Norton 360 Deluxe Review (2026): Is it the right choice?

Full Review

Norton is ranked #1 of the 28 best antivirus of 2026.

Norton 360 offers robust security features beyond standard antivirus protection. Even on the basic plan, Antivirus Plus, users get a high-performance anti-malware engine, firewall, anti-phishing tools, password manager, 2 GB of cloud storage, and a Virus Protection Promise for refunds if a virus can’t be removed.

Upgrading to Norton 360 Deluxe adds features like parental controls (including School Time for managing children’s online activity during school hours), an unlimited VPN, dark web monitoring, webcam protection, privacy monitoring, and 50 GB of cloud storage.

Those looking to include identity theft protection, can opt for Norton 360 Advanced (outside of the US) or the LifeLock products (in the US).

All of Norton’s plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Anti-malware

Norton’s anti-malware engine demonstrates exceptional accuracy, achieving a perfect 100% detection rate against nearly 1,200 diverse malware samples, including viruses, trojans, rootkits, ransomware, and spyware. Its protection relies on a combination of heuristic analysis, machine learning algorithms, and a continuously updated malware database. This enables Norton to detect both known and emerging threats with minimal false positives, matching or exceeding competitors such as Bitdefender.

Real-time protection proved equally effective. Norton automatically blocked plain, zipped, and encrypted malware files before or during the download process, stopping threats even at the decryption stage. During tests, its response time was instantaneous, preventing execution or data compromise.

Full system scans completed quickly—approximately 14 minutes on a desktop HDD and under 9 minutes on a laptop SSD—making Norton faster than nearly all rivals. Users can select from multiple scan types, including smart, quick, full, targeted, startup, and custom scans, with scheduling and exclusion options for maximum control. Smart Scan further checks Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, junk files, and registry issues that impact performance.

Norton intelligently suspends scans and alerts when applications run in full-screen mode to avoid interruptions during gaming or video playback. Overall, its malware detection and real-time defense deliver outstanding performance without system slowdowns, offering both flexibility and top-tier protection.

Anti-phishing

Norton’s Safe Web and Safe Search tools provide strong protection against phishing and malicious websites. The Safe Web module integrates with both desktop and mobile apps, featuring an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) that safeguards online transactions from interception or fraud. In tests, it blocked nearly all phishing sites, including many missed by Google Chrome.

Safe Web browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox deliver consistent results, alerting users with detailed threat analysis when a website is flagged as unsafe. The Safe Web dashboard also allows users to manually query any domain for security ratings, providing transparency through safety and community trust scores.

Safe Search complements these protections by displaying color-coded results—green for safe, orange for caution, and red for danger—while integrating with major search engines. It also scans social media links and emails for risk indicators. However, its accuracy is inconsistent compared to Safe Web, occasionally misclassifying certain sites.

Despite Safe Search’s limitations, Safe Web remains a highly capable anti-phishing tool, offering detailed reporting, broad browser compatibility, and one of the most accurate phishing defenses available among antivirus solutions.

Firewall

Norton’s Smart Firewall offers exceptional network defense, providing protections far superior to standard OS firewalls. It prevents ARP and DNS spoofing, detects SSL man-in-the-middle attacks, and monitors port activity for suspicious behavior. In independent testing, it successfully identified every intrusion attempt, outperforming Microsoft Defender’s firewall.

The firewall features multiple modes, including Smart, Ask, and Manual, allowing users to determine how programs connect to the internet. Smart Mode automatically learns safe behaviors, while Ask Mode prompts user authorization for every connection, enhancing control though potentially increasing alerts.

Norton’s default configuration blocks numerous unsafe connection types while maintaining access for legitimate traffic. Advanced users can define custom traffic rules for individual applications and create new policies to manage connectivity on a granular level.

The system logs every network interaction, identifying whether each connection is public or private and automatically applying stricter protections on public Wi-Fi. Overall, the Smart Firewall delivers top-tier intrusion prevention with deep customization options for expert users.

Password manager

Norton’s integrated password manager provides secure 256-bit AES encryption with synchronization across all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It offers unlimited storage for credentials, financial information, and personal notes, as well as browser extensions supporting auto-fill and password generation.

The tool’s vault auditing feature analyzes password strength, identifying reused or outdated credentials. Results update dynamically each time the vault is opened, enabling users to maintain strong password hygiene without manual intervention.

Users can access their vaults using two-factor authentication through mobile devices or authentication apps. The system also allows mobile login without a master password, providing convenient yet secure access. However, the 2FA is tied to the Norton account rather than the vault itself, which slightly reduces compartmentalization.

While account recovery options are limited—relying on biometric authentication or a pre-saved recovery key—the design minimizes the risk of unauthorized access. Overall, Norton’s password manager offers robust security, intuitive operation, and excellent value, ranking as the best antivirus-integrated password manager of 2026.

VPN

Norton’s VPN distinguishes itself by providing unlimited data usage across all plans, a rare benefit among antivirus suites. It employs AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and the WireGuard protocol for secure and efficient tunneling. Additional features include a kill switch, split tunneling, Wi-Fi security alerts, ad tracking prevention, and Tor compatibility.

