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Norton 360 vs Malwarebytes

Norton 360 logo

Norton 360

Software

Powerful protection against evolving threats

From
$36/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Malwarebytes logo

Malwarebytes

Software

Protects every device, everywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Malwarebytes 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; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
  • They diverge on capability: Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Norton 360 and Malwarebytes actually diverge.

Attributes where Norton 360 and Malwarebytes differ
AttributeNorton 360Malwarebytes
Starting price$36/yearFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Android, iOSWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded19822008

Identical on both: 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 Norton 360

  • Real-time threat protection
  • Firewall
  • Password Manager
  • Secure VPN
  • Cloud backup
  • Dark Web Monitoring
  • Parental Controls
  • Browser extensions

Only in Malwarebytes

  • Malware detection & removal
  • Real-time protection
  • Anti-exploit
  • Anti-phishing
  • Browser Guard
  • VPN
  • Brute Force Protection
  • Independent lab tested

Both cover

  • Ransomware protection
  • Windows Security Center
  • macOS Security
  • AV-TEST Certified
  • Cloud deployment
  • Desktop support
  • Mobile support
  • English language support
  • Spanish language support
  • French language support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Norton 360

  • Antivirusnot Malwarebytes
  • Internet Securitynot Malwarebytes
  • Identity Protectionnot Malwarebytes

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

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

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

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

Malwarebytes

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.

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.
Norton 360 review

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.
Malwarebytes review

Questions people ask

Is Norton 360 or Malwarebytes better?
Neither clearly leads. Norton 360 starts at $36/year and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Norton 360 or Malwarebytes?
Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $36/year for Norton 360 and Free for Malwarebytes.
Does Norton 360 or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
Norton 360 runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
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 Norton 360 best used for?
Norton 360 is most often used for antivirus, internet security, identity protection. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
What can Norton 360 do that Malwarebytes cannot?
Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Firewall, Password Manager, Secure VPN. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit, Anti-phishing. 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.

Source
Norton 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).

Source
Norton 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.

Source
Norton 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).

Source
Norton 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
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