ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that run...
Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protect...
ESET NOD32 vs Norton 360: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of ESET NOD32 and Norton 360 covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
ESET NOD32 vs Norton 360: Overview
Choosing between ESET NOD32 and Norton 360 is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
ESET NOD32 offers a free tier and starts at $39.99/annually, while Norton 360 begins at $19.99/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
ESET NOD32 is best known for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, whereas Norton 360 stands out for comprehensive all-in-one security suite. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
ESET NOD32
- Best for: Users who prioritize system performance, Gamers and content creators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1992
Norton 360
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Starting price: $19.99/mo
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1991
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between ESET NOD32 and Norton 360.
| Feature | E ESET NOD32 | N Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time antivirus protection | AI-powered detection against malware, ransomware, spyware and viruses | |
| Ransomware Shield | Blocks ransomware and protects valuable data | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Protects against fraudulent websites and scams | |
| Gamer Mode | Automatically pauses background tasks and silences pop-ups | |
| Safe Banking | Essential plan and above | |
| Password Manager | Premium plan and above | Standard plan and above |
| File Encryption | Premium plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Premium plan and above, device limits vary by plan | |
| Identity Protection | Ultimate plan only, includes $1M insurance | |
| Network Inspector | Monitors home Wi-Fi and connected devices | |
| Antivirus Protection | All plans | |
| Secure VPN | Standard plan and above | |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Standard plan and above | |
| AI Scam Protection | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Parental Controls | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Cloud Backup | 2GB to 500GB depending on plan | |
| Identity Theft Protection | LifeLock plans only | |
| 100% Virus Protection Promise | All plans | |
| Deepfake Protection | Deluxe plan and above |
Features Deep Dive
Both ESET NOD32 and Norton 360 offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Password Manager.
ESET NOD32 unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Ransomware Shield, Anti-phishing protection. This makes it ideal for users who prioritize system performance.
Norton 360 unique strengths: Antivirus Protection, Secure VPN, Dark Web Monitoring. This makes it better suited for families needing multi-device protection.
ESET NOD32 offers 10 core features with 5 integrations, while Norton 360 provides 10 features and 4 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Norton 360 edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Norton 360 offers better overall user satisfaction. ESET NOD32 remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users who prioritize system performance.
Norton 360
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Try Norton 360ESET NOD32
Best for Users who prioritize system performance and Gamers and content creators. Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact.
Try ESET NOD32Pros & Cons
ESET NOD32 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
- Clean, intuitive interface without bloatware
- 30-day free trial with full features
- No history of security breaches or vulnerabilities
Cons
- Limited mobile protection, especially on iOS
- Basic parental controls compared to dedicated solutions
- Confusing pricing structure with multiple tiers
- Ultimate plan requires minimum 5 devices
Norton 360 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
- 100% virus protection promise
- Multi-device support across all platforms
- Strong identity theft protection with LifeLock integration
Cons
- No free tier available
- Significant price increases after promotional period
- Some advanced features locked to higher-tier plans
- Requires payment details for free trial
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
ESET NOD32
subscription- Antivirus & anti-malware
- Ransomware Shield
- Anti-phishing
- All NOD32 features
- Safe banking protection
- Firewall
- All Essential features
- Password manager
- File encryption
- All Premium features
- Identity protection with $1M insurance
- Unlimited VPN (up to 25 devices)
Norton 360
subscription- 1 device
- Antivirus protection
- Malware & ransomware protection
- 3 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Secure VPN
- 5 devices
- All Standard features
- Parental controls
- 10 devices
- All Deluxe features
- Identity theft protection
Pricing Comparison Analysis
ESET NOD32 Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 4 plans available: NOD32 Antivirus, Essential, Premium, Ultimate.
Norton 360 Pricing: Paid plans start at $19.99/annually. 4 plans available: Norton AntiVirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus.
Verdict: Norton 360 is more affordable at the entry level. However, ESET NOD32 may offer better value at scale with 30-day free trial with full features.
For budget-conscious teams, Norton 360 is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing users who prioritize system performance, ESET NOD32's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose ESET NOD32 if you need:
- Users who prioritize system performance
- Gamers and content creators
- Windows and macOS users seeking basic protection
- Businesses needing lightweight endpoint security
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
Choose Norton 360 if you need:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Individuals concerned about identity theft
- Those seeking AI-powered scam protection
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
Final Verdict
Choose ESET NOD32 if: You need users who prioritize system performance or gamers and content creators. It excels at extremely lightweight with minimal system impact and high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Choose Norton 360 if: You prioritize families needing multi-device protection or users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. It's particularly strong for comprehensive all-in-one security suite and ai-powered scam and deepfake protection.
Overall: Norton 360 has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, ESET NOD32 has a larger user base with 15,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the antivirus space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
ESET NOD32 vs Norton 360 FAQ
What are the main differences between ESET NOD32 and Norton 360?
ESET NOD32 focuses on users who prioritize system performance with extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, while Norton 360 excels at families needing multi-device protection with comprehensive all-in-one security suite. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is ESET NOD32 or Norton 360 better for small businesses?
ESET NOD32 offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Norton 360's lower starting price of $19.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between ESET NOD32 and Norton 360?
ESET NOD32 starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available, while Norton 360 starts at $19.99/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can ESET NOD32 integrate with Norton 360?
While direct integration may vary, both ESET NOD32 and Norton 360 support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. ESET NOD32 integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Norton 360 works with Windows, macOS, iOS.
Which tool is easier to use, ESET NOD32 or Norton 360?
Based on user reviews, Norton 360 generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.3 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. ESET NOD32 is known for high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Does ESET NOD32 or Norton 360 offer better customer support?
Both ESET NOD32 and Norton 360 provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. ESET NOD32 offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of ESET NOD32 compared to Norton 360?
ESET NOD32's main advantages include: Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests), Clean, intuitive interface without bloatware. Compared to Norton 360, it's particularly strong for users who prioritize system performance.
What are the cons of ESET NOD32 compared to Norton 360?
ESET NOD32's potential drawbacks include: Limited mobile protection, especially on iOS, Basic parental controls compared to dedicated solutions. Norton 360 may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from ESET NOD32 to Norton 360 or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for antivirus in 2026?
In 2026, Norton 360 leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. ESET NOD32 excels for users who prioritize system performance, while Norton 360 is ideal for families needing multi-device protection.