Norton vs Avira 2024: Only One Is Worth Your Money

Both are popular antivirus brands so I wanted to compare Norton versus Avira in a series of head-to-head tests.

While it doesn’t match Norton’s full antivirus package, I found Avira has less impact on device performance and the user interface is fantastic. If you’d like to see for yourself, you can try Avira with the 30-day money-back guarantee.

However, Norton ultimately came out as the winner — it has stronger malware detection scores and wide range of bonus features. This includes a VPN, password manager, encrypted cloud storage, firewall, and parental controls (many of which Avira is missing). Better still, you can try Norton risk-free for 60 days with its money-back guarantee.

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No Time? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary

Virus Scanner	Detected 100% of malware with 3 scan types	Detected 95% of malware with 3 scan types
Real-Time Protection	Caught 100% of malware in real-time tests	Caught almost all malware in real-time tests
System Performance	Small impact (8.33% average)	Very little impact (4.66% average)
VPN	30 server locations, unlimited data, and can unblock Netflix and HBO Max — but slow speeds	34 server locations, unlimited data, average speeds, and can unblock Netflix and Disney+
Parental Controls	Includes content filters, GPS tracking, and time restrictions	✘
Firewall	Strong protection by default with plenty of customization	✘
Password Manager	Unlimited passwords on all plans with a unique auto-change feature	Unlimited password storage (but lacks auto-fill on forms)
Gaming Mode	Blocks pop-ups when apps are in full screen	Blocks pop-ups when apps are in full screen
Optimization Tools	Includes tools for faster startup, disk defragmentation, and temporary files removal	Includes tools for faster startup, disk defragmentation, and temporary files removal
Other Features	Useful additions include cloud backup, identity theft protection, and webcam blocking	File encryption and secure deletion are very niche features
Device Compatibility	Works on old and new versions of Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS	Only supports recent versions of Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
Customer Service	Fast support via live chat, email, and phone	Slow responses via email and phone, and no live chat support
Price	Feature-packed plans to suit every budget	Cheaper prices, but its packages have less features
Free Version	7-day free trial	Includes a free version and 30-day free trial
Money-Back Guarantee	60 days	30 days

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How I Tested and Compared Norton and Avira

These are the criteria I used to compare Norton and Avira — Norton won the majority of categories.

1. Virus Scanner — I checked how many scans each antivirus offers and how dependably they can detect malware.
2. Real-Time Protection — I tested how effectively each security app kept my system safe from malware in real-time.
3. System Performance — I analyzed whether either antivirus had a noticeable impact on my computer’s speed while performing different tasks.
4. VPN —  I tested each security app’s VPN by testing connection speeds, streaming performance, and security features.
5. Parental Controls — I compared what each parental control suite offers.
6. Firewall — I examined the default and custom settings of each firewall.
7. Password Manager — I reviewed the password managers to see which one is more intuitive and offers better security for logins and other sensitive data.
8. Gaming Mode —  I checked whether the antiviruses offer gaming modes and if they provide a noticeable performance improvement while gaming.
9. Optimization Tools —I tested the optimization tools included with both antiviruses to see if they actually help optimize and improve my system’s performance.
10. Other Features — I compared the extra features both antiviruses offer and how useful these features are.
11. Device Compatibility —  I checked to see which antivirus runs on a wider variety of platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
12. Customer Service —  I contacted customer support’s live chat, email, and phone channels to see which antivirus provides more responsive and helpful support.
13. Price — I analyzed the various price plans each antivirus offers to see which one delivers better value for money.
14. Free Version — I tested the free versions of both antiviruses to see if they offer reliable security.
15. Money-Back Guarantee — I checked which antivirus offers a longer money-back guarantee and tested how easy it was to get a refund.

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1. Virus Scanner — Norton Detects 100% of All Malware

Norton’s virus scanner beats Avira, thanks to its perfect detection scores and variety of scans. Although Avira has some decent scanning options, it doesn’t quite match the strength of Norton’s.

Both have a full scan and custom scan options that let you scan your whole device or specific files of your choice. Norton offers a quick scan to check the most vulnerable parts of your hard drive, which was useful for when I didn’t have time for a full scan. Avira also offers a smart scan, which checks for malware, outdated apps, privacy issues, and programs that cause performance issues. I found this to be a unique way of combining optimization and malware detection in 1 feature.

