Avast vs Norton 360 When you require an antivirus solution, you will likely have to decide between Norton 360 and Avast Antivirus. These two are long-standing leaders in the cybersecurity market and have recently announced a merger worth $8.1 billion. However, at present, Avast and Norton remain distinct tools, which means that choosing between them is not as straightforward as it may appear. In this comprehensive comparison of Avast versus Norton, I will provide you with all the necessary information about these two tools. You will learn which one is superior in terms of malware removal, performance, price, and ease of use. Keep reading to discover the answer!
Avast vs Norton 360 In 2024
In 2024, the competition between Avast and Norton 360 in the antivirus market continues to be fierce. Both software options offer a range of features and protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. However, when it comes to determining which antivirus is better for your specific needs, it’s important to consider factors such as performance, user interface, pricing, customer support, and additional features. Conducting thorough research and reading reviews from trusted sources can help you make an informed decision on which antivirus software will provide the best protection for your devices in 2024.
Norton 360 vs. Avast Key Informations
| Norton Antivirus | Avast Antivirus | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #2 out of #25 | #16 out of #25 |
| 💵 Price: | From $19.99/year | From $29.99/year |
| ✂️ Free version: | No | Yes |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
Features Overview
The number of features a service offers greatly depends on the edition you are considering. Avast Antivirus has different editions namely Free, Premium (single-device), Premium (multi-device), and Ultimate. The Ultimate edition includes additional products such as Avast Cleanup Premium and Avast SecureLine VPN. On the other hand, Norton 360 does not have a free version and only offers paid editions like Standard and Deluxe.
It also has higher tiers that include LifeLock identity theft protection, which is a separate product. However, these higher tiers do not contribute much to the overall 360 suite as they mainly focus on expanding LifeLock functionalities. The most notable advantage of Avast Antivirus is its free version that provides basic protection.
In comparison, Norton 360 does not have a free version but ultimately proves to be a more comprehensive service. Norton offers more relevant subscription benefits that should be prioritized if you are searching for a high-quality antivirus service. Even in the lower-tier editions, Norton emerges as the clear winner.
Norton 360 features
Norton 360 Standard offers more than just antivirus protection. It also includes anti-spyware features and integrated shields against malware and ransomware. The service’s objective is not only to address existing viruses on your system but also to proactively prevent them from infiltrating in the first instance. Their intelligent firewall and online threat protection effectively handle suspicious traffic before it can cause any damage.
Norton 360 strives to offer a comprehensive package by including numerous features that would typically require separate purchases. These features encompass a password manager, a VPN service, and 10 GB of cloud storage. While the VPN’s ability to provide absolute anonymity may be questionable, it remains an excellent feature that grants users bank-level encryption for their data. This is especially beneficial for safeguarding against potential threats on public WiFi networks.
The Virus Protection Promise is an added benefit offered by Norton. It includes the option to receive assistance from a Norton expert for malware removal. In the event that they are unable to resolve the issue, a refund is promised. However, this feature is only available on the Standard plan and limited to one device, whether it be Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS. If you require Norton 360 on multiple devices, you will need to upgrade to Norton 360 Deluxe. This upgraded plan allows for support on up to 5 devices and provides 50 GB of cloud storage. For more Norton features, check our Norton 360 Antivirus review.
Avast Antivirus features
If you’re looking for a free service, Avast Antivirus would be your only choice. The free version offers protection against viruses, ransomware, and other threats with a real-time monitoring feature. In addition to the essential features, it also allows you to scan WiFi networks for vulnerabilities, providing peace of mind whether you’re at home or in public places.
Avast Premium security is available in two versions: single-device and multi-device. The only distinction between these versions is the number of devices they can be installed on, ranging from 1 to 10. Apart from this difference, both versions offer features such as DNS cache protection, a secure sandbox for running potentially suspicious files, a permanent data files eraser, an auto app updater, and a remote access shield. Additionally, there is a webcam shield that prevents unauthorized access by hackers. However, considering that a sticky note can serve the same purpose effectively, this feature is mostly unnecessary. To learn more about other Avast features…, check our Avast Antivirus review.
The primary concern with the overall features of Avast is their perceived lack of value. Users have little motivation to upgrade from the Free edition, particularly when there are superior third-party tools available that can easily replace its feature set.
Pricing And Plan
Avast emerges as the victor in terms of affordability, thanks to their free subscription, which is not offered by Norton. Nevertheless, when it comes to value for money, Norton surpasses Avast by providing a plethora of features on comparable subscription levels.
|
Plan |
Avast |
Norton 360 |
|
|
Free |
$0.00 |
– |
|
|
One/Standard |
$29.99/year |
$19.99/year |
|
|
Premium Security/Deluxe |
$29.99/year |
$49.99/year |
Check Pricing |
If consumers are looking to reduce their overall spending, they may opt for Avast, although they should be aware that the quality of the product may reflect the lower price. On the other hand, those who are willing to invest a little more in an annual subscription will find that the entry-level tier of Norton 360 offers excellent value for money.
