Norton vs Malwarebytes 2026: Complete Comparison
Norton offers comprehensive all-in-one antivirus with VPN and password manager included, while Malwarebytes specializes in malware detection with a lighter system footprint and lower cost. Norton is better for complete protection; Malwarebytes excels at focused threat removal.
Norton 360 Deluxe
Comprehensive antivirus suite with VPN, password manager, and cloud backup included.
Families and general users wanting complete security in one package without managing multiple subscriptions
Malwarebytes Premium
Lightweight antimalware specialist with industry-leading detection rates and minimal performance impact.
Users prioritizing lightweight operation on limited hardware, those wanting best-in-class malware detection, and users already using VPN/password manager solutions elsewhere
Quick Answer
AI SummaryNorton offers comprehensive all-in-one antivirus with VPN and password manager included, while Malwarebytes specializes in malware detection with a lighter system footprint and lower cost. Norton is better for complete protection; Malwarebytes excels at focused threat removal.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Norton if you want an all-encompassing security suite with VPN, password manager, and extensive bonus features at a reasonable price — ideal for users wanting one solution for everything. Choose Malwarebytes if you prioritize lightweight performance, maximum malware detection accuracy, lower cost, and prefer a focused approach to threat removal, especially for older or less powerful computers.
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Choose Norton 360 Deluxe if
Best pickFamilies and general users wanting complete security in one package without managing multiple subscriptions
Choose Malwarebytes Premium if
Users prioritizing lightweight operation on limited hardware, those wanting best-in-class malware detection, and users already using VPN/password manager solutions elsewhere
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Annual Price (Single Device):✓ Malwarebytes Premium wins($39.99 vs $49.99)
- System Resource Usage (RAM/CPU):✓ Malwarebytes Premium wins(Low to Moderate (40-60MB RAM at idle) vs Moderate to High (80-120MB RAM at idle))
- VPN Included:✓ Norton 360 Deluxe wins(Yes (Norton Secure VPN) vs No (requires separate purchase))
Key Facts & Figures
34 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Norton 360 Deluxe | Malwarebytes Premium | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $49.99 | $39.99 | |
| RAM Usage at Idle(MB) | 80-120 MB | 40-60 MB | |
| Malware Detection Rate(percent) | 98.4% (AV-TEST 2025) | 99.2% (AV-TEST 2025) | |
| Annual Subscription Price (1 Device)(USD) | $89.99 | — | — |
| CPU Usage During Full Scan(%) | 12-14% | — | — |
| Full System Scan Duration (1TB)(minutes) | 22-25 minutes | — | — |
| Devices Per Standard License(devices) | 5 devices | — | — |
| 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) | 6 (antivirus, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, exploit prevention, PUP detection, rootkit detection) | |
| Supported Devices per License(devices) | Up to 5 devices (Premium plans) | Up to 3 devices (Premium) | |
| Cloud Backup Storage(GB) | 50 GB (included) | 0 GB (not included) | |
| Annual Cost per Device(USD) | $49.99 | $34.99 | |
| CPU Usage During Active Scan(%) | 3.8% | 6% average | |
| Full System Scan Speed(GB/min) | 28 GB/min | — | — |
| Maximum Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices | 1 device | |
| VPN Monthly Data Allowance(MB) | 500 MB | — | — |
| Annual Price (1-Device, 1-Year)(USD) | $49.99 | — | — |
| System Performance Slowdown(%) | 3-5% | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 60 days | — | — |
| Devices Protected (Standard Plan)(devices) | 5 devices | — | — |
| False Positive Rate(%) | 1.1% | — | — |
| Customer Support Rating(out of 5) | 4.7/5 | — | — |
| System CPU Impact (Full Scan)(%) | 4-5% | 4-5% | |
| Full Scan Duration(minutes) | 15-20 minutes | 15-20 minutes | |
| Annual Subscription Cost (1 Device)(USD) | $39.99 | $39.99 | |
| CPU Usage During Full System Scan(percent) | 2-4% | 2-4% | |
| Full System Scan Time(minutes) | 12-18 minutes | 12-18 minutes | |
| Annual Subscription Cost (First Year, 1 Device)(USD) | $59.99 | $59.99 | |
| Number of Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices | 5 devices | |
| Full System Scan Time (500GB Drive)(minutes) | 30 minutes average | 30 minutes average | |
| Ransomware Detection Rate (AV-TEST)(percent) | 99.8% | 99.8% |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $49.99Annual Price (Single Device)$39.99(winner)
- Moderate to High (80-120MB RAM at idle)System Resource Usage (RAM/CPU)Low to Moderate (40-60MB RAM at idle)(winner)
- Yes (Norton Secure VPN)(winner)VPN IncludedNo (requires separate purchase)
- Yes (Norton Password Manager)(winner)Password Manager IncludedNo
- 98.4% (AV-TEST 2025)Malware Detection Rate (Independent Tests)99.2% (AV-TEST 2025)(winner)
- 9 (Firewall, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, exploit prevention, PUP detection, webcam protection, file shredder, cloud backup, dark web monitoring)(winner)Real-Time Protection Features6 (Behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, PUP detection, exploit prevention, rootkit detection, suspicious process monitoring)
- NoFree Version AvailableYes (Premium Features in Free Tier)(winner)
- Annual Price (Single Device)
Norton 360 Deluxe
$49.99
Malwarebytes Premium
$39.99(winner)
- System Resource Usage (RAM/CPU)
Norton 360 Deluxe
Moderate to High (80-120MB RAM at idle)
Malwarebytes Premium
