Norton VPN review 2026
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Contribution by
Jonathan Rolland
Norton VPN is one of the top VPN providers in 2026. Starting at just $3.33/month for the Standard plan, it’s a budget-friendly solution with options to scale and enjoy extra cybersecurity features based on your needs. For example, the Plus plan grants additional antivirus capabilities, while the Ultimate option unlocks Norton’s entire cybersecurity arsenal with perks like parental controls and password management capabilities.
With Norton VPN, you can enhance your virtual security and privacy on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and cover up to 10 devices simultaneously. The VPN ensures top-notch AES-256 encryption and has useful features: a kill switch, ad blocker, and Wi-Fi Security.
For this comprehensive Norton VPN review, we assessed many different aspects of this VPN provider. Continue reading to learn all about the application and why it has been listed as one of the top VPNs in 2026.
Norton VPN review – quick overview
| ⭐ Rating: | |
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #6 out of #41 |
| 📖 No logs policy: | No logs |
| 💵 Price: | From $3.33/month |
| 🖥️ Servers: | 2,000+ servers in 65 countries |
| 🍿 Streaming services: | BBC iPlayer, HBO Max |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Norton VPN coupon 54% OFF |
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
Cybernews evaluation: Norton VPN pros and cons
Norton VPN is a solid VPN with a great security foundation to reliably protect your online connections, just like any other best VPN service. As expected, Norton VPN, being a part of a massive cybersecurity company, means you can bundle the VPN with plenty of other Norton products to gain benefits that generally aren’t available with VPN services. However, that doesn’t mean that Norton VPN is infallible, especially when judged solely on its VPN capabilities. Below are what I consider Norton VPN’s main pros and cons.
Norton VPN review: key takeaways
Norton VPN, also known as Norton Secure VPN, is an online security solution that’s built to maintain anonymity and privacy while you surf the web. By encrypting traffic, this application protects you against third-party trackers that may include internet service providers (ISPs) and even the government.
Norton VPN is a straightforward VPN that does everything you’d expect it to. Its Standard plan offers an adequate number of features to encrypt your traffic and protect your online activities. If you want more cybersecurity perks, you must pick Plus or Ultimate.
- Privacy and security – 7/10. The VPN service comes with strong encryption, reliable tunneling protocols, and a kill switch to prevent unwanted leaks. And although the service is based in the US, an audit by VerSprite shows that there’s nothing to worry about.
- Value for money – 7/10. Norton VPN’s cheapest Standard plan supports 5 simultaneous connections and only includes a few VPN features, making it an unattractive choice compared to cheaper providers like Surfshark. The Plus and Ultimate plans are much more worthwhile due to their additional cybersecurity perks, like a password manager and dark web monitoring.
- Speed and performance – 8/10. Norton VPN employs OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Mimic protocols, so there’s plenty of choice depending on which app you use. It retains around 74% of the original internet connection speed, which is pretty good.
- Server network – 6/10. Norton VPN has an unclear number of servers in 65 countries, which is relatively small compared to NordVPN’s 149 countries.
- Features and functionality – 7/10. Norton VPN’s Standard plan is pretty underwhelming regarding features. You must pick the Plus or Ultimate plan to unlock extra functionality that would significantly improve your online experience and protection.
- Compatibility – 7/10. Norton VPN permits 5 or 10 simultaneous device connections, depending on your subscription plan. It offers apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, but there’s no manual configuration option.
- Customer support – 7/10. Customer support agents are responsive and efficient in solving queries. However, navigating to live chat is difficult, and you have to jump through a few hoops until you're finally connected to a live agent.
Hands on experience with Norton VPN
The research team and I conducted hands-on tests with Norton VPN to evaluate its real-world effectiveness in crucial VPN areas. We tried to simulate each situation as realistically as possible by using appropriate apps, devices, and even going outside our usual workspace. Below are brief descriptions of our testing results.
