Norton VPN Ultimate Review (2026): Is it the right choice?

Norton VPN Ultimate Review

Advanced privacy and protection at an excellent price. Norton combines robust privacy protection, industry-leading security features, excellent streaming capabilities, and fast download speeds.

• Privacy: 100%. Norton’s clear no-logs policy and powerful protection ensure complete online privacy.
• Streaming: 100%. In our tests, Norton provided reliable access to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and BBC iPlayer.
• Speed: 100%. Norton is among the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, perfect for streaming, gaming, and downloading.
• Security: 100%. Norton VPN Ultimate combines the VPN with Norton’s exceptional antivirus, password manager, and other tools.

Thanks to the 60-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.

Privacy

Norton is based in the United States, which operates under laws like the Stored Communications Act, allowing government agencies to request user information. This makes the log policy of US-based VPNs crucial.

No-logs policy

Norton VPN maintains a clear and straightforward no-log policy. During our analysis, we confirmed that Norton does not store browsing activity, DNS queries, connection timestamps, or the IP addresses of either users or VPN servers.

Instead, it collects only anonymized operational data such as device type, operating system, used bandwidth, and app language. None of this information can be linked back to individual users, which is critical given the company’s legal environment.

Independent audit

To further validate these claims, Norton commissioned an independent audit by VerSprite in 2024, which confirmed that Norton adheres to its no-log commitments and does not record IP addresses or browsing history.

Advanced features

That said, Norton VPN does not offer some of the more advanced privacy-focused features we see in specialist VPNs. There are no RAM-only servers, which automatically wipe data on reboot; no anonymous payment options like cryptocurrency; and no regularly published transparency reports.

Conclusion

Norton VPN delivers strong privacy protection backed by robust encryption and a verified no-logs policy. Its U.S. jurisdiction makes these safeguards important, and in our tests, Norton lived up to its promises.

Streaming

Norton VPN lacks specialized servers specifically optimized for streaming, a feature some competitors provide to bypass geo-restrictions more reliably.

However, this doesn’t seem to hold Norton back. In our tests, it worked with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and Netflix.

Every connection was seamless, with no buffering or regional restrictions interrupting our viewing experience. 

Speed

Norton Secure VPN impresses with its speed, standing out as one of the faster VPNs on the market. It performs exceptionally well on long-distance connections, outpacing even industry leaders like NordVPN and Surfshark. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need reliable performance across continents.

On shorter distances, Norton Secure VPN is equally remarkable. In our tests, it reduced speeds on a New York connection by just 4% and a Frankfurt connection by only 6%. Such minimal slowdowns are barely noticeable, ensuring a seamless browsing or streaming experience.

If you’re into online gaming, Norton Secure VPN won’t disappoint. Its consistent, low-latency performance makes it a solid pick for lag-free sessions, even during intense, fast-paced multiplayer matches.

Security

When we tested Norton VPN, we found that its core security has improved significantly in recent years. The service now employs robust AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption — two of the most trusted algorithms used in modern VPNs — ensuring all data transmitted through the tunnel remains secure. We verified this via Wireshark, confirming that all traffic was properly encrypted and unreadable to outside observers.

Protocols

Norton VPN supports multiple protocols depending on the platform. The Windows app offers flexibility with OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Norton’s proprietary Mimic protocol, while macOS, iOS, and Android rely solely on IKEv2. The Mimic protocol is particularly useful in restrictive environments like schools or workplaces, as it disguises VPN traffic to bypass firewalls and censorship systems.

Leak Test

In our leak tests, Norton VPN performed flawlessly. We detected no DNS, IPv4, IPv6, or geolocation leaks across any platform, confirming that the service keeps user IP addresses and browsing activity private. The kill switch, available on all platforms, effectively blocks all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects — though it must be activated manually. Leak protection also proved solid throughout our testing.

Features

Additional features include ad tracker blocking, which prevents tracking scripts and cookies from profiling users, though it does not block regular ads. Split tunneling is available as well, allowing users to exclude specific applications (but not websites) from the VPN connection — a convenient option for managing traffic between secure and local networks.

No Advanced Tools

That said, Norton VPN still lacks some advanced privacy tools. There’s no support for perfect forward secrecy or Tor network integration, and users cannot customize encryption or DNS settings. Moreover, the service has not undergone an independent security audit to date, leaving some transparency questions unanswered.

Conclusion

Overall, Norton VPN delivers strong core protection with modern encryption and reliable leak prevention, though its limited configurability and absence of advanced features hold it back. Based on our tests, we think it’s a solid, dependable option for everyday users, especially in combination with its excellent antivirus software.

Servers

When we tested Norton Secure VPN’s server network, we found that it offers physical servers in 65 countries and a total network spanning 100 countries, including virtual locations. This gives Norton a wider reach than the top 10 VPN brands’ average, which stands at 93 total server countries.

Transparency remains a challenge across the industry: Only five of the top 10 VPNs disclose the number of physical server countries. Norton’s clarity in this regard is commendable, as it allows users to understand where their data is truly being processed.

The distinction between physical and virtual servers matters for both performance and transparency. Physical servers are located in the countries they claim to represent, ensuring accurate geolocation and consistent speeds. Virtual servers, on the other hand, are physically hosted elsewhere but simulate a different country’s location. While virtual servers can expand geographic coverage cost-effectively, they may lead to higher latency or less accurate location results.

Despite its solid physical infrastructure, Norton VPN’s server network lacks variety. It does not offer specialized options such as Double VPN, Onion over VPN, Dedicated IP, or P2P-optimized servers. Additionally, it does not use RAM-only servers, which some competitors employ for enhanced privacy since they automatically wipe all data upon reboot.

Prices

When comparing annual entry-level VPN subscriptions (excluding extras like antivirus, password managers, or cloud storage), Norton VPN is competitively priced. Its first-year plan costs $39.99, with a renewal price of $79.99. This positions it below the top 10 VPN average of $53.47 for the first year and $102.85 upon renewal.

For users focused on affordability, Norton, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, Bitdefender, TotalVPN, and Avast stand out as budget-friendly choices. Meanwhile, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN cater to those seeking premium features and top-tier performance at a higher price point.

Overall, Norton VPN provides strong value in its first year, though its renewal price edges closer to mid-range competitors.

User reviews

On Trustpilot, Norton VPN performs exceptionally well, earning a 4.6 out of 5 rating based on more than 54,000 reviews. That’s significantly above the top 10 VPN average score of 4.1 from around 22,000 reviews.

This high score reflects a strong level of customer satisfaction, particularly regarding ease of use and reliability. While no VPN is without criticism, Norton’s reputation for stability and its backing by a trusted cybersecurity brand clearly resonate with users.

Ownership

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.