Norton vs. Webroot 2024: Which One Checks All the Boxes?

Norton and Webroot are both award-winning antivirus solutions with a variety of features included, like anti-malware and firewalls. Norton wins this matchup with more overall features, like parental controls. However, Webroot costs considerably less while still providing excellent internet security.

If features like dark web monitoring are your focus, you’ll likely want to go with Norton 360. If you’re looking for solid protection as well as a handful of extra features that stay within your budget, Webroot is a viable choice.

We've vetted and tested numerous solutions to determine the best antivirus software available. Now, we’ll break down the biggest differences between these two antivirus providers as well as what each offers (or doesn’t offer) to help you in your search for the perfect antivirus.

Norton vs. Webroot review at a glance

At first glance, Norton offers more features than Webroot. Norton provides parental controls and 24/7 support in some of its plans, but these features aren’t included in any Webroot plans.

However, when you look at the pricing, you see that Norton is significantly more expensive in the long term for people who want antivirus protection and don’t need many extras. Webroot includes identity protection features in its top-tier plan, the same as Norton, but at a lower initial cost and renewal price.

• Norton 360: Best for extra features
• Webroot: Best for the price

Norton vs. Webroot compared

Star rating	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.3 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	Starts at $29.99/first yr	Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only)
Max number of protected devices	10	10
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Webroot Read Webroot Review

Norton pros and cons

Norton has a full suite of safety features aimed at improving online privacy. One of the most notable differences between these two providers is Webroot’s lack of 24/7 customer support. While Norton provides 24/7 live chat and other avenues for support, Webroot’s support is limited to weekdays.Additionally, Norton offers compatibility with more platforms than Webroot. 

Webroot pros and cons

While Webroot’s base price is higher than Norton’s, the overall pricing structure is lower. Webroot’s highest tier of protection, the Premium plan, is akin to Norton’s Select + Lifelock plan, which offers identity theft protection. Webroot’s cost for that is $64.99/yr (first year only), while Norton’s is $99.99/first yr.The biggest difference is in the renewal pricing. All of Norton’s renewal pricing is right around double the introductory price. Some plans cost more than double, while the Select + Lifelock plan comes in just under double for the second year. Webroot doesn’t have that high of a price hike, but the renewal pricing depends on the plan you choose.

Which antivirus is the better value?

Webroot has the better value due to its lower costs. It also has a much smaller renewal price bump than Norton.

		Our Pick
Price range	$29.99–$99.99/first yr	$29.99–$124.99/yr
Best value plan	Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99/first yr	Webroot Internet Security Complete for $93.99/yr (first year only)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 60 days	Yes — 70 days
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Webroot Read Webroot Review

We chose Norton 360 Deluxe as the best value because it gives you almost all the features you need. Norton’s AntiVirus Plus plan is a little basic, and the Standard Plan doesn’t include parental controls.

If you want to go all out with the Norton 360 Select + Lifelock plan, you’ll get all the identity theft protection of LifeLock, but the price jumps to $99.99/first yr. That’s just for the first year. The renewal price is a whopping $179.99/yr for the Select + Lifelock plan.

Our best value choice, the Deluxe plan, jumps to $119.99/yr, which is more than double the first-year price, so you’ll need to decide if Norton is really worth it before your renewal date.

Webroot is a little more reasonable when it comes to pricing. Even though our best value choice, Webroot Internet Security Complete, is $93.99/yr (first year only), it renews at $79.99/yr. That’s a much more reasonable renewal price than Norton.

Webroot’s Premium plan is comparable to Norton’s Select + Lifelock in that it offers identity theft protection coverage, but the cost is easier on your wallet at $64.99/yr (first year only). The Internet Security Plus and Basic plans each cover you when it comes to malware detection and ransomware protection, but neither of these plans include device enhancements. This is why we feel the Complete plan is the best value.

Most tech products offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee and Webroot offers a 70-day money-back guarantee. Those are extremely generous. Webroot’s return policy, plus its reasonable pricing and useful features, make it the better choice when it comes to price.

Norton vs. Webroot: Features

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

If you’re looking for a single product that helps you bundle your antivirus, VPN, identity theft protection service, and password manager into one, Norton definitely does that. The Select + Lifelock plan includes all of those services in one security suite.

Webroot only offers a VPN as an add-on, but it does offer password protection, which is powered by LastPass, and device optimization tools. These can help with system performance and overall malware protection by keeping your device running the way it should. Unfortunately, there are no parental controls to help you monitor your kids online.

