On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Norton vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Norton legitimacy and licensing
- Norton pricing and renewal costs
- What you get with Norton 360
- Norton complaints and how to avoid them
- How to cancel Norton and get a refund
- Fake Norton invoices and scam emails
- Who should skip Norton
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Norton 360 scored 6 out of 6 for protection, performance and usability in every AV-TEST Windows round from February to August 2026. It is a legitimate antivirus brand owned by Gen Digital, and its protection is among the best tested. The catch is price. First-year deals are cut by 47% to 60%, and every plan renews automatically at the full rate, for example $39.99 then $94.99 a year for Norton 360 Standard.
Your options
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Norton This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review Households with several devices that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and backup on one subscription and will watch the renewal date.
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TotalAV This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative People who want an easy antivirus app across several phones and computers and will manage the renewal date themselves.
- Owner
- Gen Digital Inc., Tempe, Arizona (also owns LifeLock, Avast and AVG)6
- Price
- $29.99 to $99.99 for the first year on annual plans, renewing at $59.99 to $189.99 a year, as listed October 20261
- Lab results
- AV-TEST Windows: 6 of 6 for protection, performance and usability in February, April, June and August 20264
- Refunds
- Annual plans: full refund within 60 days of purchase and within 60 days of each renewal charge. Monthly plans: 14 days, first charge only3
- Auto-renewal
- Every plan is sold as an automatically renewing subscription; the Virus Protection Promise requires auto-renewal to stay on1
- Free version
- None; Norton AntiVirus Plus is an annual paid subscription2
- BBB
- A+, accredited since March 4, 2021, 908 complaints in the last 3 years6
Pros
- Perfect 6 of 6 AV-TEST scores for protection, performance and usability through August 2026
- VPN, password manager and cloud backup included on Norton 360 plans
- 60-day refund window on the first charge and on every annual renewal
- Plans scale from 1 to 10 devices across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
- A+ BBB rating and a 4.7 Trustpilot score from nearly 90,000 reviews
Cons
- Renewal prices are 2 to 2.5 times the first-year price
- Auto-renewal is required for the Virus Protection Promise
- No free antivirus tier
- Cloud backup and some utilities work on Windows only
- Frequent upgrade prompts inside the app
Best for: Households with several devices that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and backup on one subscription and will watch the renewal date.
Skip it if: You only use one Windows PC and don't need a VPN or identity monitoring, since Microsoft Defender's protection scored the same in recent lab tests at no cost.
Norton vs. competitors
| Company | First year | Renews at | Devices | Money-back | AV-TEST Aug 2026 (protection, performance, usability) | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 | $124.99 | 5 | 60 days | 6, 6, 6 | Visit site |
| Bitdefender Total Security | $59.99 | Not published on the plan page | 5 | 30 days | 6, 6, 6 | Read review |
| McAfee Total Protection | Varies by plan | 6, 6, 6 | Read review | |||
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Free, built into Windows | Free | Each Windows PC | Not applicable | 6, 5.5, 6 |
Antivirus software we reviewed
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Norton This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Households with several devices that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and backup on one subscription and will watch the renewal date. -
TotalAV This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want an easy antivirus app across several phones and computers and will manage the renewal date themselves. -
AVG BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Windows users who want a free antivirus with strong lab results, or a cheap first year of protection for one PC or a 10-device household. -
Webroot This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with older or slower PCs who want light, low-maintenance antivirus across a few devices and will manage renewal themselves. -
Malwarebytes This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want light, well-tested antivirus with web scam blocking, or a free second-opinion scanner to clean up an infected PC. -
PC Matic This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who mainly use well-known programs and want inexpensive, low-maintenance protection on several devices. -
ESET This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.4 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want proven antivirus that stays light on older or lower-powered computers, without paying for a large bundle. -
Trend Micro Best for: Families who want scam protection and parental controls across many devices, including Chromebooks.
