Norton VPN review

Norton VPN is the new VPN from the 40-year-old Norton Antivirus brand. The security giant is part of the Gen Digital group, which also owns Avast, Avira, AVG, CCleaner, and LifeLock.

Norton’s previous VPN product, Norton Secure VPN, was fairly weak, with slow connection speeds and a small server network, but it is still included as an add-on with antivirus packages.

Norton VPN should not be confused with this, however. The company has demonstrated a serious commitment to creating a serious contender to the best VPNs, with an audited no-logs policy, a growing global server network, and high-speed connections.

Starting at $3.33 per month, it annual plan sits in a similar range to leading providers like Surfshark, and is a fair bit cheaper than annual billing with NordVPN or ExpressVPN. However, the lack of multi-year plans means some other VPNs offer better value overall.

I’ve thoroughly tested Norton VPN’s apps across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and taken stock of the product’s security, connection speeds, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions. There are a fair few things Norton can improve on, but it’s a fast, secure VPN. With many more features and improvements in development, it looks like the only way is up for Norton VPN.

Norton VPN on paper

Browse our VPN glossary for a quick explanation of any VPN jargon.

Norton VPN's latest features and updates

• Norton’s new standalone VPN plans launched in July 2024.
• 18 new country locations added in January 2025.
• City-level locations introduced, new P2P-optimised US location added, plus 18 new countries and 5 new city locations in March 2025.
• Smart TV apps introduced, new desktop browser extension with ad blocker launched, and Pause VPN feature and another 19 countries and 5 new city locations added in April 2025.
• IP Rotation and Double VPN added as full features and kill switch and Mimic support added for iOS in June 2025.
• WireGuard will be added for Mac, iOS, and TV users “soon”.

Norton VPN review: pricing and plans (USD)

The Norton VPN Standard plan costs $39.99 per year and includes all the VPN’s core features for five devices, as well as an ad blocker. It’s worth noting that in some regions, such as the UK, the Standard plan only supports one device, so it’s worth double-checking the product description. In addition, if you’re limited to one device, it’s important to note that you cannot use the VPN on a Smart TV.

Norton VPN Plus ($49.99 per year) covers five devices in every region, adds malware protection, dark web monitoring (letting you know if your details have appeared in data breaches), and 10GB of secure cloud backups.

The top-tier Norton VPN Ultimate plan ($59.99 per year) covers 10 devices, includes 50GB of secure storage, and adds parental control tools. If you activate auto-renewal, you'll get an extra 100GB on top.

Something to be aware of is that Norton VPN measures your usage by devices. This is different to most other VPNs which allow you to install the application on as many devices as you like, and restrict how many connections you can have running at once.

This means that if you hit your limit – be it one, five, or 10 devices depending on your plan – you'll need to permanently remove one to add another from the dashboard on the Norton website. This is the same way that antivirus subscriptions are restricted, so it's unsurprising to see Norton do the same with its VPN. However, it's a small quality-of-life issue I'd like to see changed to match the competition.

Norton VPN only offers annual plans, and unlike its competitors, doesn’t offer monthly or longer-term options. However, it provides an excellent 60-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for all its plans. That said, for a paid product, Norton VPN is fairly aggressive with upselling and places a link to its Store page immediately below the VPN in its app's left sidebar (which only has three other items).

Payments are supported via credit card, PayPal, and Google Pay, though there are no options to pay with cryptocurrency.

This pricing makes Norton VPN more expensive than Surfshark’s one-year basic plan ($3.19 per month) and similarly pitched to NordVPN’s $3.39-per-month two-year starter offering. Both competitors offer excellent connection speeds, large, global server networks, and impressive privacy features, which arguably make them better value for money. Norton does deserve credit for its pricing transparency, though, and makes the renewal price clear.

Rating: 7/10

Does Norton VPN have a free trial?

Unlike leading VPNs like NordVPN, Norton offers a 7-day free trial for all its VPN plans and includes access for desktop, iOS, and Android. You do need to create an account and enter payment details to access the trial.

Norton VPN review: features

The table below compares Norton VPN's key app features across the major operating systems:

Norton VPN offers all the core features you need to secure your connection. The VPN’s apps support the WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec protocols, and also the proprietary Mimic stealth protocol, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. Norton reports that Mimic greatly increases the chances of bypassing detection, and sees a 92% success ratio for Mimic in countries like Egypt, where other protocols often fail.

At present, WireGuard and OpenVPN are only available for Windows and Android. This is a significant drawback for Mac and iOS users,, but there are reportedly plans to add WireGuard on Mac, iOS, and tvOS in the near future, which will be a very positive addition.

