Norton has been around since 1991 and it’s still one of the most recognisable names in antivirus software. But does Norton 360 Deluxe hold up against leaner, cheaper rivals in 2025? I tested it across Windows 11 and macOS to find out.
2026 Update: Norton 360 added deepfake detection in 2026 — a meaningful addition as AI-generated scam content has become more prevalent. All plans except the entry-level now include unlimited-data VPN, dark web monitoring, and identity safety tools across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Norton 360 Deluxe: Key Features at a Glance
• 99.9% malware detection rate
• Unlimited VPN included
• Dark web monitoring
• 50GB cloud backup (Windows)
• Password manager built-in
• Covers 5 devices
• More expensive at renewal
• VPN can slow connections
• Heavy on system resources
• Upsells during setup
• Mac features more limited
Malware Detection: How Good Is Norton in 2025?
Norton consistently scores near the top in independent lab tests. AV-Test gave Norton 360 a 6/6 for protection in their latest assessment, with a 99.9% detection rate against widespread and prevalent malware. SE Labs awarded it an AAA rating.
In my own testing, Norton caught every test file I threw at it — including some newer ransomware samples that slipped past cheaper alternatives. The real-time SONAR behavioural protection is particularly good at catching zero-day threats before signature databases are updated.
Performance Impact: Will Norton Slow Down Your PC?
This is where Norton has historically struggled. The good news: Norton 360 Deluxe in 2025 is noticeably lighter than versions from 3-4 years ago. In my benchmarks on an Intel i5 system:
- Full system scan: completed in 38 minutes (average for this size)
- CPU usage during scan: peaks at 45-60% — noticeable but not crippling
- Background idle CPU: 1-3% — very acceptable
- Boot time impact: roughly 8 seconds added
For gaming, you’ll want to enable Game Mode which suppresses scans and notifications. With it on, performance impact during gaming sessions dropped to near-zero in my tests.
Norton VPN: Is It Any Good?
Norton 360 includes Secure VPN with unlimited data — a big deal since most bundled VPNs cap you at 200-500MB/day. The VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption and supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
However, it’s not a replacement for a dedicated VPN like NordVPN. Norton’s VPN doesn’t work with Netflix in my tests, has no kill switch on iOS, and lacks the advanced features (split tunnelling, obfuscation) that privacy-focused users need.
For casual browsing security on public Wi-Fi? It does the job. For streaming geo-blocked content or serious privacy? Get a dedicated VPN.
Extra Features Worth Noting
Dark Web Monitoring: Norton monitors the dark web for your email addresses, SSNs, credit card numbers, and more. It alerts you if your data appears in a breach — similar to HaveIBeenPwned but automated and with more data types monitored.
Cloud Backup (Windows only): 50GB of secure cloud backup is included. This is genuinely useful for protecting against ransomware — offsite backups mean ransomware can’t encrypt your backups alongside your files.
Password Manager: Norton’s built-in password manager is functional but basic. If you’re serious about password security, I’d opt for a dedicated tool like Bitwarden or 1Password instead.
Norton 360 Deluxe Pricing
💰 Current Pricing (2025)
• Year 1 introductory price: ~$39.99/year (5 devices)
• Renewal price: ~$104.99/year — a big jump
⚠️ Always check Norton.com for current deals — they regularly offer 50-70% off for new subscribers.
The renewal price is the main pain point. Many users sign up, enjoy the discount, then get sticker shock at renewal. If you’re price-sensitive, consider Bitdefender Total Security which offers similar protection at a lower renewal rate.
Norton 360 Deluxe vs Competitors
| Feature | Norton 360 | Bitdefender | McAfee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detection Rate | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.7% |
| VPN Included | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ 200MB/day | ✅ Unlimited |
| Cloud Backup | ✅ 50GB | ❌ | ❌ |
| Renewal Price/yr | ~$105 | ~$90 | ~$120 |
Our Verdict
Norton 360 Deluxe is a premium product that delivers premium protection. If you want a one-stop security suite with malware protection, VPN, dark web monitoring, and cloud backup — and you don’t mind paying the renewal price — it’s one of the best options available.
If budget is a concern, Bitdefender Total Security offers equivalent malware protection for less, or Windows Defender (free) covers the basics surprisingly well for most users.