Software · head to head
Avast One vs Norton 360
The short version
- Only Avast One has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Avast One ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans; Norton 360 device limit of 3 devices on Standard plan; higher tiers needed for family with multiple devices
- They diverge on capability: Avast One covers Antivirus, Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Avast One and Norton 360 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Avast One | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $36/year |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Founded | 1988 | 1982 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Avast One
- Antivirus
- VPN
- Data breach monitoring
- Email Guardian
- Webcam Shield
- Ransomware Shield
- Performance optimization
- Windows Security
Only in Norton 360
- Real-time threat protection
- Ransomware protection
- Password Manager
- Secure VPN
- Cloud backup
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Parental Controls
- Windows Security Center
Both cover
- Firewall
- AV-TEST Certified
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Avast One
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Privacy Toolsnot Norton 360
Norton 360
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Identity Protectionnot Avast One
Both are used for antivirus, internet security, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Avast One
- Ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- Free plan VPN is limited, no data breakthrough monitoring
- Rebuilt app in May 2026 may have stability issues
Norton 360
- Device limit of 3 devices on Standard plan; higher tiers needed for family with multiple devices
- Parental controls unavailable on Standard plan, requiring purchase of separate Norton Family app
- No HIPAA compliance or BAA support for regulated industries
- Exploit Prevention works only on Windows devices, not available for macOS
- Limited account recovery options if master password is forgotten
Pricing, plan by plan
Avast One
Free- FreeFree
- Antivirus
- Limited VPN
- Privacy tools
- Silver$2.99/month
- Enhanced antivirus
- VPN
- Device cleanup
- Premium$4.19/month
- Full antivirus
- VPN with 55 servers
- Password manager
- Premium Plus$11.67/month
- All Premium features
- 30 devices covered
Norton 360
$36/year- Norton 360 Standard$36/year
- Antivirus and malware protection
- VPN
- Dark web monitoring
- Norton 360 Deluxe$49.99/year
- All Standard features
- 50 GB cloud backup
- Parental controls
- Norton 360 Premium$54.99/year
- All Deluxe features
- 250 GB cloud backup
- LifeLock identity theft protection
Which should you pick?
Choose Avast One if
- You need antivirus.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want vpn.
Choose Norton 360 if
- You need real-time threat protection.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Avast One or Norton 360 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Avast One starts at Free and Norton 360 at $36/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Avast One or Norton 360?
- Avast One has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Avast One and $36/year for Norton 360.
- Does Avast One or Norton 360 run on more platforms?
- Avast One runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Norton 360 runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- Can I use Avast One for free?
- Yes. Avast One has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton 360 starts at $36/year.
- What is Avast One best used for?
- Avast One is most often used for antivirus, internet security, privacy tools. Of those, privacy tools is not what Norton 360 is typically brought in for.
- What can Avast One do that Norton 360 cannot?
- Avast One covers Antivirus, VPN, Data breach monitoring, Email Guardian. Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Ransomware protection, Password Manager, Secure VPN. Both handle Firewall, AV-TEST Certified, Cloud deployment, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Avast One: Is Avast One free?
Yes. Avast One offers a free tier with antivirus, VPN (limited), and privacy tools. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for Silver and $4.19/month for Premium covering up to 5 devices.
SourceNorton 360: What operating systems does Norton 360 Standard support?
Windows 7 SP1 through Windows 11, macOS 10.13 and later, Android 10.0 or later, and current plus two previous iOS versions. Not all features are available on all platforms.
SourceAvast One: What does Avast One include?
Avast One provides antivirus, VPN, password manager, device cleanup, Wi-Fi security, data breach monitoring, and protection against AI-generated scams and deepfakes.
SourceNorton 360: How much cloud backup storage is included in Norton 360 Standard?
2 GB of cloud backup storage is included with Norton 360 Standard. Higher tiers offer 50 GB (Deluxe) and 250 GB (Premium).
SourceAvast One: Does Avast One have ransomware protection?
Ransomware protection is available only on paid plans, not the free tier. Free users get antivirus and basic protection only.
SourceNorton 360: Does Norton 360 include a VPN?
Yes. All Norton 360 plans include a VPN for secure browsing. The VPN is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
SourceNorton 360: Is Norton 360 HIPAA compliant?
No. Norton 360 does not offer HIPAA compliance or Business Associate Agreements (BAA), making it unsuitable for healthcare organizations handling protected health information (PHI).
SourceNorton 360: What is the renewal price after the first year?
First year pricing is discounted. Standard renews at 94.99 USD per year, Deluxe at 119.99 USD per year. This represents a 140% increase over Deluxe's first-year rate of 49.99 USD.
Source