Norton Secure VPN Review 2026: Best Bundled VPN with Antivirus?

Norton Secure VPN takes a different approach than dedicated VPN providers. Instead of competing head-to-head with NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it bundles a solid VPN with Norton’s antivirus suite—giving you VPN + malware protection + password manager in one subscription.

But is Norton’s VPN good enough to actually use, or is it just a marketing checkbox? We tested it for two months to find out.

Quick Verdict

Norton Secure VPN is a competent VPN that does the basics well—encryption, decent speeds, and reliable privacy protection. The real value proposition is the bundle: if you’re already considering Norton 360 for antivirus, you get a functional VPN included at no extra cost.

Bottom line: Don’t buy Norton VPN as a standalone product—dedicated VPNs offer more features for similar prices. But as a bonus with Norton 360? It’s genuinely useful and saves you from needing a separate VPN subscription.

Who Should Use Norton VPN?

Ideal for:

• Users who already have or want Norton 360 antivirus
• Non-technical users who want simple, all-in-one security
• People who need basic privacy protection (public WiFi, ISP tracking)
• Families wanting to cover multiple devices with one subscription

Not ideal for:

• Power users who need advanced VPN features
• Torrent downloaders (limited P2P support)
• Streamers who need Hulu, Disney+, or niche platforms
• Users who want to pick specific servers or locations
• Linux users or those with router setups

Speed Test Results

We tested Norton VPN on a 500 Mbps connection using WireGuard (where available) across 5 locations over 60 days:

Server Location	Speed Retention	Average Download
United States	89%	447 Mbps
United Kingdom	91%	455 Mbps
Germany	93%	464 Mbps
Japan	12%	59 Mbps
Australia	77%	383 Mbps

Norton VPN delivers solid speeds to nearby servers—European and US connections maintained 80%+ of our base speed. However, long-distance connections (particularly to Asia) showed significant drops.

Average retention across all locations: ~74%

This places Norton VPN in the “good but not great” category for speed. It’s fast enough for HD streaming and general browsing, but dedicated VPNs like NordVPN and Surfshark consistently outperform it.

Protocol Options

Platform	Available Protocols
Windows	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, Mimic
Android	OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, Mimic
macOS	IKEv2, Mimic only
iOS	IKEv2, Mimic only

Streaming Performance

Norton VPN unblocks some major platforms but struggles with others:

Works:

• Netflix (US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia libraries confirmed)
• BBC iPlayer
• HBO Max
• YouTube TV

Doesn’t work:

• Hulu
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video (inconsistent)

If streaming geo-restricted content is a priority, dedicated VPNs like NordVPN or Surfshark offer significantly better platform coverage. Norton VPN handles Netflix reasonably well, but don’t expect comprehensive streaming access.

Security and Privacy

The Good

Norton VPN uses AES-256 encryption—the same military-grade standard as top-tier VPNs. In 2024, Norton’s no-logs policy was independently audited by VerSprite, confirming they don’t store browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses.

Features include:

• Kill switch (Windows and Android only)
• Split tunneling (Windows and Android only)
• Ad tracker blocking (though effectiveness is limited—scored 59/100 in testing)
• Wi-Fi Security alerts for unsecured networks

The Concern

Norton is headquartered in the United States, which is part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance. US law (including the Patriot Act) allows government agencies to request user data without a warrant.

However, with the verified no-logs policy, there’s theoretically nothing to hand over. The VerSprite audit provides reasonable assurance, though privacy-focused users might prefer VPNs based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions like Panama (NordVPN) or Switzerland (ProtonVPN).

Server Network

Norton VPN operates approximately 2,000 servers in 100 countries. For context:

VPN	Servers	Countries
NordVPN	7,000+	129
Surfshark	3,200+	100
ExpressVPN	3,000+	105
Norton VPN	2,000	100

The smaller network means:

• Less server variety in each country
• Potentially more congested connections
• No ability to manually select specific servers (Norton auto-connects)

For basic VPN use, the network is adequate. For users who need specific server locations or want to server-hop for streaming, dedicated VPNs offer more flexibility.

What You Get with Norton 360 Bundles

Norton VPN’s real value comes from the bundle. Here’s what each tier includes:

Feature	Standard ($3.33/mo)	Plus ($4.17/mo)	Ultimate ($5/mo)
VPN	✓	✓	✓
Devices	5	5	10
Antivirus	✓	✓	✓
Password Manager	✗	✓	✓
Dark Web Monitoring	✗	✓	✓
Cloud Backup	✗	10GB	50GB
Parental Controls	✗	✗	✓

The Plus tier at $4.17/month offers the best value—VPN, antivirus, password manager, and dark web monitoring for less than most standalone VPNs cost.

Pros and Cons

Norton VPN vs Dedicated VPNs

Feature	Norton VPN	NordVPN	Surfshark
Price	From $3.33/mo	From $3.39/mo	From $2.19/mo
Servers	2,000	7,000+	3,200+
Streaming	Limited	Excellent	Excellent
Speed	Good (74%)	Excellent (87%)	Very Good (81%)
Bundled antivirus	✓	✗	✗
Linux support	✗	✓	✓
Router support	✗	✓	✓
Our rating	4.0	4.7	4.5

As a standalone VPN, Norton doesn’t compete with NordVPN or Surfshark. But as part of a security bundle, it adds genuine value.

Final Verdict

Norton Secure VPN is a solid addition to Norton 360, not a standalone VPN purchase. If you’re already paying for Norton antivirus, use the included VPN—it’s capable enough for everyday privacy needs. If you specifically need a VPN for streaming variety, torrenting, or advanced features, look at dedicated providers instead.

Rating: 4.0/5 — Good bundled VPN, but not a standalone competitor.

FAQ

Is Norton VPN good enough to use?

Yes, for basic privacy needs. It handles public WiFi protection, ISP tracking prevention, and Netflix streaming adequately. It’s not ideal for power users or streamers who need access to many platforms.

Should I buy Norton VPN standalone or with Norton 360?

Always choose Norton 360. The standalone VPN costs nearly the same but doesn’t include antivirus, password manager, or other security features. The bundle is significantly better value.

Does Norton VPN work with Netflix?

Yes. We confirmed access to US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia Netflix libraries. However, Hulu and Disney+ don’t work.

Is Norton VPN safe?

Yes. It uses AES-256 encryption and has a verified no-logs policy (VerSprite 2024 audit). The main privacy concern is US jurisdiction, but with no logs stored, this is less significant.

How many devices can I use Norton VPN on?

5 devices on Standard and Plus plans, 10 devices on the Ultimate plan. Unlike Surfshark’s unlimited device policy, Norton has strict limits.