Independent lab results41 of 45
Protection features21 of 25
Price10 of 20
Refunds and security5 of 10
antivirus product · Gen Digital Inc.
Norton
Paid antivirus with Smart Firewall, ransomware protection and cloud backup, sold as Norton AntiVirus Plus and Norton 360.
In short
- AntiVirus Plus costs $29.99 for the first year on one device, then $59.99 a year1.
- Annual plans can be refunded in full within 60 days of payment1.
- AntiVirus Plus includes Smart Firewall for PC and 2 GB of cloud backup for Windows1.
- Norton has no free antivirus; it offers free scans and a 7-day trial4.
- Norton Power Eraser, its free removal tool, stopped working on April 30, 2026, with no replacement5.
Norton suits people who want a firewall, ransomware protection and cloud backup in one paid app. AntiVirus Plus costs $29.99 in the first year and comes with a 60-day refund window1. The catch is that the price doubles to $59.99 at renewal, and there is no free edition1,4.
Best for: People who want a firewall and cloud backup in one paid app.
Where the points come from
Independent lab results 41 of 45 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST score | 18 of 18AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Norton 360 26.6 & 26.7).6 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives award | ADVANCED+AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: ADVANCED+ (Norton).7 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives protection rate | 99.3%AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 99.3% (Norton).7 | 11 / 15 |
Protection features 21 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOSAntiVirus Plus covers a PC, Mac, tablet or phone on Windows, macOS, Android or iOS1. | 8 / 8 |
| Firewall | YesAntiVirus Plus includes Smart Firewall for PC1. | 5 / 5 |
| Ransomware protection | YesRansomware Protection stops ransomware from changing, deleting or encrypting your files2. | 5 / 5 |
| Rescue or offline scan | Not publishedNorton Power Eraser, a free removal tool, stopped working on April 30, 20265. | 0 / 4 |
| Browser protection | YesSafe Web blocks scam and phishing sites, with extensions for Chrome and Edge3. | 3 / 3 |
Price 10 of 20 points
Refunds and security 5 of 10 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day refund | YesFull refund within 60 days of payment on annual subscriptions1. | 5 / 5 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0 / 5 |
The rule behind each line: how we score antivirus products.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AntiVirus Plus, 1 device1 device | $29.99 first year1 | $2.50 | Renews at $59.99/year |
| AntiVirus Plus, 5 devices5 devices | $39.99 first year1 | $3.33 | Renews at $84.99/year |
| Norton 360 Standard3 devices | $39.99 first year1 | $3.33 | Adds VPN; renews at $94.99/year |
| Norton 360 Deluxe5 devices | $49.99 first year1 | $4.17 | 50 GB cloud backup; renews at $124.99/year |
First-year prices are introductory. AntiVirus Plus renews at $59.99 a year, and Norton says renewal prices may change1.
Strengths
What Gen Digital Inc. says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Norton says that if its experts cannot remove a virus from your device, you get your money back1.
Other antivirus products
- 1
BitdefenderPeople who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year94/100$24.99/yrfirst-year price - 2
Microsoft Defender AntivirusWindows users who want protection without buying anything88/100$0first-year price - 3KasperskyBuyers outside the United States who want a firewall in the cheapest plan84/100$49.99/yrfirst-year price
- 4
AvastPeople who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection83/100$49.08/yrfirst-year price
Sources
- Norton AntiVirus Plus | Virus protection for your device, Norton (Gen Digital). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Get help using your Norton device security product, Norton (Gen Digital). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Norton Safe Web | Detect Scams and Browse Safely, Norton (Gen Digital). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Free Norton Tools & Scans for Mobile & PC Users, Norton (Gen Digital). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- End-of-Life announcement for Norton Power Eraser, Norton (Gen Digital). Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026, AV-TEST. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026, AV-Comparatives. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: us.norton.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Gen Digital Inc..