Norton pricing at a glance
Norton annual plans in the US, as listed October 20261
| Plan | First year | Renews at | Devices | Cloud backup | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Security (iOS) | $19.99 | $29.99 | 1 iPhone or iPad | None | Wi-Fi security, Scam Protection |
| AntiVirus Plus | $29.99 | $59.99 | 1 | 2 GB | Password Manager, firewall, Scam Protection |
| Norton 360 Standard | $39.99 | $94.99 | 3 | 2 GB | Adds VPN and Dark Web Monitoring |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 | $124.99 | 5 | 50 GB | Adds Privacy Monitor and Parental Control |
| Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus | $99.99 | $189.99 | 10 | 250 GB | Adds LifeLock alerts, one-bureau credit monitoring, up to $25,000 stolen funds reimbursement |
Prices are introductory and change often. Norton states the plan renews automatically at the renewal price, which can change, and that it emails you before renewal. Cloud Backup and some utilities work on Windows only. Norton's plan finder showed $119.99 for 360 Deluxe while the plan table showed $124.99 on the same day.
Norton, step by step
Pick a plan by device count
AntiVirus Plus covers 1 device, Norton 360 Standard 3, Deluxe 5 and Select Plus 10. Add LifeLock only if you want identity monitoring.
Pay the first-year price
You pay the discounted first-year price up front and agree to an automatically renewing subscription.
Install on each device
Sign in to your Norton account, send install links to each PC, Mac, phone or tablet, and turn on the VPN and backup if your plan has them.
Watch the renewal date
Norton emails you before it charges the renewal price. You can turn off auto-renewal in your account, though doing so ends the Virus Protection Promise.
Cancel or claim a refund
Annual subscribers can get a full refund within 60 days of purchase or of any renewal charge; monthly subscribers have 14 days on the first charge.
Norton legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Norton is a long-running security brand owned by Gen Digital Inc., a public company based in Tempe, Arizona, which also owns LifeLock, Avast and AVG. Gen Digital holds an A+ rating from the BBB and has been accredited since March 2021.
Its protection is well tested. In AV-TEST’s Windows rounds for February, April, June and August 2026, Norton 360 scored the maximum 6 points for protection, performance and usability each time.
Two things to know. In 2021 the UK Competition and Markets Authority took Norton to court over its auto-renewal investigation, and Norton then agreed to extend refund rights and make renewals easier to exit. In June 2024 the FTC finalized an order against sister brand Avast, which paid $16.5 million over selling users’ browsing data; that case did not involve Norton products.
Norton pricing and renewal costs
Norton advertises large first-year discounts. As listed in October 2026, Norton 360 Standard costs $39.99 for the first year and renews at $94.99; Deluxe is $49.99 then $124.99; and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus is $99.99 then $189.99. AntiVirus Plus is $29.99 then $59.99.
Every plan is an automatically renewing subscription. Norton says it emails you before the renewal charge and that the renewal price can change. If you want to keep Norton, check whether a new-customer deal or a retention offer is cheaper than the renewal price before you are charged.
What you get with Norton 360
All plans include antivirus and Ransomware. Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to release them. Compare antivirus software protection, Scam Protection, a password manager and the 100% Virus Protection Promise, under which Norton tries to remove a virus and refunds you if it can’t. The promise requires an auto-renewing subscription.
Norton 360 plans add a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring. Deluxe adds Privacy Monitor and parental controls and raises cloud backup to 50 GB. Select Plus adds LifeLock identity alerts, credit monitoring with one bureau and up to $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement, with 250 GB of backup and 10 devices.
Cloud backup and the PC utilities run on Windows only, so Mac users get less for the same price.
What customers say about Norton
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Strong malware protection with few false alarms
- Easy installation and a clear dashboard
- Many tools in one subscription: VPN, password manager, backup
- Helpful support agents once you reach a person
Common complaints
- Renewal charges far above the first-year price
- Trouble turning off auto-renewal or getting a refund
- Frequent in-app offers and pop-ups for upgrades
- VPN disconnects and password manager glitches
- Account lockouts and sign-in problems
Norton complaints and how to avoid them
Gen Digital had 908 BBB complaints in the last three years. On review sites, most negative reviews are about billing: renewal charges people did not expect, auto-renewal that was hard to turn off and refunds that took several contacts. Other complaints cover upgrade pop-ups, VPN drops and sign-in problems.
To avoid the common problems, note your renewal date when you buy, check the renewal price in your Norton account, and ask for a refund in writing within 60 days if you are charged for a renewal you did not want.
