Norton vs. Avira 2024: Security Suite or Affordable Antivirus?

Both Norton and Avira have proven themselves to be great antivirus solutions, but one offers more features while the other is more affordable.

Mary James, Author

Steph Trejos, Editor

Last updated Jun 10, 2024

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5.0

Editorial Rating

On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Antivirus Software

Norton 360 Antivirus

Save up to 58% your first year

4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan

4.5

Editorial Rating

On Avira's website

Antivirus Software

Avira

Advanced registry cleaner and VPN included
Firewall feature for Windows
Somewhat pricey

Norton and Avira are two of the biggest names in antivirus, but how do they compare? We found that Norton offers a full security suite, while Avira has great features at a more affordable price.

We’ve broken them down side by side for you here so you can decide which one is right for you. If you’ve been trying to decide between Norton and Avira, then you’re in the right place.

In this article

Overview
Prices
Features
Test results
Compatibility and customer support
FAQs
Norton vs. Avira: Which is better?

Norton vs. Avira overview

Antivirus software protects you from malware, including ransomware, viruses, trojans, and other nasty things floating around the internet.

Norton is a full security suite with features that range from parental controls to identity theft protection to cloud storage. Avira offers standard features like a password manager and a firewall but at a more economical price.

Norton: Best for a full security suite
Avira: Best for budget-friendly antivirus

Norton vs. Avira compared


Starting price	Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only)	Starts at $26.99–$70.99/first yr
Free version
Max number of protected devices	Up to unlimited	Up to 25
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Avira Read Avira Review

Norton vs. Avira: prices

		Our Pick
Price range	$29.99–$99.99/first yr	$26.99–$129.99/first yr
Best value plan	Norton 360 with LifeLock Select plan for $99.99/yr (first year only)	Avira Prime plan for $59.99–$129.99/first yr
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 60 days	Yes — 60 days
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Avira Read Avira Review

Norton and Avira’s standard plans don’t vary too much in price. Avira starts out more inexpensively, tops out for less than Norton, and lets you customize based on the number of devices used, but Norton has more options when it comes to the features that come in its packages.

Avira’s best value plan is Avira Prime. This is Avira’s highest tier plan, which allows you either five or 25 device connections. It comes with antivirus protection, a virtual private network (VPN), a password manager, and other cybersecurity tools.

Norton tends to be more expensive overall because it’s basically like buying several services in one. The advantage is that you won’t have to piecemeal a security suite together; the disadvantage is that it’s pricey. Avira, on the other hand, offers a free plan so you can test out its protection for yourself before committing to its premium service.

Norton’s best value plan is Norton 360 with LifeLock Select. It’s one of Norton’s most expensive plans but it covers unlimited devices and it comes with antivirus, VPN, dark web monitoring, and more. Plus, it includes LifeLock identity theft protection.

Both services give you 60 days to evaluate their services and get a full refund if you aren’t interested.

Winner: Avira. It offers a free tier, starts lower, and has more payment options based on the devices used.

Norton vs. Avira: features

Feature	Our Pick
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Device optimization tools
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Avira Read Avira Review

Norton and Avira have the standard antivirus features including antivirus scans, real-time protection, and a firewall. The two services differ when you consider how much cybersecurity you want bundled in one product.

Norton includes features like identity theft protection, cloud storage, and dark web monitoring, which you won’t find in Avira’s software. Coupled with other things like parental controls, a password manager, and a VPN, you have a complete, fully rounded security stack with everything you’ll need to protect yourself online and off.

We tried out Norton Secure VPN and found it was easy to use. — Norton offers a VPN to encrypt your Wi-Fi connection

With Avira, you’ll also find a password manager and a VPN as part of its paid plans. It can offer you a pretty robust security suite, but you’ll be missing the identity protection services and parental controls that you’d get with Norton.

Avira's Phantom VPN automatically connected us to the nearest virtual location, but it also offers multiple worldwide servers to choose from.

Winner: Norton. You can add additional security features depending on the plan you pick.

Norton vs. Avira: test results

Third-party testing is important with cybersecurity products to make sure that the antivirus scans work. Independent third-party sites like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives run antivirus software through the gambit to verify that nothing is getting through.

These tests are voluntary, and cybersecurity companies can choose to submit products to these sites for testing. The lack of results doesn’t mean the product isn’t effective, it just means it hasn’t been submitted for a test.

