Kaspersky vs Norton? Which is better? The basic confusion of choosing antivirus software is faced by almost everyone. Since it is a requirement for everyone in this internet-driven world so that one can protect himself/herself from the threats present on the internet. Well if you are getting confused whether to opt Kaspersky or Norton, don’t worry as in this article we have carried out complete head to head comparison among the 2 software, so you can understand both of them better and opt according to your understanding.
So, Let’s get started.
In today’s time, the internet is a major part of almost everyone’s life mainly it is because of how useful it is in terms of everything. It provides one to shop from it like features to getting a job in one click. Although it has lots of merits, it is also a hub of malicious files and viruses which are ready to burn up the systems and are a major reason behind cyber theft, Cybercrime, and PC related issues. Therefore Antivirus comes into action in regards to the following problems by malicious files and ware or even when these files and ware are detected. As it tends to block off the harmful and malicious files and ware from reaching one’s computer. They also are responsible for cleaning out an infected PC by simply scanning it and removing the dangerous files.
The 2 well-renowned name in the industry is of Kaspersky and Norton. They both provide decent security and hence provide different types of tools to keep the system protected from infection. Although they provide several features by which people often seem to develop a dilemma in opting either of them as they tend to minimize the difference between them generally making people believe that both of them are equal and hence makes it difficult for them, to decide which one is best for them. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out. Making it easier for readers to decide between the 2 antiviruses.
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Plans Offered (Kaspersky vs Norton):
The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.
Kaspersky Security Suites:
- Kaspersky Free version. Available to people at no cost. (Windows Only).
- The Second one is Kaspersky Anti-Virus. (Windows Only).
- The Internet Security version. Kaspersky Internet Security. (Mac and Windows).
- Then comes the Total Security version. Kaspersky Total Security. (Mac and Windows).
- Virus Scanner. (Mac Only).
- The pro version of the Virus Scanner. Virus Scanner Pro. (Mac Only).
The Norton Antivirus Suites:
- The Norton Antivirus Basic (Available in Windows only)
- Security standard version. Norton Security Standard (Available for both Windows and Macintosh).
- The Norton Security Deluxe. (Available for both Windows and Macintosh).
- Norton Security Premium Version (Available for both Windows and Macintosh).
Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software. Provided by the 2 companies for home users.
Pre-Comparison Result (Short Verdict):
Note: This section of the article is for those who want to skip the effort of reading an in-depth comparison report of the 2 antiviruses and directly know the end result.
As per the research, Kaspersky is slightly better than Norton. Although they offer similar security features and provide users with almost the same type of tools, hence Kaspersky provides more no. of version as a separate option for its customers than Norton. Also, as per the Lab test reports Kaspersky excels from Norton in Protection test as well as in the impact on the system performance test section with a very minute difference making it the winner of the battle with a close call.
It is recommended to kindly read the full comparison report for in-depth knowledge of what both the software has to offer before opting anyone of them.
A detailed description of everything included in Kaspersky’s Security Packages:
Kaspersky is also an Antivirus software which attained its name in the field because of the end results it provided in protecting users. The company provides its users with many versions to choose according to their need. Hence the detailed description of those versions are as follows:
Kaspersky Free:
The freeware by Kaspersky provides basic protection against different types of malware such as trojans, worms, virus, and ransomware. But you won’t be finding any type of advanced protection services and utility tools present there in the software.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
This is the level up version after Kaspersky free. It provides you with protection against all kind of threats followed by multi-layered ransomware protection, complete web-browsing protection, a vulnerability scanner, and a Gaming mode which tend to subside app notifications and messages. Therefore, providing less distractive gaming.
Note:
A single subscription provides protection for a single PC. Although there is an option to add up more PCs that can be done with an additional cost.
Kaspersky Internet Security:
This is the next Level up version provided by the company. It contains all the feature present there in the previous version and, in addition, contains firewall utility, a hardened web browser, and a limited parental control module.
On top of that, it also contains protection against webcam/microphone spying.
Note:
The software is compatible with PC, Mac, and smartphone. One can choose protection for more than one device at additional charges.
Kaspersky Total Security:
This is the high-end version of antivirus offered by the company. It consists of all the features included that in internet security version followed by Password management tool, the Data Shredder utility and an encryption tool. It also offers an inbuilt a complete parental control module and a useful backup utility tool which is responsible for an automatic backup copy of your files and data.
Kaspersky Security Cloud:
The newest addition to antivirus family by Kaspersky. The security cloud is another High-end version offered by the company. This software consists of all the features Total Security version has to offer. In addition, it provides users with patented adaptive technology to which company claims that it is capable of adjusting your security settings automatically, and advises you in regards to the same based on your activities.
