ESET vs Norton 360
ESET and Norton 360 are both solid antivirus options, but they prioritize different aspects of security. After testing both with real malware samples and measuring system impact, Norton 360 edges ahead at 9.3/10.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
Norton 360 beats ESET for most users. It scores 9.3/10 vs 9.2/10 and excellent malware detection rates. Choose ESET if you need av-comparatives product of the year 2024.
ESET
Award-winning protection with minimal system impact
Starting from
$49.99/yr
Norton 360
WinnerComplete protection with identity theft monitoring
Starting from
$29.99/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
| Starting Price | $49.99/yr | $29.99/yr |
| User Reviews | ||
| Protection | ||
| Malware Detection | 100% | 99.8% |
| Real-Time Protection | ||
| Ransomware Protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Extras | ||
| VPN Included | Ultimate only | |
| Password Manager | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 10 |
| Gaming Mode | ||
| Webcam Protection | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
ESET
- AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024
- Perfect 6/6 AV-TEST scores across all categories
- Extremely lightweight - minimal system resource usage
- Multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Android)
- Advanced threat detection with low false positives
- 30-day money-back guarantee and free trial
- No iOS support available
- VPN only included in Ultimate tier
- Interface less modern than some competitors
- Identity protection requires Ultimate plan
Norton 360
- Excellent malware detection rates
- Identity theft protection included
- Unlimited VPN with no data caps
- Cloud backup storage included
- Dark web monitoring
- 100% virus protection promise
- Higher price point than competitors
- Can slow down older systems
- Auto-renewal at full price
Key Difference
The key difference: ESET offers banking protection while Norton 360 provides vpn included. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
ESET
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024, or value perfect 6/6 av-test scores across all categories.
Norton 360
Choose Norton 360 if you prioritize excellent malware detection rates, or value identity theft protection included.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Norton 360 is our winner with a rating of 9.3/10 compared to ESET's 9.2/10. Norton 360 stands out for its excellent malware detection rates and identity theft protection included. Norton 360 also offers better value at its price point. However, ESET remains an excellent choice if av-comparatives product of the year 2024 is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESET better than Norton 360?
Norton 360 scores higher in our testing (9.3/10 vs 9.2/10). Norton 360 excels at excellent malware detection rates, while ESET is better for av-comparatives product of the year 2024.
Which is cheaper, ESET or Norton 360?
Norton 360 is more affordable at $29.99/mo vs $49.99/mo. Norton 360 offers 40% savings.
ESET vs Norton 360: which should I choose?
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024. Choose Norton 360 if you need excellent malware detection rates. Both are solid antivirus software options.
What's the main difference between ESET and Norton 360?
The main difference is ESET offers award-winning protection with minimal system impact, while Norton 360 focuses on complete protection with identity theft monitoring.