Norton VPN review 2025
With extensive analysis and hands-on VPN testing, our cybersecurity experts collaborated with the research team to craft 750+ articles over the years.
Using first-hand expertise, our main goal is to help our readers make the most informed purchasing decisions.
Learn moreNorton VPN is a flexible VPN for everyday browsing. With plans for individuals, couples, and families, Norton VPN has everyone covered. It offers decent speeds and enhances your online security with malware protection, password manager, dark web monitoring, and cloud backup.
Price: | From $3.33/month |
Servers count: | 2,000 + servers in 30 countries |
No logs policy: | No logs |
Streaming services: | BBC iPlayer, Max |
Coupon: | Norton VPN coupon 54% OFF |
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Uses robust market standard encryption for security
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Advanced plans include a robust antivirus
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Not overcrowded with features, extremely easy to use
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Unblocks only a few streaming services
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Not great for torrenting
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Ad blocker is unreliable
Norton VPN is one of the top VPN providers in 2025. Starting at just $3.33/month, it’s a budget-friendly solution with options to scale and cover more devices according to your needs.
With Norton VPN, you can enhance your virtual security and privacy on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices and cover up to 10 devices at once. The VPN ensures top-notch AES-256 encryption and comes with 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 2025.
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.
Norton VPN review: key takeaways
Norton 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.
- Privacy and security – 7/10. Norton VPN uses strong encryption, reliable tunneling protocols, and an effective kill switch to ensure enhanced online safety. NortonVPN was recently audited by VerSprite, verifying its no-logs policy.
- Value for money – 8/10. Norton offers 3 distinct plans for individuals, couples, and families. You can get Norton VPN Standard for as low as $3.33/month. However, the Plus plan offers the best deal as it also comes with malware protection, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and cloud backup. Ultimate includes additional tools such as Parental Control and Privacy Monitor.
- Speed and performance – 8/10. Norton VPN employs OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Mimic protocols, so there’s plenty of choices. It retains around 74% of the original internet connection speed. While not the fastest VPN on the market, Norton VPN can offer decent streaming performance.
- Server network – 6/10. Norton VPN has servers in 30 countries, which is relatively small compared to NordVPN’s 118 countries. Moreover, users can’t manually select servers.
- Features and functionality – 8/10. Norton VPN Plus plan has all the online security tools you would need: malware protection, dark web monitoring, password manager, and cloud storage. Norton VPN Ultimate includes additional features for families, like Parental Control and Privacy Monitor.
- Compatibility – 9/10. Norton VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. The majority of features are available on all operating systems.
- Customer support – 7/10. Customer support agents are responsive and efficient in solving queries. However, it's difficult to navigate to live chat, and you have to jump through a few hoops until you're finally connected to a live agent.
Norton VPN is a good option for everyday browsing, but it has a small server network and struggles to unblock geo-restricted content.
My personal favorite is NordVPN. With 7100 servers in 118 countries, it easily unblocks major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. It also has P2P servers and enables speedy torrenting.
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, 32 GB 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.
How much does Norton VPN cost?
Starting at just $3.33/month, Norton VPN ensures budget-friendly prices. Norton VPN Standard is the 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 | Standard (5 devices) | Plus (5 devices) | Ultimate (10 devices) |
Monthly price | $3.33/month | $4.17/month | $5.00/month |
Yearly price | $39.99/year | $49.99/year | $59.99/year |
Price after the 1st year | $79.99/year | $109.99/year | $129.99/year |
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 Standard
Priced at $3.33/month, Norton VPN Standard is the cheapest Norton VPN plan. It has all the basics of a secure VPN, including a kill switch, split tunneling, and P2P. Norton VPN Standard covers up to 5 devices and is a great option for individuals.
In addition, Norton VPN Standard includes an Ad Tracker Blocking feature to improve your overall browsing experience.
Norton VPN Plus
Priced at $4.17/month, Norton VPN Plus is similar to Norton VPN Standard but also includes additional features and tools to increase your security:
- Real-time protection against malware
- 100% Virus Protection Promise
- Password manager
- Dark web monitoring
- 10GB cloud backup
Norton VPN Plus covers up to 5 devices and is perfect for individuals and couples who want additional security features.
- Editor’s note. 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.
Norton VPN Ultimate
Priced at $5.00/month, Norton VPN Ultimate is a family plan covering up to 10 devices. It includes the same additional security features as the Plus plan:
- Real-time protection against malware
- 100% Virus Protection Promise
- Password manager
- Dark web monitoring
As well as:
- Privacy Monitor
- Parental Controls
- 50GB cloud backup
The Ultimate plan is perfect for families, particularly for parents who want to oversee what their children do online.
Norton antivirus with a 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/month)
- Norton 360 Standard ($39.99/year)
- Norton 360 Deluxe ($49.99/month)
- Norton 360 with LifeLock Select ($69.99/year)
The antivirus packages come at a higher price since 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/month. 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, given 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 limited feature-wise. It uses the market-standard AES-256 encryption and has a strict no-logs policy. Norton VPN headquarters are in the United States and fall under American jurisdiction.
