Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Malwarebytes vs Norton 360
Malwarebytes
Security & Cybersecurity
Protects every device, everywhere
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Norton 360
Security & Cybersecurity
Powerful protection against evolving threats
- From
- $36/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; Norton 360 device limit of 3 devices on Standard plan; higher tiers needed for family with multiple devices
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and Norton 360 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $36/year |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Founded | 2008 | 1982 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
- Independent lab tested
Only in Norton 360
- Real-time threat protection
- Firewall
- Password Manager
- Secure VPN
- Cloud backup
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Parental Controls
- Browser extensions
Both cover
- Ransomware protection
- Windows Security Center
- macOS Security
- AV-TEST Certified
- Cloud deployment
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
- French language support
- Spanish language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Malwarebytes
- Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot Norton 360
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot Norton 360
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot Norton 360
Norton 360
- Antivirusnot Malwarebytes
- Internet Securitynot Malwarebytes
- Identity Protectionnot Malwarebytes
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Malwarebytes
- Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
- Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
- Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium
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
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
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 Malwarebytes if
- You need malware detection & removal.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want real-time protection.
Choose Norton 360 if
- You need real-time threat protection.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- You also want firewall.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or Norton 360 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes 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, Malwarebytes or Norton 360?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $36/year for Norton 360.
- Does Malwarebytes or Norton 360 run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Norton 360 runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton 360 starts at $36/year.
- What is Malwarebytes best used for?
- Malwarebytes is most often used for budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version, organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription, users combining antivirus with privacy via premium plus privacy vpn bundle. Of those, budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version and organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription are not what Norton 360 is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that Norton 360 cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit, Anti-phishing. Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Firewall, Password Manager, Secure VPN. Both handle Ransomware protection, Windows Security Center, macOS Security, AV-TEST Certified.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Norton 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.
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).
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