Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protect...
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provide...
Norton 360 vs Malwarebytes: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Norton 360 and Malwarebytes covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Norton 360 vs Malwarebytes: Overview
Choosing between Norton 360 and Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes also has a free option and begins at $39.99/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 Malwarebytes stands out for minimal impact on system performance. 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
Malwarebytes
- Best for: Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Businesses needing endpoint security
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2008
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Norton 360 and Malwarebytes.
| Feature | N Norton 360 | M Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Ultimate plan only |
| 100% Virus Protection Promise | All plans | |
| Deepfake Protection | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Real-time Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Ransomware Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Browser Guard | Free browser extension | |
| Web Protection | Blocks malicious websites | |
| VPN | Plus and Ultimate plans | |
| Exploit Protection | Premium plans only | |
| Custom Scans | Multiple scan modes available | |
| Threat Quarantine | All versions | |
| Machine Learning Detection | Malware.AI technology |
Features Deep Dive
Both Norton 360 and Malwarebytes offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Identity Theft Protection.
Norton 360 unique strengths: Antivirus Protection, Secure VPN, Password Manager. This makes it ideal for families needing multi-device protection.
Malwarebytes unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Ransomware Protection, Browser Guard. This makes it better suited for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
Norton 360 offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Malwarebytes provides 10 features and 5 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. Malwarebytes remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.
Norton 360
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Try Norton 360Malwarebytes
Best for Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection and Businesses needing endpoint security. Minimal impact on system performance.
Try MalwarebytesPros & 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
Malwarebytes Pros & Cons
Pros
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Strong ransomware protection
- Free version available with basic protection
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Good detection of zero-day threats
Cons
- Limited malware detection in real-time tests
- Free version lacks real-time protection
- Fewer features compared to comprehensive security suites
- No integrated firewall or password manager
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
Malwarebytes
freemium- Manual malware scans
- Basic malware removal
- Browser Guard extension
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Web protection
- All Standard features
- VPN included
- 3 devices coverage
- All Plus features
- Identity theft protection
- Advanced threat detection
- Business endpoint protection
- 1-20 devices
- Email and phone support
- Advanced business security
- 10+ endpoints
- Cloud management
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.
Malwarebytes Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 6 plans available: Free, Standard, Plus, Ultimate, For Teams, Core Endpoint Protection.
Verdict: Norton 360 is more affordable at the entry level. However, Malwarebytes may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Norton 360 is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing users seeking lightweight antivirus protection, Malwarebytes'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 Malwarebytes if you need:
- Users seeking lightweight antivirus protection
- Businesses needing endpoint security
- Removing existing malware infections
- Supplementing primary antivirus software
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Strong ransomware protection
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 Malwarebytes if: You prioritize users seeking lightweight antivirus protection or businesses needing endpoint security. It's particularly strong for minimal impact on system performance and strong ransomware protection.
Overall: Norton 360 has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, Malwarebytes has a larger user base with 50,000 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 Malwarebytes FAQ
What are the main differences between Norton 360 and Malwarebytes?
Norton 360 focuses on families needing multi-device protection with comprehensive all-in-one security suite, while Malwarebytes excels at users seeking lightweight antivirus protection with minimal impact on system performance. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Norton 360 or Malwarebytes better for small businesses?
Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes?
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/month, while Malwarebytes starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Norton 360 integrate with Malwarebytes?
While direct integration may vary, both Norton 360 and Malwarebytes support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while Malwarebytes works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Norton 360 or Malwarebytes?
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 Malwarebytes offer better customer support?
Both Norton 360 and Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes?
Norton 360's main advantages include: Comprehensive all-in-one security suite, AI-powered scam and deepfake protection, 100% virus protection promise. Compared to Malwarebytes, it's particularly strong for families needing multi-device protection.
What are the cons of Norton 360 compared to Malwarebytes?
Norton 360's potential drawbacks include: No free tier available, Significant price increases after promotional period. Malwarebytes may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Norton 360 to Malwarebytes 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 Malwarebytes is ideal for users seeking lightweight antivirus protection.