Norton VPN Review
*Content includes branded mentions of our sponsor, Norton VPN.
Protecting yourself online is like securing your home against burglars. A substantial, forbidding home security system safeguards your physical belongings the same way a reliable set of cybersecurity tools protects you against hacking, identity theft and other online threats.
The best virtual private network (VPN) services keep your online activities private by encrypting your connections and hiding your IP address. They also come with other online security software, such as spyware and malware protection, password managers and antivirus.
Deciding whether you need a VPN is the first step. In this review, we’ll help you decide if Norton — one of the biggest names in the cybersecurity industry — has the right VPN plan for you.
Best VPN and Antivirus Combo
A VPN and antivirus package can help protect your devices safe from viruses, ransomware and other online threats while keeping your online activity private. Norton is a trusted name in internet security, with decades of experience and a number of products directed towards a safer online experience.
Norton’s Ultra and Ultra Plus VPN plans come with VPN protection and antivirus software for up to five and ten devices, respectively. They include real-time protection against scams and malware, a password manager and cloud backup storage.
Norton VPN pros and cons
- Flexible pricing
- Split tunneling
- No-log policy
- Not compatible with Linux
- Only available in 29 countries
- Prices increase after the first year
Pros explained
Flexible pricing
Many VPN services include a set number of covered devices in all plans. This means you might not be able to protect all your devices, or you could be stuck paying for protection you'll never use. Norton VPN lets customers choose between plans that cover one, five or ten devices.
Split tunneling
Norton VPN allows split tunneling for Windows and Android operating systems. Split tunneling means you can have two simultaneous connections: one that runs through the VPN and another that connects directly to the internet. This lets you protect your sensitive data without slowing down the rest of your internet activity.
No-log policy
If you're considering using a VPN, you're probably worried about being tracked online. Using a VPN means your internet service provider (ISP) can't track you, but some VPNs keep their own activity logs. Norton VPN has a strict no-logs policy, so you never have to worry about your VPN keeping tabs on your online life.
Cons explained
Not compatible with Linux
Norton VPN is available on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating systems. But if you're one of the millions of people who use Linux, you'll need to find a different VPN provider.
Limited number of servers and locations
Norton has over 1,000 VPN servers in 29 countries around the world, whereas other leading VPN services have servers in 100 countries or more. For example, Private Internet Access has more than 10,000 servers in 80 countries and Surfshark has over 3,000 servers in 100 countries.
To ensure the highest possible download speeds — for torrenting, for example — you may want to look for one with a larger server network so traffic is more spread out. You may also want to use a VPN with a lot of server locations, such as CyberGhost or Proton VPN, if you’re using one to unblock geo-restricted content on streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.
Prices increase after the first year
Norton offers discounted first-year pricing to attract new customers, but prices skyrocket after the first year. For example, when you renew for a second year, Norton Ultra VPN doubles in cost, from $29.99 to $59.99. If you plan to use the service for a year and then look around for better pricing, set a reminder in your calendar because all plans auto-renew.
Norton VPN plans
Norton Secure VPN
Norton Secure VPN is the most affordable way to use Norton’s virtual private network. The plan covers a single device and includes the company’s VPN software plus an ad tracking blocker.
All Norton VPN plans support split tunneling for Windows and Android systems. They also have a kill switch that automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection is interrupted.
Norton Ultra VPN
The Norton Ultra VPN plan offers VPN protection and an ad tracking blocker for up to five of your devices. It also comes with the following:
- Real-time protection against scams, viruses, malware and hacking
- A password manager to securely create, store and manage your passwords
- 10GB of cloud backup so you don’t lose important files
Moreover, if Norton experts can't remove a virus from your device, the company may refund you based on the price paid for the current term of your subscription. Only subscribers with automatic renewal enabled are eligible for this refund.
Norton Ultra VPN Plus
Norton's Ultra VPN Plus comes with everything in the Ultra VPN plan tier but for ten devices instead of five. It also includes 40 more gigabytes of storage, for a total of 50 GB cloud backup. The plan is primarily intended for families, as it also includes parental controls and device location tracking.
Norton 360
The following three all-in-one plans include Norton Secure VPN, protection against viruses, malware and ransomware, a password manager and dark web monitoring, among other device security and online privacy tools.
- 360 Standard: Up to one device, 10 GB cloud backup,
- 360 Deluxe: Up to five devices, 50 GB cloud backup, webcam security and parental controls
- 360 Premium: Up to 10 devices, 75 GB cloud backup, webcam security, parental controls and LifeLock identity theft protection
Norton VPN pricing
Norton VPN prices vary by plan and billing frequency. Prices are discounted for the first year and then increase for the following years. All plans auto-renew unless you cancel your subscription 35 days before it expires.
