To keep your computer safe, some of you may choose to install an antivirus program on the machine to prevent some potential threats and viruses & malware. Avast vs Norton: which one should you choose? Here is a detailed comparison from MiniTool and you can know the answer.

Antivirus Software Is Necessary

Today more and more persons use laptops and desktops, making communication and data dissemination very easy. However, the use of computers has exposed you to potential fraud and data hacking.

When accessing the Internet, you may encounter threats, viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, etc. These are only a part of the issues you may experience on the Internet. As more hackers invade your system in more sophisticated ways, these types of attacks are increasing every day.

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This increases the need for online security. To protect you from these online threats, antivirus programs are helpful. But when it comes to factors like protection, speed, performance, etc., the antivirus software differs.

There are two widely used applications, Norton and Avast Antivirus. Both of them offer you advanced protection online and offline. But which one should you use? We’ve made a comparison review of these two antivirus programs to help you make an informed decision.

Avast VS Norton

In this part, we will contrast Avast and Norton in some aspects, including features, malware protection, system performance, user interface, and pricing. Now, let’s see the detailed comparison below.

Norton Antivirus VS Avast: Features

The best antivirus software should come with many advanced features and utilities to offer reliable protection against viruses, malware, threats, and more. Let’s see what features these two antivirus software offers.

Norton

The developers of this program offer different editions to protect your devices. Norton AntiVirus Plus is the entry-level suite that can offer protection to your private and financial information when you go online and also protect against existing and emerging online threats to your devices.

A password manager is built in the suite and it helps to generate, store, and manage your credit card information, passwords, and other credentials online. Besides, a smart firewall for PC and Mac, as well as 2GB PC cloud backup are supported in this edition.

Norton 360 Standard is another edition that can be used to protect 1 PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet. In addition to the previous features, it supports 10GB PC cloud backup, Secure VPN (keep passwords and bank account details secure and private), and SafeCam (block unauthorized webcam access).

In Norton 360 Deluxe, another feature – parental control is added to manage the kid’s activities online. Besides, Dark Web Monitoring is supported.

Norton 360 with LifeLock Select is an advanced edition that offers protection for up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets. 100GB cloud backup is supported. LifeLock identity alert system and credit monitoring are added to this edition.

Norton antivirus program

The next edition is Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage that supports 10 devices and 250GB cloud storage. The most advanced edition is Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus. To know more information about this antivirus program, go to its official website.

Avast

Unlike Norton, Avast offers separate products for Windows and macOS. For Windows, there are four different editions.

Avast Free Antivirus is a free edition that comes with limited features. It can be used to offer protection against all kinds of malware. But for advanced features and utilities, they are locked in the software.

Avast Premium Security (two editions: Single-Device and Multi-Device) contains many advanced features, for example, block viruses and other malware, stop criminals from stealing your passwords and banking info, scan for Wi-Fi security weaknesses, perform Sandbox text for any app, offer an advanced firewall, destroy previously deleted files, etc.

Avast antivirus software

Avast Ultimate is the most advanced edition that comes with Avast Cleanup Premium to remove hidden junk, as well as Avast SecureLine VPN to encrypt your Internet connection for safe and private browsing.

Related article: Is Avast Cleanup Premium Worth Its Cost? Answers Are Here

In terms of Mac, Avast offers two editions – free and premium. The free edition only offers essential malware protection but the premium edition offers some advanced features, for example, real-time Wi-Fi security alerts and multi-layered ransomware protection.

For more information on Avast, go to the website.

Conclusion: In terms of Avast VS Norton in features, it’s a tie since both of these two programs offer a host of value-for-money features.

Tip: This related article is useful for you – Your Computer Has Been Locked? Ransomware Prevention Policy, Protect Yourself Now!

Norton VS Avast: Malware Protection

One of the primary responsibilities of an antivirus software is protecting your computer against all types of malware attacks and viruses. Now, let’s make a comparison to Norton and Avast in this aspect.

AV-Test Institute makes malware protection tests every two months to evaluate the ability of the antivirus suite to protect against actual malware threats including viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.

In the test during July and August 2020, the lab awarded Norton with a perfect 6 out of 6 scores. This shows the powerful malware protection capabilities of Norton. Avast also gained the same score in this test.

protection score of Norton and Avast

Besides, according to the protection test for July and August 2020 (380 test cases) from AV-Comparative, Avast can block 99.7% of the widespread malicious samples used in a test while Norton can block 98.7%. The false positives of Norton are higher than Avast.

AV-Comparative test

In terms of Norton vs Avast, Avast is a winner.

Avast VS Norton: System Performance

When performing a scan or other functions, a good antivirus software shouldn’t slow down your computer. When choosing one program, you should take the system performance into account. Is Norton better than Avast in performance? Let’s also see a test from AV-Test.