Norton VPN delivered inconsistent results when trying to unblock various streaming services. It managed to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and YouTube TV, but not on the first try. Additionally, I was sometimes unable to log in to Netflix while connected to the VPN. This could be due to Netflix blocking VPNs. After successfully logging in, I could unblock American, British, Canadian, Japanese, and Australian Netflix libraries.
Sadly, Norton VPN wasn’t successful at unblocking Hulu and Disney+. Overall, these subpar results mean that Norton VPN is nowhere near the best VPNs for streaming in terms of performance.
If you are searching for a VPN to watch global content, you should consider getting NordVPN or Surfshark. They work wonders with all major streaming platforms and can easily help you enjoy your favorite shows anywhere in the world.
Norton VPN is not suitable for torrenting despite having P2P-optimized servers called Torrent-Optimized Region. The speeds during our tests were neither fast nor stable, staying at around 2Mbps with some peaks of up to 8Mbps.
To give you a better understanding, we’ve tested Norton VPN with an official torrent file for Ubuntu. It would take more than an hour to download a 3GB file. Without the VPN it would take only 3 minutes. Therefore, this VPN is not a great option for torrenting.
Other VPNs for torrenting provide much better speeds, and their P2P servers provide better overall performance. So, I recommend searching for alternative options if you want to enjoy torrenting.
Norton VPN’s meager server variety meant that it was difficult to find an optimal server for gaming. We used the Auto-Select Region option on the server selection menu to try to get the best results while playing various online multiplayer games like Fortnite on PC.
Overall, the results were okay, but the occasional lagging issues were quite frequent and had a negative impact on the gameplay experience. As such, I can’t recommend Norton VPN as a suitable VPN for gaming.
Norton VPN’s Wi-Fi Security feature lets you stay protected if your device connects to an unprotected network. It’s available on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets to help you stay safe while traveling or working in public places. This feature is tailor-made for use in public cafes, which is precisely where the research team and I tested it.
In simple terms, this feature triggers an automatic connection to Norton VPN whenever an unsecured network is detected. You can either customize it to start automatically or set it to receive warning notifications and enable this feature yourself. Additionally, you can add specific networks that you know are safe to the My Trusted Networks section, so that the VPN doesn't start when your device connects to them. Overall, it worked as expected during our tests on unknown networks.
Norton VPN pricing explained
Norton VPN is reasonably priced with its $3.33/month starting price for the Standard plan. Personally, I think providers like Surfshark (starts at $2.49/month) and CyberGhost (starts at $1.59/month) give better value for money with their cheapest VPN plans.
Standard is Norton VPN’s cheapest plan and covers up to 5 devices. Norton VPN Plus and Norton VPN Ultimate are bundled with Norton Antivirus, providing users with an added layer of security. Keep in mind that Norton VPN charges for the full year (from $19.99/year) instead of charging monthly.
| Plan | Norton VPN Standard | Norton VPN Plus | Norton VPN Ultimate |
| Monthly price | $39.99 ($3.33/month) | $49.99 ($4.17/month) | $59.99 ($5.00/month) |
| Yearly price after renewal | $79.99 | $109.99 | $129.99 |
All Norton VPN plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Norton accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
Norton VPN features based on selected plan
Like many other providers on the market, Norton VPN offers three subscription options to cater to varying user needs. The most affordable Standard plan is geared towards budget-conscious buyers, while Plus is a well-rounded option for online security. Lastly, the Ultimate plan is best-equipped for families wanting to protect many devices and their children’s online activities.
Below is a comparison of the exact features included in each Norton VPN plan:
| Norton VPN Standard | Norton VPN Plus | Norton VPN Ultimate |
| 5 devices | 5 devices | 5 devices |
| VPN | VPN | VPN |
| Ad blocker | Ad, scam, virus, malware, and hacking blocking | Ad, scam, virus, malware, and hacking blocking |
| Password manager | Password manager | |
| Dark web scanner | Dark web scanner | |
| 10GB cloud backup | 50GB cloud backup | |
| Scams, viruses, malware, and hacking blocking | Scams, viruses, malware, and hacking blocking | |
| 100% virus protection promise | 100% virus protection promise | |
| Family protection, including parental controls and kids’ location pinpointing |
The Standard plan costs $3.33/month and includes all the basics of a secure VPN, such as a kill switch, split tunneling, and P2P support. The plan supports 5 simultaneous connections, which should be enough for most individuals. The overall package is alright, but I think the price is too steep, especially when top-tier providers like Surfshark and IPVanish have much more affordable starting prices and more features available.