As far as the main security features are concerned, both Norton and Webroot offer what you need to keep your computer virus- and malware-free in regard to routine real-time scans, a firewall, and anti-phishing technology.

Malware is different from an ordinary computer virus and includes all forms of malicious software like ransomware, spyware, and adware. These can range from annoying, like adware, to downright dangerous, like ransomware. It’s important to use antivirus software to keep yourself protected online.

Norton vs. Webroot: Test results

No matter what you’re shopping for, be it antivirus or a new pair of shoes, it’s likely you read reviews before you buy. Third-party testing is like a well-educated review of antivirus software. Independent testing labs like SE Labs put antivirus software through rigorous protection tests on all sorts of viruses, malware, and even good software that might get flagged as bad (called a false positive) to make sure the antivirus works the way it claims.

These results are essential for making sure you’re purchasing a product that’s constantly evolving with cyber threats to keep you protected.

Norton vs. Webroot SE Labs scores

	Our Pick
Total accuracy	99%	96%
False positives	2%	1%
SE Labs rating	AAA	AAA
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Webroot Read Webroot Review

These are great results for both products: AAA scores for both and minimal false positives. You can see that testing against real-world threats returned pretty good results. Considering the tests have been fairly recent, you can trust each of these software providers is able to protect you against emerging threats. Online threats evolve quickly, and the software you were using six months ago can be woefully out of date and unable to defend against new threats. It’s important to use software that updates itself at least monthly and keeps up with regular testing at least every six months.

We wanted to compare Norton's and Webroot’s results on more than one third-party testing site. AV-TEST is a reliable and reputable testing site in addition to SE Labs. Unfortunately, Webroot hasn’t submitted testing to AV-TEST since 2019. Norton, on the other hand, continues to submit for testing regularly and performs well in all those tests. As of March/April 2024, Norton scored 18/18 for macOS and Android. Until the latest testing, Norton had a perfect score for Windows as well. 

Norton vs. Webroot: Compatibility and customer support

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions
24/7 support
Customer support options	Live chat, phone, support forums, online guides, Facebook, Twitter	Email, support forums, online guides
Learn more	Get Norton Read Norton Review	Get Webroot Read Webroot Review

We tested both of these products, and one of the key performance factors we looked for was whether or not your computer slows down when scans are running.

Neither Norton nor Webroot slowed us down, and we found the testing experience with both to be positive.

We also made a note of how long an initial first scan can take. While some antivirus programs run an initial scan for over an hour, Norton’s took around 10 minutes, while Webroot’s took about 4 minutes. This is fast and efficient, and we’re pleased with both results.

Both of these products were tested on Macs. Antivirus for Macs notoriously lacks features and functionality, but neither of these had any issues. However, we didn’t have access to all available features on either product due to differences between offerings for Windows and Mac operating systems. What was available to us worked well, was easy to understand, and we had overall positive experiences with both solutions.

As far as customer support, we had uneventful experiences with both Norton and Webroot. Norton offers more options for contacting support, but both services allow you to reach out to customer service reps via chats on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Norton also provides a 24/7 live chat while Webroot offers email support, which can take up to 48 business hours to get a response. While there are support forums and online guides for both services, we found that Norton’s support section was more organized than Webroot’s.

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Norton 360 better than Webroot?

Norton and Webroot both offer award-winning protection that defends against viruses and malware. But Norton edges Webroot out on features, compatibility, and customer service.

If Norton’s features are important to you, it may be worth the higher cost to go with that product. If you’re looking for a solid antivirus solution and budget is your main focus, Webroot is likely the better choice.

A lot of products claim to be the best antivirus program, but “best” is subjective. Whether you’re looking for all the bells and whistles or proven security at a lower price, the best antivirus for you is going to be what meets your needs.

Norton vs. Webroot alternatives

• McAfee: McAfee is the OG and offers so many products and services that you should be able to find something that fits what you want. If you’re sticking strictly with antivirus, all of McAfee’s plans include a VPN and tracker blockers so you can stay safe online.
  
  Get McAfee | Read Our McAfee Review
• Avast: Avast offers a free antivirus that can be upgraded to a paid plan if you want more features. If you do decide to purchase a paid plan, depending on your choice, you’ll receive a VPN, an ad blocker, device optimization tools, and identity theft protection services. 
  
  Get Avast | Read Our Avast Review
• Bitdefender: Bitdefender offers device security with basic antivirus protection as well as privacy solutions and identity protection. You have the option to purchase what you need or buy a bundle. We found Bitdefender to provide excellent protection even with its limited features for Mac.
  
  Get Bitdefender | Read Our Bitdefender Review