also has a secondary interface that opens when you want to look at your Device Security. This features the most important tasks (scans, backup, performance optimization) and some general information (last scanned, how many backups, resource usage). For more powerful and advanced options, you can find the firewall, custom scan configurations, and backup settings with just a few more clicks.Screenshot of Norton's Device Security dashboard for Windows.

Norton’s Device Security dashboard has configurable security options and settings

I particularly like that you can configure Norton to automatically conduct scans on your preferred schedule. It’s the same for backups — simply choose a time and the specific folders you want to be stored in the cloud, and Norton will take care of it for you.

The only issue I had with Norton’s interface was locating the firewall. Strangely, it’s hidden in the settings section. As a primary feature, I was expecting it to be located on the homepage alongside the scans.

Norton Mobile — Highly-Secure Custom Apps for Android and iOS

Norton Mobile is a fantastic antivirus and security app for iOS and Android, and it offers the same advanced features for both operating systems. When you launch the app, you’ll find the virus scan and web protection features displayed on the homepage. You’ll also see a personalized protection report, showing how Norton protects your device in different ways.Screenshot of Norton's iOS app showing how clean and simple the interface is, making it easy to navigate for beginner users.

I was impressed by how simple it was to set up and configure Norton’s mobile app features

In total, Norton Mobile offers the following features:

  • Anti-Malware Scanning — Scans your device for infections.
  • Device security — Checks your device for vulnerabilities to protect your operating system from attack.
  • Privacy Report — Monitors your personal data, such as how apps interact with your location, SIM card, browser history, and more.
  • WiFi security — Notifies you when you’re connected to an insecure network.
  • Web protection — Blocks fraudulent websites to protect you against scams.
  • Call blocking — Prevents annoying calls and protects against mobile spam.
  • SMS security — Stops fraudulent or malicious SMS links.
  • Contact backup — Backs up and restores your contact information.
  • Secure calendar — Identifies potentially risky calendar invites and blocks them.

Lifelock Identity Monitoring, Secure VPN, Password Manager, and Parental Control are also available on mobile. However, you’ll have to download separate apps for each feature (you can find direct download links within Norton Mobile).

It’s a shame that Norton removed its integrated anti-theft feature from the app, but most Android and iOS devices have a native option for this already. iOS also doesn’t get the benefits of real-time protection with Norton Mobile, but this isn’t a major issue (iOS runs apps in their own “sandboxes”, which removes interference with other apps and their data).

How to Download Norton on Windows

  1. Visit the official Norton website.
    Screenshot of Norton's official website home page.
  2. Choose a subscription plan. I recommend Norton Deluxe for the best value with comprehensive protection for your Windows device.
    Screenshot of Norton's current subscription plans.
  3. Sign up for and confirm your plan. You’ll need to add your payment details.
  4. Download Norton. You’ll be prompted to choose your operating system and open the installer once the file is ready.
    Screenshot of the Agree & Download Norton webpage, highlighting the installation file.
  5. Click “Install.” A prompt will appear to allow Norton to make changes to Windows.
    Screenshot of Norton's installation screen, highlighting the install button.
  6. When the installation is done, click “Set Up features.” This will take you to the My Norton dashboard.
    Screenshot of Norton's interface after installation is complete, with a highlight focusing on the "Set Up Features" button.
  7. You’re ready to start customizing your Norton protection.
    Screenshot of the My Norton dashboard interface on Windows.

Support

- 10

Norton’s support infrastructure is fantastic and truly stands out among the competition. I always had quick access to helpful and friendly support — whether it was over live chat, phone, email, or using online forums. I find the fastest option is 24/7 live chat, although you can also find up-to-date information on the forums.

Live Chat — The Best Way to Contact Norton

Norton’s live chat is the fastest way to speak with a support agent. I just had to fill my details into a contact form on the website, and I was connected to a Norton representative in less than a minute. When I asked for assistance using the Power Eraser tool, I was given a helpful and detailed response, and a direct link to download the tool.Screenshot of Norton's live chat agent answering a question about the Power Eraser tool.

Norton’s live chat is the quickest way to get specific answers

The only issue with the live chat is that you don’t always connect straight to a support agent. Norton has an automated assistant called Kate, who can’t always pinpoint your issue using limited responses. When you click the live chat bubble, I recommend immediately asking for live chat or customer support to be put through to a real person.

Phone Support — Helpful, but Slower Than Live Chat

I’m impressed that Norton’s phone chat service is available in 53 countries with support in foreign languages, including German, French, and Spanish. Once you fill in your credentials in an online form on the website, you’ll be given a local number to call. Both the US and the UK offer 24/7 assistance, although business hours will differ between countries.

When I called the UK helpline, I was on hold for just over 10 minutes (much slower than live chat). Fortunately, I just wanted some clarification on the Parental Control features, and the Norton representative was well-informed and eager to assist me. If you haven’t got any urgent technical issues, phone support is a great way to contact Norton.