The next tier is Plus, which costs $4.17/month and adds a few extra security features that make it more appealing. Specifically, you get real-time protection against malware, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and 10GB of secure cloud backup. It’s a significant upgrade over Standard, but I’m disappointed that the 5-device connection limit remains.
The Plus plan offers the best price-to-value ratio. For only $4.17/month, you get multiple privacy and security tools without having to spend extra.
As the name suggests, Ultimate is Norton VPN’s most expensive and comprehensive plan, priced at $5.00/month. It improves over the previous plans by expanding the device limit to 10 and cloud storage to 50GB. It also includes Privacy Monitor and Parental Controls, making it an excellent option for families wanting to keep their children’s online activities safe.
Norton antivirus with VPN prices
You can get Norton VPN separately or with the Norton antivirus suite. It is included in the following malware protection packages:
- Norton AntiVirus Plus ($29.99/year)
- Norton 360 Standard ($39.99/year)
- Norton 360 Deluxe ($49.99/year)
- Norton 360 with LifeLock Select ($69.99/year)
The antivirus packages are more expensive because they include numerous malware protection features, and the VPN is only an add-on.
The cheapest bundle is the Norton 360 Standard for $39.99/year, but the best deal comes with Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99/year. This plan covers up to 5 devices, offers 50GB of cloud backup, and includes additional Privacy Monitor and Parental Control features.
Can you get Norton VPN for free?
Yes, you can get Norton VPN for free if you get it with Norton Antivirus instead of as a separate product. The Norton 360 Standard, Deluxe, and LifeLock Select subscriptions include a free 7-day trial, which you can use to test the VPN.
With the Norton Deluxe and LifeLock Select, you can use the VPN on up to 5 devices for free during the trial period. However, if you want to test it on more devices, you should opt for the LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan, which supports unlimited devices.
The free Norton VPN trial starts as soon as you sign up and enter your credit card details. You won’t be charged for 7 days, provided you don't forget to cancel the subscription in time. Otherwise, the first-year price corresponding to your chosen plan will be deducted from your bank account.
Is Norton VPN safe?
Yes, Norton VPN is safe, but very lackluster if you choose the Standard plan. You can use it for basic online security, but I highly recommend at least the Plus plan if you want more well-rounded protection.
- Norton VPN is owned by Gen Digital, a software development company based in the US, thus putting the service in the Five Eyes Alliance jurisdiction
- Internal testing showed that Norton VPN’s features are effective and don’t result in IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
- Norton VPN’s cheapest plan is pretty underwhelming from a security standpoint, meaning you must get a pricier tier if you want substantial online protection
Overall, Norton VPN lacks bonus features like obfuscation and RAM-only servers, but it has the basics to protect your data online and keep you anonymous. It even adds a few great additional security tools like Wi-Fi Security and an ad blocker.
Let's take a look at the different attributes of Norton VPN.
Encryption
Norton VPN uses powerful AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, which is virtually unbreakable. Every connection to the VPN server is encrypted and becomes unreadable to outsiders.
Most reputable VPN providers, such as NordVPN and Proton VPN, use this cipher to protect users’ connections. Thus, this technology is often regarded as the gold standard in the VPN industry.
You can find AES-256 encryption used by NordVPN, Surfshark, IPvanish, and other top VPN providers.
Tunneling protocols
Windows and Android users get more options, including OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Mimic, while macOS and iOS users can only use IPSec/IKEv2.
