The Norton 360 Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Norton 360 in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Norton 360
The Insider’s Guide
Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among antivirus apps, read from Norton 360’s own pages.
Made by Gen Digital Inc. · checked Oct 17, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Norton 360’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Norton 360’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 17, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade
Norton 360 is Gen Digital's security subscription for home users. Plans combine real-time antivirus with a VPN, a password manager, cloud backup for Windows PCs and parental controls, and the Norton 360 with LifeLock plans add identity theft protection and credit monitoring. Plans differ mainly in device count and backup space.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Norton 360, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for antivirus, a VPN and PC backup in one
Norton 360 bundles antivirus with a VPN, a password manager and cloud backup for Windows PCs, and the LifeLock plans add US identity theft cover.
- 2
Paid plans start at $7.08 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $84.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year from $34.99.
- 3
You can try it first
30-day trial on Norton's US order pages; the iPhone app offers 7 days with an annual plan
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
- 5
Real-time device protection
Protects against ransomware, viruses, spyware and other malware on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with Norton's Virus Protection Promise of a refund if its experts cannot remove a virus.
- 6
Secure VPN and ad-tracker blocker
Norton 360 plans include a VPN for as many devices as the plan covers, plus anonymous browsing and blocking of advertising trackers.
- 7
PC cloud backup
Plans include cloud storage for backing up files from a Windows PC, from 2 GB on the smallest plans up to 500 GB on Ultimate Plus.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 10 of 14
That is against the other antivirus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Norton 360 you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Norton 360 at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $84.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year from $34.99
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day trial on Norton's US order pages; the iPhone app offers 7 days with an annual plan
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Gen Digital Inc.
- Category
- Antivirus & Malware Protection
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 182,883 ratings
The report card
Best for antivirus, a VPN and PC backup in one
Norton 360 bundles antivirus with a VPN, a password manager and cloud backup for Windows PCs, and the LifeLock plans add US identity theft cover. With 4.7 stars from about 183,000 App Store ratings, people clearly get on with it. Just know the cheap first year jumps to $104.99 a year for 5 devices when it renews.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Deluxe covers 5 devices for $39.99 the first year and $104.99 the next, so $144.98 over two years, about $6 a month. That's above the middle of antivirus apps but short of the dearest tenth. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A 30-day trial on Norton's US order pages, and the listing doesn't say whether it wants a card. The iPhone app gives 7 days with an annual plan. There's no free version. |
| Features | B | Real-time protection on four platforms, a VPN for every device on the plan, a password manager, PC cloud backup and parental controls, plus a refund if its experts can't remove a virus. The gaps are on Mac, which gets no backup and no Norton Family. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.7 from about 183,000 App Store ratings. That's a huge crowd, and a happy one. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone. Cloud backup is for Windows PCs only, and there's no API or integration list on record, so it stops at B. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Norton 360 is for
- Great if you want your PC's files backed up by the same app that guards it
- Handy when you want a VPN on every device without a second subscription
- Good for US buyers who want identity theft cover with their antivirus
Who it is not for
- Skip it if renewal surprises annoy you, since the first term is priced lower than what follows
- Not for you if you're on a Mac and want the cloud backup or parental controls
Good to know
Good for
- Households that want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager in one subscription
- Windows users who want their files backed up to the cloud by their security app
- US buyers who want identity theft cover alongside device protection
Worth knowing
- Prices come from one of Norton's US order pages, where first-year prices vary between sections; the main site refused automated reads on 2026-10-17.
- Norton's order pages say plans are priced for an introductory term and then renew automatically at a higher renewal price.
- Cloud backup is for Windows PCs, and Norton Family parental controls do not work on Mac.
- LifeLock identity features rely on US credit bureaus such as Equifax and need your identity verified first.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$7.08
A month to start, paid by the year
Norton 360 is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $84.99 per year at renewal (Standard, 1 device), after a first year from $34.99.
That's above the middle of antivirus apps but short of the dearest tenth.
Norton 360 Standard
$84.99
per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year
Antivirus, VPN and password manager for one device. Norton's US order page shows the first year from $34.99, then $84.99 a year.
Norton 360 Deluxe
$104.99
per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year
The same protection on up to 5 devices, with cloud backup and parental controls. First year from $39.99 on Norton's US order page.
Trying it first
30-day trial on Norton's US order pages; the iPhone app offers 7 days with an annual plan
Read from buy-static.norton.com on Oct 17, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
Cheaper first year
Norton's US order page shows Norton 360 Standard from $34.99 and Deluxe from $39.99 for the first year, before renewing at $84.99 and $104.99.
