Today’s devices, be it phones or computers, tend to have antivirus software and application preinstalled. But sometimes, we prefer opting for third-party antivirus solutions. That’s where Norton 360 and Avast come in.
If you need a powerful antivirus solution, you’ll opt for either. And that’s understandable, and they are regarded as leaders and veterans of cybersecurity. However, even though they recently announced a merger, it’s important to point out that they are different antivirus tools.
This is why choosing between them isn’t as simple as it sounds. But not to worry, if you are here now, it’s because you’re asking yourself the same question. We’ll help explain their strength and weakness, showing you which of them suits your needs.
Main Difference between Norton 360 Vs. Avast
| Norton 360 | Avast |
| Norton offers malware protection | It is a ransomware protection tool |
| It offers webcam protection | Users are offered a sandbox tool |
| It is also a password manager | It has a good VPN |
| It doesn’t’ automatically update apps | It automatically updates applications |
| It doesn’t run suspicious or harmful apps in a sandbox | Avast runs harmful applications via the sandbox tool |
| The capterra rating is 4.4 out of 5 with 2,800+ reviews | The Avast capterra rating is 4.4 out of 5 with 800+ reviews. |
Features and Capabilities of Norton 360 Vs. Avast
The number of features an antivirus solution has depends solely on the edition you’re working with. Norton isn’t for free. To use Norton, you need to get the paid versions of Standard and Deluxe. You also have the higher tiers, which come with a LifeLock Identity theft protection solution, one that’s a different product. The latest versions don’t have added features.
On the other hand, Avast has Free, single device premium, and Multi-device premium packages. It also comes in an Ultimate Package, though it is equipped with separate product packages such as Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast Cleanup.
Norton 360
The standard package doesn’t just come equipped with an antivirus; you’ll also get anti-spyware features. It is also equipped with ransomware and malware shields, not just spyware functionalities. Avast aims to fight viruses that creep into systems and prevent these viruses from appearing to begin with.
They have a smart firewall feature and online threat protection, which deals with traffic it dims harmful. The company aims to be generous with its package. For instance, they added more features that ought to come as standalone products. These perks include 10GB of cloud storage, a VPN service, and a password manager. The VPN service isn’t full-proof, so don’t expect complete anonymity. But this is, without a doubt, still an impressive feature to have.
Avast
If you were hoping to get antivirus solutions for free, then Avast antivirus would be the ideal option here. Avast has a free edition that includes ransomware, protection against viruses, and a real-time monitoring feature. So at no cost, you’ll get the essentials and the added ability to scan WiFi networks for security breaches or other related weaknesses.
The Premium version has a security service of two versions: the single-device and multi-device premium versions. And just as you’d expect, the main difference between these two variants is the number of devices. But you’ll get a secured sandbox tool and DNS cache protection.
Reasons to choose Norton 360
Both standard and premium packages handle viruses almost the same way, with the closes similarity being the way they both scan viruses. However, the difference is that one is more advanced than the other, which is obvious from the package’s name you’ll be opting for when starting.
Between both, Norton 360 seems to be the bulkiest of the two. However, it is crucial to note that Norton does more work than Avast when providing real-time protection. In addition, when used at full capacity, it gives you access to VPN services.
Reasons to choose Avast.
Avast offers a premium and ultimate service with advanced firewall protection, typically preinstalled, enabling you to customize and safelist some applications. On the flip side, it is quite vague regarding its firewall security. Norton isn’t better in this aspect either.
Avast focuses more on identifying and managing threats inside your devices as far as real-time protection is concerned. The feature relies solely on frequent rescanning, and you can feel the impact when you have a fairly powerful device. How about the PC performance? Avast does an impressive job of that. It defends your CPU against malware, though that’s only good if you run it on a high-end PC.
Similarities between Norton 360 Vs. Avast
Both Norton 360 and Avast have efficient scanning tools, though they have unique performances. It’s also difficult to define what differences they pack under the hood cause both services are closed–source. However, they have a simplistic design and a good interface, thus making it easy to signup to their platform.
Norton 360 Vs. Avast Alternatives
Undoubtedly, Norton 360 and Avast are some of the top tools in the antivirus protection industry. These antivirus solutions are perfect for the tasks highlighted in this article. However, other alternatives are worth trying.
Kaspersky
Suppose this article wasn’t about Norton 360 Vs. Avast, then it would either be one of these two or Kaspersky. It (Kaspersky) uses cloud-based and proactive antivirus technologies to help protect devices against different threats. The antivirus perks include activity monitoring, web antivirus, and other notable security tools. In addition, it is an effective anti-malware protection.
AVG Antivirus
This is one of the good alternatives to both Norton 360 and Avast. AVG is quite reliable and works on Android, macOS, and Windows. It offers necessary protections and secures your devices from online threats. In addition, it offers highly-customizable solutions, a fairly impressive free version with a wide range of features, and an intuitive interface.
FAQS
Do I need antivirus software?
Your devices such as PCs, Macs, or smartphones often come with a built-in antivirus system. That’s because they recognize the fact that threat exists anywhere. For example, the following website you surf on might be infected with a harmful virus or a malicious code embedded within it. Hackers will always target every detail they come across online, and one of the greatest forms of protection you can invest in is a third-party antivirus solution. It’s always worth it – and it matters less if you are tech-savvy or not.
How much does Norton 360 cost?
Norton’s plans range from $19.99 to $299.99 annually. There’s also a free version worth trying if you are just getting started.
Which is better: Norton 360 or Avast?
Each antivirus solution has its unique strength and weaknesses. You still have to carefully study both of them to know which suits your needs. It would be best to consider how these factors make an informed decision. Norton 360 received the highest score since it is bulkier and has tons of features bound to keep your devices safe. But taking nothing away from Avast. Offering a fairly impressive antivirus solutions at not cost is not something you undermine. Coupled with the fact that Avast still ranks amongst the top ten best antivirus makes it worth the trial. So, go ahead – give it a try.