# Alternatives to Norton The consumer security veteran. Norton ranks #6 of 9 in Antivirus software, with an Alt Score of 82. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) and available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/norton/ Category: Antivirus software ## Where Norton stands out - **Firewall included** — 3 of 7 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Individual consumers and families wanting all-in-one protection for their computers, tablets, and phones, plus small businesses needing centralized device security across employee devices. - **What you get**: Antivirus and malware/ransomware protection, a VPN, dark web monitoring, and a password manager, with higher tiers adding cloud backup, parental controls, and LifeLock identity theft protection. Plans scale from single-device antivirus-only coverage up to multi-device 360 bundles with identity monitoring. AI-based scam detection is included on most plans. - **How it works**: You choose a plan based on device count and needed features, purchase a subscription, then download and install the Norton app on each covered device to activate protection. Coverage, scans, and account settings are managed from a central dashboard (my.norton.com), with subscriptions auto-renewing annually. ## Profile - **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-10) - **Pricing model**: Subscription (verified 2026-07-10) - **Starts at**: $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) (verified 2026-07-10) - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Bitdefender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bitdefender.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 2 | [Avast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avast.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 3 | [ESET](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/eset.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android | | 4 | [Malwarebytes](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/malwarebytes.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 5 | [Microsoft Defender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | | 6 | [AVG](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avg.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 7 | [Avira](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avira.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 8 | [ClamAV](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clamav.md) | 46 | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Antivirus software checklist | Norton | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Malwarebytes | Microsoft Defender | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | Free | | Starts at | $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) | $24.99/year | $49.99/year | ? | $59.99/year | ? | | License | Proprietary | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | | Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Real-time protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Ransomware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Performance impact | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | Partial | Partial | | Free tier | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | No data selling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Web protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Firewall included | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | ? | Yes | | Ad-free experience | ? | Partial | Partial | ? | Partial | ? | ## Sources Sources for Norton. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **Pricing model**: Subscription — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Subscriptions automatically renew unless the renewal is canceled before billing.” - **Starts at**: $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “$94.99 first yr.” - **License**: Proprietary — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “When you purchase our software and services, you're only getting a license to use them for a limited purpose and subject to these terms. We continue to own all the rights to the software and services.” - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Protection for 3 PCs, Macs, tablets, or smartphones. Windows® | macOS® | Android™ | iOS®” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Last modified: 04/16/2026” - **Independent lab scores (AV-TEST)**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “According to a 2025 report from AV-TEST, an independent security research institute, Norton earned perfect or near-perfect scores across protection, performance, and usability categories.” - **Real-time protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Help keep your PC, Mac, or mobile device protected from viruses, ransomware, malware, and other online threats as you bank, shop, and post online.” - **Ransomware protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection” - **Performance impact**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Norton 360 Deluxe works in the background to help keep your devices safe with very little CPU overhead. There should be little to no effect on your PC's performance.” - **Free tier**: No — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: Trial only; no permanent free tier. - Quote: “For trials, a payment method is required at sign-up and will be charged at the end of the trial period, unless canceled first.” - **No data selling**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “We do not sell customer personal information.” - **Web protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Norton Safe Web is part of Norton 360, designed to enhance your online safety. It uses advanced AI to detect scams and dangerous websites” - **Cross-platform**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Protection for 5 PCs, Macs, tablets, or smartphones. Windows® | macOS® | Android™ | iOS®” - **Firewall included**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Norton 360 includes a smart firewall that monitors and controls your network traffic to help stop malware, unauthorized access, and risky connections before they reach your device.” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/