Although both Norton and Avira use advanced antivirus engines based on a combination of signatures, machine learning, and heuristics, Norton is better. Norton detected 100% of threats during tests, while Avira only found 95%. I was glad to see that neither antivirus flagged any false positives. These are harmless files that are sometimes wrongly detected by antivirus software, potentially causing the deletion of files you want to keep.

Avira’s full scan lasted around 1 hour and 45 minutes, while Norton’s took 1 hour and 23 minutes. Although the difference in time was noticeable, performance-wise I couldn’t tell the difference when they were active.

In terms of this category, Norton outperforms Avira with its outstanding malware-detection scores and quicker scan speeds, even though Avira’s smart scan is a valuable feature.

Secure your device with Norton

2. Real-Time Protection — Norton Wins by a Narrow Margin

Both Norton and Avira offer strong real-time protection, but Norton is the winner. I set up a machine with newly released malware and ran a series of tests with both antivirus programs. I was impressed by the results — Norton detected 100% of threats while Avira caught 99.96%. Both are effective at stopping threats, but Norton’s perfect score is better.

Norton’s scanning yielded no false positives, whereas Avira identified 5 flagged items. Although this number isn’t substantial, I personally found it a bit tiresome to manually label my files as safe.

Norton wins by a slim margin due to its perfect test results and complete lack of false positives.

Defeat live malware with Norton

3. System Performance — Avira Wins All Speed Tests

Avira’s virus scanner is faster than Norton’s in all scenarios I tested. Norton was 5% slower than Avira at launching websites and apps, and 1% slower while copying files to an external hard drive.

I ran these tests on the same device for each antivirus, measuring the exact time it took to fully load a page, app, or copy files. It’s important to note that although 11% slower may seem high, in reality, the difference is less than 2 seconds.

Both antiviruses performed quite well, but Avira’s average speed was almost twice as fast as Norton’s, so it wins this category.

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4. VPN — Norton’s VPN Is the Better Overall Performer

While Avira’s speeds are slightly better,  Norton unblocks more streaming platforms. Besides this, Norton and Avira’s VPNs offer almost the same number of locations, and both offer military-grade protection.

I tested both VPNs with US, UK, Germany, and Australian servers. Norton reached an average of 90Mbps on local servers (UK and Germany) but fell to about 12Mbps with the US and Australian servers. I was impressed that Avira managed to maintain speeds of roughly 85Mbps across all regions, making it a great choice for those who need high-speed connections worldwide.

Both antiviruses offer unlimited bandwidth on most plans except Norton’s Antivirus Plus plan which doesn’t have the VPN, and Avira’s free plan, which is limited to 500MB/month. If you intend to do anything more than a few hours of basic browsing per month while connected, you’ll need the unlimited version.

When it comes to streaming performance, Norton outperforms Avira. Both antiviruses successfully unblock Netflix and Disney+ on their US servers. However, Norton also unblocks HBO Max and even local streaming platforms like UKTV, so it’s superior for streaming.

Overall, while both Avira provides faster speeds in some cases, Norton is the winner as it’s significantly better at unblocking streaming platforms.

Safely stream with Norton’s VPN

5. Parental Controls — Norton Is Better for Families With Kids

This category is an instant win for Norton since Avira doesn’t offer any parental controls. In contrast, Norton’s parental controls are extensive and allow for a robust overview of your child’s digital life.

Norton’s standout feature is its YouTube tracking tool. This shows you which YouTube videos your child has been watching — it can even generate a preview so you can see if it’s appropriate for them. More and more videos are blurring the line between child-friendly and adult content, so I found this feature was very useful.

There are also standard parental control options, such as tracking how much time has been spent in each program, which websites were visited, and GPS location tracking for mobile devices.

Avira’s complete lack of parental controls means Norton wins by default. You can try Norton risk-free for 30 days to check these features for yourself.

Protect your child online with Norton

6. Firewall — Only Norton Monitors Incoming and Outgoing Network Traffic

Norton’s firewall is excellent, while Avira doesn’t have a firewall at all. I especially liked that Norton’s firewall has a whitelist (a list of trusted programs), so you don’t need to manually allow your popular apps. The firewall also monitors and adapts its rules based on suspicious app behavior.