Low to Moderate (40-60MB RAM at idle)(winner)
- VPN Included
Norton 360 Deluxe
Yes (Norton Secure VPN)(winner)
Malwarebytes Premium
No (requires separate purchase)
- Password Manager Included
Norton 360 Deluxe
Yes (Norton Password Manager)(winner)
Malwarebytes Premium
No
- Malware Detection Rate (Independent Tests)
Norton 360 Deluxe
98.4% (AV-TEST 2025)
Malwarebytes Premium
99.2% (AV-TEST 2025)(winner)
- Real-Time Protection Features
Norton 360 Deluxe
9 (Firewall, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, exploit prevention, PUP detection, webcam protection, file shredder, cloud backup, dark web monitoring)(winner)
Malwarebytes Premium
6 (Behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, PUP detection, exploit prevention, rootkit detection, suspicious process monitoring)
- Free Version Available
Norton 360 Deluxe
No
Malwarebytes Premium
Yes (Premium Features in Free Tier)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Norton 360 Deluxe | Malwarebytes Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $49.99 | $39.99(winner) |
| Annual Subscription Price (1 Device)(USD) | $89.99 | — |
| Annual Cost (1 Device)(USD) | $49.99 | — |
| Annual Cost per Device(USD) | $49.99 | $34.99(winner) |
| Annual Price (1-Device, 1-Year)(USD) | $49.99 | — |
Show 3 more attributesMoney-Back Guarantee Period(days) 60 days — Annual Subscription Cost (1 Device)(USD) $39.99 — Annual Subscription Cost (First Year, 1 Device)(USD) $59.99 — | ||
| RAM Usage at Idle(MB) | 80-120 MB | 40-60 MB(winner) |
| Full System Scan Duration (1TB)(minutes) | 22-25 minutes | — |
| System CPU Impact (Full Scan)(%) | 4-5% | — |
| Full Scan Duration(minutes) | 15-20 minutes | — |
| CPU Usage During Full System Scan(percent) | 2-4% | — |
Show 2 more attributesFull System Scan Time(minutes) 12-18 minutes — Full System Scan Time (500GB Drive)(minutes) 30 minutes average — | ||
| Malware Detection Rate(percent) | 98.4% (AV-TEST 2025) | 99.2% (AV-TEST 2025)(winner) |
| CPU Usage During Full Scan(%) | 12-14% | — |
| CPU Usage at Idle(%) | 4-6% | — |
| Boot Time Impact (vs. unprotected)(%) | 12% slower | — |
| CPU Usage During Active Scan(%) | 3.8%(winner) | 6% average |
| Full System Scan Speed(GB/min) | 28 GB/min | — |
| Devices Per Standard License(devices) | 5 devices | — |
| Supported Devices per License(devices) | Up to 5 devices (Premium plans)(winner) | Up to 3 devices (Premium) |
| Maximum Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices(winner) | 1 device |
| Devices Protected (Standard Plan)(devices) | 5 devices | — |
| Number of Devices Covered(devices) | 5 devices | — |
| Free Version Real-Time Scanning | Not included | — |
| VPN Data Cap (Free Tier)(GB/month) | Not included | — |
| 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)(winner) | 6 (antivirus, behavior monitoring, ransomware protection, exploit prevention, PUP detection, rootkit detection) |
Show 10 more attributesVPN Data Limit(GB/month) Unlimited (included) N/A (not included) Cloud Backup Storage(GB) 50 GB (included) 0 GB (not included) Identity Theft Protection Included (LifeLock) — VPN Included No — Firewall Included No — VPN Service Included No — Password Manager Included No — Real-Time Protection (Default) Premium only — Built-in VPN Included No — Firewall Protection No — | ||
| 24/7 Phone Support Availability | Yes (140+ countries) | — |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | All tiers included | — |
| AV-TEST Institute Score 2025(/18) | 17.8/18 | — |
| Free Version Protection(text) | No free version (14-day trial only) | Full real-time protection included free |
| VPN Monthly Data Allowance(MB) | 500 MB | — |
| 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 | — |
| Real-time Protection Available | Premium only | — |
| Ransomware Protection Level | Basic (signature-based) | — |
| Ransomware Detection Rate (AV-TEST)(percent) | 99.8% | — |
Show 3 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Show 10 more attributes
Pros & Cons
12 pros·6 cons across both
Norton 360 Deluxe
Pros
- Includes Norton Secure VPN (standard tier) with unlimited data
- Built-in Norton Password Manager for credential storage
- 50GB cloud backup storage included
- Dark web monitoring scans 100+ data breach sources daily
- Advanced firewall with intrusion prevention and ransomware protection
- Webcam protection and file shredder utilities
Cons
- Higher system resource consumption may slow older computers by 8-15%
- More expensive at $49.99/year than specialized malware tools
- Password manager lacks some advanced features of dedicated solutions
Malwarebytes Premium
Pros
- Highest independent malware detection rate at 99.2% (AV-TEST 2025)
- Lightest system footprint using 40-60MB RAM at idle
- Free version includes core protection features and on-demand scanning
- Ransomware protection with behavioral analysis
- Exploit and PUP detection optimized for zero-day threats
- Significantly cheaper at $39.99/year for premium
Cons
- No VPN or password manager (requires separate subscriptions)
- Limited bonus features compared to all-in-one suites
- Free version restricts real-time protection (requires premium)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Yes, many users run Malwarebytes alongside Norton as a second-opinion scanner. However, running both in real-time protection mode may cause conflicts. Best practice: use Norton as primary antivirus and set Malwarebytes to on-demand scanning only. Malwarebytes is specifically designed to complement existing antivirus software.
Resources & Learn More
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Wikipedia
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