Norton vs. Webroot 2026: Which One Checks All the Boxes?
Norton vs Webroot: Which Antivirus Gives You the Most Bang for Your Buck in 2024?
If you‘re looking for the best antivirus software to protect your devices in 2024, Norton 360 and Webroot are two top contenders that are likely on your radar. While both are highly rated and offer robust malware detection, there are some important differences to consider.
Having tested and analyzed both products in depth, here‘s my take on how they stack up and which one is the better choice depending on your needs and budget.
Features and Protection
When it comes to antivirus capabilities, both Norton and Webroot deliver excellent protection against the latest malware threats, scoring over 99% in recent independent lab tests. However, Norton does have a slight edge, with perfect or near perfect scores across the board.
Norton also offers more features for the money, including extras like:
- Parental controls to help keep your kids safe online
- A password manager to secure your logins
- Dark web monitoring to protect against identity theft
- A VPN for more secure and private browsing
- Cloud backup to prevent data loss
Webroot is a bit more basic and streamlined in comparison, focusing mainly on core antivirus and internet security. However, it does have a couple advantages of its own:
- Ransomware protection and remediation
- Faster cloud-based scanning
- System optimization tools to keep your devices running smoothly
Ultimately, Norton is the more feature-rich option, but Webroot holds its own where it counts – stopping viruses and malware. If you want the most possible tools in one package, Norton is the way to go, but Webroot covers the essentials at a lower price.
Pricing and Value
Price is one area where Webroot has a clear advantage over Norton. Webroot‘s top plan that covers 5 devices is $49.99 for the first year, while Norton‘s 360 Deluxe plan is $104.99. On renewal, Webroot goes up to $79.99/year compared to $129.99/year for Norton.
That means you‘re paying quite a premium for Norton‘s extra features after the first discounted year. For budget-conscious buyers, Webroot delivers the best bang for the buck on pure antivirus protection.
Norton‘s pricier plans do include identity theft monitoring and remediation through LifeLock, which could be worth it for some. But there are standalone identity protection services you can add to Webroot as well.
It‘s also worth noting that Webroot offers a generous 70-day money-back guarantee compared to Norton‘s 60 days, so you have more time to try it risk-free.
System Impact and Ease of Use
Both Norton and Webroot are lightweight and user-friendly, with minimal impact on system performance based on my testing. Scans were fast on both, though Webroot was faster with its cloud-based approach.
I found Norton‘s interface a bit overwhelming at first with its many features and multi-tabbed design. Webroot is more intuitive and streamlined for less tech-savvy users.
However, Norton offers 24/7 phone and live chat support, which is a huge plus. Webroot‘s support options are more limited.
Bottom Line
For most users, Webroot is my top pick for affordable, no-frills antivirus protection in 2024. It handles the essentials extremely well at almost half the long-term cost of Norton.
However, Norton is worth the extra money if you want the most robust feature set and support. Its extras like backup, parental controls, and a VPN provide more complete protection.
Whichever you choose, you can feel confident that your devices are well defended against malware with either of these top-rated antivirus solutions. Consider your specific needs and budget to determine which one is the best fit for you.
