TotalAV vs. Norton 2026: Our Tests Reveal the Clear Winner

When it comes to choosing the best antivirus software, Norton stands out as the clear leader over TotalAV for security features, test results, and customer support. 

While TotalAV focuses on device optimization and budget-friendly protection, Norton consistently delivers stronger malware protection, better privacy tools, and more robust extras, making it our top pick for comprehensive antivirus protection.

In this in-depth TotalAV vs. Norton antivirus comparison, we break down pricing, features, test results, and real-world performance to help you decide which antivirus is right for you. 

TotalAV vs. Norton antivirus compared

• TotalAV: Best for lightweight protection
• Norton: Best for increased privacy and security

		Our Pick
Star rating	4.7 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.	5.0 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	Free or $19.00/first yr	Starts at $29.99/first yr
Max # of protected devices	Up to 8	Up to 10
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Norton Read Norton Antivirus Review

TotalAV pros and cons

Norton pros and cons 

TotalAV vs. Norton: value

		Our Pick
Price range	$19.00–$49.00/first yr	$29.99–$299.88/first yr
Best value plan	TotalAV Internet Security for $39.00/first yr	Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99/first yr
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days for annual plans, 14 days for monthly plans	Yes — 60 days for annual plans, 14 days for monthly plans
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Norton Read Norton Antivirus Review

TotalAV plans

TotalAV prices range from $19.00–$49.00/first yr. We chose the middle plan, Internet Security, as the best value because it includes a VPN. 

While the Total Security plan, TotalAV’s top tier, was only $10 more per year (for the first year), we felt the device security portion wasn’t great since TotalAV isn't as comprehensive on macOS and iOS.

Note that TotalAV also offers a free antivirus program, which includes real-time protection from malware, viruses, adware, and spyware. 

Norton plans

Norton claims the Norton 360 Deluxe plan was the “Best Value,” but if you might disagree with that assessment. Although it doesn’t include LifeLock like the next choice up, it does offer parental controls and a privacy monitor to help keep you and your family safer online.

Norton’s renewal rate isn’t a major leap from the starting cost, either. Norton 360 Deluxe begins at $49.99/first yr and jumps to $119.99/yr for the renewal, whereas Total Security starts at $49.00/first yr and then leaps all the way to $179.00/yr.

TotalAV vs. Norton: features

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

Malware and antivirus scan

Both TotalAV and Norton offer a quick scan and a full system scan. TotalAV's quick scan took a couple of minutes, and its full system scan took over 10 minutes. During the full scan, TotalAV also seemed to slow down significantly when it encountered threats.  

When testing Norton, its quick scan took under one minute, and its full scan analyzed over 600,000 files in less than 10 minutes. While both products' scanning tools were easy to use, we thought Norton was better due to speed and performance.

Real-time protection

TotalAV offers real-time protection with a feature called WebShield. It's a browser extension that verifies the safety of websites you browse and protects against misleading activity, such as scams or spoofed sites.

With Norton, you can turn on the Intrusion Prevention System and Proactive Exploit Protection: 

• Intrusion Prevention System: Detects and scans all network traffic for security vulnerabilities and works with your firewall to detect and block malicious attacks
• Proactive Exploit Protection: Recognizes malicious behaviors and then blocks software that mimics those behaviors

Ultimately, Norton's real-time protection is more comprehensive than TotalAV's. 

Phishing protection

TotalAV's phishing protection is the WebShield extension, which will deem websites safe for browsing and flag any suspicious websites it might encounter so you can browse securely. 

Norton's phishing protection is the Norton Safe Web extension, which also analyzes sites you browse to help detect malware and other online threats. Similar to WebShield, it'll give you site ratings depending on whether a site is safe, potentially unsafe, or unsafe. 

TotalAV and Norton are evenly matched on phishing protection.

Features unique to TotalAV

One way TotalAV stands out from Norton is by including a tested ad blocker. Total Adblock not only blocks ads but also helps speed up your browsing, as ads are known to slow down webpage load times. 