The VPN network comprises over 2,000 servers in 29 countries, offering adequate geographic diversity. Local server performance is strong, with minimal speed reduction during streaming or browsing. However, long-distance connections—such as between the US and Europe—resulted in latency increases and download speed reductions up to 15%, with upload speeds decreasing by as much as 60%.

Norton VPN supports streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max, though it cannot access BBC iPlayer. P2P file sharing is restricted to specific servers that are automatically assigned, preventing users from manually selecting locations for optimal speed.

Overall, Norton’s VPN performs well for general browsing and streaming, combining strong encryption with privacy guarantees. While slower than top standalone VPNs, it remains one of the best antivirus-bundled VPNs available, offering ease of use and comprehensive security coverage.

Other security features

Norton supplements its core defenses with an extensive range of additional protections. Ransomware Shield provides preemptive and behavioral defenses, blocking all simulated ransomware attacks even when manually whitelisted. Users can specify protected folders and file types or block unauthorized applications from accessing sensitive data.

Parental controls, available via Safe Family, deliver advanced web filtering, app blocking, YouTube monitoring, and screen time management for up to ten devices. Although unavailable for macOS, these tools effectively restrict inappropriate content and notify parents when tampering is detected.

Privacy Monitor enables users to locate and remove personal information from data broker listings, while Dark Web Monitoring employs human intelligence agents to identify leaked credentials across hidden networks. In eligible regions, LifeLock identity protection adds credit monitoring, legal assistance, and compensation coverage up to $3 million.

Additional utilities include Cloud Backup (2–500 GB), PC SafeCam webcam protection, Genie Scam Protection, Deepfake Detection, and AntiTrack privacy tools. Norton also provides device optimization utilities, an email spam filter, driver updater, sandbox mode, and a Rescue Disk for system recovery.

Altogether, Norton delivers an exceptionally comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Its combination of AI-enhanced threat detection, privacy safeguards, identity monitoring, and device optimization sets a benchmark for all-in-one digital protection solutions in 2026.

Plans and pricing

In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.

The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.

Note that some features, like the identity theft protection features, are accessed through Norton’s website, rather than the app.

Plan description

Norton AntiVirus Plus — Basic Plan

For $19.99 / year, this plan offers essential features like real-time malware protection, a smart firewall, and 2 GB cloud storage. It’s good for one device and lacks advanced features like VPN and parental controls.

Norton 360 Standard — Mid-Range Plan

At $39.99 / year, this plan offers additional perks like VPN and webcam protection. It covers 1 device globally, or 3 if you’re in the US. This is a solid choice if you’re looking for more than basic protection on a single device.

Norton 360 Deluxe — Best Value

For $49.99 / year, this is our recommended plan, covering up to 5 devices and including parental controls and 50 GB of cloud storage. The plan, however, maxes out at 5 devices, with no option for a small-scale upgrade.

Norton 360 for Gamers — Gaming Special

Priced the same as Deluxe, this plan comes with a game booster (Norton GO), and covers 3 devices. We found it optimized our gaming experience remarkably.

Norton 360 Premium — Extra Storage

Available in select countries, this plan offers up to 10 device coverage and 100 GB storage for $59.99 / year. It’s a good choice if you need extra cloud storage.

Norton 360 Advanced — International Plus

Also at $59.99 / year, this plan is like the Deluxe but allows up to 10 devices and gives 200 GB storage. A sensible pick if you need to cover more devices.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Select (US Only) — Identity Protection Basic

Starting at $99.99 / year, this plan offers substantial identity theft protections like credit monitoring and $25,000 in identity theft insurance, along with 10 device coverage and 250 GB storage.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage (US Only) — Identity Protection Advanced

Costing $191.88 / year, this offers improved identity protections and the same device coverage and storage as LifeLock Select. It’s worth it if you prioritize identity protection.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus (US Only) — The Whole Shebang

For $299.88 / year, this is the top-tier plan offering unlimited device coverage, 500 GB storage, and $1M identity theft reimbursement. It’s pricey, but offers comprehensive protection.

To sum it up, Norton offers a range of plans suitable for different needs and budgets. Whether you need basic protection or extensive coverage, there’s likely a Norton plan for you.

Test score comparison

We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:

• Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
• Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
• Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.

We calculate a final score using this formula:

Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.

While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:

• The best antivirus for Android.
• The best antivirus for Mac.

Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.

Source: AV-Test (Last updated: November 2025).

Price comparison

We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a  single Windows PC with the most essential features:

• Anti-malware
• Anti-phishing (web protection)
• Firewall
• Password manager
• Unlimited VPN (no data limit)

A few notes:

• Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
• Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
• Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).

Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.

User reviews

We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform. 

We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.

Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: November 2025.

Company Profile

Norton is part of the Gen Digital family (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader in Cyber Safety with a mission to make the digital world safer and more private for everyone.

Gen is a collection of renowned cybersecurity brands that serve over 500 million users in 150 countries. Its portfolio includes Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, and AVG.

Operating from dual headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, and Prague, Czech Republic, Gen brings together cutting-edge AI technology and data analytics to tackle today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges. 

By consolidating these brands, Gen combines expertise and innovation to address both current and future cybersecurity threats.

How we test antivirus software

At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:

For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.