AVG vs Norton

AVG vs. Norton

Both AVG and Norton have been around for decades, offering users solid protection against malware, phishing attempts, and other online risks. They now fall under the same parent company, Gen Digital, but their approaches, tools, and user experiences differ in key ways. This comparison breaks down their services in four areas to help you decide which one is a better fit.

Service range and customization options

AVG and Norton both offer layered protection beyond just scanning for viruses. Their premium plans include tools like ransomware shields, web protection, phishing filters, and device performance boosters. Each one also includes a secure VPN, password manager, and coverage for multiple devices—Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

The main difference lies in how they package these tools. Norton leans toward offering everything in one suite, with high-tier plans bundling extras like dark web monitoring, parental controls, and identity theft protection through LifeLock. AVG, on the other hand, takes a modular approach. Their premium plans unlock features like AntiTrack, VPN, and TuneUp, but these are separate add-ons unless you go for the full AVG Ultimate package. If you like mixing and matching features, AVG offers more flexibility. If you want everything under one subscription, Norton wins.

Ease of use and integration

Both companies provide easy-to-install apps that guide users through setup and keep scans running in the background. Their dashboards show threat alerts, scan history, and security settings in a beginner-friendly way. You can run quick, full, or custom scans and schedule tasks across your devices.

Norton’s UI is modern and polished, especially in their 360 line. Their mobile apps sync well with the desktop experience. AVG’s interface is clean but can sometimes bombard users with upsell prompts, especially on the free version. Some users also report AVG being a little aggressive with quarantining files.

Security and compliance

Both AVG and Norton consistently score high in lab tests from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. They offer strong real-time detection, behavioral monitoring, and protection against zero-day threats. Both use cloud-based intelligence to block malware, unsafe websites, and phishing attempts before you click.

Where Norton sets itself apart is in the depth of their protection. Their smart firewall is more advanced, and features like dark web monitoring and scam detection through AI (Genie) give users broader coverage. Norton also includes cloud backup with ransomware recovery options. AVG covers the basics well—especially with ransomware controls and web shielding—but lacks  some of Norton’s deeper identity and data protection tools.

Pricing

AVG’s lowest-tier offering is AVG AntiVirus Free, which provides essential protection with real-time malware scanning and basic ransomware defense. For users seeking full coverage, the AVG Ultimate plan costs $59.88 for the first year. It includes AVG Internet Security, AVG TuneUp for performance improvement, Secure VPN for private browsing, and AntiTrack to block tracking scripts. Both free and paid versions support up to 10 devices.

Norton’s entry-level product is Norton AntiVirus Plus, priced at $19.99 for the first year for a single device. It offers malware and ransomware protection, a smart firewall, a password manager, and 2 GB of cloud backup. The most comprehensive plan, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, costs $189.99 for the first year. It includes security for up to 10 devices, 250 GB of cloud storage, dark web monitoring, VPN, parental controls, and identity theft protection services such as credit monitoring and stolen funds reimbursement.

Both providers increase renewal prices after the first year. AVG includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, while Norton offers 60 days. Trial versions are available to explore features before purchasing.

Conclusion

AVG and Norton both deliver strong antivirus protection with a long track record of reliability. They cover the essentials like malware detection, phishing protection, and VPN access, while also offering tools for privacy, performance, and multi-device security.

The key differences lie in how each company structures its plans and additional features. Norton packages more services into all-in-one plans, while AVG gives users the option to build out their protection through separate tools. Norton offers deeper identity protection and cloud backup options, while AVG provides broader access across devices at a lower price point.