Although the pre-installed whitelist should be enough for most users, I found there are plenty of customization options. I could block individual ports and even check for suspicious devices on my network. I believe Norton’s firewall is suitable for beginners and more advanced users. 

Protect your network with Norton

7. Password Manager — Norton Is Better for Storing Login Credentials and Personal Data

Both Norton and Avira offer powerful and easy-to-use password managers, but Norton wins due to its extra features. Both come as standalone free versions, which is an excellent way for you to try these password managers first before committing to an antivirus subscription.

Both Norton and Avira’s password managers both offer password saving, auto-filling, secure notes, and a 2-factor authentication tool. You can also run an audit on your login credentials to check the level of security or if there are any duplicates.

Norton’s most unique feature is its auto-change password tool. It works with many popular websites (like Reddit) and controls the whole password change process for them. Simply choose which account needs changing and it will generate a new password, save it to your vault, and also change it on the site for you. Although I was impressed the first time I tested this, I’m not sure how much I’d use it. However, for first-time users it could be a great time-saver.

Norton also has a form auto-fill system, which Avira lacks. This allows you to fill in online forms with personal information (not just your password) — such as your name, address, and credit card details. It may not be a necessity to all users, but it’s a missing feature nonetheless.

Although both are closely matched, Norton’s password manager is packed with more features. You can try Norton’s password manager for free or as a bundled package with its antivirus plans.

Store passwords securely with Norton

8. Gaming Mode — Both Norton and Avira Are Good for Gamers

This is a tie between Norton and Avira. Both provide a very similar gaming mode experience, but neither goes above and beyond.

Norton and Avira’s game mode suppress notifications and background tasks, so there are no interruptions in the middle of a game. This can also lead to performance improvements since fewer tasks are making use of your CPU.

I ran tests with both Norton and Avira while playing the game Call of Duty: Warzone and Rocket League. Neither resulted in noticeable performance improvements (although this may differ with your computer) — but I enjoyed not being disrupted by notifications.

Game without interruption with Norton

9. Optimization Tools — Both Norton and Avira Will Improve Your Device Performance

Norton and Avira offer practically the same optimization tools. They both include tools to remove junk files, increase startup times, and clear your browser for privacy reasons. Avira can also disable unnecessary services to save power.

I tested all of these features on a Windows 10 PC, and had no issues at all. My own PC was unaffected in terms of time saved during startup, but these tune-ups tend to have more of an impact on older PCs and are to be done regularly for benefits over time.

You can see how optimizations work on your own device and try Norton for up to 60 days with its money-back guarantee.

10. Other Features — Norton Is Packed With Useful Additions (Like Cloud Backup)

Although both Norton and Avira have a useful collection of bonus features, I find Norton offers more value to the majority of users.

The feature I find the most useful is Norton’s cloud backup — you can use it to store your most treasured or sensitive files securely. If ransomware infects your device, you’ll have an off-site backup that can restore these files in the future. This is included with all plans, from 2GB of space up to 250GB.

Avira’s 2 notable additional features are its encrypted storage and file shredder. I’ve used both to secure and destroy files, and the process was fast and simple.

However, Norton wins this round as I find its cloud backup and webcam blocker are more commonly used with a wider audience.

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11. Device Compatibility — Norton Works on a Wider Range of Operating Systems

Norton and Avira both support Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, Norton is compatible with more versions.

I tested Norton and Avira on all of the above devices, and installation was finished in just 3 minutes on desktop and under 1 minute on mobile. On your computer, you can do this through an installer that takes care of the process. On mobile, just download the app from the website and you’ll be given a safe link to the app store.

How to Download and Install Norton on Your Windows PC

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12. Customer Service — Norton’s 24/7 Support Is Fast and Helpful

Norton offers the best customer support with more contact options and quick response times.

I was particularly happy with Norton’s 24/7 live chat process. It took just 2 minutes for me to get a reply, and the agent was friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, Avira doesn’t offer a live chat option, which is a huge downside. If there are any urgent technical issues, you won’t be able to resolve them immediately.

When I contacted Norton via phone, it took 15 minutes to connect to an agent. The agent solved all my issues within 5 minutes. However, Avira was a little faster over the phone. It only took 11 minutes to put me through to an agent and another 3 minutes to fix the same problem.

