# Norton 360 Security & VPN vs Malwarebytes

The clearest difference is ads: Malwarebytes at none against Norton 360 Security & VPN's shown. Malwarebytes also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 28%). Norton 360 Security & VPN's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Norton 360 Security & VPN sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year and Malwarebytes sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Norton 360 Security & VPN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 183K and 109K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 28% of Norton 360 Security & VPN's written reviews are positive against 48% of Malwarebytes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Norton 360 Security & VPN ships an update weekly, Malwarebytes every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Norton 360 Security & VPN | Malwarebytes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (183K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/norton-360-security-and-vpn/id1278474169/reviews)** | [4.5 (109K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **183K** | 109K |
| Positive reviews | 28.0% of reviews | **47.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#5** | #34 |
| Size | 649 MB | 128 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gen Digital Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/355033599) | [Malwarebytes](https://appshunter.io/developer/610302098) |

## What reviewers say

### Norton 360 Security & VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/norton-360-security-and-vpn/id1278474169)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Grossing · Utilities, #130 Top Free · Utilities, #178 Top Grossing (US App Store)

This app provides comprehensive mobile security with AI-powered malware and scam protection. It includes a VPN for online privacy, WiFi security, and features to block ads and monitor the dark web for breaches. An AI assistant helps answer cyber safety questions and identify potential scams.

**Highlights:** AI-powered malware protection, VPN for online privacy, Scam protection (SMS, web, calls, email), Device security scans, Dark web monitoring, Ad tracker blocker

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| 14 Day Trial Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Norton Mobile Security | $19.99 | per year |
| Norton Mobile Security | $19.99 | per year |
| 7 Day Trial Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Norton Mobile Security | $19.99 | per year |
| Norton 360 for Mobile | $49.99 | per year |
| Norton 360 for Mobile | $49.99 | per year |
| Privacy Monitor Assistant | $99.99 | per year |
| Norton Mobile Security + PMA | $114.99 | per year |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $119.99 | per year |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $119.99 | per year |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $119.99 | per year |
| N360 Mobile + PMA | $149.99 | per year |
| N360 Deluxe + PMA | $204.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Secure browsing
- 🚨 Warns of unsafe websites
- 📢 Helpful security alerts
- 🛡️ Protects against cyber threats

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🔌 Interferes with WiFi connectivity
- 🤔 Unclear about VPN functionality
- 🤯 Causes phone freezes and reboots
- 💸 Expensive subscription cost

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to recognize existing subscription
- Identity monitoring feature not working
- Repeated prompts to update iOS

**Requested features**

- Provide more details on detected risks
- Allow manual VPN server selection
- Improve compatibility with iOS devices


### Malwarebytes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malwarebytes-mobile-security/id1327105431)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

This app offers comprehensive mobile security and privacy protection for Apple devices. It includes features like ad blocking, scam text filtering, and identity protection. A free trial is available, with ongoing free protection and optional premium subscription features.

**Highlights:** Ad Blocking for Safari, Text Message Filtering, Digital Footprint Scanner, Identity Protection, Secure VPN, Web Protection, Call Protection

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Standard | $2.49 | per month |
| Standard | $19.99 | per year |
| Plus | $44.99 | per year |
| Standard (3 devices) | $59.99 | per year |
| Plus (3 devices) | $79.99 | per year |
| Advanced | $139.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Keeps devices updated and protected
- 🔒 Provides security and peace of mind
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 🚀 Excellent protection and performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Activation and subscription issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent or non-functional features
- 🐛 Fails to block spam calls and texts
- 🔋 Drains battery life
- 💰 Expensive subscription

**Reported bugs**

- Activation and subscription problems
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Inability to scan or detect malware on devices

**Requested features**

- Add bulk reporting of scam numbers
- Improve text message filtering
- Implement automatic updates
- Provide more comprehensive dashboard and scanning capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Norton 360 Security & VPN free?

Norton 360 Security & VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Malwarebytes free?

Malwarebytes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Norton 360 Security & VPN or Malwarebytes?

Norton 360 Security & VPN is rated higher. Norton 360 Security & VPN averages 4.7 out of 5 from 183K ratings, while Malwarebytes averages 4.5 from 109K ratings.

### Do Norton 360 Security & VPN or Malwarebytes have ads?

Norton 360 Security & VPN shows ads; Malwarebytes does not.

### Which is updated more often, Norton 360 Security & VPN or Malwarebytes?

Norton 360 Security & VPN ships an update weekly, and Malwarebytes every 3 weeks. Most recently, Norton 360 Security & VPN was updated on September 27, 2026 and Malwarebytes on September 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Norton 360 Security & VPN or Malwarebytes?

Norton 360 Security & VPN currently peaks at #5 in the App Store charts, and Malwarebytes at #34. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*