This particular version come in 2 packages, Family and Personal. The one and the only difference between the 2 is Family version offers protection for up to 20 PCs, Macs, and smartphones and as of Personal version, it provides protection for 1 PC. Therefore, the family version is priced at 149.99 dollars a year whereas, the personal is priced at more or less the same as Kaspersky Total Security with a cost tag of 89.99 dollars per year for 3 licenses and 99.99 dollars a year for 5 licenses.
Note:
All the premium version provided by Kaspersky are compatible with Mac, Windows, and Smartphones except for the Anti-Virus Suite provided by the company.
Therefore, Above context explains everything about all the available suites by Kaspersky.
A detailed description of everything included in Norton’s Antivirus Suites:
Norton is a well-known name in the field of antivirus. It is because of its product quality as well as because of the features it offers to its customers. The company provides its users with many versions to choose according to their need. Hence the detailed description of those versions are as follows:
Norton Antivirus Basic:
Regardless of Kaspersky offering freeware, Norton doesn’t provide users with a free version. Instead, it provides a base version known as Norton Antivirus Basic. This, in particular, is responsible for the protection of users from potential threats such as spyware, viruses, identity theft, and other online threats. It also removes hard to remove malicious ware and tend to keep you protected on social media.
Note: Keep in mind that this particular version is only available in Windows Operating Systems.
Norton Security Standard:
This is the next level of version Norton provides to their users. This particular Antivirus software consists of a firewall to police the home network. Whereas comes with premium support and 100% refund guarantee if the experts failed to keep your system safe and, of course, it consists of all the features available in the Basic version of the software. A single subscription covers off one Windows, Mac and a smartphone.
Norton Security Deluxe:
This particular version consists of all the feature available in the Standard edition, Also, it adds up a web portal to manage all of your devices at one place and provides protection for up to 5 devices which can be any device regardless of their OS. Additional features added to this software are of disk optimizer, a file cleanup tool, and a startup manager. Startup manager lets you manage the files which will run during the startup.
Norton Security Premium:
This version adds up features of “The Family premiere” which tends to provide you with the ability to set parental control features for your children, Also, the software consists of an automatic backup of selected files from up to 5 family devices and a 25 GB cloud storage.
Note:
Remember Norton Antivirus software does not consist of commonly used antivirus features, like home-network scanner, a file shredder, a software updater, a hardened web browser, or VPN. And on top of that, it does not provide webcam protection in any of its Antivirus plans.
Kaspersky vs Norton (in terms of providing better protection):
As of the 2 software, both of them are considered to be really good Antivirus. It is possible because of the protection, features, and utility tools the two ware provides. In today’s time period virus is more likely to hit a system. Since there is a growing number of internet users day by day, threats are also increasing at a faster rate. Therefore, both the software provides nominal features for protection of an individual from such threats.
Therefore, the tests were held by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. In order to check how well an Antivirus is against such increasing threats. Since these are the software responsible for an individuals internet security and safety.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as High-end PC.
AV-Test (Tests):
The most recent test by AV-Tests was conducted in the month of March and April 2018. Kaspersky and Norton, both took participation in the test. They were tested against 196 samples of zero-day malware and 5,485 samples of widespread malware.
Kaspersky bagged the perfect score of 6/6 by AV experts in the “Protection” category by giving out an impressive 100% protection rate in both the months. It also managed to attain a perfect score of 6/6 in the “Usability” category, as it returned zero false positives.
Whereas on the other hand Norton also attained the perfect score of 6/6 by giving out the protection rate of 100% in both the months. whereas in the “Usability” category, it attained a score of 5/6, it is because it returned 10 false positives on the course of the test held in the respective 2 months.
AV-Comparatives (Tests):
AV-Comparatives also conducted 2 test. Malware Protection Test and Real-World Protection Test which was conducted in March 2018.
As for the recent Malware Protection test, Kaspersky and Norton both of them participated in this test as well.
Where Kaspersky attained a topmost “ADVANCED+” award. Due to their near perfect protection score of 99.98% while returning a low false positive score of 11.
And for Norton, it also gave out a really impressive protection rate of 99.99%, but as of false positive, the case wasn’t the same as it returned an utterly damaging score of 90 false positives attaining it the 3rd best “STANDARD” award in the “Malware Protection” Category.
Whereas, when both of them were tested against the Real-World Protection test, The result was almost the same as it was in the Malware Protection test. Kaspersky again achieved the topmost “ADVANCED+” award whereas this time Norton achieved a second-best “ADVANCED” award in the “Real-World Protection” Category.