You can see my full tests results below:

Norton easily wins due to its comprehensive customer service options. Although Avira’s support was good once I was connected, the company needs to work on offering additional contact options.

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13. Price — Norton Offers Greater Value for Money

Norton and Avira are closely matched in plans. I’m more impressed with how many features Norton includes, but its prices can rise dramatically in the second year (anywhere between 44% to 66% higher depending on your plan). In contrast, Avira’s prices also go up 40% but not by as much.

Norton offers several plans:

• Antivirus Plus — Norton’s most basic plan with protection for 1 device, Norton’s core antivirus features and firewall, password manager, and 2GB of cloud storage.
• Norton 360 Standard — Has all of the features in Antivirus Plus, but also offers Norton’s Dark Web Monitoring and PC SafeCame. Also, this plan protects 3 devices.
• Norton 360 Deluxe — Includes all of 360 Standard’s features while also providing parental controls, protection for up to 5 devices, and up to 50GB of cloud storage.
• Norton 360 with LifeLock Select — Provides all the features mentioned above and adds Norton’s ID Theft Protection while also increasing the cloud storage to 250GB.

On the other hand, Avira’s plans include the following:

• Avira Antivirus Pro — Comes with Avira’s core antivirus protection features for 1 device.
• Avira Internet Security — Offers Avira’s antivirus features, password manager, and software updater for 1 device
• Avira Prime — Has all the features in the previous plans, but also provides Avira’s optimization tools and VPN. Plus, this plan protects up to 5 devices.

In spite of the pricing setup, Norton still delivers better value for money thanks to its wider variety of features. I especially recommend Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan.  Avira’s plans are well-priced, but you simply get more for your money with Norton, so it’s the clear winner here.

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14. Free Version — Avira Is One of the Best on the Market

Only Avira provides a free version, while Norton offers a trial period instead of a completely free version.

Although it’s missing a few key features, Avira’s free version provides an impressive level of basic protection. This includes its core antivirus engine, ransomware protection, safe browsing, ad blocker, limited bandwidth VPN, and password manager.

Norton does have a 7-day free trial, which gives you access to all premium features. However, this is easily beaten by Avira’s 30-day free trial. I recommend checking both out if you’re undecided on which antivirus to choose, so you can see which is best for you.

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15. Money-Back Guarantee — Norton’s Is Twice as Long

Norton’s money-back guarantee is 60 days long — twice as long as Avira’s. Thanks to its live chat support option, I found it easier and faster to get a refund from Norton.

After signing up for Norton and using it for a few weeks, I opened a live chat with a Norton support agent. I was connected in under 5 minutes and my refund request was approved in a couple of minutes. I received the money back from Norton just 5 days later.

Avira’s money-back guarantee process took a little longer. Since I was already in touch with an agent via email, I asked them for a refund in a new reply. The agent approved it for me the same day, and I received the money back in my account the following day. However, I sometimes waited for up to 3 days for responses to my other emails, so I recommend asking for a refund well before the money-back guarantee period expires.

Although neither antivirus has a particularly complex refund process, Norton wins since you can easily request a refund through 24/7 live chat and it offers a longer money-back guarantee.

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And the Winner Is… Norton

Norton and Avira are both quality antiviruses that can protect your devices against the most recent cyberthreats. Although they have similar qualities, Norton outshines Avira in numerous ways.

Norton has a stronger overall antivirus package. It comes with a huge range of bonus features and faster customer support. Avira simply can’t compete with any of Norton’s paid plans. However, I was surprisingly impressed with the decent level of protection provided by Avira’s free plan.

• Virus Scanner — Norton
• Real-Time Protection — Norton
• System Performance — Avira
• VPN — Norton
• Parental Controls — Norton
• Firewall — Norton
• Password Manager — Tie
• Gaming Mode — Tie
• Optimization Tools — Tie
• Other Features — Norton
• Device Compatibility — Norton
• Customer Service — Norton
• Price — Norton
• Free Version — Avira
• Money-Back Guarantee — Norton

You don’t have to take my word for it though. You can try Norton with its 60-day money-back guarantee or test out Avira risk-free — and see which antivirus better suits your specific needs.

Protect your devices with Norton

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