Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protect...
Kaspersky
Comprehensive antivirus and internet security software that provides real-time p...
Norton 360 vs Kaspersky: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Norton 360 and Kaspersky covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Norton 360 vs Kaspersky: Overview
Choosing between Norton 360 and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky also has a free option and begins at $21.99/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 Kaspersky stands out for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). 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
Kaspersky
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing parental controls
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1997
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Norton 360 and Kaspersky.
| Feature | N Norton 360 | K Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Protection | All plans | |
| Secure VPN | Standard plan and above | |
| Password Manager | 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 | |
| Real-time antivirus protection | Standard plan and above | |
| Anti-ransomware protection | All paid plans | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Standard plan and above | |
| Two-way firewall | Standard plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Password manager | Plus and Premium plans | |
| Online payment protection | All paid plans | |
| Parental controls (Safe Kids) | Premium plan | |
| Performance optimization | All paid plans | |
| 24/7 remote IT support | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both Norton 360 and Kaspersky 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.
Kaspersky unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Anti-ransomware protection, Anti-phishing protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Norton 360 offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Kaspersky provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Kaspersky edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Kaspersky offers better overall user satisfaction. Norton 360 remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize families needing multi-device protection.
Kaspersky
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing parental controls. Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%).
Try KasperskyNorton 360
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Try Norton 360Pros & 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
Kaspersky Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
- Comprehensive free version available
- Strong real-time protection capabilities
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
Cons
- Concerns about Russian government ties
- Premium plans can be expensive
- VPN has device limitations
- Occasional false positives with legitimate websites
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
Kaspersky
freemium- Basic antivirus protection
- Manual virus scanning
- Malware detection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-phishing
- Two-way firewall
- All Standard features
- Unlimited VPN
- Password manager
- All Plus features
- Identity protection wallet
- Data leak checker
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.
Kaspersky Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $21.99/annually. 4 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Premium.
Verdict: Norton 360 is more affordable at the entry level. However, Kaspersky may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Norton 360 is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing home users seeking comprehensive protection, Kaspersky'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 Kaspersky if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing parental controls
- Budget-conscious users (free version)
- Businesses requiring endpoint security
- Excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%)
- Lightweight system performance impact
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 Kaspersky if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing parental controls. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%) and lightweight system performance impact.
Overall: Kaspersky has a slight edge with a 4.6/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, Norton 360 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.
Norton 360 vs Kaspersky FAQ
What are the main differences between Norton 360 and Kaspersky?
Norton 360 focuses on families needing multi-device protection with comprehensive all-in-one security suite, while Kaspersky excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rate (99.9-100%). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Norton 360 or Kaspersky better for small businesses?
Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky?
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/month, while Kaspersky starts at $21.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Norton 360 integrate with Kaspersky?
While direct integration may vary, both Norton 360 and Kaspersky support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Kaspersky works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Norton 360 or Kaspersky?
Based on user reviews, Kaspersky generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.6 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 Kaspersky offer better customer support?
Both Norton 360 and Kaspersky 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 Kaspersky?
Norton 360's main advantages include: Comprehensive all-in-one security suite, AI-powered scam and deepfake protection, 100% virus protection promise. Compared to Kaspersky, it's particularly strong for families needing multi-device protection.
What are the cons of Norton 360 compared to Kaspersky?
Norton 360's potential drawbacks include: No free tier available, Significant price increases after promotional period. Kaspersky may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Norton 360 to Kaspersky 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, Kaspersky leads in this comparison with a 4.6 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Norton 360 excels for families needing multi-device protection, while Kaspersky is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.