Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Norton 360 vs Surfshark
Norton 360
Security & Cybersecurity
Powerful protection against evolving threats
- From
- $36/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Norton 360 device limit of 3 devices on Standard plan; higher tiers needed for family with multiple devices; Surfshark smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN
- They diverge on capability: Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Surfshark covers Unlimited devices.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Norton 360 and Surfshark actually diverge.
| Attribute | Norton 360 | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $36/year | $1.78/month |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Founded | 1982 | 2018 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), 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
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Password Manager
- Secure VPN
- Cloud backup
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Parental Controls
Only in Surfshark
- Unlimited devices
- CleanWeb ad blocker
- MultiHop
- Camouflage Mode
- NoBorders mode
- Kill Switch
- Bypasser split tunneling
- Rotating IP
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Desktop support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Norton 360
- Antivirusnot Surfshark
- Internet Securitynot Surfshark
- Identity Protectionnot Surfshark
Surfshark
- Vpnnot Norton 360
- Privacynot Norton 360
- Security Suitenot 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
Surfshark
- Smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN
- Lower brand recognition compared to established VPN providers
- Limited customer service availability in some time zones
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
Surfshark
$1.78/month- Starter$1.78/month
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 4,500+ servers
- Basic VPN
- One$3.59/month
- VPN
- Antivirus
- Personal data leak alert
- One+$4/month
- All One features
- Incogi included
Which should you pick?
Choose Norton 360 if
- You need real-time threat protection.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Choose Surfshark if
- You need unlimited devices.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
- You also want cleanweb ad blocker.
Questions people ask
- Is Norton 360 or Surfshark better?
- Neither clearly leads. Norton 360 starts at $36/year and Surfshark at $1.78/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Norton 360 or Surfshark?
- Norton 360 starts at $36/year and Surfshark at $1.78/month.
- Does Norton 360 or Surfshark run on more platforms?
- Norton 360 runs on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Surfshark runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
- 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 Surfshark is typically brought in for.
- What can Norton 360 do that Surfshark cannot?
- Norton 360 covers Real-time threat protection, Ransomware protection, Firewall, Password Manager. Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop, Camouflage Mode. Both handle Cloud deployment, Web support, Desktop support.
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.
SourceSurfshark: Does Surfshark maintain a no-logs policy?
Yes. Surfshark does not log browsing history, visited IP addresses, bandwidth usage, or network traffic. This policy was independently verified by Deloitte in 2025.
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).
SourceSurfshark: How many simultaneous device connections does Surfshark allow?
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on all subscription plans, enabling protection of every device in a household with a single subscription.
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