Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protect...
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
Norton 360 vs Avast: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Norton 360 and Avast covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Norton 360 vs Avast: Overview
Choosing between Norton 360 and Avast is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/annually, while Avast also has a free option and begins at $31.2/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Norton 360 is best known for comprehensive all-in-one security suite, whereas Avast stands out for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Norton 360
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Starting price: $19.99/mo
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1991
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Norton 360 and Avast.
| Feature | N Norton 360 | A Avast |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Protection | All plans | |
| Secure VPN | Standard plan and above | |
| Password Manager | Standard plan and above | Available in all plans |
| 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 | |
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | |
| Firewall Protection | Basic in free, advanced in Premium | |
| Webcam Shield | Premium plan only | |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | Premium plan only | |
| Email Protection | Premium plan only | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both Norton 360 and Avast offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Password Manager.
Norton 360 unique strengths: Antivirus Protection, Secure VPN, Dark Web Monitoring. This makes it ideal for families needing multi-device protection.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Norton 360 offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Avast provides 10 features and 6 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. Avast remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Norton 360
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Try Norton 360Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastPros & Cons
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
Avast Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
Avast
freemium- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
Pricing Comparison Analysis
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.
Avast Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $31.2/annually. 4 plans available: Free Antivirus, Premium Security (1 device), Premium Security (10 devices), One Gold.
Verdict: Norton 360 is more affordable at the entry level. However, Avast may offer better value at scale with Robust free version with essential features.
For budget-conscious teams, Norton 360 is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing home users seeking comprehensive protection, Avast's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
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
Choose Avast if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
Final Verdict
Choose Norton 360 if: You need families needing multi-device protection or users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. It excels at comprehensive all-in-one security suite and ai-powered scam and deepfake protection.
Choose Avast if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Overall: Norton 360 has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, Avast has a larger user base with 150,000 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.
Norton 360 vs Avast FAQ
What are the main differences between Norton 360 and Avast?
Norton 360 focuses on families needing multi-device protection with comprehensive all-in-one security suite, while Avast excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Norton 360 or Avast better for small businesses?
Avast 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 Norton 360 and Avast?
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/month, while Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Norton 360 integrate with Avast?
While direct integration may vary, both Norton 360 and Avast support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Avast works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Norton 360 or Avast?
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. Norton 360 is known for ai-powered scam and deepfake protection.
Does Norton 360 or Avast offer better customer support?
Both Norton 360 and Avast provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Norton 360 offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Norton 360 compared to Avast?
Norton 360's main advantages include: Comprehensive all-in-one security suite, AI-powered scam and deepfake protection, 100% virus protection promise. Compared to Avast, it's particularly strong for families needing multi-device protection.
What are the cons of Norton 360 compared to Avast?
Norton 360's potential drawbacks include: No free tier available, Significant price increases after promotional period. Avast may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Norton 360 to Avast 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. Norton 360 excels for families needing multi-device protection, while Avast is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.