OpenVPN support currently only covers UDP ports. Using OpenVPN with TCP isn’t as fast, but it is more reliable, and the company is reportedly planning to add the setting for Windows, with Android support following.

Here is Norton VPN’s current protocol support by platform:

Norton VPN’s kill switch, which stops your internet if the VPN disconnects, is available on desktop and mobile, and the feature performed very well in my testing.

I took a number of steps (including changing the VPN location, restarting the router, stopping key Norton processes, and disabling Norton’s network adapter), but it made no difference. The app killed my internet connection, detected and (where possible) fixed the issue, reconnected, and got the VPN up and running again.

Helpfully, Norton VPN also has an auto-connect feature for desktop and mobile. The implementation is slightly different for each device type, but all apps include the ability to auto-connect when accessing unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Windows users also get the extra option to auto-connect when launching a supported P2P app.

Confusingly, the apps use slightly different terminology for their settings, which may make you question whether they work in precisely the same way. For example, the Android app refers to “Trusted” safe networks, while other apps refer to “Private” networks.

Currently, split tunneling is only available for Windows and Android. This isn’t unique, but it doesn’t match Surfshark, which also supports split tunneling on Mac and iOS. The feature allows you to create a list of apps that can bypass the VPN to access the internet directly. This is useful if you want to access a local streaming service while torrenting, for example, or you want a full-speed connection for gaming.

The feature worked as expected in my testing, and it’s easy to find in Norton’s settings menus. It also worked well when I put it against more unusual scenarios. For example, when I triggered the kill switch by forcing the VPN to close, apps on the split tunneling exclude list continued to work as normal.

That said, Norton VPN's split tunneling isn’t as flexible as that offered by some competitors. ExpressVPN and Windscribe both allow you to build “include” and “exclude” lists, choosing whether to only allow specified apps to use the VPN or whether selected apps should bypass it. In addition, some providers allow you to split tunnel by IP addresses and host names, giving you further control. Norton VPN, on the other hand, only allows you to exclude selected apps from the VPN.

In a positive addition, Norton VPN has recently added support for Multi-Hop connections, giving you extra security by passing your data through a second VPN server (though at the cost of connection speed). Norton offers four predefined Double VPN routes, with each pairing running in two directions.

While it’s great to see this feature, it’s fairly inflexible. In contrast, Surfshark allows you to create your own multi-hop routes using any of its server locations.

Norton VPN’s IP Rotation is another advanced security feature. This regularly changes your virtual IP address, without disconnecting, making it more difficult for you to be tracked online. I found Norton updates the IP every few seconds, which is enough to confuse most tracking attempts. The VPN only supports IP Rotation for six locations, though. This is significantly more restrictive than competitors like ExpressVPN, which includes the functionality for all its locations.

Norton VPN also includes a Tracker Blocker, which can help thwart attempts to track and target you online. The settings menu includes a chart indicating the number of trackers the app has blocked, which is updated on a daily basis.

The VPN offers several additional features with its medium and top-tier subscriptions.

Norton VPN Plus adds malware protection features and includes the company’s Virus Protection Promise, committing to a refund if Norton support can’t remove a virus from your system.

In addition, you get dark web monitoring (alerting you if your details have been posted online following a data breach) and 10GB of secure cloud storage. Norton also lists its password manager on the feature list, though it’s worth noting that this is available for free. It’s likely included to match NordVPN’s offering, and both NordVPN and Surfshark also provide antivirus-like tools and data breach monitoring features with their mid-tier plans.

The top Norton VPN plan, Norton VPN Ultimate, allows you to protect 10 devices, increases your cloud storage capacity to 50GB, and adds parental control features, allowing you to control screen time, block content, and track mobile device locations.

Parental controls don’t seem like a particularly obvious draw for VPN users, but coverage for five additional devices for an additional $0.83 per month is a notable benefit. In comparison, Surfshark adds online data removal service Incogni with its top-tier plan (with unlimited connections included as standard), while NordVPN offers an impressive 1TB of cloud storage and online identity protection tools and identity theft insurance.

Score: 8.5/10

Norton VPN review: server network

Norton VPN has a network of around 3,400 servers, with 103 locations spread over 65 countries. Support is particularly strong for the US and Europe, which account for 77 of the 103 locations, and there’s coverage for 25 cities in the US, meaning you shouldn’t have trouble finding a server close to your location.

You can also pick a P2P-optimized local server, IP Rotation options for specific geos (making you harder to track), and from a selection of Double VPN pairings (running your data through a second VPN server).

Only 12 countries in Asia are supported, which is a little weak, though this covers the most popular locations. Norton does earn credit, though, with its support for South America and Africa, with servers in 11 countries in the two continents. That said, Norton VPN's range is considerably less than industry leaders like NordVPN, which has servers in over 120 countries.

