Norton vs Kaspersky: choose the best antivirus in 2025

Norton and Kaspersky are well-known antiviruses designed to detect and eliminate malicious malware. Although both are popular among users, Norton Antivirus is a better choice.

Norton Antivirus is a reliable program that is easy to navigate on different devices. It has features like cloud backup and dark web monitoring and offers a competitive price. While Kaspersky is a popular name, it is banned in the US. Since Kaspersky is a Russian software, US officials decided to ban the antivirus to ensure that no data would be collected by the Russian government.

Despite the ban in the US, I researched Kaspersky by checking the official website and tested Norton myself to see if it’s a good alternative or if the ban is truly an inconvenience. I decided not to test Kaspersky myself as I do not want to support a Russian company. In this Norton vs Kaspersky comparison, I looked at pricing, scanning options, and additional features to determine which one offers the best experience. I also tested Norton’s firewall, speed, and threat protection results.

Editor’s disclosure: VPNpro no longer endorses Kaspersky products as our community supports the sanctions on the Russian government. The allegations that Kaspersky provided FSB (Federal Security Service) its customers’ identifying information are not tolerable and are in conflict with VPNpro’s purpose and beliefs.

Norton vs Kaspersky: key differences

Even though Kaspersky is cheaper, starting at $22.26/year, compared to Norton’s cheapest subscription at $29.99/year, you shouldn’t risk your safety for a better price. There are great deals available for different Norton subscriptions, so you can still save some money and get the best antivirus experience.

Both Kaspersky and Norton support all major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. As well as that, both software provide customer support via live chats, email, or phone calls, so you will be able to get assistance if needed. Most importantly, Norton is a well-performing antivirus that is safer than Kaspersky, making it one of the best alternatives to Kaspersky antivirus.

Kaspersky antivirus security problems: is Norton a reliable alternative?

While Kaspersky claims to be safe and effective at protecting devices from viruses, Norton 360 outperforms it in terms of security. Kaspersky antivirus, a Russian software, is banned in the U.S. to prevent data collection, as it has a history of collecting and providing user data to the Russian government. In contrast, Norton is significantly safer, as it does not permit government access to spy on operations or carry out cyberattacks. Thus, Norton is a far better and more secure choice for antivirus protection compared to Kaspersky.

Norton provides real-time virus, phishing, and ransomware protection, preventing these threats from harming your devices. There is also firewall protection, which will block any unauthorised traffic. According to Kaspersky’s official website, it also provides these features, but due to security reasons, I did not test them and do not recommend using them.

Both Norton and Kaspersky offer a VPN. Norton’s VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, meaning that your online activity will stay private while using the VPN. Kaspersky’s VPN was not tested, and it might pose certain security risks. I also tested Norton’s dark web monitoring, which will alert you if your personal information is found on the dark web. Kaspersky has a dark web monitoring feature, but I do not recommend using it as the security of Kaspersky’s features is questionable.

I also tested Norton's password manager and Parental controls. The password manager stores and syncs personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, and documents. Parental control is very handy if you want to protect children from accessing harmful websites and applications. According to the official website, Kaspersky also has these features. However, I did not test them out as it is not safe.

Norton antivirus vs Kaspersky scanning options and speed results

Both Norton and Kaspersky offer similar scan options. The two software have a Full Scan option that will check the entire computer and a Quick Scan option that is a fast way to check for threats. Additionally, Norton offers Custom Scan, and Kaspersky has Selective Scan. The only difference between these two is the name, as they allow you to scan specific files only. Additionally, Norton has Smart Scan that conducts network, security, and performance scans and offers solutions for maintaining privacy.

I did not test Kaspersky’s scans myself due to the security risks associated with the software. However, I tested Norton’s scan options to see how long they take and whether they’re effective. I performed these tests on a Windows Server 2022 Intel Xeon 8259CL with 32GB RAM, where I planted 10 ransomware samples in different file types and launched different scan types.

Norton antivirus proved to perform well in terms of how long it takes for scans to finish. A Quick Scan took less than a minute which was faster than expected. Smart Scan finished in 2 minutes which is a great result as you also get solutions to maintain your digital footprint secured. Lastly, the Full Scan took 10 minutes, which is very fast as it scanned the whole computer.

In June, Kaspersky released a free tool that scans Linux devices for known threats. Since Kaspersky poses serious security risks and does not guarantee user’s privacy, many people were not impressed with the tool and urged other not to use it as well. Due to these security concerns, Norton is a better choice as it will successfully scan and protect your devices, unlike Kaspersky.

Norton malware and threat protection test results

I do not recommend using Kaspersky to remove malware and other threats due to the security risks it poses. Kaspersky is a Russian software that must comply with requests for information, meaning that it might collect and provide user data. Since it raises privacy and security concerns, it is not safe to use Kaspersky.

