Norton vs Avast 2026: Antivirus Comparison
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.
Norton 360 Deluxe
Comprehensive antivirus suite with VPN, password manager, and cloud backup included.
Performance-conscious users, gamers, content creators needing minimal system overhead, and users in countries with 24/7 support requirements
Avast Premium Security
Lightweight antivirus with excellent malware detection and minimal system impact
Budget-conscious families, multi-device households, users wanting a robust free option before committing, and those prioritizing value over absolute performance metrics
Quick Answer
AI SummaryNorton 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.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose 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.
Was this verdict helpful?
TIE — neck and neck
Choose Norton 360 Deluxe if
Performance-conscious users, gamers, content creators needing minimal system overhead, and users in countries with 24/7 support requirements
Choose Avast Premium Security if
Budget-conscious families, multi-device households, users wanting a robust free option before committing, and those prioritizing value over absolute performance metrics
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Malware Detection Rate:✓ Norton 360 Deluxe wins(99.9% vs 98.5%)
- Annual Price (Single Device):✓ Avast Premium Security wins($59.99 vs $89.99)
- System Performance Impact (CPU Usage During Scan):✓ Norton 360 Deluxe wins(12-14% vs 18-22%)
Key Facts & Figures
33 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Norton 360 Deluxe | Avast Premium Security | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $49.99 | — | — |
| RAM Usage at Idle(MB) | 80-120 MB | — | — |
| Malware Detection Rate(%) | 98.4% (AV-TEST 2025) | 98.5% | |
| Annual Subscription Price (1 Device)(USD) | $89.99 | $59.99 | |
| CPU Usage During Full Scan(%) | 12-14% | 18-22% | |
| Full System Scan Duration (1TB)(minutes) | 22-25 minutes | 35-42 minutes | |
| Devices Per Standard License(devices) | 5 devices | 10 devices | |
| VPN Data Cap (Free Tier)(GB/month) | Not included | 200 GB | — |
| CPU Usage at Idle(%) | 4-6% | — | — |
| Annual Cost (1 Device)(USD) | $49.99 | — | — |
| AV-TEST Institute Score 2025(/18) | 17.8/18 | — | — |
| Boot Time Impact (vs. unprotected)(%) | 12% slower | — | — |
| Included Features Count(features) | 12 (antivirus, firewall, VPN, password manager, backup, dark web monitoring, webcam protection, file shredder, exploit prevention, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, PUP detection) | — | — |
| Supported Devices per License(devices) | Up to 5 devices (Premium plans) | — | — |
| Cloud Backup Storage(GB) | 50 GB (included) | — | — |
| Annual Cost per Device(USD) | $49.99 | — | — |
| CPU Usage During Active Scan(%) | 3.8% | — | — |
| Full System Scan Speed(GB/min) | 28 GB/min | — | — |
| Maximum Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices | — | — |
| VPN Monthly Data Allowance(MB) | 500 MB | 200MB | |
| Annual Price (1-Device, 1-Year)(USD) | $49.99 | — | — |
| System Performance Slowdown(%) | 3-5% | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 60 days | 60 days | |
| Devices Protected (Standard Plan)(devices) | 5 devices | — | — |
| False Positive Rate(%) | 1.1% | — | — |
| Customer Support Rating(out of 5) | 4.7/5 | — | — |
| Annual Premium Cost(USD) | $39.99 | $39.99 | |
| System Performance Impact (CPU)(%) | 6% | 6% | |
| Devices Covered Per License(devices) | 10 devices | 10 devices | |
| Annual Subscription Cost (1-Year)(USD) | $49.99 | $49.99 | |
| CPU Usage During Scan(%) | 4.1% | 4.1% | |
| Full System Scan Duration(minutes) | 28 minutes | 28 minutes | |
| Customer Support Response Time(minutes) | 2-4 hours (Global) | 2-4 hours (Global) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 99.9%(winner)Malware Detection Rate98.5%
- $89.99Annual Price (Single Device)$59.99(winner)
- 12-14%(winner)System Performance Impact (CPU Usage During Scan)18-22%
- Limited (basic scanning only)Free Version Feature LimitExtensive (includes real-time scanning, firewall, browser extension)(winner)
- 22-25 minutes(winner)Full System Scan Duration (1TB drive)35-42 minutes
- Yes - phone, chat, email(winner)Customer Support (24/7 Availability)Yes - chat, email (phone limited regions)
- 5 devicesDevices Per License (Mid-tier Plan)10 devices(winner)
- Malware Detection Rate
Norton 360 Deluxe
99.9%(winner)
Avast Premium Security
98.5%
- Annual Price (Single Device)
Norton 360 Deluxe
$89.99
Avast Premium Security
$59.99(winner)
- System Performance Impact (CPU Usage During Scan)
Norton 360 Deluxe
12-14%(winner)
Avast Premium Security
18-22%
- Free Version Feature Limit
Norton 360 Deluxe
Limited (basic scanning only)
Avast Premium Security
Extensive (includes real-time scanning, firewall, browser extension)(winner)
- Full System Scan Duration (1TB drive)
Norton 360 Deluxe
22-25 minutes(winner)
Avast Premium Security
35-42 minutes
