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.
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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
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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(percent) | 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(hours) | 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 4 more attributesMoney-Back Guarantee Period(days) 60 days 60 days Annual Premium Cost(USD) $39.99 — Free Tier Available 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(percent) | 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(hours) | 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% | — |
| 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 4 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
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