I also investigated whether Norton is using virtual servers. I found it generally uses real, physical servers, with 14 of 20 tested locations matching the geographic description. Where I found discrepancies between my testing data and cited locations, these matched general industry patterns.

Depending on your location, using virtual servers may also provide a benefit. For example, US users accessing a virtual server for Costa Rica that’s actually sited in Miami will likely get much faster connection speeds than they would otherwise.

Rating: 8.5/10

Is Norton VPN good for streaming and unblocking?

The table below outlines Norton VPN's results in my streaming unblocking tests.

Green (✅) indicates the streaming service was unblocked, first time, every time.

Yellow (⚠️) indicates the streaming service was unblocked, but we faced some difficulties.

Red (⛔️) indicates we were unable to access the streaming service.

Read how I test streaming VPNs for more detail.

In my testing, Norton VPN performed very well for unblocking both international and local streaming services. It doesn’t match NordVPN, which we rate as the best streaming VPN, but it’s not far behind, and it’s comparable to Surfshark and Proton VPN.

There are no specially optimized streaming servers with Norton, but you should be able to unblock content from any location. In my testing, I found Norton allowed me to access Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix libraries for the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan. In addition, I was able to access geo-restricted local services, such as the BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, 7plus, and 9Now.

Norton VPN failed our test for US YouTube, though, in which I attempted to access the Formula 1 channel without being logged in. In separate testing, though, I found that US YouTube issued captchas and blocked me from viewing FIBA basketball live streams while logged in on the site. I was also unable to access TVNZ+ with Norton, though it was unclear whether the site was specifically blocking the VPN.

When it comes to torrenting, Norton has two P2P-optimized servers, with one in the Netherlands and one in Dallas. This is a little disappointing, especially when Avast’s SecureLine VPN (also within the Gen Digital stable) offers eight.

The option is easy to find, though, and P2P users on Windows will appreciate the option to auto-connect the VPN when launching supported apps such as Deluge, Azureus, uTorrent, and BitTorrent. One drawback for torrenting, though, is that Norton VPN doesn’t offer port forwarding, which can make torrenting faster and smoother. During my testing, torrenting only worked when I accessed Norton’s P2P-optimized servers, suggesting that the platform is funneling users towards these servers.

We spoke to Norton about the details of its P2P servers, and our contact said: "on Windows, if the user was auto-connected to a "normal" VPN region, it will switch to the P2P optimized region upon detecting the P2P client. However, if the user manually enabled the VPN, we don't automatically switch to the P2P optimized region. On macOS, auto-connect for P2P isn't currently supported, but a P2P optimized region is available from the drop-down.

Overall, Norton puts in an impressive display all round – but slight bugs when streaming and some limitations with its torrenting servers do hold it back from getting top marks.

Score: 8/10

Norton VPN review: connection speeds

Norton VPN fared very well in my hands-on speed testing, and its performance compares favorably with the top providers on the market. It’s also fast to get started: in my testing, I found I could connect to servers in the US or Japan from the UK in under four seconds.

Using a VPN will always reduce your internet speed, as your data is routed through a remote VPN server. The precise impact will depend on the VPN protocol you use, the server you connect to, and the level of traffic hitting the server. Given this, we run speed tests in the morning and evening for our local time and test multiple protocols on multiple server locations. For further details on our testing methodology, you can read our full guide to how we test VPNs.

In my testing, I saw an average WireGuard connection speed of 909Mbps for a local encrypted connection and 463Mbps for a Dublin-US connection. This puts Norton VPN on par with NordVPN and Surfshark, which are rated as leaders in the field, and with only ExpressVPN, using the Lightway Turbo protocol, and Proton VPN coming significantly ahead in our results.

I recorded 96% speed retention across uploads and downloads with a local connection (as measured by the Speedtest.net online tool), and 83% download speeds for a UK-US connection.

For context, you need around 25Mbps to stream Netflix in 4K and around 100Mbps for multi-player gaming, so these speeds are more than enough for most households. Latency (the delay with which information reaches your device) is critical for gaming, and we saw good figures across our testing results, putting Norton among the best providers on the market.

When I tested the OpenVPN protocol (which is more secure than WireGuard but slower), Norton achieved a 275Mbps local connection and 261Mbps for a Dublin-US connection. This put it ahead of top providers like NordVPN and ProtonVPN, but considerably behind ExpressVPN and Surfshark (which hit 898Mbps and 431Mbps, respectively, for local connections).

Rating: 9/10

Norton VPN review: privacy and security

Overall, Norton does a solid job when it comes to security. The VPN has an audited no-logs policy and a transparency report, with a proven commitment not to store or share user data. This means that it’s not that great a concern that the company is co-headquartered in the US, though this theoretically exposes it to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.

