Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Apple Inc. vs Norton
Apple Inc.
Higher score in this comparison
Norton
Where Apple Inc. and Norton differ
| Compare | Apple Inc.ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | NortonReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99Lower | $9.99 |
| Platforms | iOS, IPadOS, MacOS, VisionOS, TvOS, WatchOS, Web | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Encryption | Encryption and Data Protection | Encrypted online vault; data stored encrypted in the cloud |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Screen time, Web filter, LocationCovers more |
| Passkeys | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Zero-knowledge encryption | No | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- Apple Inc. scores higher overall: 9.7 vs 9.4.
- Price from is lower at Apple Inc.: $0.99 vs $9.99.
- Platforms: only Apple Inc. offers IPadOS, VisionOS, TvOS.
- Platforms: only Norton offers Windows, Android.
- Support channels: only Apple Inc. offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Apple Inc.: 1976 vs 1982.
- Pricing model: only Apple Inc. offers Budget.
- Features: only Norton offers Location.
Our verdict on each
Apple Inc.
Apple folds relay aliases, 5 gigabytes of free iCloud+ storage and passkeys into the platforms most people already own. It suits Apple only households wanting private storage in a single account, while readers who need storage they alone can read or end-to-end encrypted mail should look elsewhere.
Norton
Norton suits households who want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls under one subscription, and it stays affordable after the first term. Norton Deluxe opens at $19.99 and renews at $59.99, which is still under the antivirus median of €49.95.
Score breakdown
| Area | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Entry starts at $0.99 and monthly runs $0.99, under the €7.89 site median, with storage at $119.88 per terabyte per year. | 9.6HigherNorton Deluxe opens at $19.99 and renews at $59.99, priced below the antivirus median of €49.95. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 10.0Higher | 9.9 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 63 of 232 | 67 of 232 |
| Antivirus software | 33 of 93 | 36 of 93 |
| Password managers | 26 of 69 | 28 of 69 |
| Privacy tools | 43 of 281 | 51 of 281 |
| Secure cloud storage and backup | 11 of 70 | 14 of 70 |
| Parental control apps | 22 of 59 | 25 of 59 |
| Free VPNs | 42 of 189 | 46 of 189 |
| Free antivirus | 19 of 62 | 22 of 62 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free, BudgetCovers more | Free |
| Legal entity | Apple Inc. | Gen Digital Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1976Lower | 1982 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Phone, Help centre, Community |
VPN
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0.99Lower | $34.99 |
| Devices | Not confirmed | 1 to 10 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | from 100 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | VerSprite, July 2025 (Technical Privacy Impact Assessment) |
| Features | No logs, Travel | No logs, Streaming |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | $59.99 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 60 days |
| Jurisdiction | US | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Not confirmed | Mimic, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec |
| Streaming services | Not confirmed | Streaming |
| Owner | Apple Inc. | Gen Digital Inc. |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 24 months |
Secure email
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Aliases via Sign in with Apple are free with an Apple Account; changing the Forward To address requires iCloud+ | Not confirmed |
| End-to-end encryption | None of the mail is end-to-end encrypted: aliases are relayed and forwarded by Apple, which states it does not read or process message content except spam filtering | Not confirmed |
| Custom domains | No | Not confirmed |
Encrypted storage
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Free storage | 5 | Not confirmed |
| Price per TB per year | $119.88 | Not confirmed |
Parental controls
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | $0Lower | $49.99 |
Identity protection
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureaus monitored | Not confirmed | 1 to 3 |
| Insurance amount | Not confirmed | $1,050,000 to $3,000,000 |
| Family plan price | Not confirmed | $18.75 to $52.50 |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 7 days |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Apple Inc. | Norton | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.99lowest quarter | $9.99above the median | $6.50 |
Median across 26 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Apple Inc.
Pros
- Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to Apple Account holders, so the free plan is a real starting point rather than a trial.
- Entry sits at $0.99, below the $19.99 and $14.99 starting prices of the two paid alternatives here.
- A single subscription spans iOS, iPadOS and macOS, so storage and aliases need no extra purchase per device.
Cons
- iCloud+ storage is not sealed so that only the account holder can read it, and what is stored stays within Apple's reach under Encryption and Data Protection.
- End-to-end encryption is not offered for alias mail, since Apple Inc. relays and forwards it, so an alias is not a private channel for sensitive messages.
- Custom domains are not available, so an alias cannot sit on a domain you own.
Norton
Pros
- Entry price of $19.99 for Norton Deluxe is well under the antivirus median of €49.95, and renewal at $59.99 still sits low.
- One subscription covers 1 to 10 across Windows, macOS and Android and bundles vpn, password manager and parental controls that would otherwise be separate subscriptions.
- A free version of the apps lets you try the security side before paying, with a free trial of 7 days and a money back window of 60 days.
Cons
- Renewal sits well above entry: Norton Deluxe jumps from $19.99 to $59.99, and many antivirus plans renew under €3.97 a month.
- The Norton Deluxe device allowance of 1 to 10 is behind the antivirus median of 10, while Apple covers more device types through iOS, iPadOS and macOS.
- Support runs on phone, help centre and community, so help is by phone, help centre and community only.
Who each suits
Apple Inc.
Who it suits
- Apple households that already pay for iCloud+ and want more capacity plus relay aliases from the same account.
- Readers who want one subscription across iOS, iPadOS and macOS instead of separate tools per device family.
- People willing to trade storage their provider can still read for low entry pricing and broad platform reach.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who need end-to-end encrypted mail or storage only the account holder can read, since neither is part of what the plan includes.
- Buyers shopping for a free standalone security toolkit, since Token2 hands over an in-browser authenticator toolset and a QR decoder without creating an account.
- Shoppers who want a priced privacy product outside the Apple ecosystem, where EasyOptOuts at $19.99 and Vipre Security at $14.99 are the paid comparisons here.
Norton
Who it suits
- Households wanting vpn, password manager and parental controls bundled into one subscription rather than bought separately.
- Apple households already inside iOS, iPadOS and macOS who want protection that extends beyond their own devices.
- Buyers who want a free version of the apps, a free trial of 7 days and a money back window of 60 days before committing.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers on a strict budget who only want a password manager, at $9.99 on its own.
- Buyers who need a device allowance above the antivirus median of 10.
- People who want a US supplier replaced by a European option, since US is the stated headquarters country.
Current offers
Apple Inc.
Current offer
Free trial
Get 3 months of Apple One free with any new iPhone, iPad, or Mac: 3 months free
New and qualified returning subscribers only. $21.95 or $27.95 or $39.95 per month after trial based on plan selected. Only one offer per Apple Account and per family. Not available if a previous three-months-free offer was accepted. Offer good for three months after eligible device activation. Plan automatically renews until cancelled.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Norton
Current offer
First period offer
Norton AntiVirus Plus limited-time offer: $19.99 first year (66% off, $59.99 renewal)
US annual subscription, auto-renews at $59.99/year unless the renewal is cancelled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
Norton 360 Deluxe limited-time offer: $29.99 first year (76% off, $124.99 renewal)
US annual subscription for 5 devices, auto-renews at $124.99/year unless the renewal is cancelled; works out as $2.50/month
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
Norton 360 Standard limited-time offer: $24.99 first year (73% off, $94.99 renewal)
US annual subscription for 3 devices, auto-renews at $94.99/year unless the renewal is cancelled
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Norton free trials
A payment method is required at sign-up and will be charged at the end of the trial period, unless cancelled first
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Apple Inc. | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| France | No | Yes |
| Germany | No | Yes |
| Ireland | No | Yes |
| Italy | No | Yes |
| Japan | No | Yes |
| Netherlands | No | Yes |
8 of 12 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Apple Inc.
What does iCloud+ cost to start?+
iCloud+ starts at $0.99, and the monthly rate is the same figure, $0.99. Storage is the only part that carries a charge; Sign in with Apple aliases stay at no cost to Apple Account holders. For context, the median entry price across the brands compared here is €6.84.
Is there a free plan and what does it cover?+
A free plan is part of the service. Sign in with Apple issues relay aliases at no cost to anyone holding an Apple Account, and free storage stands at 5 gigabytes with a yearly price of $0. The limit: repointing an alias at a different inbox needs iCloud+.
Norton
How much is Norton Deluxe for the first year?+
Norton Deluxe costs $19.99 for the first year. That is the introductory figure, not the ongoing one, and it sits under the antivirus median of €49.95. Several Norton products are sold separately, so the plan you choose changes the entry price.
What does Norton Deluxe cost when it renews?+
Norton Deluxe renews at $59.99, so the price roughly triples once the first term ends. That renewal is still low among antivirus plans, where comparable products sit around €3.97 a month. Budget for the renewal figure rather than the entry price.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Apple Inc.
Norton