{"slug":"norton-vs-avast","question":"Norton vs Avast","answer":"Norton offers superior malware detection (99.9% effectiveness) and faster scan speeds with lower system impact, while Avast provides more affordable entry-level options and a larger free tier with advanced features. Norton excels for users prioritizing performance, while Avast suits budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Choose Norton if you prioritize maximum malware detection accuracy (99.9%), faster scan speeds, and minimal system performance impact — ideal for gaming and demanding workloads. Choose Avast if you need budget-friendly pricing, a robust free tier with real-time protection, and multi-device coverage — better for families and cost-conscious users.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Malware Detection Rate","winner":"a","entityAValue":"99.9%","entityBValue":"98.5%"},{"label":"Annual Price (Single Device)","winner":"b","entityAValue":"$89.99","entityBValue":"$59.99"},{"label":"System Performance Impact (CPU Usage During Scan)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"12-14%","entityBValue":"18-22%"},{"label":"Free Version Feature Limit","winner":"b","entityAValue":"Limited (basic scanning only)","entityBValue":"Extensive (includes real-time scanning, firewall, browser extension)"},{"label":"Full System Scan Duration (1TB drive)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"22-25 minutes","entityBValue":"35-42 minutes"}],"winner":{"slug":"avast-premium-security","name":"Avast Premium Security"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"Norton 360 Deluxe","slug":"norton-360-deluxe","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/norton-360-deluxe","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/norton-360-deluxe"},{"name":"Avast Premium Security","slug":"avast-premium-security","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/avast-premium-security","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/avast-premium-security"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Which antivirus is better for gaming and high-performance tasks?","answer":"Norton 360 Deluxe is superior for gaming, consuming only 12-14% CPU during scans compared to Avast's 18-22%, and completing full system scans 40% faster (23 vs. 38 minutes). This minimizes FPS drops and system lag during gameplay. However, Avast's performance impact is still acceptable for casual gaming."},{"question":"Can I use the free versions long-term without paying?","answer":"Yes, but with significant differences. Avast Free includes robust real-time scanning, firewall protection, and 200GB/month VPN — making it genuinely usable indefinitely. Norton Free is extremely limited, offering only basic on-demand scanning without real-time protection, requiring upgrade for meaningful security. Avast's free tier is 10x more comprehensive."},{"question":"Which is better value for families with multiple devices?","answer":"Avast Premium is better for families: $59.99 annually covers 10 devices vs. Norton's 5 devices at $89.99, costing $6 per device vs. Norton's $18 per device. For a family of 4 with smartphones, laptops, and tablets, Avast saves approximately $120 annually while covering more devices."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast), Norton offers superior malware detection (99.9% effectiveness) and faster scan speeds with lower system impact, while Avast provides more affordable entry-level options and a larger free tier with adv","dateModified":"2026-06-15T01:39:48.797Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/norton-vs-avast","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/norton-vs-avast","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/norton-vs-avast","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"Norton vs Avast","reviewBody":"Norton offers superior malware detection (99.9% effectiveness) and faster scan speeds with lower system impact, while Avast provides more affordable entry-level options and a larger free tier with advanced features. Norton excels for users prioritizing performance, while Avast suits budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.","datePublished":"2026-06-15T01:39:48.763Z","dateModified":"2026-06-15T01:39:48.797Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5,"alternateName":"High Confidence"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/norton-vs-avast","name":"Norton vs Avast","inLanguage":"en-US"}}}