When it comes to antivirus software, there are only a few names that come to mind, and AVG AntiVirus and Norton Security are two of these. They have been dominating the market for decades. However, as new threats continue to come out of the woodwork, antivirus software solutions need to update their databases and capabilities to stay relevant. This has undoubtedly been done by both AVG and Norton. But, we are here to answer the question of which of the two is better.  

In this article, we’ll provide you with a comparative analysis focused on critical areas, including threat protection, pricing, additional features, ease-of-use, and system performance. Then, we’ll give you our official AVG AntiVirus vs Norton Security comparison 2020 verdict. But first, let’s get more familiar with each product. 

An Overview of AVG AntiVirus

AVG AntiVirus is a popular antivirus software product available to Windows, macOS, and Android users. Its popularity is mostly thanks to the AVG Free Edition that is widely used. Acquired by Avast in 2016, the company bolstered its resources and continually offers better versions of the software every outing. 

The AVG AntiVirus Free Edition is mainly for personal use. However, it is quite comprehensive. It offers all the essential threat detection and elimination capabilities you need. It is equipped to protect your computers and the business management software you use from viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malware. Moreover, it automatically blocks unsafe links, downloads, and email attachments. Also, you get real-time security updates on top of a PC performance scan feature. 

Of course, its paid version called the AVG Internet Security includes more features for a price. These include webcam protection, AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android, an enhanced firewall for hackers, and it helps you avoid fake websites for safer shopping as well. 

Additionally, the premium plan called AVG Ultimate includes more features like anti-theft, device lock, app lock, performance tuneup, and a VPN. Plus, you get free antivirus and cleaner on your mobile as well. However, this is only for personal and family use. 

AVG antivirus is a comprehensive platform that protects your computers and browsers from all sorts of threats from spyware to malware.

AVG AntiVirus for Business 

For business use, AVG AntiVirus is offered in three plans, (1) AVG Internet Security Business Edition, (2) AVG AntiVirus Business Edition, and (3) AVG File Server Business Edition. 

Of the three, the first one is the most comprehensive. It offers advanced features, such as a link scanner, identity protection, online shield, anti-spam, anti-phishing, and email server security that protects you from hackers and malware. 

The second, AVG AntiVirus Business Edition, includes everything in the premiere plan except for the email server security and anti-spam and anti-phishing features.

Meanwhile, the most basic one, called AVG FileServer Business Edition, is not to be underestimated. Sure, it doesn’t have features, such as a link scanner and identity protection. However, you get ransomware protection for your files and even get a file shredder tool. Plus, all of these plans include remote management. 

An Overview of Norton Security

Thanks to its market success, Norton Security has become synonymous with the term antivirus. Norton is undeniably one of the most popular software out there across all software categories. Like AVG, it has web security products for different target segments. For its personal-use line, it has the (1) Norton 360 Standard, (2) Norton 360 Deluxe, and (3) Norton 360 with LifeLock Select. 

All three plans provide core features, including protection from spyware, virus, malware, and ransomware. Also, they provide users with cloud backup, webcam protection, firewall management, and password management tools. Additional features include dark web monitoring and a VPN service. However, the Standard plan doesn’t have a parental control feature. Another differentiator between the four is backup storage size. Norton Standard only has 10GB while Deluxe and Lifelock Select have 75GB and 100GB, respectively.  

Additionally, the LifeLock Select plan includes credit monitoring features and the Million Dollar Protection Package. This is an identity theft protection feature with reimbursement and expense compensation that can reach up to $1 million. 

Moreover, when it comes to the number of devices supported, the Standard supports only one device while both the Deluxe and LifeLock Select plans support up to five devices. 

Norton Security is a popular solution that aims to not only safeguard your computer from viruses but also backup your files on the cloud for easier recovery later on.

Norton Security for Business

The main business plan from Norton Security is called Norton 360 with Ultimate Plus. It has all the features included in the LifeLock Select. Also, it supports an unlimited number of devices. Thus, it is perfect for business use. Other features include fictitious identity monitoring, court records scanning, and even 401(k) and investment activity alerts. 

Also, it includes a feature where you get reimbursed for stolen funds because of identity theft. The Ultimate Plus gets you up to $1 million, Advantage gives you up to $100,000, and Select has a $25,000 limit. Plus, this also includes up to $1 million coverage for lawyers and experts should they be needed and reimbursements for your expenses. 

AVG AntiVirus vs Norton Security Comparison

In this section, we’ll compare the two top threat protection software in terms of (1) personal-use plans and pricing, (2) business plans and pricing, (3) security updates, and (4) customer experience. After, we’ll provide you with our official AVG AntiVirus vs Norton Security Comparison verdict. 

