Aleksander Furgal
In June 2024, the AV-Test Institute awarded Surfshark Antivirus its prestigious Top product badge, placing it right alongside the industry titan Norton. Both antivirus services have carved out their specific niches — Norton as a well-established brand with extensive security features and Surfshark as a fresh, easy-to-use option with a strong emphasis on online privacy. Since the choice between them will ultimately be a matter of your individual needs, let’s take a look at how they stack up in the most important areas.
Note: this comparison was made on December 17, 2024
Surfshark vs. Norton at a glance
Here is a quick side-by-side comparison of what Surfshark Antivirus and Norton Antivirus have to offer:
| Feature | Surfshark Antivirus | Norton Antivirus |
|---|---|---|
| Core antivirus | Comprehensive malware protection (viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, ransomware) | Comprehensive malware protection (viruses, worms, trojans, adware, spyware, ransomware) |
| Real-time protection | Yes | Yes |
| Parental controls | No | Only in Deluxe and Select plans |
| Firewall | No | Yes |
| Webcam protection | Yes (Windows and macOS) | In 360 plans (Windows only) |
| Device compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Bundled services | VPN, data leak alert, private search engine, Alternative ID, CleanWeb, Incogni (in the One+ bundle) | LifeLock ID option, parental controls, Dark Web Monitoring, password manager, Stolen Wallet Protection |
| Subscription limits | Up to 5 devices | 1-10 devices, depending on the plan |
| Lowest monthly price | $2.49 | $2.50 |
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Naturally, security is the foundation of all antivirus software. Let’s look at how Surfshark and Norton stack up in terms of real-time scanning, malware detection, and essential safeguards:
Surfshark: essentials with a focus on privacy
Surfshark Antivirus includes essential, streamlined security features that prioritize performance over fluff. The service offers rock-solid core protection against malware, ransomware, spyware, and adware. Real-time scanning ensures that files and downloads are screened as they come in, and Surfshark’s quick and full scan options make it easy to choose what to scan and when.
Surfshark Antivirus also offers the drag-and-drop scan, a feature that allows you to scan files or folders by simply dragging them into the app — a handy tool for any user who needs to double-check a particular file.
Another standout feature is Webcam Protection, a safeguard against unauthorized access to your device’s camera. While Norton offers a similar feature too, it’s worth noting that Surfshark Antivirus does so at no extra charge.
Norton: comprehensive, full-suite security
When it comes to the sheer breadth of security features, Norton’s lineup is hard to beat. Along with real-time scanning, Norton’s security suite includes a firewall that helps control inbound and outbound traffic. While a firewall can be helpful for more advanced users who want to manage network activity, most users may find that other core security features, like real-time scanning, provide all the protection they need.
Norton’s layers of protection extend to a password manager, parental controls, and cloud backup, making it a complete suite for users looking to protect devices, personal data, and online family activities.
One of Norton’s most unique features is its LifeLock identity protection option, available only in its highest-tier plan. With LifeLock, Norton users in the US can access social security number monitoring, credit alerts, and even stolen fund reimbursement — an invaluable set of tools in a time of increased identity theft.
Pricing and plans
Choosing an antivirus often comes down to finding the right balance between price and features. Let’s compare Surfshark and Norton’s pricing tiers to see which offers the best value for the buck.
Surfshark: affordable, bundle-based plans
Surfshark’s pricing model is refreshingly simple. The Surfshark Antivirus is not available as a standalone product but as a part of the Surfshark One bundle, which also includes a VPN, Alternative ID, data leak monitoring, a private search engine, and CleanWeb, an ad blocker feature. Here’s the breakdown of Surfshark One’s cost:
- Monthly plan: $17.95;
- Annual plan: $3.39 per month;
- Two-year plan: $2.49 per month.
Each plan covers up to five devices with Antivirus protection (unlimited for the rest of the bundle), making it a great deal for users with multiple devices. Additionally, Surfshark One comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing for risk-free testing.
Norton: high variety with limited payment flexibility
Norton’s pricing can be somewhat complex due to its range of bundled offerings. The entry-level AntiVirus Plus plan covers only basic protection, while the Norton 360 Deluxe plan includes a VPN, dark web monitoring, and parental controls. For users seeking identity protection, the 360 with LifeLock plans include credit monitoring and even stolen funds reimbursement.
It’s worth noting that, unlike Surfshark, Norton offers monthly billing only for its highest tier. Here’s a brief look at Norton’s most popular plans:
- AntiVirus Plus: $2.50 per month;
- Norton 360 Standard: $3.33 per month;
- Norton 360 Deluxe: $4.17 per month;
- Norton 360 Select with LifeLock: $8.33 per month.
While Norton offers more plan variety, the costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re looking for advanced features. However, users looking for a complete security suite with family and ID protection may find Norton’s bundles worth the price.
