Norton 360 vs Avast One
Norton vs Avast compares the premium suite against the free-tier pioneer. Norton requires payment but includes everything; Avast offers capable free protection with paid upgrades. Your budget and feature needs determine the winner.
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Quick Answer
Norton 360 beats Avast One for most users. It scores 9.3/10 vs 8.4/10 and excellent malware detection rates. Choose Avast One if you need excellent free antivirus option.
Norton 360
WinnerComplete protection with identity theft monitoring
Starting from
$29.99/yr
Avast One
Strong free tier with comprehensive paid options
Starting from
$35.88/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Starting Price | $29.99/yr | $35.88/yr |
| User Reviews | ||
| Protection | ||
| Malware Detection | 99.8% | 99.98% |
| Real-Time Protection | ||
| Ransomware Protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Extras | ||
| VPN Included | ||
| Password Manager | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 30 |
| Gaming Mode | ||
| Webcam Protection | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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
Avast One
- Excellent free antivirus option
- Good malware detection
- Built-in VPN included
- Performance optimization tools
- Cross-platform support
- Modern, easy-to-use interface
- Free version has ads for upgrades
- Past data privacy controversies (2020)
- VPN limited to 5GB/week on free tier
- No parental controls
- Higher false positive rates in lab tests
Key Difference
Norton costs money but protects better and includes more. Avast has a useful free tier but pushes upgrades and has faced privacy controversies. Norton is premium; Avast is freemium with caveats.
Which Should You Choose?
Norton 360
Choose Norton if you can afford paid security, want comprehensive identity protection, need included VPN and backup, or want the most complete security suite.
Avast One
Choose Avast if you need free antivirus protection, want to test before paying, have a limited budget, or need basic protection without subscription cost.
Our Verdict
Norton wins on protection quality and features with consistently better test scores and comprehensive bundled features. Avast wins on accessibility with a genuinely useful free tier. Willingness to pay separates these choices.
Thinking of Switching?
If upgrading from free Avast to Norton, you'll notice more features and less nagging. If moving from Norton to free Avast, accept reduced features. Uninstall completely before switching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norton 360 better than Avast One?
Norton 360 scores higher in our testing (9.3/10 vs 8.4/10). Norton 360 excels at excellent malware detection rates, while Avast One is better for excellent free antivirus option.
Which is cheaper, Norton 360 or Avast One?
Avast One is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $29.99/mo. Avast One offers 100% savings.
Norton 360 vs Avast One: which should I choose?
Choose Norton 360 if you prioritize excellent malware detection rates. Choose Avast One if you need excellent free antivirus option. Both are solid antivirus software options.
What's the main difference between Norton 360 and Avast One?
The main difference is Norton 360 offers complete protection with identity theft monitoring, while Avast One focuses on strong free tier with comprehensive paid options.