Norton 360 Deluxe Review (2025): Is it the right choice?

Full Review

Norton is ranked #1 of the 28 best antivirus of 2025.

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 is one of the best, using a vast malware directory, heuristic analysis, and machine learning to detect threats across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. In our tests, Norton detected 100% of malware samples, including viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, and zero-day threats, putting it on par with top competitors like Bitdefender.

During a full system scan of nearly 1,200 malware files, Norton identified and blocked all threats, including plain, zipped, and encrypted files. The full scan completed in 38 minutes, faster than the industry average, and Norton Insight can speed up future scans by whitelisting trusted files.

Norton also offers multiple scan options, including quick, custom, and smart scans, which can be scheduled. Its real-time protection blocked every malware attempt before it could affect the system, and the software’s “silent mode” ensures no interruptions during full-screen activities, making it ideal for gamers.

Overall, Norton’s scanner provides exceptional malware detection without compromising system performance, with a variety of user-friendly scan options.

Anti-phishing

Norton’s Safe Web browser extension offers excellent anti-phishing protection, outperforming built-in tools like Chrome’s. It detects malicious websites, provides community reviews, and includes an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) to secure online transactions. Available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, Safe Web flagged nearly all phishing sites in our tests, even those missed by Chrome.

One standout feature is the detailed reports Safe Web provides for blocked sites, including user reviews. You can also look up any site’s safety rating directly from the dashboard. Safe Search, Norton’s search engine, color-codes search results (green for safe, red for dangerous) and integrates with search engines like Google, but it’s not as reliable—sometimes mislabeling sites or leaving them untested.

Safe Web’s Link Guard adds extra security by monitoring links on social media and webmail platforms, warning users of suspicious content shared by friends or contacts. While Safe Search has some limitations, Safe Web remains a top-tier tool for phishing protection with thorough, user-friendly insights.

Firewall

Norton’s Smart Firewall offers superior protection compared to standard firewalls from Windows and macOS, detecting advanced threats like ARP and DNS spoofing, SSL man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized port access. It also provides extensive customization options, especially useful for advanced users, and outperforms competitors like McAfee in this area.

During testing, Norton successfully blocked all network intrusions that bypassed the Windows firewall. It also placed network ports in Stealth mode, hiding them from potential attackers. Users can set specific access and traffic rules for individual programs, though most will find the default settings sufficient.

Norton’s firewall monitors 136 lesser-known protocols often exploited by malware, automatically detecting suspicious activity and advising users when to disable them.

Overall, Norton’s firewall is highly effective, offering excellent detection and comprehensive customization, making it one of the best in its class.

Password manager

Norton’s web-based password manager stands out among antivirus-integrated options, offering more features than many competing antivirus password managers. While it may not be as feature-rich as dedicated apps like 1Password or Dashlane, it provides a secure, user-friendly experience.

Key features include:

• 256-bit AES encryption
• Unlimited password, address, credit card, and note storage
• Cross-device sync (PC, Mac, Android, iOS)
• Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari
• Auto-save and auto-fill for login credentials
• Password generator and vault auditing tools

In testing, Norton’s password manager worked smoothly, easily importing vaults from other services like LastPass and filling in credentials with a click. The password vault auditing tool, which flags weak or reused passwords, is a useful addition not often found in antivirus password managers.

Norton also supports biometric logins on mobile devices and two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional security. However, 2FA is only tied to the Norton account, not the password manager itself, which is a slight limitation.

One downside is limited account recovery options: if you forget your master password and haven’t set up biometric login or saved your recovery key, your only option is to reset and delete your vault. Some users might appreciate the added security, but others may find the lack of recovery options inconvenient.

Overall, Norton’s password manager offers solid security, ease of use, and useful features like vault auditing and mobile access. While not as comprehensive as standalone apps, it’s one of the best among antivirus solutions and is free to use across devices.

VPN

Norton Secure VPN stands out as one of the top VPNs bundled with antivirus software in 2025. One of its key advantages is offering unlimited data, even on the cheapest plans, unlike other antivirus VPNs like Bitdefender and Panda Dome, which cap data on lower-tier options.

Norton Secure VPN provides industry-standard security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch (on Windows and Android). It also includes Wi-Fi security, split-tunneling (Windows and Android), an ad blocker, and Tor compatibility. A unique feature is Norton’s proprietary Mimic protocol, which obfuscates VPN traffic, making it more difficult to detect in restrictive regions and potentially improving streaming access and speeds.

With over 2,000 servers in 29 countries, Norton’s server network is sufficient for most users, though smaller than standalone services like NordVPN or Surfshark. Speed tests showed Norton’s VPN causes some slowdown but still allows for HD streaming and quick file downloads, though it isn’t the fastest compared to competitors like TotalAV or Bitdefender.

Norton Secure VPN successfully accesses platforms like Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer, though it struggles with Disney+. Torrenting is only available through Norton’s standalone VPN app, and P2P traffic is limited to servers in the Netherlands, which may slow download speeds for users outside of Europe.