OpenVPN is one of the most prominent protocols, often chosen for its reliability. Norton VPN also supports WireGuard, the fastest VPN protocol on the market today. Although swift, WireGuard doesn’t compromise security, making it one of the most popular protocol options.
Just like NordVPN’s NordLynx or ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, Norton VPN has developed a proprietary protocol called Mimic. It grants obfuscation, hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN, but it’s not very fast.
Kill switch
The kill switch feature is designed to protect your IP address in case the VPN connection is disrupted. It automatically blocks all your web traffic to ensure private details, like your location and IP address, are not exposed.
This feature is available on Norton VPN’s Windows and Android apps. On macOS and iOS, Norton has the Connect on Demand feature enabled to achieve the same functionality.
Norton's kill switch operates as a system-wide kill switch, meaning it stops all internet traffic instead of blocking only specific apps. You can enable it in the General tab of the Settings menu.
It is a useful security feature as the VPN connection might drop for a mere second without you even noticing it. However, this could be enough to expose your IP. So, protection at all times is something everyone would appreciate.
Logging
Norton VPN doesn’t collect information about your online activities. In 2024, it underwent its first independent security audit by VerSprite.
Security audits performed by independent third parties prove whether the VPN actually has the security measures in place and, most importantly, whether it follows through on its no-logs policy. Most major VPN service providers, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN, have undergone multiple third-party audits. NordVPN, for example, has passed six separate audits from PwC and Deloitte, making it an obvious choice for privacy-conscious users.
Additionally, Norton VPN collects subscriber information for communication purposes, data regarding the device you use, and aggregate bandwidth usage.
It’s also vital to note that Norton VPN is registered in the United States, which belongs to the Five Eyes surveillance alliance. Normally, this would be a privacy concern because the country’s government can easily get user data from companies without a warrant, thanks to legislation like the Patriot Act. Luckily, Norton VPN’s no-logs policy was audited by VerSprite, which shows that it doesn’t collect any data that could be shared with third parties.
Ad blocker
Ad Tracker Blocking is a feature that blocks various ads and trackers that may contain malicious content. This includes pop-ups, banners, and redirect ads that you encounter while browsing online. This feature is available on the cheapest Standard plan and its pricier alternatives.
To find out just how functional Norton VPN’s Ad Tracker Blocking feature is, we tested it using a few ad block testers, such as AdBlock Tester and Can You Block It. Norton VPN’s ad blocker results weren’t particularly impressive. It scored 59/100 on AdBlock Tester, and on Can You Block It, most of the ads were visible as well.
In the app, the feature displays the block history where you can check which websites were blocked in the past week, last 30 days, or the whole time while using the VPN. This feature is available on all devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Even though Norton’s ad blocker managed to block several analytics and ad API servers, the block history failed to reflect that, further proving that the feature is inaccurate and unreliable. If blocking ads is a priority, I’d recommend NordVPN. Its Plus plan ($4.17/month) includes Threat Protection Pro, which protects against malware and blocks over 80% of ads.
Split tunneling
Norton VPN's split tunneling feature allows you to exclude certain apps from connecting to the VPN. You can manually select specific applications you don’t want to connect to the VPN whenever you use them.
If you enable this feature, the selected apps will be routed directly through your ISP instead of a secure VPN connection. You can use it with generic applications, like games, which do not put your privacy at risk. However, it’s not recommended to exclude financial apps or other programs that might hold your sensitive information.
The only drawback is that split tunneling is currently only available on Windows and Android devices. If you’re an iOS user and require split tunneling, I recommend Surfshark. Bypasser is Surfshark’s split tunneling feature and, unlike Norton VPN and other providers, it works on iOS devices.
Speed and performance: Is Norton VPN fast?
It’s vital to conduct manual tests to see whether Norton VPN is severely behind or, on the contrary, performs surprisingly well. I collaborated with our research team to bring you the latest Norton VPN speed tests and compare them with our previous speed tests.