Encryption | AES-256 |
Tunneling protocols | OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Mimic |
Kill switch | ✅Yes |
Ad blocker | ✅Yes |
Split tunneling | ✅Yes |
RAM servers | ❌No |
Privacy policy | No-logs, audited by VerSprite |
Overall, Norton VPN lacks bonus features but 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
Regarding security, 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 golden 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 safety. Norton VPN also supports WireGuard, the fastest VPN protocol on the market today. Although it’s fast, 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 works like obfuscated servers, 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 any information regarding your online activities. In 2024, Norton VPN underwent its very 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 ProtonVPN, have undergone multiple third-party audits. NordVPN, for example, has passed 4 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. Even though the US is not considered the most privacy-friendly, this VPN ensures none of your sensitive information is accessible to outsiders.
Ad blocker
Ad Tracker Blocking is a Norton VPN 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.
To find out just how functional Norton VPN’s Ad Tracker Blocking feature is, we tested it using a few ad block testers. Unfortunately, Norton VPN’s ad blocker performed poorly, scoring 14/100 points and blocking only 6% of the ads.
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, which protects against malware and blocks over 80% of ads.
Wi-Fi Security
The Wi-Fi Security feature allows you to stay protected in case your device connects to an unprotected network. It’s available on iOS and Android smartphones or tablets to help you remain safe while you travel or work in public places.
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 certain 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.
Split tunneling
Norton VPN's split tunneling feature offers the possibility to exclude certain apps from connecting to the VPN. You can manually select specific applications that 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 some 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 | 452 Mbps | 173 Mbps |
UK | 467 Mbps | 437 Mbps |
Germany | 448 Mbps | 469 Mbps |
Japan | 262 Mbps | 37 Mbps |
Australia | 378 Mbps | 355 Mbps |
The second test results were slightly worse with increasingly slower speeds on Japanese and Australian servers. The average download speed retention rate of Norton VPN was around 80%, while the upload speed retention rate was 78%. 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 the fastest VPN on the market – NordVPN – Norton VPN still has some room to grow. On average, NordVPN maintains around 468Mbps of download and 423Mbps of upload speeds. That’s around 93% of download and 84% 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 30 different countries, including Singapore, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and others. Unfortunately, there is no official information on the exact number of servers, as the developer doesn’t disclose such data.
Regions | Number of countries |
Europe | 18 countries |
Asia | 3 countries |
Americas | 4 countries |
Rest of world | 4 countries |
Even though other reviewers and online sources speculate that Norton has around 1,000 servers, we believe that 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, and instead, it automatically connects to the fastest one. So, there’s little need to know how many of them there are. I find this to be 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 server locations you want to connect to with Norton VPN. Alternatively, there’s a feature called auto-connect which selects the location with the fastest speed available at the time.
- Editor’s tip. 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.
Is Norton VPN good for streaming?
Norton VPN delivered inconsistent results when trying to unblock various streaming services. It managed to unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Max, and YouTube TV, but not on the first try. However, I was unable to log in to Netflix while connected to the VPN. This could be due to Netflix blocking VPNs. After successfully logging in, I was able to unblock the US, Japan, and Australia Netflix libraries.
Norton VPN wasn’t successful at unblocking Hulu and other Netflix libraries. Overall, these subpar results mean that Norton VPN is not the best VPNs for streaming.
Platform | Does it work? |
Netflix | ✅ Only some libraries |
BBC iPlayer | ✅ Yes |
Hulu | ❌ No |
Disney+ | ❌ No |
YouTube TV | ✅ Yes |
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.
Is Norton VPN good and safe for torrenting?
No, Norton VPN is not good for torrenting since it only has one P2P-friendly server location in the app called Torrent-Optimized Region. Plus, the speeds are 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 for Ubuntu. It would take more than an hour to download a 3GB file. But if you disable the VPN connection – only 3 minutes. Therefore, this VPN is not a great option for torrenting.
Other VPNs for torrenting provide much better speeds and even have dedicated P2P servers. So, I would recommend searching for alternative options if you want to enjoy torrenting.
Norton VPN compatibility and interface
Norton VPN is compatible with the Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems.
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 both desktop and mobile apps. So, if you have multiple devices running on different operating systems, you won’t need to adjust to changes.
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’s App Store within a few minutes on your smartphone.
Customer support
Norton VPN | |
24/7 live chat | ✅ |
❌ | |
Phone line | ✅ |
Guides or articles | ✅ |
FAQs | ✅ |
For customer support options, Norton has a 24/7 live chat, phone number, blog, and community forum. If you wish to get support fast, you can opt for the 24/7 live chat.
However, I didn’t have the best experience with the live chat option. First of all, finding live chat isn’t the easiest of things – 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 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 loads of 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 a decent VPN that offers basic yet essential security features, including a kill switch and split tunneling. It also adds Wi-Fi Security and the Ad Tracker Blocking feature to mobile devices. However, its reliability is questionable.
Norton VPN is not a great option for those who want a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions since it is unable to unblock major streaming platforms. If streaming is a concern, I’d recommend NordVPN instead.
While it has a relatively small server network, Norton VPN offers decent speeds, retaining up to 80% of the original internet speed.
That said, suppose you’re looking for an additional layer of security as you browse online or connect to unknown wireless networks. In that case, Norton VPN is a solid add-on to its antivirus suite. It’s affordable and does pretty well at handling basic tasks.
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 own 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 such popular providers 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.
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