Norton’s VPN comes bundled with its Standard (1 device), Deluxe (5 devices), and LifeLock (10 devices) plans, offering encrypted browsing with a no-logs policy, kill switch, and unlimited data. While it doesn’t rival standalone VPNs, it’s one of the best among antivirus bundles for secure, unrestricted internet access.

Other security features

Private Browser

Norton’s Private Browser is a Chromium-based browser for Windows and Mac that consolidates Norton’s security features, including ad and tracker blocking, malicious website detection, Norton Password Manager, and an Extension Guard.

It also offers Privacy Cleaner for clearing browsing data, and a Video Downloader add-on (though it can’t download YouTube videos). While it’s user-friendly and integrates well with Norton’s security tools, it doesn’t offer anything revolutionary compared to standard browsers with extensions, and the Extension Guard can be inconsistent in blocking extensions.

Data Protector

Norton’s Data Protector is a powerful ransomware defense tool that prevents ransomware from encrypting your files and folders. It blocked all ransomware attacks in testing, even when the ransomware simulator was whitelisted. Users can also customize the files and folders they want to protect. Its performance and customization options make it an excellent solution for ransomware protection.

Parental Controls

Norton’s parental controls, included with the Deluxe and Advanced plans, are among the best available in 2025. They allow parents to monitor and filter web content, set time limits, block apps, track location, and supervise YouTube activity across multiple devices.

The School Time feature is great for managing access during school hours. However, it doesn’t work on Macs or Chromebooks, and tech-savvy kids may bypass filters on Windows. Despite these limitations, it’s a comprehensive and intuitive solution, making it ideal for families.

Privacy Monitor

Norton’s Privacy Monitor helps users remove personal identifying information (PII) from data brokers, who collect and sell personal data. The tool identifies which brokers hold your information and allows you to manually request its removal or use Norton’s Privacy Monitor Assistant for an additional fee. While it’s not a unique feature (McAfee offers something similar), it’s easy to use and effective.

Device Optimization

Norton’s basic system optimization tools include disk defragmentation, file cleanup, and startup management. While these features are useful, they lack advanced functionality found in competitors like Avira or TotalAV, such as browser cookie removal and duplicate file deletion.

The Graphs feature is a standout, providing a timeline of system activities and updates. Users who upgrade to Utilities Ultimate get more comprehensive optimization tools that clean up browser cache, junk files, and registry files in real time with additional customization options.

Utilities Ultimate

Norton’s Utilities Ultimate is a powerful tool for optimizing PC performance. It includes:

• Processes: Manage background apps easily.
• System Junk Cleaner: Removes broken registry items, junk files, and shortcuts.
• Uninstall Simulator/Uninstaller: Test and remove apps more conveniently than Windows’ default tool.
• Disk Optimizer: Automatically optimizes disk space.
• Data Recovery and Shredder: Recover or permanently delete files.
• Undo Center: Revert changes made by Utilities Ultimate.
• NetBooster: Optimizes internet settings for faster video, downloads, and gaming.
• RAM Reclaimer: Frees up RAM to boost performance. While effective, this feature is a paid add-on, whereas some competitors, like Avira, include similar features in their premium plans.

Dark Web Monitoring

Norton’s Dark Web Monitor scans dark web forums, credit reports, and databases to detect if personal information has been leaked. Available in 30+ countries, it uses real human agents to infiltrate dark web sites and notify you if your data is compromised, offering advice on protecting your accounts. It provides more comprehensive monitoring compared to competitors like Kaspersky.

LifeLock Identity Theft Protection

Norton’s LifeLock provides extensive identity theft protection, including credit report monitoring, live identity recovery assistance, legal aid, and up to $1M in insurance for identity theft damages. It compiles data from TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax to monitor for suspicious activity. However, it’s only available in certain countries (mainly the US), and adding family members is pricey.

Driver Updater

Norton’s Driver Updater scans over 50 million vetted drivers to ensure your PC’s drivers are secure and up-to-date. It includes compatibility checks, one-click updates, and a driver backup tool to revert to previous versions if needed. It’s fast, user-friendly, and improves system stability, outperforming Avast’s similar tool in speed.

Software Updater

The Software Updater automatically detects and updates outdated programs with a single click. It provides specific reasons for failed updates and allows users to exclude programs from updates. You can also enable automatic updates, ensuring your software stays current, though it doesn’t update drivers like Avira’s tool.

Cloud Backup

Norton’s Cloud Backup offers scheduled and manual file backups, with storage ranging from 2 GB to 500 GB depending on the plan. It’s a simple and functional tool, similar to Dropbox and OneDrive, but limited to PC users.

PC SafeCam

Norton’s PC SafeCam protects your webcam from unauthorized access, ensuring no third-party can remotely control it.

Spam Filter

The spam filter blocks phishing emails and allows users to set up exclusion lists or block untrustworthy messages.

AntiTrack (Add-on)

AntiTrack helps disguise your digital fingerprint to block online trackers and protect your privacy while browsing.

Safe Email (Add-on)

For an extra fee, Norton will monitor up to 5 email addresses for phishing, scams, and malware in incoming messages.

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: December 2024).

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: December 2024.

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.