Norton 360 or Avast Antivirus: Free vs. Premium plans
Unlike Avast, Norton 360 does not provide a free tier. Norton’s basic plan starts at $19.99, whereas consumers have the option to subscribe to Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan for an additional $30 per year ($49.99) to secure up to five devices and access parental control features.
The Norton higher tiers are available for $99.48 and $299.88 for the initial subscription year (with an escalating subscription fee in the following years). These elevated tiers provide extra services like credit monitoring and reimbursement for stolen funds.
Avast provides various paid options for their security software, starting from $29.99 per year for single-device protection. These paid tiers offer additional benefits compared to the free software. For multi-device protection for up to ten devices, the cost is $69.48 per year. Alternatively, users can opt for protection for up to 5 devices at a cost of $50.28 per year (or $69.48 per year for up to 30 devices). These plans also include VPN protection and Avast Cleanup Premium, which helps reduce hard drive clutter.
Norton 360 vs Avast Antivirus: which one is better for protection?
In order to accurately assess the effectiveness of Norton 360 and Avast Antivirus in terms of protection, it is important to have access to relevant data. It would be even more beneficial if this data came from independent malware laboratories. Fortunately, both Norton and Avast have received certification and approval from the renowned German AV-TEST Institute, which specializes in malware research. This means that both services meet the highest standards of malware protection. The tests conducted by the institute were carried out on multiple platforms.
In terms of protection, both Avast and Norton achieved a perfect score of 6 on Windows. However, when it comes to macOS and Android, Avast was slightly slower at incorporating the latest malware into its databases, resulting in a score of 5.5. On the other hand, Norton received the highest possible score. In conclusion, Avast is proficient in its service, but Norton outperforms it by offering better overall protection against a wider range of threats. This is due to Norton’s extensive and comprehensive database, which enables it to accurately identify and combat various types of threats.
Real-time protection
As previously mentioned, Norton 360’s main objective is to prevent threats from infecting the system. To achieve this, it regularly updates its database with the latest malware types. This ensures that your protection begins at the browser level, blocking links to suspicious sites. In the event that malicious software does manage to enter your system, Norton 360 still offers various quarantine options to provide assistance.
On the other hand, Avast Antivirus focuses more on managing and identifying threats that have already infiltrated your device. The service heavily relies on frequent background scans, which may have a noticeable impact on less powerful devices. One notable feature of Avast Antivirus is its sandbox tool, which allows suspicious apps to be tested in an isolated environment. This helps prevent the direct installation of malicious apps onto your system.
Scanning
Both Norton 360 and Avast Antivirus possess effective scanning capabilities, albeit with differing performance. Identifying the specific disparities that contribute to this discrepancy is challenging due to the closed-source nature of both services. Nevertheless, when running a scan in safe mode, Avast Antivirus outperforms Norton 360 by completing the process 20% faster. This could be attributed to Avast’s continuous rescanning of background files. Avast may be saving time by omitting unchanged or recently scanned entries during a forced full scan. While this explanation is plausible, further investigation is required at a later stage to confirm its validity.
Firewall protection
Norton 360 Standard is equipped with an Intrusion Prevention System that collaborates with its smart firewall. The smart firewall determines which traffic is allowed, while the Intrusion Prevention System thoroughly examines the content of the traffic to ensure its safety. On the other hand, Avast Premium and Ultimate include a preinstalled advanced firewall that can be personalized to whitelist specific applications. Although Avast does not offer the same level of depth in its firewall security as Norton does, it does provide greater flexibility for user customization.
PC Performance
Norton is the top performer when it comes to PC performance. Avast effectively utilizes the CPU to protect against malware, but this is beneficial only for higher-end computers. The process of scanning for malware consumes a certain amount of processing power. If you want to optimize your CPU usage, it is essential to be aware of the resource demands of each program. While running in the background, Norton 360 uses approximately half as much processing power as Avast, but this ratio is reversed during a full scan.
In terms of performance comparison between Avast and Norton, both programs utilize the same amount of processing power on Mac or Windows systems. During a quick scan, Avast consumes three times more CPU than Norton. For higher-end computers, greater processing requirements lead to faster results; however, the opposite holds true for lower-end computers that have limited resources available.
Apps and interface
Signing up for Norton and Avast is a simple process. However, Norton’s sign-up process is more transparent as they provide details about their first-year discount for subscribers. This includes the price of $39.99 with a $45 savings factored in. On the other hand, Avast does not provide information about price increases beyond the first year of subscription. When comparing Norton and Avast on average PC builds, it is evident that Norton is a bulkier program, resulting in longer load times and slower run speeds. It is important to note that Norton performs more tasks than Avast, especially at the lowest tiers, by providing real-time monitoring information.
Norton enables users to make full use of VPN services, as does Avast, which provides a VPN for their premium plan customers. However, when it comes to benchmark tests on high-performance PC builds like those used for gaming, Norton and Avast show similar performance levels, with Avast slightly edging ahead. Standard PC builds are likely to experience faster performance with Avast compared to Norton. Nevertheless, the disparity in speed between the two is minimal for users with high-end PCs.