How to cancel Norton and get a refund
You can turn off automatic renewal in your Norton account under subscriptions. Norton’s refund policy gives annual subscribers a full refund if they ask within 60 days of the purchase date, and each annual renewal charge also qualifies for a full refund within 60 days of the charge. Monthly subscriptions can be refunded within 14 days of the first charge; later monthly renewals are not refundable.
If you bought Norton through an app store or a retailer, the refund goes through that seller.
Fake Norton invoices and scam emails
Many people search for Norton complaints after getting an email that says they were charged hundreds of dollars for a Norton or LifeLock renewal. These are often Phishing. Fake emails, texts or websites that try to trick you into giving up passwords or payment details. Compare antivirus software scams that try to get you to call a phone number and hand over card details or remote access to your computer. Norton publishes its own guide to spotting these emails.
Don’t call the number in the email. Sign in to your Norton account or check your card statement in a browser you open yourself, and report the email to Norton and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Who should skip Norton
If you use one Windows PC and don’t need a VPN, cloud backup or identity monitoring, Microsoft Defender is free and scored 6 for protection in AV-TEST’s August 2026 round. Mac users get fewer features for the same price. And if you won’t track a renewal date, the jump from the first-year price to the renewal price may cost more than a competitor’s suite.
Alternatives to Norton
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Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Free and already on Windows; it scored 6 for protection in AV-TEST's August 2026 round, so it is enough for many people who don't need a VPN or identity tools.
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BitdefenderSame perfect AV-TEST score and 5 devices for $59.99 in the first year, with a 30-day refund window.
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McAfeeAnother full suite with identity monitoring; compare its renewal price with Norton's before you buy.
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AuraBetter fit if identity theft protection and credit monitoring matter more to you than antivirus.
Next steps
Norton reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Norton worth it in 2026?
Its protection scores are among the best, with perfect AV-TEST results through August 2026, and Norton 360 bundles a VPN, password manager and backup. It is good value in the first year; at renewal prices of $94.99 to $189.99 a year, compare it with Bitdefender or a free option before you renew.
How much does Norton cost after the first year?
As listed in October 2026, renewal prices are $59.99 for AntiVirus Plus, $94.99 for Norton 360 Standard, $124.99 for Deluxe and $189.99 for Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus. Norton says the price can change and that it emails you before renewal.
Can I get a refund from Norton?
Yes, for annual subscriptions you can get a full refund within 60 days of buying and within 60 days of any annual renewal charge. Monthly plans are refundable only within 14 days of the first charge.
How do I turn off Norton auto-renewal?
Sign in to your Norton account, open your subscriptions and turn off automatic renewal. Turning it off ends the 100% Virus Protection Promise, which requires an auto-renewing subscription.
Is there a free version of Norton?
No. Norton AntiVirus Plus and Norton 360 are paid subscriptions. Gen Digital's Avast and AVG brands do offer free antivirus apps.
Is the Norton renewal email I got a scam?
It may be. Fake Norton and LifeLock invoices are a common phishing scam that pushes you to call a phone number. Check your Norton account or card statement directly and never call the number in the email.
Does Norton slow down your computer?
Norton 360 scored 6 out of 6 for performance in AV-TEST's 2026 Windows rounds, which measure slowdown during everyday tasks. Full scans can still be noticeable on older PCs.
Is Microsoft Defender as good as Norton?
For basic malware protection it is close: in AV-TEST's August 2026 round Defender scored 6 for protection and 5.5 for performance, against Norton's 6 and 6. Norton adds a VPN, password manager, backup and identity tools that Defender doesn't have.
Who owns Norton?
Gen Digital Inc., formerly NortonLifeLock, based in Tempe, Arizona. Gen Digital also owns LifeLock, Avast and AVG.
How many devices does Norton cover?
AntiVirus Plus covers 1 device, Norton 360 Standard 3, Deluxe 5 and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus 10 PCs, Macs, phones or tablets.
Sources (11)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Norton: Products and pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Norton: AntiVirus Plus (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Norton Support: Annual and monthly subscription refunds (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AV-TEST: Norton test results, Windows (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AV-TEST: Windows 11 home users, August 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Gen Digital Inc. (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Norton (accessed October 12, 2026)
- UK CMA: Norton extends refund rights after CMA action (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FTC: Order against Avast over browsing data (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Bitdefender: Total Security (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Norton: How to recognize and report Norton scam emails (accessed October 12, 2026)
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