Online Resources & FAQs — Comprehensive and Up-To-Date

Norton has a very good support website with hundreds of articles, FAQs, and setup guides available. Importantly, I found the information up-to-date and relevant — you won’t find articles written years ago about features and tools that don’t exist anymore. Given that the information here is comprehensive, you likely won’t have to contact customer support unless you have a specific question.

I’m a big fan of community support forums, but often they don’t contain enough detailed information to be worth using. Fortunately, Norton’s community forum is packed with useful information, thanks to its active members and moderators. I used the forum to quickly find out how to configure advanced firewall features. The forum is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.

Norton Ultimate Help Desk — Paid On-Demand IT Help

If you want a bit of extra help, or find you’re looking for more comprehensive IT coverage, Norton offers an Ultimate Help Desk tool. This not only helps you with setting up your Norton antivirus and removing the malware — Norton’s IT professionals will help troubleshoot issues, optimize your PC’s performance, and even set up Microsoft Outlook email.

You can either subscribe to Norton’s Ultimate Help Desk for a yearly fee (which includes unlimited help) or opt for a one-off support session. I think this is useful for users who want that extra level of IT support, but most users won’t need to use this service.

Price

- 10

While Norton is not the most expensive antivirus option, it does charge a little more than most competitors. However, with Norton you get access to a generous amount of advanced antivirus and security features no matter which plans you choose. This is a nice change from other antivirus competitors, which often exclude crucial security features from the cheapest plans.

Norton Antivirus Plus — Basic Plan

Norton’s Antivirus Plus is the most basic plan available, which includes the following features:

  • Coverage for 1 PC or Mac
  • Complete malware protection (including ransomware security)
  • 2GB cloud storage
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • 100% virus protection promise (get a full refund if your device is infected with a virus that Norton cannot remove)

This plan is suitable if you’re looking for no-frills malware protection. However, I find it’s lacking some of Norton’s stand-out features, so it doesn’t provide comprehensive device coverage.

Norton 360 Standard — Larger Cloud Storage and VPN

Norton’s 360 Standard plan is very similar to the Antivirus Plus plan, with a few key differences:

  • Coverage for 1 PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet
  • Complete malware protection
  • 2GB cloud storage
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • Secure VPN for 1 device
  • SafeCam (Windows only)

This is a top option if you don’t need any parental control features, want to protect a smartphone or tablet, or only need to secure 1 device.

Norton 360 Deluxe — Best Value

During my tests, I found Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan provides the best overall value. It includes the following features:

  • Coverage for up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets
  • Complete malware protection
  • 50GB cloud storage
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • Parental Controls (with School Time features)
  • Secure VPN for up to 5 devices
  • SafeCam (Windows only)
  • Dark Web Monitoring

360 Deluxe lets you protect multiple devices and has up to 50GB of cloud storage, which is more than enough for your sensitive files. The addition of parental control features and SafeCam also makes it ideal for families.

Norton 360 Advanced — Most Comprehensive Coverage

The Norton 360 Advanced plan provides the most comprehensive device coverage, and it’s also the most expensive option. You get the following features:

  • Coverage for up to 10 PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets
  • Complete malware protection
  • 200GB cloud storage
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • Parental Controls (with School Time features)
  • Secure VPN for up to 10 devices
  • SafeCam (Windows only)
  • Dark Web Monitoring
  • Identity restoration support
  • Social Media Monitoring

The addition of another 5 device licenses makes 360 Advanced a good choice for larger households. Plus, 360 Advanced gives you a greater level of identity theft and monitoring support. However, it’s a significant jump in price, particularly after the discount you get for the first year’s subscription.

Norton 360 With LifeLock — the US Only

For US users who want to focus more on protecting their personal information, Norton 360 with LifeLock is a top choice. There is a range of plans to choose from, with varying features depending on which tier you choose. The top plan (Ultimate Plus) includes the following features:

  • Coverage for an unlimited number of PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets
  • Complete malware protection
  • 250GB cloud storage
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • Parental Controls (with School Time features)
  • Secure VPN for unlimited devices
  • SafeCam (Windows only)
  • Privacy Monitor
  • Dark Web Monitoring
  • LifeLock Identity Alert System
  • Identity restoration support
  • Stolen Wallet Protection
  • Million-dollar protection package
  • Credit and SSN monitoring and alerts
  • ID Verification Monitoring
  • Identity Lock
  • Bank and credit card activity alerts
  • Fictitious identity monitoring
  • Court records scanning
  • Data breach notifications
  • 401K and investments alerts
  • Home title monitoring

360 with LifeLock has a huge number of identity protection features, plus device support for up to an unlimited number of devices. Unfortunately, LifeLock is only available to US customers, and it’s an expensive option — I’d like to see these features available for users in different countries.

Free Trial — Up to 30 Days

During my research, I found Norton offers free trials of different lengths, depending on where you’re located. In the US, new customers are offered a 7-day free trial, whereas in the UK users get 30 days. I recommend signing up for a free trial of Norton’s most comprehensive plan, so you can test every feature and see what works best for you.

No matter where you sign up for a free trial, you’ll have to enter a valid payment method to access Norton. If you like the service, you’ll be charged the discounted first-year rate at the end of the trial period. You can avoid being charged by switching off the auto-renew option in your Norton account settings.

Money-Back Guarantee — Try Norton Risk-Free for 60 Days

Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee with all its annual plans (14 days if you choose a monthly plan). If you change your mind, you can quickly contact Norton through one of its support channels for a full refund. This is a generous amount of time to try out a product risk-free, with competitors TotalAV, iolo, and Bitdefender only offering 30 days.

I wanted to confirm the guarantee really works — and it does! I signed up for the Deluxe annual plan and tested Norton for a few weeks. When my tests were complete, I contacted customer support through 24/7 live chat and easily requested a refund.Screenshot of Norton's 24/7 live chat agent processing a refund request.

You can easily request a refund using Norton’s 24/7 live chat

The Norton agent wanted to troubleshoot any issues for me (and even offered to add a free month to my subscription!), but my refund was quickly approved once I confirmed my cancellation. Even though I was told the refund could take 5 to 7 days to process, I was impressed to see the money back in my bank account in only 5 days.

Virus Protection Promise — Full Refund if Norton Doesn’t Work

You should contact Norton immediately if a virus escapes detection and infects your device. A Norton agent will temporarily access your device remotely and attempt to manually remove the infection. If you get a virus that Norton’s experts can’t remove, you’ll get your money back — this is the Virus Protection Promise. I find this highly reassuring as it demonstrates that Norton truly believes in the effectiveness of its product.

You can redeem the Virus Protection Promise from anywhere in the world. However, there are some terms and conditions based on the country you live in. I recommend checking the Norton website ahead of redeeming the Virus Protection Promise.

Deluxe
$119.99 $49.99 per year
You Save 58%
Plus
$59.99 $29.99 per year
You Save 50%
Standard
$94.99 $39.99 per year
You Save 58%

Final Verdict

After rigorous testing, I can safely say that Norton is the best overall security package on the market. This provider has 100% malware, ransomware, and phishing detection rates, and a powerful firewall. I find that Norton truly lives up to its “360” name, even offering bonus features that you don’t always expect from an antivirus (like its generous cloud storage and an integrated VPN).

Although there’s room for improvement in certain aspects, such as the VPN and optimization tools, even these additional features hold significant value and are user-friendly. I’m also hopeful for Norton to broaden its range of tools to encompass more platforms. Presently, tools like SafeCam and certain VPN features are limited to Windows.

If you’re willing to pay a little more for the best online protection, I highly recommend Norton. Even better, you can try Norton completely risk-free when you sign up with the 60-day money-back guarantee! You can test Norton out for yourself and decide whether you like it before committing to a subscription. When I tested the money-back guarantee process for this review, I easily got my full refund approved over 24/7 live chat in less than 5 minutes.

FAQ: Norton Antivirus

Is there a free version of Norton antivirus?

No, Norton doesn’t have a free version, but it does offer a 7-day free trial for new users. In the UK, users can get a 30-day free trial. If you try Norton for free, you’ll have to add a payment method, but you won’t be charged until the trial period is finished. Norton has a password manager and Power Eraser tool you can use for free, with no account required.

You can also try Norton risk-free for up to 60 days as the service is backed by a money-back guarantee. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can get a refund easily — I had my money back in less than a week.

What devices is Norton compatible with?

Norton works with all major devices and operating systems. This includes Windows (7 or above), Mac (10.10 and later), Android (8.0 and above), and iOS (current and previous two versions). I tested Norton on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone, and was highly impressed by the simplicity of each app.

Will Norton antivirus slow down my computer?

Yes, but the speed difference is likely to be negligible. In my tests, my speed only slowed down by 4 to 9%. I didn’t experience any difference while browsing the internet, launching apps, or transferring files while running Norton.

Can I disable Norton antivirus?

Yes, you can disable Norton antivirus at any time. You can choose whether you want to disable the entire program or just specific features. I recommend that you only disable Norton for very specific purposes (such as if the firewall is interfering with another program) and immediately turn it back on when you’re done.

Can I use Norton on multiple devices?

Depending on your subscription, you can use Norton on up to 10 devices at the same time. Norton supports Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, with intuitive apps that make setup and use very easy.

If you want to transfer your Norton license from one device to another, the process is simple:

  1. Sign in to your Norton account and go to Device Security.
  2. Identify the device you no longer want to use with Norton.
  3. Click the “More Options” 3-dots icon below the device.
  4. Choose “Manage License.”
  5. Select “Remove License” and then confirm your choice.
  6. You can now install your Norton license on a different device.
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