Instead of using Kaspersky and risking exposing your personal data, I recommend trying Norton 360, which is a great alternative to Kaspersky. Norton is a well-known and trustworthy antivirus that performs well, especially in terms of malware and other threats detection and removal. I had no issues using Norton antivirus, as it is very user-friendly and successfully resolves threats, which makes it one of the best antivirus.

To test it out, I used 10 malware samples differing in file type and source. These samples included viruses, trojans, stealers, and ransomware. I launched the Full Scan, and it scanned 49k files in 10 minutes. Once the scan was done, it successfully resolved 10 out of 10 malware samples without any issues or interruptions.

Kaspersky vs Norton: additional features

Both Norton and Kaspersky have extensive lists of additional features that are similar between the two antiviruses. If you’re interested in protecting your computer and personal information, you will definitely benefit from the additional features that are offered. With Norton or Kaspersky, you get a VPN, password manager, webcam protection, parental controls, and dark web monitoring.

They also both provide the necessary security features for antivirus software, such as real-time protection and different types of scans. Even though Kaspersky and Norton provide similar features, Norton is a better choice as it is more secure and guarantees privacy. To get all Kaspersky’s features you would need to purchase the Premium subscription, while Norton includes many features in the cheaper plans as well.

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Password Management

A password manager is a handy feature to safely store your passwords, credit card details, and other important information. Not only will you securely store your passwords, but you will also be able to manage your personal details. A Norton password manager will auto-fill your details across different websites, so you will have fewer passwords that you need to remember. Additionally, since it’s important to change your passwords regularly, a password manager will assist you by generating strong passwords that you can use. Both Kaspersky and Norton offer password managers, but due to security risks, I would avoid using Kaspersky’s password manager.

VPN

Both Norton and Kaspersky offer a VPN service together with the antivirus. Even though Kaspersky VPN provides more servers, Norton is a better choice due to security and privacy reasons that Kaspersky cannot guarantee. A VPN will add an extra layer of security when browsing the internet. Your traffic will be routed through an encrypted tunnel ensuring a private connection with no data leaks or interruptions. Additionally, using a VPN will help you access geo-restricted content by masking your IP address, so you’ll be able to enjoy it no matter where you are.

Webcam protection

Webcam protection is an extra feature that will protect your webcam from unauthorized access. This is a great feature if you want to ensure that hackers and other cybercriminals cannot access your webcam. Both Kaspersky and Norton offer this additional feature. Kaspersky’s Webcam Protection and Norton’s SafeCam will alert you when there are attempts to access your PC webcam. As well as that, you will be able to deny unauthorized access and keep your webcam safe and private. Even though both antiviruses offer this additional feature, I would recommend using Norton’s SafeCam feature, as using Kaspersky comes with some security risks.

Parental controls

Parental controls are a must for all parents to safeguard their children’s privacy online. There are many harmful websites and explicit content that children can easily access, and parental controls can help to solve this. Norton has a Parental Control feature that will help monitor your child’s online activities and block explicit and harmful content. As well as that, you will be able to set time limits, so your children won’t spend too much time online. Kaspersky’s Safe Kids feature also provides the same benefits, but due to the ban in the US and the associations with the Russian government, Norton is a better and safer option.

Dark web monitoring

If your details would end up on the Dark Web, it might cause serious inconveniences. Apart from your personal details being compromised, they can even be sold and used for committing crimes. Additionally, you could become a victim of identity theft. A Dark Web monitoring feature can help to avoid this. By using it, the Dark Web will be scanned, and if your personal details are detected, you will be alerted about this. Both Kaspersky and Norton have the Dark Web monitoring feature. However, Norton is a safer option as Kaspersky is a Russian software that might provide your personal information to the Russian government.

Kaspersky vs Norton price comparison

Kaspersky and Norton have a few plan options, but they differ in terms of price and features. Norton has 4 plans available, including Plus, Standard, Deluxe, and Select with LifeLock. Kaspersky offers Standard, Plus, and Premium plans.

Kaspersky is more expensive as you can get Norton Plus for only $29.99/year, while Kaspersky Standard costs $39.18/year for 5 devices. The prices for all plans differ because they all offer different features.

Norton’s Plus plan offers malware protection, 2 GB cloud backup, and a password manager. Kaspersky’s Standard plan provides malware and crypto threat protection but lacks cloud backup and a password manager. Norton’s Standard plan includes a VPN and dark web monitoring, while Kaspersky’s Premium plan adds a VPN, password manager, and data leak checker. Norton’s Deluxe plan adds 50 GB cloud backup, parental controls, and SafeCam, whereas Kaspersky’s Premium plan includes a Smart Home Monitor and an Identity Protection Wallet. Lastly, Norton Antivirus has an exclusive plan Select with LifeLock identity theft protection.

I recommend trying Norton Antivirus, as it’s a cheaper antivirus when you considers its price-to-features ratio. Both Antivirus programs have a 30-day free trial, so you can test Norton before committing to a long-term subscription.