It also promises to block third-party trackers, which can help give you more anonymity online. Total Adblock and many other ad blockers have free versions, so we don't feel like this is a make-or-break feature, just something that's nice to have. 

TotalAV also comes with device optimization tools like a duplicate file finder, a large and old files locator, and disk usage analytics. Norton sells these tools separately, so TotalAV may be a better choice for you if you're looking to optimize your device.

Features unique to Norton

TotalAV and Norton share various features, such as ransomware protection, a password manager, anti-phishing, and malware detection, including spyware and adware. 

Norton, however, has a few additional features that helped it take the lead. Parental controls, cloud backup, and dark web monitoring are all useful features that will increase your security. We've tested Norton Family and recommend these parental controls. 

TotalAV vs. Norton: test results

If you’ve ever received a product that didn’t work the way it was advertised, you can appreciate the need for third-party testing. It’s an important part of the cybersecurity landscape because it tests products to ensure they utilize the most recent technologies and block the newest threats. 

When testing antivirus software, we look at third-party test results for performance, protection, and usability. We also conduct our own in-house tests using EICAR, which demonstrates how well an antivirus product stops phishing sites and malicious files.

TotalAV vs. Norton scores

		Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	18/18	18/18
AV-TEST macOS score	16.5/18	18/18
AV-TEST Android score	18/18	18/18
AV-Comparatives malware protection score	99.99%	99.98%
SE Labs results	99%	100%
EICAR score	2/3	3/3
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Norton Read Norton Antivirus Review

TotalAV and Norton earned similar scores across our testing and third-party testers, but Norton performed slightly better. First, Norton earned a perfect AV-TEST score on its Windows and macOS programs, while TotalAV was docked points with both programs. 

Norton also received a 100% total accuracy rating with SE Labs, while TotalAV earned only a 99% total accuracy rating. 

Finally, Norton protected against all three EICAR tests during our in-house testing. TotalAV blocked the malware test files, but failed to block the phishing test page. 

TotalAV vs. Norton: compatibility and customer support

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Edge, Opera	Yes — Firefox, Chrome, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, online guides, email	Live chat, online guides, email, support forums, phone
Trustpilot score	4.7	4.6
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Norton Read Norton Antivirus Review

There isn’t much difference in compatibility between TotalAV and Norton. Both products delivered on promises for Windows and both have limited Mac functionality. 

Initially, we found that both TotalAV and Norton had browser extensions for Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. TotalAV also added the Opera browser to its compatibility list but lost Firefox. 

Because both products are so similar in functionality and compatibility, the addition of the Opera browser gives TotalAV a slight advantage.

As far as customer support goes, TotalAV seems to have a different feel than Norton. Norton appears to be more accommodating, offering easily accessible live chat, email, and phone support. 

When we tested TotalAV, we found more options in the product portal than on the website. If you’re looking for more than online guides with TotalAV, you won’t necessarily see them on the site.

TotalAV and Norton are nearly matched in their Trustpilot scores. TotalAV reviewers were overwhelmingly positive, commending the ease of use, comprehensive features, and responsive customer support. 

Norton's reviewers were also overwhelmingly positive, and they call out the reliable malware protection, additional features, and user-friendly interface.   

TotalAV and Norton alternatives

Norton is our #1 pick for the best antivirus software based on repeated in-house testing. While we do recommend TotalAV for advanced web protection, other tested alternatives offer better security extras or more value. 

Here's a snapshot of our top antivirus providers compared:

Bottom line: Is TotalAV better than Norton?

While TotalAV is a valid and safe choice for an antivirus program, Norton edges out TotalAV in nearly every category.

		Our Pick
Value
Features
Test results
Compatibility and customer support
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Norton Read Norton Antivirus Review

Norton has better customer service, stronger test scores, and a wider variety of extra features like dark web monitoring and cloud storage. We were also impressed that Norton’s renewal pricing didn’t show as significant a difference from year one to year two as TotalAV’s pricing structure.

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