We conducted manual tests on a virtual machine running Windows 10, which was allocated 19.5GB of RAM and 1 CPU core with 3.99GHz. The PC running the VM is a Lenovo 30E0001MMH equipped with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX 12-Cores 4GHz, 64GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, another 1.8TB HDD, and has Windows 10 Pro installed.
The evaluation process involved testing Norton VPN servers in 5 countries (the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia) across various continents to get comprehensive results.
Here are the results of the most recent speed test.
- Baseline: 500 Mbps download, 500 Mbps upload
| Location | Download speed (Mbps) | Upload speed (Mbps) |
| US | 447Mbps | 187Mbps |
| UK | 455Mbps | 469Mbps |
| Germany | 464Mbps | 474Mbps |
| Japan | 59Mbps | 3Mbps |
| Australia | 383Mbps | 53Mbps |
Norton VPN’s average download speed retention rate was around 80%, while the upload speed retention rate was 57%. We noticed the most significant performance issues in Japan, where the upload and download speeds were lower than 100Mbps. Meanwhile, the best-performing country was Germany.
Overall, the closer we were to a server physically, the better the speed results came out. So, while there are faster VPNs on the market, Norton VPN offers above-average speed.
Compared to NordVPN, the fastest VPN on the market, Norton VPN still has some room to grow. On average, NordVPN maintains around 438Mbps of download and 295Mbps of upload speeds, which is around 87% of download and 59% of upload speed retention.
To sum up, Norton VPN demonstrated good results during our in-house speed tests.
Norton VPN server network
Norton VPN has servers in 65 countries, including Singapore, the United States, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, there is no official information on the exact number of servers, as the provider doesn’t disclose such data.
| Regions | Number of countries |
| Europe | 18 countries |
| Asia | 3 countries |
| Americas | 4 countries |
| Rest of the world | 4 countries |
Although other reviewers and online sources speculate that Norton has around 1,000 servers, we believe it’s only fair to wait for the VPN service provider to make this information public rather than guesstimate.
It’s important to note that Norton VPN doesn’t allow you to manually select specific servers. Instead, it automatically connects to the fastest one, so there’s little need to know how many there are. I find this quite disappointing, as choosing specific servers that work best for you can be a life changer. Other VPN providers, like NordVPN, allow users to select and even favorite servers they like.
Apart from that, you can still pick the server locations you want to connect to with Norton VPN. Alternatively, there’s a feature called auto-connect, which selects the area with the fastest speed available at the time.
Generally, auto-connect is the best option as it chooses the most optimal server for your location. However, it greatly depends on the VPN provider. If the auto-connect server doesn’t perform well, I recommend trying different servers near you. The closer the server location, the better.
Norton VPN compatibility and interface
Norton VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems. Meanwhile, the simultaneous device connection limit is between 5 and 10, depending on your chosen subscription plan. So, from a device compatibility perspective, Norton VPN is pretty underwhelming. After all, it doesn’t support manual configuration, doesn’t have a Linux app, and has no software for home entertainment devices like Android TV.
| Platform | Experience |
| Windows | Intuitive Norton VPN app, lacks Wi-Fi Security |
| macOS | Similar interface to Windows, lacks Wi-Fi Security and split tunneling features |
| Android | Most feature-rich app of Norton VPN |
| iOS | Built-in kill switch. Lacks split tunneling |
The greatest benefit of Norton VPN is that the interface is identical on desktop and mobile apps. So, you won't need to adjust to changes if you have multiple devices running on different operating systems.
The installation and setup processes are very quick and easy. You just need to download Norton VPN from the official website and follow the instructions on the installation wizard. Alternatively, you can get it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store within a few minutes on your smartphone.
Customer support
For customer support options, Norton has a 24/7 live chat, phone number, blog, and community forum. If you need immediate assistance, you should opt for the 24/7 live chat.
| Norton VPN | |
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ |
| ❌ | |
| Phone line | ✅ |
| Guides or articles | ✅ |
| FAQs | ✅ |
However, I didn’t have the best experience with the live chat option. First of all, finding live chat isn’t easy – it doesn’t just pop up when you land on the provider’s website.