Stated on buy-static.norton.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, iOS and Android
Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: password manager, vPN, ad and tracker blocking, malware protection.
The gaps are on Mac, which gets no backup and no Norton Family.
- Real-time device protection
- Protects against ransomware, viruses, spyware and other malware on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with Norton's Virus Protection Promise of a refund if its experts cannot remove a virus.
- Secure VPN and ad-tracker blocker
- Norton 360 plans include a VPN for as many devices as the plan covers, plus anonymous browsing and blocking of advertising trackers.
- PC cloud backup
- Plans include cloud storage for backing up files from a Windows PC, from 2 GB on the smallest plans up to 500 GB on Ultimate Plus.
- Password manager and parental controls
- A password manager is included, and Deluxe and higher plans add Norton Family parental controls, which are not supported on Mac.
- Scam protection on phones
- The mobile apps check web pages, text messages and email for scams, and the iPhone app blocks scam and junk calls. Norton Genie answers safety questions.
- LifeLock identity protection
- Norton 360 with LifeLock plans add SSN and credit alerts, credit monitoring from one or three bureaus, and stolen funds reimbursement of up to $25,000 to $1 million.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Norton 360 is made by Gen Digital Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
10/14
Other antivirus apps it is graded above
Norton 360's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 13 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Its paid plans start at $7.08 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 9 of the 10 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Norton 360’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 3 of 14
- CFree plan and trialAbove 3 of 14
- BFeaturesAbove 4 of 14
- AEase of useAbove 13 of 14
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 14
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 11 antivirus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Norton 360 is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Norton 360 you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade. It costs $84.99 a year.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- A password vault, the last thing anyone should make for themselves.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Norton 360’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Bitdefender, McAfee, Malwarebytes, TotalAV and Trend Micro
The 5 tools Norton 360 is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier.
- Bitdefender has a free plan. Norton 360 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Norton 360 also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
McAfee
Free plan
Antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring for PCs, Macs and phones.
- McAfee has a free plan. Norton 360 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Norton 360 also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.2GPA
Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans.
- Malwarebytes has a free plan. Norton 360 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Malwarebytes lists a browser extension.
- Norton 360 also covers password manager.
- 2.0GPA
TotalAV
From $99/yr
Antivirus with tune-up tools, plus VPN and ad blocking on higher plans.
- Only TotalAV lists a browser extension.
- TotalAV also covers disk cleanup.
- 2.6GPA
Trend Micro
Free plan · from $29.95/yr
Antivirus suites for PCs, Macs and phones, up to an ID-theft bundle.
- Trend Micro has a free plan. Norton 360 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Trend Micro lists a browser extension.
- Norton 360 also covers ad and tracker blocking.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Norton 360 free?
No, Norton 360 is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day trial on Norton's US order pages; the iPhone app offers 7 days with an annual plan.
How much does Norton 360 cost?
Norton 360 lists 2 plans. Norton 360 Standard: $84.99 per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year.
What platforms does Norton 360 work on?
Norton 360 is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Does Norton 360 offer any discounts?
Norton 360 publicly lists the following: Cheaper first year.
How is Norton 360 rated?
Norton 360's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 182,883 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Does Norton 360 have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 17, 2026. Norton 360 is listed for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Is Norton 360 open source?
Norton 360 is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Who makes Norton 360?
Norton 360 is made by Gen Digital Inc.
What are the alternatives to Norton 360?
The closest alternatives to Norton 360 in our directory are Bitdefender, McAfee, Malwarebytes, TotalAV and Trend Micro.
How does Norton 360 compare with other antivirus apps?
Norton 360's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
Is Norton 360 good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Norton 360 C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $7.08 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 9 of the 10 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Norton 360?
To replace Norton 360 you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Norton 360’s own pages on Oct 17, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 17, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Norton's own order pages and its app store listings on 17 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Norton's main US site turned our reader away, so its prices are not on record. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Gen Digital Inc. Prices change, so check us.norton.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
1,880
Tools graded, in 47 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
1,880
tools graded
47
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Norton 360, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/norton-360
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Norton 360: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 17, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/norton-360
Know someone choosing between antivirus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/norton-360/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded antivirus apps after Norton 360, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Antivirus & Malware Protection Insider's GuideEvery one of the 15 antivirus apps we grade, compared
- Avast Insider's GuideFree antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate3.0 GPA
- AVG Insider's GuideFree antivirus for Windows, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate2.8 GPA
- Bitdefender Insider's GuideAntivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Norton 360’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Norton 360 is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Gen Digital Inc. Prices and plans change: check us.norton.com before you buy.