Norton vs Proton
Cybersecurity pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated March 2026
Norton pricing ranges from $5–$15.83/device/month, while Proton ranges from $0–$29.99/month. Norton is typically 31% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Sources & confidence
Every dollar amount and contract clause below traces back to a sourced fact. We don't manufacture composite scores.
Plans at a glance
Every tier per product. Lock one to drive the cost row above and reveal a tier-specific outbound CTA.
Contract terms
The fine print, surfaced. Green = buyer-friendly. Each clause backed by a quoted source.
What users say
Aggregated, with sample sizes. We use whichever review platform has data.
Norton and Proton serve overlapping but distinct cybersecurity needs. Norton is a comprehensive consumer cybersecurity suite offering antivirus, VPN, identity theft protection, and dark web monitoring in bundled plans. Proton is a Swiss-based privacy company offering end-to-end encrypted email (Proton Mail), VPN (Proton VPN), cloud storage (Proton Drive), and password management (Proton Pass) with a strong privacy-first philosophy.
Norton plans range from approximately $30 to $100/year for individual and family plans. Proton offers a generous free tier and paid plans: Proton Plus at $5/month and Proton Unlimited at $13/month, which unlocks all Proton services with higher storage and features.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Norton | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Norton AntiVirus Plus | $5 /device/month | Free /user/month |
| Norton 360 Standard | $7.92 /device/month | $3.99 /user/month |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $10.42 /device/month | $4.99 /user/month |
| Norton 360 Premium | $12.50 /device/month | $12.99 /user/month |
| Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus | $15.83 /device/month | $9.99 /user/month |
| Duo | — | $14.99 /user/month |
| Family | — | $29.99 /user/month |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Norton
3 scenariosProton
6 scenariosMarket Intelligence
Norton
- Median annual cost
- $297
- Based on
- 44 deals
Proton
- Median annual cost
- $200
- Based on
- 50 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | Norton | Proton |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation | The 7-day free trial requires a credit card at sign-up and automatically converts to a paid subscription at full price if not canceled. There is no reminder before the charge. | 30 days notice before renewal for annual plans |
| Minimum commitment | — | Varies by plan (monthly, 1-year, or 2-year) |
| Price escalation | 50-150% price increase after year one | Prices subject to change. Legacy pricing locked in if no subscription changes made. New pricing applies at renewal if subscription modified. |
| Can downgrade | — | Yes |
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Our Verdict
Choose Norton if you want a traditional antivirus and identity protection bundle. Norton's antivirus engine consistently scores near the top in independent tests, and its identity theft protection with credit monitoring adds value for consumers concerned about personal data breaches. Norton 360 plans (starting around $40/year) bundle VPN and dark web monitoring at a competitive price.
Choose Proton if privacy is your primary concern. Proton's zero-knowledge encryption across mail, VPN, drive, and passwords means even Proton cannot access your data. Proton Unlimited at $13/month (or $8/month billed annually) is exceptional value for privacy-conscious users who want encrypted alternatives to Google Workspace and standard VPNs. Proton also has a strong free tier — Proton VPN's free plan is unlimited data with no logs.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does Norton 360 cost in 2026?
Norton 360 plans for the first year start at approximately $29.99/year (Standard, 1 device) up to $99.99/year (Premium, 10 devices + family features). Renewal pricing is significantly higher — Norton Standard renews at ~$84.99/year. Always check current promotional pricing before purchasing.
02 How much does Proton cost in 2026?
Proton offers a free tier across its services. Paid plans are: Proton Plus at $5/month (enhanced individual services) and Proton Unlimited at $13/month (all services, 500GB storage, premium support). Annual billing brings Proton Unlimited to approximately $8/month.
03 Is Proton VPN actually free with no data limits?
Yes. Proton VPN's free tier offers unlimited data with no bandwidth caps. It includes access to servers in 5 countries and does not log user activity. Paid plans unlock more server locations, higher speeds, and features like Tor over VPN and streaming access.
04 Does Norton include a VPN?
Yes. Norton 360 plans (Standard and above) include Norton Secure VPN. However, Norton's VPN has faced criticism for logging connection timestamps and IP addresses historically. Proton VPN is generally considered the stronger privacy-focused VPN option.
05 Which is better for a family?
Norton 360 Premium (around $99.99/year introductory) covers up to 10 devices with parental controls, child identity protection, and family device monitoring — making it strong value for households. Proton Family plan (available separately) covers privacy tools for up to 6 users at $30/month.