Moreover, I had to perform quite a few steps before I even got the chance to connect to a virtual agent. For example, instead of connecting me directly to an agent, I was suggested to go to the FAQs and the community forum to find answers. Even though they’re great, that’s not what I was looking for.
Once the chat window popped up, I still had to chat with a virtual assistant for a bit before I was finally connected to a live agent who answered my questions.
It’s worth noting that while testing Norton VPN’s customer support, the site had a disclaimer about experiencing a high volume of calls and messages. Thus, this subpar experience could be attributed to overworked support agents.
If the issue is too complex to be solved by text, you can use the phone line provided on the site. Alternatively, if you’re more of a self-learner, Norton has many informational articles on its website and community forum.
Overall, you're getting yourself a provider with plenty of support options. You'll find suitable options no matter what.
Norton VPN video review
If you're more of a visual learner, check out our Norton VPN review on YouTube. You'll find out everything about its security measures, privacy features, and more.
Is Norton VPN good and worth it?
Norton VPN is an alright VPN, but to me it appears severely underwhelming compared to other options on the market. The service is severely lacking on its cheapest Standard plan, which isn’t even that affordable compared to providers like Surfshark and CyberGhost.
However, the situation changes when you choose the Plus or Ultimate plan. Then you get comprehensive online security with plenty of tools at your disposal. Then Norton VPN doesn’t seem underwhelming since it’s no longer in the spotlight.
Ultimately, I think the provider’s Standard plan is not worth it due to its poor price-to-performance ratio. Meanwhile, the pricier options are worth considering if you want well-rounded online protection. Just remember that you’ll be getting primarily an antivirus service, while the VPN is a bonus.
How we tested Norton VPN
Here at Cybernews, we follow a comprehensive VPN testing process to find the best VPNs. We tested Norton VPN on Windows 11, 15-13600KF, 32GB RAM. Here are the tests we conducted:
- Kill switch effectiveness. We tested the kill switch to see if it works in case of a connection drop.
- No-logs claim analysis. We checked to see if the no-log claims were backed by independent audits.
- Speed and overall performance. We conducted speed tests to see Norton VPN’s speed retention rate and compared them to previous test results.
- Streaming and torrenting capabilities. We connected to Norton VPN and tried to access popular streaming platforms.
- Compatibility. We evaluated how well Norton VPN works across different devices.
- Customer support. I contacted customer support to test their response speed and efficiency.
FAQ
What is the difference between Norton 360 and Norton VPN?
Norton 360 is an antivirus suite that offers malware, ransomware, and antivirus protection along with additional features such as cloud backup, a password manager, and Norton VPN, which is included in Standard, Deluxe, and Select Plus plans.
Does Norton VPN hide my IP address?
Yes, Norton VPN can hide your IP address, but only if you connect to the internet after turning the VPN on. The app conceals your real IP address by encrypting your traffic with the AES-256 cipher and rerouting it through its tunnel.
Does Norton VPN slow down the internet?
Yes, Norton VPN may slow down your internet connection. Because VPNs reroute traffic, some speed is lost, but it is barely noticeable. Norton VPN retains around 74% of the original internet speed, which guarantees lag-free browsing.
What country is Norton VPN based in?
Norton VPN is based in the United States. The US is part of the Five Eyes alliance along with Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Although this means that Norton VPN is based in a country that isn’t considered to be the most privacy-friendly, the VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, and users can rest assured their privacy is taken care of.
Does Norton VPN track my internet activity?
No, Norton VPN neither tracks nor stores data about your online activity. It operates under a no-logs policy, which specifically ensures that your browsing-related data remains private.
Does Norton VPN work in China?
No, Norton VPN doesn’t work in China. Unlike popular providers such as NordVPN or Surfshark, Norton doesn’t allow you to choose the server location you connect to. Although the VPN has servers in Hong Kong, they are very slow, so if you are looking for a VPN for China, Norton VPN isn’t the best option.
