Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading security & cybersecurity solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if you need Threat & vulnerability management and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Norton 360 if you prioritize Real-time threat protection and want plans starting at $49.99/year. Both are rated 4.5/5 by users.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360: At a Glance
| Criteria | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | $3/month | $49.99/year |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Desktop, Mobile, Api | Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Category | Security & Cybersecurity | Security & Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 1975 | 1982 |
Feature Comparison: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360
| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Threat & vulnerability management | ||
| Attack surface reduction | ||
| Next-gen protection | ||
| EDR | ||
| Auto investigation | ||
| Microsoft Threat Experts | ||
| Threat analytics | ||
| Secure score | ||
| Microsoft 365 | ||
| Azure Sentinel | ||
| Intune | ||
| Azure AD | ||
| Power Automate | ||
| ServiceNow | ||
| SOC2 | ||
| Real-time threat protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Password Manager | ||
| Secure VPN | ||
| Cloud backup | ||
| Dark Web Monitoring | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Windows Security Center | ||
| macOS Security | ||
| Browser extensions | ||
| AV-TEST Certified | ||
| AV-Comparatives Certified | ||
| Cloud deployment | ||
| Web support |
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360: Pricing Breakdown
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Pricing
Model: subscription
- Per user
- Next-gen protection
- Attack surface reduction
- Device control
- All P1 features
- EDR
- Automated investigation
- Threat analytics
- Defender for Endpoint P2
- Defender for Identity
- Defender for Cloud Apps
- Defender for Office 365
Norton 360 Pricing
Model: subscription
- 1 Device
- Real-time threat protection
- Password Manager
- 2GB Cloud Backup
- 5 Devices
- All Standard features
- 50GB Cloud Backup
- Parental Controls
- 5 Devices
- All Deluxe features
- Identity theft protection
- $1M Identity theft coverage
Pros and Cons
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Desktop, Mobile, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Threat & vulnerability management functionality
- Strong Attack surface reduction functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Norton 360
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Real-time threat protection functionality
- Strong Ransomware protection functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360?
Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if you:
- Need Threat & vulnerability management
- Have a budget of $3/month+
- Work primarily on Desktop and Mobile
- Value Attack surface reduction
Choose Norton 360 if you:
- Need Real-time threat protection
- Have a budget of $49.99/year+
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Ransomware protection
Frequently Asked Questions: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Norton 360
Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better than Norton 360?
It depends on your needs. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has a 4.5/5 user rating while Norton 360 has 4.5/5. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint excels in Threat & vulnerability management and Attack surface reduction, while Norton 360 stands out with Real-time threat protection and Ransomware protection. Consider your budget ($3/month vs $49.99/year), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Norton 360?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at $3/month. Norton 360 starts at $49.99/year. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Norton 360 together?
While both are security & cybersecurity tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core security & cybersecurity needs.
What are the main differences between Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Norton 360?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Desktop, Mobile, Api vs Web, Desktop, Mobile), and feature focus. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint emphasizes Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection while Norton 360 focuses on Real-time threat protection, Ransomware protection, Firewall. User ratings differ slightly: 4.5 vs 4.5 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Norton 360.