Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Norton 360 vs Kaspersky Total Security
Norton 360
Security & Cybersecurity
Powerful protection against evolving threats
- From
- $36/year
- Rated
- -
Kaspersky Total Security
Security & Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Norton 360 device limit of 3 devices on Standard plan; higher tiers needed for family with multiple devices; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Norton 360 and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Norton 360 | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $36/year | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1982 | 1997 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Norton 360
- Real-time threat protection
- Firewall
- Password Manager
- Secure VPN
- Cloud backup
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Parental Controls
- Windows Security Center
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
- Windows Security
Both cover
- Ransomware protection
- Browser extensions
- AV-TEST Certified
- AV-Comparatives 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.
Norton 360
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Identity Protectionnot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Parental Controlnot Norton 360
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.
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
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose Norton 360 if
- You need real-time threat protection.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- You also want firewall.
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want safe money.
Questions people ask
- Is Norton 360 or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Norton 360 starts at $36/year and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Norton 360 or Kaspersky Total Security?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $36/year for Norton 360 and Free for Kaspersky Total Security.
- Does Norton 360 or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
- Norton 360 runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Norton 360 starts at $36/year.
- What is Norton 360 best used for?
- Norton 360 is most often used for antivirus, internet security, identity protection. Of those, identity protection is not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Norton 360 do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Firewall, Password Manager, Secure VPN. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection, Parental controls. Both handle Ransomware protection, Browser extensions, AV-TEST Certified, AV-Comparatives 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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
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).
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
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).
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
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