Norton vs. Avira malware protection scores

		Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	16.5/18.0	17.5/18.0
AV-TEST macOS score	18.0/18.0	17.5/18.0
AV-TEST Android score	18.0/18.0	18.0/18.0
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Avira Read Avira Review

*AV-TEST scores are from the most recent round of testing. Windows was last tested in February 2024, macOS in December 2023, and Android in March 2024.

Both antivirus programs struggled with their Windows tests. Avira was docked 0.5 points in its performance tests, having slowed down computer speeds more than the industry average when launching popular websites. It also installed frequently used apps more slowly.

Norton was docked 1.5 points overall for its struggles with the performance and usability tests. Norton slowed down computer speeds by 59% on standard PCs and 50% on high-end PCs when launching popular websites. This is over double the industry average of 23% for standard PCs and 21% for high-end PCs.

Norton also had two false positives while installing and using legitimate software. Other than the struggles with Windows, Norton’s macOS and Android scores were perfect.

However, Avira took a hit on its Mac product. It received 99.6% in the malware protection category instead of the industry average of 100%. This is still a near-perfect score.

Winner: Avira. Norton had bigger hits on its Windows scores while Avira was knocked only 0.5 points for its Windows and macOS apps.

Norton vs. Avira: compatibility and customer support


Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Phone, forums, online guides, live chat, social media	Phone, email, online guides, live chat
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Avira Read Avira Review

Both services offer clean, easy-to-use dashboards. You won’t have a difficult time navigating either of them, although the more products you have with Norton, the more there will be to find. That might be the only hiccup in an otherwise robust product.

We were pleased to see that both Norton and Avira offered 24/7 support. Avira’s support does have a catch, however, as you have to have the paid version of the antivirus to use it. If you’re using Avira Free Security, you’ll have access only to the online guides for support.

Avira automatically starts you out with a Smart Scan once you install it. Ours didn't find any viruses but did identify tracking cookies and junk files to clean up.

Winner: Tie. They both offer great compatibility, user interface, and support options.

Norton vs. Avira FAQs

What antivirus is better than Norton?

There are several different antivirus programs that are comparable to Norton. If you’re looking for something with better protection scores, McAfee scores at the top frequently.

If you’re looking for a better price, there are several services that offer top protection for a lower price, like Avast and AVG. You may have to compromise on features, but you’ll still get great protection for less. You’ll even have the option of a free plan, which Norton lacks.

Can I trust Avira antivirus?

Yes, you can trust Avira antivirus. It has been independently tested by reputable third-party antivirus testing sites. Not only does it have excellent protection scores, but it also offers a variety of useful features, like a VPN, with its paid plans.

What are the disadvantages of Norton antivirus?

The disadvantage of Norton antivirus is its cost. It’s expensive to begin with, and then there may be a price increase on renewal. It’s our biggest complaint about the service because otherwise, it’s top of the line.

Is Avira a good antivirus?

Yes, Avira is a good antivirus. It has excellent third-party testing scores and proves to be reliable and trustworthy. When we tested Avira, we gave it high scores for its pricing, extra features, and protection scores.

Norton vs. Avira: Which is better?

These two are tied. While Norton offers more plans that have additional robust features, Avira includes a free tier that will keep you protected with excellent testing results. As far as features, compatibility, and support are concerned, they’re not the same, but they are equally matched.

Whatever you decide, you need antivirus protection on your computer. The internet is full of cyberthreats, such as malware, viruses, trojans, and other unpleasant things. Keeping yourself protected is so much easier than trying to clean up a cyberattack after it happens.

Save up to 58% your first year

5.0

Antivirus Software

Norton 360 Antivirus

4 plans available, all including antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, and a secure password manager
Option to add VPN connection, dark web monitoring, privacy monitoring, and more
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS on up to 10 devices depending on plan

Learn More

Norton vs. Avira alternatives

If you’re looking for the best antivirus software and aren’t interested in Norton or Avira, we have some additional suggestions. Whether you’re looking for all the bells and whistles or another reputable free antivirus program, the suggestions here have a lot of options.

Antivirus
Best for	Parental controls	Overall protection	Phishing protection
Starting price	Starts at $39.99/yr (first year only)	Starts at $29.00/yr (first year only)	Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only)
Additional features	VPN, identity protection, parental controls, password manager	VPN, ad blocker, password manager	VPN, identity protection, parental controls
Learn more	Get McAfee	Get TotalAV	Get Bitdefender

Author Details

Mary James

About the Author

Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.