1. Personal-Use Plans and Pricing

To start, AVG’s free plan is already a good antivirus for personal use. It is packed with protection features for viruses, ransomware, and many more. For basic internet threat protection, it is enough. Moreover, it is free to download. 

Norton’s most basic plan is, again, the Norton 360 Standard. This costs $39.99 per year and supports one device. This has more features than AVG Free. These include a 10GB cloud backup, password manager, dark web monitoring, and a VPN to boot (among others). So, when talking about functionality, Norton takes the cake against the free version. 

However, when you don’t need all those solutions from one provider, you can just have the free AVG plan. Also, there are other backup software solutions and VPN systems out there that are free. But of course, this is only ideal if you don’t mind switching windows and installing different apps from different providers. 

Paid AVG AntiVirus plans also start at $39.99 per year. This plan includes webcam protection and an antivirus application for Android as well. However, Norton Standard 360 only supports one device. The extra Android protection app may seal the deal for AVG for some people. The only problem here is that they’d miss the additional Norton 360 Standard features like a cloud backup, password manager, and VPN.

So, people will purchase depending on what they value more: Anrdoid phone antivirus or Norton’s set of extra features. 

However, when you look at the features of Norton, you’d find it offers more. It even has an insurance package for identity theft in its more premium plans. Our verdict for this criterion? Norton is superior to AVG for personal use. 

2. Business Plans and Pricing

AVG structures its business plans using a tiered scheme. As mentioned before, there are three. The most basic among the three, AVG File Server Business Edition, is priced $20.39. There’s a plan with more features called AVG AntiVirus Business Edition that costs $43.19. Lastly, the premium package AVG Internet Security Business Edition costs $61.59. These prices are annual rates, and they only cover one device per year. These provide basic but robust threat protection for you. However, when you take a look at Norton’s offering, you’ll see that it just has more advanced features, such as the reimbursement feature for identity theft.

Norton Security costs $299.99 a year. What’s great about this is that you get comprehensive threat protection for unlimited devices. This is perfect for businesses that want to protect at least eight devices. On the flipside, AVG AntiVirus Business Edition will cost you $345.52 for eight but far fewer features. For starters, it doesn’t include insurance, which is pretty much needed in today’s climate of rampant identity theft and fraud. 

So, our verdict here? It’s Norton again. 

3. Security Updates

In this point of comparison, both Norton and AVG automatically update their virus and threat definitions to keep you safe at all times. The two popular solutions are rated well when it comes to preemptive protocols. Sometimes, many feel that they are too strict, and you need to calibrate them. This, as we will discuss in the next section, affects the customer experience. 

But, checking for threat definition and version updates are quite easy in both systems. Users of all levels can easily navigate the find which software version they have and when they last updated. With these interface features, you will make sure your devices are safe or not. 

Both solutions do well in this regard. Thus, when you ask us for our verdict in this important criterion, we say it is a tie. 

4. Customer Experience

The customer experience here refers to the total interaction of a customer with the brand from checking out their website, purchasing the product, running the program, and requesting support. In this area, we think that Norton leads a bit. This is because, with the AVG free edition, you will get frequent reminders to upgrade your plan to a paid account. Often, this can get quite bothersome for some users.   

On the other hand, when you just take a look at the other parts of the usual customer journey, using AVG is not too bad. If you have a paid plan, it is quite enjoyable. The same thing goes with Norton. Both solutions have clean interfaces, and they are straightforward to use. 

On the customer support front, let’s say that both do not provide stellar support. There are issues when it comes to services. But, these are quite minor, and most companies with contact centers and representatives have them. 

Our verdict? Norton edges out AVG in this one again but not too much. Our review team thinks that this is a narrow win. 

Which Antivirus Software is Better?

Our final and official AVG AntiVirus vs Norton Security comparison 2020 winner is Norton Security. This is because it has more comprehensive features for both personal and business uses. However, we couldn’t say that this is the best one for you. 

For instance, if you are looking for strictly the basics, then AVG’s free edition is more than enough. Furthermore, if you have more than eight devices to protect in your small business, then Norton is better. On the other hand, if you have at most six, maybe AVG is the prudent choice. 

Overall though, when it comes to business use, Norton takes this software battle. It has identity theft protection with insurance and reimbursements on top of it. This is perfect for businesses that engage in ecommerce using different payment gateway channels. At one time or another, it just seems that they are bound to run into some fraud or identity theft incident.