Therefore, looking at the result it can be stated that both Kaspersky and Norton are pretty good in terms of protection. But Kaspersky excels in the test since it showed better protection rate results in the tests even after they were just neck to neck in terms of protection test the only thing which made Norton loose is its tendency to give out a high number of false positives.
Norton vs Kaspersky (in terms of impact on system):
The main reason for antivirus to run in the background is to perform Real-Time scanning. It has been a serious concern of an individual in past times as antivirus tend to consume most of the CPU performance. Although, it is important for the sake of safety and security from online threats.
Therefore, for antivirus to be good in terms of performance it should simply imply a less strain on PC because the heavy strains can lead to unexpected pauses and hang in a system. Which can be pretty annoying sometimes.
Therefore, tests were conducted by independent labs in order to carry out the result of how the 2 software fared in a particular category. By carrying out a couple of activities like launching popular websites, downloading and installing, commonly used applications, copying of files, and more.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as High-end PC.
Kaspersky’s impact Test:
As for the test results which was carried out on Kaspersky. The Antivirus once again got a 6/6 rating in AV-Test whereas a top-end “ADVANCED+” award in AV-Comparatives Test with a low impact score of 7.2 in the “performance” category as well, proving Kaspersky to be a pretty lightweight antivirus too.
Below are the test reports for Kaspersky in “Performance” Category (AV-Test).
Below are the test reports for Kaspersky in “Performance” Category (AV-Comparatives).
Norton’s Impact Test:
As for the AV-Test results for Norton, it also bagged a perfect score of 6/6 by the AV experts, Whereas for the AV-Comparatives test, it had to settle for the second-best “ADVANCED” honor award since it returned a pretty worse impact score of 16.1 in the “Performance” category.
Below are the test reports for Norton in “Performance” Category (AV-Test).
Below are the test reports for Norton in “Performance” Category (AV-Comparatives).
As for this test conclusion, it is clear that both of the software is pretty stable and tend to provide minimal impact on the system, Although, Norton did return a slightly bad impact score in the AV-Comparatives test. Whereas, if we go for the stats, Kaspersky and Norton tend to stand neck to neck in this section of the comparison but as per the result reports Kaspersky excels with a slight difference in the “Performance” category.
Kaspersky vs Norton (Whose price is more valuable):
Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score and hence proved themselves to provide optimal protection and safety. But the same might not be the case when it comes to price tags. As in this section, we’ll be stating the assigned prices of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to choose the one which suits them best.
Kaspersky Antivirus Suites Pricing:
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Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
The Kaspersky Anti-Virus is priced at 29.99 dollars a year for 3 PCs protection.
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Kaspersky Internet Security:
The Internet security version is priced at 39.99 dollars for a year subscription for 3PCs.
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Kaspersky Total Security:
The full-fledged version offered by Kaspersky is priced at 49.99 dollars a year for the protection of up to 5 PCs.
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Kaspersky Security Cloud:
This particular version come in 2 packages. Family and Personal. The one and the only difference between the 2 is Family version offers protection for up to 20 PCs, Macs, and smartphones. And as of Personal version, it provides protection for 1 PC. Therefore, the family version is priced at 149.99 dollars a year. Whereas the personal is priced at more or less the same as Kaspersky Total Security. With a cost tag of 89.99 dollars per year for 3 licenses and 99.99 dollars a year for 5 licenses.
Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different type of Kaspersky software on a different platform.
Norton Antivirus Software Pricing:
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Norton Antivirus Basic:
The Norton Antivirus Basic is priced at rupees 899 for a year subscription.
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Norton Security Standard:
This version of the software is set at a price of rupees 1,099 for a year subscription.
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Norton Security Deluxe:
The price of this version of the software is set to be rupees 2,999 for 1- year subscription.
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Norton Security Premium:
This particular version is set to price at rupees 3,999 for a year subscription.
Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different type of Norton software.
The Real Winner?
Getting a premium antivirus in today’s time is everybody’s requirement, As they tend to provide individuals with security and safety from online threats and for the 2 Antivirus software discussed in this article, both Kaspersky and Norton proved to meet our needs. Although, the comparison is for people to understand the software a bit better and to opt the one which suits them the best based on their needs.
Hence, the conclusion is that both of the Antivirus software is very well functioning. And, are pretty successful in protecting the individual from online threats and malicious ware. But as of the result of the comparison between the 2. Norton excels, Because of its streamlined features as well as prices and options available for all the customers. Although they were keeping themselves neck to neck with each other in the battle, But for the results, Kaspersky excelled with minute rates.
Therefore, Norton is the recommended contender of this head to head comparison Kaspersky and Norton, because of the low prices of the software version and features provided by it.