Norton provides a software foundation that is predominantly black and white, but it incorporates yellow and red accents to enhance its aesthetic appeal. This makes it an ideal option for individuals who prefer a more subdued color scheme on their screens, as well as professionals who desire a minimalist look for their work-related devices. As such, Norton emerges as a favored choice in these contexts.
On the other hand, Avast presents a visually appealing layout featuring vibrant colors and vector-like boxes, which aligns well with contemporary software programs. If users are looking for a software program that boasts a modern and lively design, Avast could be their top choice.
Moreover, Avast employs user-friendly menu options that incorporate distinct icons to access their security services. This allows users to promptly evaluate any potential security threats, such as conducting a Wi-Fi inspection to identify network problems or performing a comprehensive virus scan of their device.
Norton’s iPhone application features a sleek black and white design with red accents. It offers a VPN service to its subscribers, allowing them to control their regional preferences while having limited control over the final VPN location. Once connected, the app displays an active VPN status at the top. Additionally, the iPhone app scans for vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks, includes an ad blocker, and allows users to enable warnings for unsecured hotspots. The Norton Android app offers all the same features as the iPhone app, with the added advantages of app installation checks, spam call checks, and battery usage warnings.
Avast’s Secure Me iPhone app offers VPN services to consumers, featuring the familiar aesthetics of the Avast desktop app. Upon opening the app, users are automatically connected to an unspecified regional VPN without any control over the final location. Additionally, Avast’s app includes a secure wifi scan but lacks the same level of personalization and warning messages as Norton.
The Avast Android app provides various features such as device tracking, RAM boosting, app installation checks, and protection against malware-infected websites. When comparing the user-friendliness of Avast and Norton on Android, most users will find the Avast Android app easier to navigate due to its clear interface and user-friendly menu.
Customer support
Norton provides custom support services through online forums, live chat, and phone calls, round the clock throughout the week, with minimal waiting periods. While their Twitter account is not very active, they do maintain a Facebook account for sharing information, although direct messaging to consumers is not common.
For those who prefer speaking directly with a Norton representative over the phone, wait time estimates are provided on their website. On average, the wait time is three minutes, with the shortest waits occurring on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In addition to 24/7 chat support, Norton also offers an online form where consumers can submit questions and expect a response within one day.
Avast primarily provides customer support through automated online forms and forums. Users are required to describe their issue in the help categories, which then directs them to questionnaires in hopes of finding a solution. Upon reaching the contact form, consumers are asked for additional information about their issue and the version of the software they are using.
It is worth noting that Avast does offer remote phone support, but this service is limited to its Premium version customers and is not easily accessible on their website. A quick internet search revealed a toll-free number, with pricing options ranging from $79.99 to $199.99 per year for phone support subscriptions. Consumers can only use this line without charge if they have inquiries regarding the purchase of an Avast product. In contrast, Norton does not require users to go through such processes.
Final verdict
| Category | Norton | Avast |
| Protection |  |
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| PC Performance | |
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| Pricing | |
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| User Interface | |
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In general, both AV software providers offer impressive sets of advantages. However, this assessment concludes that Norton 360 is the superior option. Despite being more expensive than Avast’s basic tier (and even more costly than Avast’s first tier at its regular price), Norton 360 provides more value for the money. While Avast performs slightly faster than Norton on both standard and high-end computers, this advantage doesn’t outweigh the user-friendly nature and transparent subscription benefits that Norton offers.
Additionally, it is important to note that Avast requires its subscribers to pay for a limited number of calls to its 24/7 support. This can be seen as disrespectful towards dedicated customers, especially those who have already paid for their membership. On the other hand, Norton provides free 24/7 support to both entry-level and high-tier subscribers, demonstrating their commitment to providing comprehensive and respectable assistance rather than just focusing on profit.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Avast vs Norton 360 In 2024
Which is better Norton 360 or Avast Antivirus?
Avast Premium Security: Best for users who are seeking online security for multiple devices but don’t need family protection features. Norton 360: Best for anyone wanting a cybersecurity suite with features like parental controls, identity theft protection, and a VPN.
Are Avast and Norton the same company?
When in need of an antivirus solution, you’re likely to choose between Norton 360 and Avast Antivirus – two veterans and leaders of the cybersecurity market. Although the duo has recently announced a massive $8.1 billion merger, Avast and Norton are currently still vastly different tools.
What does Norton 360 cost?
Norton 360 is available at a yearly price starting from $19.99 and going up to $299.99.
Is Norton 360 compatible with Android?
Indeed, Norton 360 provides an Android mobile application that boasts a wide range of valuable functionalities such as the ability to check for spam calls, verify app installations, and receive battery usage alerts.
Summary
When it comes to choosing the best antivirus software for your needs in 2024, both Avast and Norton 360 offer powerful protection and a range of features. Avast is known for its comprehensive malware detection and real-time threat monitoring, while Norton 360 is praised for its advanced security features such as secure VPN and identity theft protection. Ultimately, the choice between Avast and Norton 360 depends on your specific requirements and preferences. Consider factors such as pricing, ease of use, customer support, and additional features when making your decision. Whichever option you choose, investing in a reliable antivirus solution is essential to keep your devices and personal information safe from online threats.