Avast

In the recent test from AV-Test, Avast received a score of 5.5 out of 6 while Norton posted a perfect score of 6/6. See the following two figures:

Avast performance score

Norton performance score

Verdict: It can be seen that Norton is better than Avast in system performance.

Tip: Here is a related article for you and you may be interested in it – Does Avast Slow Down Your Computer? Get the Answer Now!

Norton VS Avast: User Interface

An easy-to-use software interface is another factor you should consider. Even for people who have limited skills operating a computer, it should be intuitive. This is why developers put in a lot of effort to simplify the usage.

Norton offers a desktop and mobile view with very little difference. In the main interface, you can see a big checkmark to tell you the PC is well. The mark may turn into a warning sign if there is a problem. To start a scan, you can click the Quick Scan button. Besides, you can check the last time you scanned your device.

Avast has a modern, intuitive, and straightforward user interface. The green mark indicates the device is virus-free while the red mark means something goes wrong. In the left pane, you can see four categories and access the major functions with just a few clicks.

Avast user interface

In my opinion, I prefer the user interface of Avast. Of course, it is difficult to see which antivirus program wins in the user interface since they are easy-to-use.

Avast VS Norton: Pricing

When choosing an antivirus program, you should take its pricing into account. Which is cost-effective, Norton or Avast? Now, let’s see a pricing table for the different editions of each software.

Norton Pricing

Norton AntiVirus Plus$14.99/year for the first year1 PC or Mac
Norton 360 Standard$34.99/year for the first year1 PC, 1 Mac or 1 smartphone or tablet
Norton 360 Deluxe$39.99/year for the first year5 PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select$99.99/year for the first year5 PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets
Norton 360 with LifeLock Advantage$179.99/year for the first year10 PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets
Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus$259.99/year for the first yearUnlimited PCs, Macs, smartphones, or tablets

Avast Pricing

Premium Security Single-Device$69.99/year1 PC
Premium Security Multi-Device$89.99/year10 Devices
Avast Ultimate$99.99/year1 PC
Avast Premium Security for Mac$69.99/year1 Mac

Verdict: From the tables, you can know it seems that Norton is actually the most economical option of these two programs since it offers you more value at a far lower price.

Now, we have finished the comparison between Avast and Norton. In conclusion, Norton is better than Avast in system performance and pricing. Avast is also a very good antivirus program but Norton offers many features for far less $. In terms of which one to choose, it depends on your actual situation.

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Suggestion: Back up Your Computer

You know, malware and viruses always exist and may attack your computer but you don’t know. Only having antivirus software is not enough to protect your computer. Your files may get lost or the system crashes accidentally due to these threats.

So, we recommend you to back up your computer regularly so that you can restore lost data or restore the PC to a normal state in case of computer accidents.

How can you create a file backup or system backup for your computer? A professional and free PC backup software should be used and here MiniTool ShadowMaker is worth trying.

With this software, you can easily back up your files, folders, Windows operating systems, disks, and partitions. It offers you advanced features to automatically back up data and only create backups for the changed or added data.

Besides, file sync and disk cloning are also supported. When the PC fails to boot, you can use the created bootable disc or USB drive to boot the PC for recovery.

Now, click the following download button to get its Trial Edition (30-day free trial) and then install it on your computer for backup.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker to its main interface by double-clicking the software on your PC.

Step 2: Go to the Backup page, you can find this backup software backs up the system by default. To create a system image backup, move to step 3. If you need to back up data, click Source > Folders and Files, and then check all the items you want to back up.

choose files to back up

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Step 3: Click Destination and choose a storage path for your backup.

choose an external hard drive

Step 4: Finally, click Back up Now to start the backup for your PC.

MiniTool ShadowMaker backs up files

Bottom Line

Want to choose an antivirus program but don’t know which one to choose, Norton or Avast? After reading this guide on Avast vs Norton, you know the answer. Just choose one based on your actual needs. Also, another suggestion is introduced to you for PC protection.

If you have any issues or suggestions, you can leave a comment below or contact [email protected]. We will reply to you as soon as possible.

Avast VS Norton FAQ

Is Avast good as Norton?
Avast and Norton are excellent antivirus programs. When making a comparison, Norton is a winner in pricing and system performance, and it offers advanced features at a lower price.
Is it worth it to pay for Avast?
According to some users, you don’t need to pay for Avast since the detection engines are the same.
What is better than Avast?
Avast is an excellent antivirus software and it is difficult to say which is better than it since you need to compare Avast with other programs. If you want an alternative to Avast, read this post – 10 Best Avast Alternatives for Windows 10/8/7.
Is Norton the best?
Norton is one of the best Antivirus programs and there are many others, such as Avast, MalwareBytes, McAfee, Bitdefender, etc..
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