Impact on system performance: Norton or Kaspersky is more lightweight?

Programs like antivirus have a huge impact on PC performance as they usually use more resources. To test Norton’s impact on system performance, I launched the antivirus and checked how many resources it uses while the app is running in the background and when the scans are in effect. I did not test Kaspersky due to security concerns, and I do not recommend using it. Instead, I would suggest prioritizing your privacy and safety and choosing Norton.

I was pleased with the results while the Norton antivirus was running in the background with Real-time Protection and VPN enabled. The application used up to 5% CPU and about 120 MB RAM. A notably higher amount of resources were used when the antivirus scans were in effect. When testing the Smart Scan, it used up to 6% of CPU and 120 MB RAM. Quick Scan used up to 18% of CPU and 133 MB RAM. Lastly, when the Full Scan was in effect, it used up to 40% of CPU and 180 MB RAM. Even though the Full Scan used a lot of resources and there was a noticeable drop in system performance, it was still possible to use the computer during the process, so it did not cause a lot of inconvenience.

Interface and ease of use

Norton and Kaspersky are compatible with computers, mobile phones, and tablets. Both antiviruses support all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

I installed Norton antivirus on Windows and Android, and the setup process was fast and easy for both devices. On Windows, you need first to sign in to your Norton account on a browser to assign a license to your currently used device. After that, you can download and install the app. Once you have the app, Norton will guide you through the setup process enabling all the required features for you. The Android app setup is even easier as you do not need to use a browser. All you have to do is download the app, and Norton will guide you through the process from there.

Norton vs Kaspersky customer support

If you decide to become a customer of Norton or Kaspersky, you can contact customer support in case you have any questions or issues. Kaspersky provides customer support through live chat, email, and phone calls, so you can choose which method is the most convenient for you. However, due to the Kaspersky ban in the US, many people find it difficult to contact Kaspersky’s customer support. Even if they can reach out to them, the outcome is usually unpleasant.

Norton offers customer support via live chats and phone calls and has many tips and tricks on its Help Center page. I tried Norton’s live chat option and was pleased with the result. The live chat option is only available for paid Norton customers, and it took some time to reach a live agent. Before chatting with the representative, I had to get approved by the chatbot and receive an email confirmation. It took about 5 minutes until I was connected with a live agent. The representative was professional, and the whole chat was fast and efficient.

Final conclusion: opt for Norton over Kaspersky to ensure your safety

After extensive tests and research, I came to the conclusion that Norton is a trustworthy antivirus that is safer to use than Kaspersky. Kaspersky antivirus is a Russian software that must comply with requests to provide data. This puts a risk on the security and privacy of Kaspersky’s users as their personal information can be provided to the Russian government.

Since Kaspersky is not safe to use, switching from Kaspersky to Norton is highly recommended. Norton 360 proved to be a secure and reliable antivirus program that focuses on privacy. Norton successfully detects and removes various viruses and other threats and does not use a lot of resources when running in the background. In addition, Norton has an extensive list of additional features that will add an extra layer of security to your device. Lastly, Norton Antivirus offers competitive prices and special deals, so you can save some money and get the best antivirus experience.

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FAQ

Which is better, Norton or Kaspersky?

Norton is a better option as it’s proven to be more secure and trustworthy. Additionally, even the basic Norton Antivirus plan includes 2 GB of cloud backup and a password manager. Looking at the features that come with a Norton subscription, Norton also offers a better price compared to Kaspersky.

What is the difference between Kaspersky and Norton antivirus?

The difference between Kaspersky and Norton antivirus is that Norton is a safer option. Norton antivirus is a trustworthy software that successfully protects your devices. Kaspersky is a Russian software that is not secure and does not guarantee privacy.

Why do people say that Kaspersky has bad protection and Norton has good protection?

Kaspersky has bad protection due to certain security concerns. Kaspersky complies with requests to provide information, meaning that user’s personal information might be provided to the Russian Secret Services. Norton has good protection as it is a trustworthy antivirus that successfully protects devices and removes viruses.

Is Kaspersky safe to use, given its association with Russia?

No, Kaspersky is not safe to use, given its association with Russia. Since Kaspersky is a Russian company, it must comply with requests to provide information, meaning that your personal information can be collected and provided to FSB. Kaspersky is even banned in the US due to security concerns.

Which antivirus, Norton or Kaspersky, is better for gamers?

Norton antivirus is better for games as it has useful additional features that successfully protect devices from spyware and viruses. Additionally, Norton AV does not cause noticeable slowdowns when the application runs in the background.

How to replace Kaspersky with Norton?

To replace Kaspersky with Norton, you should uninstall Kaspersky from your device and proceed with the Norton installation. If you’re unable to uninstall it, use a trustworthy app uninstaller or follow official guidelines from Kaspersky. Before uninstalling Kaspersky, I recommend creating a System Restore point in case of any interruptions.