Bundled services
A closer look at bundled services highlights the differences in Surfshark and Norton’s approaches to online security.
Surfshark: privacy-first bundle
Surfshark One, the bundle that includes the antivirus, comes packed with tools that prioritize privacy and online anonymity:
- Surfshark VPN: included with all plans, Surfshark’s VPN is known for its strong privacy practices and advanced features like Dynamic MultiHop (dual-server routing) and IP Rotator;
- Surfshark Alert: monitors online databases and alerts you if your personal information, such as emails, IDs, or credit cards, gets leaked;
- Surfshark Search: an ad-free and private search engine that shields your search history and keeps your online activity secure;
- Alternative ID: lets users mask their actual email with an alternative address they can use for newsletters, account sign-ups, and more.
Surfshark’s products are ideal for those who value privacy and ease of use. They provide a high level of online security with seamless integration across the bundle.
Norton: a comprehensive suite for all users
Norton’s features cater to users who require more extensive security tools. In addition to VPN and dark web monitoring, Norton includes:
- Parental controls: helps parents monitor and control their children’s online activity;
- Password manager: stores and secures passwords across devices;
- Cloud backup: protects important files from ransomware attacks;
- LifeLock identity protection: available only in the highest-tier bundle, this tool monitors credit activity and alerts users to suspicious actions, with reimbursement protection for stolen funds.
Overall, Norton’s features make it a powerful choice for families or users needing comprehensive protection.
Testing
Testing results play a crucial role in understanding how antivirus software performs under real-world conditions. In this section, we’ll examine how each antivirus fared in terms of malware detection, real-time protection, and overall performance impact.
Disclaimer: This section of the article is based on tests conducted by AllAboutCookies.org in their independent reviews of Surfshark Antivirus and Norton 360, performed on October 10 and November 13, 2024, respectively.
Surfshark: streamlined performance with effective detection
Surfshark’s antivirus, designed for fast, efficient operation, consistently performs well in tests. It includes multiple scan options — quick, full, and custom drag-and-drop — and covers viruses, trojans, and ransomware. Through heuristic detection, Surfshark Antivirus identifies new or modified malware strains, providing protection against evolving threats and zero-day attacks — new threats that haven’t yet been added to malware databases.
In testing, Surfshark successfully detected 100% of malware samples and had a nearly flawless track record with real-time protection, identifying threats before they finished downloading. Notably, in a testing scenario, the full scan took only 12 minutes.
Norton: high detection rates with comprehensive protection
Norton consistently ranks at the top in independent testing, scoring high for its detection rates and ability to identify complex threats. Its multi-layered security includes behavior-based detection, which enhances its ability to spot zero-day attacks.
Norton detected nearly 100% of malware during testing, including sophisticated and lesser-known threats. Norton’s full scan is also slightly faster than Surfshark’s — in a testing scenario, it took about 11 minutes to complete.
Customer support
Reliable customer support can make a significant difference, especially for less tech-savvy users. Surfshark and Norton both provide multiple support options, but they vary in availability and response time.
Surfshark
Surfshark’s customer support is available via live chat, email, and an extensive online knowledge base. Responses are quick and helpful, often resolving issues within a few minutes on chat or hours over email, making it ideal for users needing fast, reliable support.
Norton
Norton’s support options include 24/7 live chat, phone support, and a comprehensive online help section. Phone support can be a valuable asset for users who prefer real-time assistance, particularly those who need help with the extensive features Norton offers.
Final verdict: which antivirus service is the right one for YOU?
After comparing Surfshark and Norton across multiple domains, it’s clear that each is suited to a different type of user. Ultimately, the choice comes down to how much protection and customization you need. Just remember that cybersecurity is no joke — making the right choice now can make all the difference for your safety in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Norton or Surfshark?
The choice depends on your needs: Norton offers comprehensive protection with additional security tools like parental controls and identity theft protection, while Surfshark is perfect for those looking for lightweight antivirus protection combined with a powerful VPN.
What makes an antivirus secure?
A secure antivirus includes real-time protection, regular updates to the threat database, and, ideally, behavior-based scanning to identify suspicious patterns beyond known malware signatures.
Can I use Surfshark on more than one device?
Surfshark’s antivirus bundle covers up to five devices, making it suitable for users with multiple Android, Windows, and macOS devices.
Can I get Surfshark Antivirus as a standalone?
Surfshark Antivirus is only available as part of the Surfshark One and One+ bundles, which includes additional privacy tools like a VPN, data breach alerts, Alternative ID, Incogni, and a private search engine.
How do I turn on Surfshark Antivirus?
To enable Surfshark Antivirus, open the Surfshark app, navigate to the Antivirus tab, and select a scan option to start protecting your device. Note that Surfshark Antivirus is only available in the Surfshark One or One+ bundle.