Norton VPN costs shown below are for annual plans. Prices are higher with month-to-month subscriptions.
| Plan | Year 1 | Years 2+ |
| Norton Secure VPN | $19.99 | $34.99 |
| Norton Ultra VPN | $29.99 | $59.99 |
| Norton Ultra VPN Plus | $39.99 | $84.99 |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $39.99 | $64.99 |
Norton offers a seven-day free trial on all plans. This means the company won't charge you if you cancel within the seven-day trial period. Norton also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for annual plans, and a 14-day money-back guarantee for monthly plans.
Norton VPN financial security
Gen Digital, Norton's parent company, has a Fitch credit rating of BB+ and an S&P credit rating of BB as of August 2024. These ratings indicate that Norton is positioned to make good on its financial obligations and is less vulnerable in the near-term future but could be at risk if business or economic conditions change drastically.
According to NortonLifeLock's 2024 Annual Report, the company saw a 23% year-over-year growth in non-GAAP revenue. Non-GAAP earnings are measured using alternative accounting methods that may portray a more accurate picture of a company's financial health than traditional ones.
Norton VPN accessibility
Availability
Norton VPN is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating systems. It has servers in 29 countries, including:
- United States
- Canada
- Brazil
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Israel
Contact information
Norton lists its contact information on its website. Live chat and phone support are available 24/7; You can call customer service at 888-681-1964. For faster service, you may fill out a form on Norton's website explaining your issue.
User experience
Norton's website is easy to navigate, and the same can be said for its mobile iOS and Android apps. Most customers report that the VPN is easy to set up and use: Users have to create an account, choose a plan, download the program or app and toggle on the VPN connection.
Norton has a collection of support articles on its site to help users troubleshoot if they experience a problem with the VPN. Furthermore, the company’s customer support team is available around the clock.
The Norton VPN app has 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Google Play Store and 4.4 out of 5 stars in the Apple App Store. One unique feature of the app is a tab that lets you see how many ad trackers it has blocked over the past week, over the last 30 days and throughout the entire time you've had the Norton VPN installed.
Norton VPN customer satisfaction
Users report high satisfaction with Norton VPN across third-party customer review sites. They report that setup is fast and easy, and that the Norton VPN interface is user-friendly. Users also appear overwhelmingly happy with Norton VPN’s customer service.
Norton VPN is a service that keeps your online activity hidden from your internet service provider (ISP), mobile provider and online hackers. Even when using public Wi-Fi, everything you do will remain hidden to those in your network.
VPN software runs in the background while you go about your usual online activities. It helps keep your passwords and other sensitive information secure. Moreover, all Norton VPN plans come with ad tracker blocking, which limits the amount of data companies can gather about your digital presence.
How we evaluated Norton VPN
When evaluating Norton VPN, we considered many factors, including:
- Security: Norton VPN's level of encryption and other security features, including its available protocols (WireGuard, IPsec, OpenVPN, Mimic) were one of our top considerations. We also looked at DNS leak tests to ensure its reliability.
- Features: Split tunneling, a no-log policy and a kill switch are just the start. We looked at Norton VPN’s server network and functionality across its various bundles and plan tiers. We also considered the results of Norton VPN speed tests.
- Plan selection: We looked at the number of plans offered by Norton VPN and assessed their flexibility to meet the needs of diverse users and budgets.
- Cost: We considered the price of Norton Secure VPN plans, the availability of free trials and its money-back guarantee.
- Customer support: We evaluated the different methods available for contacting Norton customer service and its hours of operation. We also read users' reviews regarding their experience with customer support.
- Accessibility: We considered the accessibility of Norton VPN, including contact methods, geographic availability and operating system compatibility.
- User satisfaction: We read customer feedback on multiple third-party review sites to learn about real users' experiences with Norton VPN.
Summary of Money's Norton Secure VPN Review
Norton VPN lets you browse the internet with greater privacy and security, but without a noticeable impact to your connection speed. Although prices increase significantly after the first year, the VPN offers flexible plans and pricing, accommodating one, five or ten devices. It also includes highly sought out features like a kill switch and split tunneling.
Norton doesn't track or store your personal information and uses bank-level encryption to keep your data secure. It's easy to set up and use and is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating systems. Customer satisfaction with Norton VPN is consistently high across third-party review sites, and customer support is available around the clock, seven days a week.
To learn more about Norton VPN features and prices, click here to visit the product’s webpage. If you’re interested in comparing Norton to other VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, take a look at our list of the best VPN services.