- Customer Support (24/7 Availability)
Norton 360 Deluxe
Yes - phone, chat, email(winner)
Avast Premium Security
Yes - chat, email (phone limited regions)
- Devices Per License (Mid-tier Plan)
Norton 360 Deluxe
5 devices
Avast Premium Security
10 devices(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Norton 360 Deluxe | Avast Premium Security |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $49.99 | — |
| Annual Subscription Price (1 Device)(USD) | $89.99 | $59.99(winner) |
| Annual Cost (1 Device)(USD) | $49.99 | — |
| Annual Cost per Device(USD) | $49.99 | — |
| Annual Price (1-Device, 1-Year)(USD) | $49.99 | — |
Show 3 more attributesAnnual Premium Cost(USD) $39.99 — Free Tier Available(null) Full-featured free version — Annual Subscription Cost (1-Year)(USD) $49.99 — | ||
| RAM Usage at Idle(MB) | 80-120 MB | — |
| Full System Scan Duration (1TB)(minutes) | 22-25 minutes(winner) | 35-42 minutes |
| System Performance Impact (CPU)(%) | 6% | — |
| Full System Scan Duration(minutes) | 28 minutes | — |
| Malware Detection Rate(%) | 98.4% (AV-TEST 2025) | 98.5%(winner) |
| CPU Usage During Full Scan(%) | 12-14%(winner) | 18-22% |
| CPU Usage at Idle(%) | 4-6% | — |
| Boot Time Impact (vs. unprotected)(%) | 12% slower | — |
| CPU Usage During Active Scan(%) | 3.8% | — |
| Full System Scan Speed(GB/min) | 28 GB/min | — |
| Devices Per Standard License(devices) | 5 devices | 10 devices(winner) |
| Supported Devices per License(devices) | Up to 5 devices (Premium plans) | — |
| Maximum Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices | — |
| Devices Protected (Standard Plan)(devices) | 5 devices | — |
| Free Version Real-Time Scanning | Not included | Included |
| VPN Data Cap (Free Tier)(GB/month) | Not included | 200 GB |
| Monthly VPN Data Allowance(GB) | Unlimited | — |
| Identity Theft Protection Included | All plans included | — |
| Included Features Count(features) | 12 (antivirus, firewall, VPN, password manager, backup, dark web monitoring, webcam protection, file shredder, exploit prevention, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, PUP detection) | — |
Show 4 more attributesVPN Data Limit(GB/month) Unlimited (included) — Cloud Backup Storage(GB) 50 GB (included) — Identity Theft Protection Included (LifeLock) Premium add-on ($99.99/year extra) Parental Control Scope Basic (web filtering only) — | ||
| 24/7 Phone Support Availability | Yes (140+ countries) | Limited (select regions only) |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | All tiers included | — |
| Customer Support Response Time(minutes) | 2-4 hours (Global) | — |
| AV-TEST Institute Score 2025(/18) | 17.8/18 | — |
| Free Version Protection(text) | No free version (14-day trial only) | — |
| VPN Monthly Data Allowance(MB) | 500 MB(winner) | 200MB |
| System Performance Slowdown(%) | 3-5% | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 60 days | 60 days |
| VPN Data Allowance (Annual)(GB) | Limited to premium | — |
| False Positive Rate(%) | 1.1% | — |
| Customer Support Rating(out of 5) | 4.7/5 | — |
| Devices Covered Per License(devices) | 10 devices | — |
| CPU Usage During Scan(%) | 4.1% | — |
| Supported Devices (Multi-Platform) | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS (up to 10 devices) | — |
Show 3 more attributes
Show 4 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Norton 360 Deluxe
Pros
- 99.9% malware detection rate (industry-leading)
- 12-14% CPU usage during full scans vs. competitor average of 20%
- 22-25 minute full system scans (fastest in class)
- Advanced firewall with intrusion prevention system
- 24/7 phone support available in 140+ countries
Cons
- Higher annual cost at $89.99 vs. competitors averaging $50-70
- Free version extremely limited compared to paid rivals
Avast Premium Security
Pros
- Industry-leading free version includes real-time scanning, firewall, and browser extension
- 10 devices per mid-tier license vs. Norton's 5 devices
- $59.99 annual price is 33% cheaper than Norton
- Advanced ransomware protection with decryption tools
- Browser cleanup and optimization features included
Cons
- 98.5% malware detection rate (1.4 percentage points lower than Norton)
- Slower full system scans (35-42 minutes vs. Norton's 22-25 minutes)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
Bitdefender vs Norton
softwareMcAfee vs Avast
softwareMcAfee vs Avast
softwareMcAfee vs Norton Antivirus
softwareKaspersky vs Norton
softwareNorton vs Malwarebytes
softwareWordPress vs Wix
softwareSlack vs Microsoft Teams
softwareCanva vs Photoshop
softwareFigma vs Sketch
softwareiPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
technologyPS5 vs Xbox Series X
technology
Related Articles
5 articles
- technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Read article - technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Read article - technology
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.
Read article
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories