Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Norton vs SpyHunter
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Norton |  SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $19.99Lower | $35.70 |
| Renewal price | $59.99Lower | $79.98 |
| Devices | 1 to 10Higher | 1 |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOSCovers more | Windows, MacOS |
| Money-back period | 60 daysHigher | 30 days |
| Extras | VPN, Password manager, Parental controls | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free version (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Norton scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.8.
- First-year price is lower at Norton: $19.99 vs $35.70.
- Renewal price is lower at Norton: $59.99 vs $79.98.
- Devices is higher at Norton: 1 to 10 vs 1.
- Platforms: only Norton offers Android, iOS.
- Support channels: only Norton offers Phone, Community.
- Support channels: only SpyHunter offers Email.
- Money-back period is higher at Norton: 60 days vs 30 days.
Our verdict on each
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.
SpyHunter
SpyHunter suits people comparing entry cost against renewal cost who use Windows or macOS and want a free version to start with. SpyHunter entry sits at $35.70 with renewal at $79.98 for coverage on 1 device plus help through email and help centre.
Score breakdown
| Area | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherNorton Deluxe opens at $19.99 and renews at $59.99, priced below the antivirus median of €49.95. | 9.3Entry at $35.70 with renewal at $79.98 plus free version choice |
| Offer | 9.1Higher | 8.3Covers 1 device across Windows and macOS with help via email and help centre |
| Privacy | 9.9Higher | 8.9Offered by EnigmaSoft Limited with window 30 for reassurance |
How they place
| Ranking | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus software | 15 of 92 | 9 of 92 |
| Free antivirus | 11 of 62 | 7 of 62 |
Intro price vs renewal
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $19.99, then $59.99 (+200%) | $35.70, then $79.98 (+124%) |
A third option
ESET Brasil has devices at 1 to 25, against 1 to 10 for Norton and 1 for SpyHunter.
ESET Brasil reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Gen Digital Inc. | EnigmaSoft Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Ireland |
| Founded | 1982 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre |
VPN
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $34.99 | Not confirmed |
| Server countries | from 100 | Not confirmed |
| No-logs audit | VerSprite, July 2025 (Technical Privacy Impact Assessment) | Not confirmed |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | Not confirmed |
| Protocols | Mimic, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec | Not confirmed |
| Features | Screen time, Web filter, Location | Not confirmed |
| Streaming services | Streaming | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Gen Digital Inc. | Not confirmed |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | Not confirmed |
Identity protection
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureaus monitored | 1 to 3 | Not confirmed |
| Insurance amount | $1,050,000 to $3,000,000 | Not confirmed |
| Family plan price | $18.75 to $52.50 | Not confirmed |
| Free trial length | 7 days | Not confirmed |
Password managers
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $9.99 | Not confirmed |
| Free plan | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | Encrypted online vault; data stored encrypted in the cloud | Not confirmed |
Parental controls
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly price | $49.99 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Norton | SpyHunter | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $19.99lowest quarter | $35.70below the median | $50.00 |
| Renewal price | $59.99below the median | $79.98above the median | $78.99 |
| Devices | 1 to 10at the median | 1lowest quarter | 10 |
| Money-back period | 60 dayshighest quarter | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 51 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
SpyHunter
Pros
- Free version available for evaluation before paid SpyHunter coverage
- Entry for SpyHunter sits at $35.70 with renewal at $79.98
- Runs across Windows and macOS for desktop coverage
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only
- Covers 1 device compared with 5 across antivirus options
- Renewal at $79.98 sits above entry at $35.70
Who each suits
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.
SpyHunter
Who it suits
- People on Windows or macOS who prefer a free version start, unlike Apple Inc. mobile focus across iOS, iPadOS and macOS
- Shoppers weighing entry at $35.70 against renewal at $79.98 rather than ESET Brasil entry at BRL 64.22
- Users covering a single desktop who do not need Acronis reach of 5
Who should look elsewhere
- Households needing multi device coverage beyond 1 device, where Acronis at 5 fits better
- Shoppers seeking broad mobile coverage across iOS, iPadOS and macOS associated with Apple Inc.
Current offers
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 | Norton | SpyHunter |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
| Japan | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
8 of 12 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
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.
SpyHunter
What does SpyHunter cost at entry and at renewal?+
SpyHunter entry for the paid option sits at $35.70, while renewal sits at $79.98. That gap matters when comparing entry appeal with longer term cost. Review both figures together before choosing, since renewal applies after the opening term ends and shapes overall value.
Does SpyHunter offer a free version?+
Yes, a free version is offered alongside paid SpyHunter coverage under free. That option lets people explore core protection before committing to entry at $35.70. Paid renewal at $79.98 applies only after moving to the paid option and completing the opening term.