Norton vs Avast Antivirus | Head on Comparison

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Hi there, I can’t decide which antivirus to opt for. Well, in this article we’ll give you a detailed description of both Norton and Avast antivirus. Yes, a full Avast vs Norton Antivirus Comparison for you to understand the difference between the 2 and choose the best one. So, Let’s do a Norton vs Avast Antivirus Comparison.

Often people get confused about opting either Norton or Avast. Because of the features and protection, the induced in them. They may lack a couple of things or may excel to one another in some or other way. Making them create differences between them. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out. Making it easier for readers to decide between the 2 Antivirus Software.

In today’s time, as the world is excelling in technology the threats in regards to the same are also increasing. In this internet-driven world, where more than 90% of the population tends to use it daily. They are prone to get infected by more than 800 million types of different viruses and malware. Therefore, their security come in the action. And hence software responsible for the same is known as Antivirus software.

Plans Offered by Avast vs Norton

The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.

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).

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The Avast Antivirus  Suites

  • The free version. Avast free antivirus (Windows Only)
  • The professional version of the software known as Avast Pro antivirus (Windows Only)
  • Premier version  is also available and known as Avast Premier (Windows Only)
  • The internet security specified version. Avast Internet Security (Windows Only)
  • The ultimate version of the software. Avast Ultimate (Windows Only)
  • Pro version specialized for Mac. Avast Security Pro (Macintosh Only)
  • And last is the security version also specific to Mac. Avast Security (Macintosh Only)

Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software. Provided by the 2 companies for home users.

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 from according to their needs. Hence the detailed description of those versions are as follows:

Norton Antivirus Basic

Regardless of Avast 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 tends 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 its users. This particular Antivirus software consists of a firewall to police the home network. Whereas it comes with premium support. And a 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 features available in the Standard edition. Also, it adds up a web portal to manage all of your devices in one place. And protects 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. The 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 a 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.

A detailed description of everything included in Avast Security Suites

Avast antivirus software is one of the most profound and famous antivirus software out there in the market. Therefore, it tends to provide a lot of options to the user to select the one which suits them better. Hence, those are stated above, readers can refer to the context stated above. Therefore all the things which the stated version of the software has to offer are as follows:

Avast Free Antivirus

The free version of Avast offers a lot of features in the freeware market. In simpler words, it is one of the most feature-rich antivirus available in the market. The Antivirus Offers a lot of handy features such as WIFI inspector, A limited software updater, An unlimited use password vault, and a game mode. Although the free version also includes web and email-based threat detectors. Also one can simply make use of Avast’s free Rescue Disk to remove deep-rooted malware.

But there are extra features that lack the software. And hence, it is limited to only a month. Therefore, for you to be on the safe side, it is recommended to opt for the paid version.

Avast Pro Antivirus

Avast Antivirus Pro includes all the features from the free version. As well as more features like sandbox technology which allows you to test suspicious files in a separate environment. A Real Site feature which prevents hackers to redirect you to unsafe pages. And moreover premium in-product support.

Avast Premier Antivirus

In this version, users get the file shredder feature, an automatic updater, and webcam spying protection. Hence is a bit more advanced than the pro version.

Avast Internet Security Antivirus

This particular software carries forward all the features available in the pro version. As well as tends to add a firewall, An extra layer of Ransome protection and anti-spam filters. which tends to block spam emails and messages.

Avast Ultimate Antivirus

This software in particular packs everything that the company has to offer. It consists of everything explained and inputted in the above-stated software. Although, apart from it, the software offers clean-up utility, an unlimited VPN, and a premium version of Avast’s password manager.

Avast Security Antivirus

The security version of the Avast antivirus is specialized and is created for Mac users. Which they can tend to download from the official site for free. Since it is a similar version of the software available that on Windows and hence contains the same features.

Avast Security Pro Antivirus

The Security Pro version consists of ransomware protection elements and other additional features in it. Hence, this version is specifically dedicated to Mac users.

Norton vs Avast (in terms of providing better protection)

As of today’s time 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, almost every antivirus started using a signature match detection method. In which antivirus detect spyware, ransomware, trojans, and rootkits. And some additional types of malicious ware.

In simpler words, the software tends to check the suspicious file from the huge database containing the data about the known and unknown viruses. Therefore, any files matching the data present in the database are either removed or marked suspicious. Depending upon the user’s command. Although the files are added to the cloud servers for closer examination. Since new types of viruses can be discovered through it.

Therefore, Norton and Avast use the same kind of signature match detection method to detect a virus in the system. Hence, to check which provides better security and protection. The test was held regarding the same. Conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.

AV-Test (Tests)

According to AV-Test, the tests were held in September and October 2017 on Windows 10. Both software protected the system 100%. when tested against 202 samples of zero-day malware and 9,797 samples widespread malware. Attaining the perfect score of 6/6.

 

Whereas, the test on Windows 7 which was conducted in July and August 2017. Avast managed to clean 99% of the malware of zero-day malware in July and 100% in August when it was put up against 198 samples in both months. Whereas when tested against widespread malware. It blocked 99.9% of the malware and 100% of the10,973 samples in both months respectively.

And as for the Norton. It successfully blocked 100% of both types of malware in both the month. Therefore, both products received the perfect score of 6/6 in this test as well.

AV-Comparatives (Tests)

Although, one more test was held by the AV-Comparatives. In which Avast again managed to stop 99.6% of the malware but returned 9  false positives. Meaning it returned 9 wrongly identifying clean software and files as malicious. And hence received the award of “ADVANCED +”.

 

But for the Norton, the test results were not so promising. As of its protection rate from the virus, rates were good. Since it gave out a score of 99.99% protection from malicious ware. Although, for the false-positive section of the test. It returned 275 false positives. Which is way higher in no. then the Avast Antivirus software. Making it receive the lowest “Tested” status in the malware protection test.

Therefore, it evident that Avast not only excels in protecting you from a virus and other malicious threats. Also, it excels in returning very few false positives.

Note: The AV-Comparatives test low wrongly blocked score is calculated out of 11.

Norton vs Avast (in terms of impact on system)

Antivirus is majorly known for running in the background to perform Real-Time scanning. Although, it is been a concern of people since they tend to eat up most of the CPU performance. But is important for the sake of safety and security.

Therefore, in recent times companies have focused to create more and more lightweight Antivirus so less strain should imply on the CPU and one can work on its system with ease. As of both Norton and Avast. They both are pretty lightweight Antivirus software and hence tend to exert the minimal amount of strain on CPU.

But as for the Norton, it wasn’t the same case before. Since it was known for making a system bit sluggish and laggy. But as of recent test Norton proved to pass the test with an excellent score.

In September – October of 2017 an AV – test conducted a study on the 2 software. By carrying out a couple of activities like launching popular websites, downloading and installing, commonly used applications, copying of files, and more.

Norton’s Impact Test

Stated below is the report for how slow the system got while Norton was working in the background. The test was carried out on a standard and high-end PC. Also, the results expressed in terms of percentage slowdown.

Avast’s Impact Test

And here’s the result when Avast was tested in regards to the same.

Looking at the results, it is clear that both the software tends to show a minimal amount of CPU degradation. Since both tend to show similar results attaining a score of 5.5 and 5 respectively. Hence it is clear that none of these two programs will significantly slow down your system. But it has to be said that Norton is slightly better in terms of impact on a system.

Norton vs Avast (Comparing the Prices)

Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score. And hence contains similar features. But as for the price tags, it might not be the same case. As in this section, we’ll be stating the allotted price of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to decide which one fits their budget.

Norton Antivirus Software Pricing

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  • Norton Antivirus Basic

The Norton Antivirus Basic is priced at rupees 899 for a year subscription.

  • Norton Security Standard

This version of the software is set at a price of rupees 1,099 for a year subscription.

  • Norton Security Deluxe

The price of this version of the software is set to be rupees 2,999 for 1- year subscription.

  • 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 types of Norton software.

Avast Antivirus Software Pricing

  • The Avast Pro Antivirus

The price of this software is set to be 49.99 dollars for a year subscription.

  • Avast Internet security

Avast Internet security is priced at 47.99 dollars for a 1-year subscription and 87.99 dollars for a 2-year subscription.

  • The Avast Premier

The premier membership for 1 year cost 55.99 dollars and the 2 years one costs at 111.99 dollars.

  • Avast Ultimate

The ultimate only consists of a 1-year membership plan which is set to be priced at 119.99 dollars a year.

  • Avast Security for Mac

This software is priced at 47.99 dollars a year.

Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of Avast software on a different platform.

Final Thoughts

Getting a premium antivirus in today’s time is everybody’s need. Since they tend to provide individuals with security and safety from online threats. As of the 2 Antivirus software discussed in this article. Both Norton and Avast proved to meet our needs. Although, the comparison is for people to understand the software better and to opt for the one which suits best for 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. Also, it highly excels in terms of giving out false positives. Meaning that it tend to report very few safe files as a threat in comparison to that of Avast Antivirus.

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Therefore, it is clear that Norton is the winning contender of this head to head comparison between Avast and Norton.

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