In addition, Norton offers security features like a kill switch, multi-hop connections, IP rotation, and a stealth protocol (ensuring you aren’t exposed and making it harder to track you or detect that you’re using a VPN), which we’ve tested and found to be effective. I also didn’t see any indication of DNS leaks in my testing of Norton VPN’s services.

While Norton doesn’t offer post-quantum protection on its OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IPSec connections to tackle emerging threats, Mimic reportedly comes out ahead. The proprietary protocol uses AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305 for secure encryption and authentication and CRYSTAL-Kyber-512 for post-quantum key generation.

The future keeps on coming, though, and there’s now a new NIST-recommended standard (ML-KEM), which is already used by Google Chrome and ExpressVPN. Norton VPN will hopefully add support for this soon.

Norton’s WireGuard connections use ChaCha20-Poly1305 for encryption and authentication, while OpenVPN uses AES-256-GCM, matching the top providers in the field. When I dug into the logs, I was able to confirm that Norton works as it claims.

In terms of its no-logs policy, Norton commits not to track your online activity or to sell your data, and the 2024 independent audit by VerSprite confirms this is true. However, there are a number of items that Norton does record. It retains connection timestamps for the past 35 days, for example, meaning it can see which of your devices connected to the service, and it logs general connection events without timestamps for 24 months.

In addition, Norton logs application events such as installs, uninstalls, updates, “interactions”, and errors, retaining the information for 24 to 36 months, and it keeps a cumulative total of the data you’ve used to assist with network planning and to identify abuse.

Furthermore, Norton uses third-party analytics tools to monitor app usage. This can be disabled (click “Settings” then “Privacy Policy”, and turn “Share App Usage Data” off), but I’d prefer the setting to be turned off by default, so users only send data if they opt in.

Finally, Norton VPN has not transitioned to RAM-only servers. RAM-only servers are wiped upon reboot, meaning that data cannot be stored on them. This is by no means a big red flag, but RAM-only servers are becoming the norm for privacy-focused VPNs nowadays.

Given this, there are several areas for improvement, and I would like to see an iterative process of improvement when it comes to privacy and security. I would also like to see improvements with the compatibility of Norton products.

While Norton VPN includes anti-malware features with its mid-tier plan, much like NordVPN and Surfshark, it’s frustrating that Norton VPN requires Norton 360 to be uninstalled for it to run (which I’ll cover in more detail below).

Rating: 8/10

Norton VPN review: apps

Norton VPN's apps are generally consistent across operating systems, and they're easy to install and get started with. The interface is very clean, and the settings are laid out clearly and logically.

There are some differences in functionality between the apps, though. The Mac and iOS apps don’t support OpenVPN or WireGuard, and they don’t get split tunneling. It’s also worth noting that if you have a one-device license, you can’t use it on a Smart TV.

The browser extensions, meanwhile, really work as remote controls for the full Norton VPN app, and don’t open a separate proxy connection for your browser. ExpressVPN’s browser extensions work in the same way, but it’s a fairly unusual implementation. That said, they make it much faster to switch servers and manage your connection when browsing.

As a bonus feature, the browser extensions include an ad blocker. I tested it, and Norton scored a reasonable 77%, which is good but not exceptional. In comparison, the free uBlock Origin Lite scored 91%. There’s hence no harm in having Norton’s ad blocker, but it doesn’t add a lot of value.

Unlike most of its competitors, Norton VPN doesn’t offer a Linux app, and there aren’t Amazon Fire TV or Roku apps, either. In addition, Norton hasn’t provided OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files, so you can’t set up unsupported platforms manually, such as routers, third-party VPN clients, or older hardware. This will be a major downside for technical users looking to make flexible use of the VPN.

The VPN gets generally positive scores for its apps. The Android app rates 4.3/5 on Google Play, putting it fractionally above average, while the iOS app rates 4.4/5 on the App Store, putting it slightly below the 4.5/5 average for VPN apps on the platform.

A significant caveat, though, is that most of Norton’s ratings are based on its older, far more basic VPN, and it will take time for users’ feelings about the upgraded service to trickle through.

Overall, the apps that are available are well made and fairly easy to use. However, the lack of support for more "niche" devices, and limitations on Mac mean this is one area it falls some way behind the competition.

Score: 7/10

Norton VPN review: ease of use

I installed Norton VPN on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, and for the most part, setup ran smoothly on every platform. Annoyingly, though, Norton VPN required me to remove Norton 360 on Windows to install the VPN. This is particularly problematic as the Norton VPN Standard plan doesn’t include any antivirus features.

If you run into problems during setup, Norton has some installation guides, but they’re surprisingly basic. The Windows tutorial guide is text-only, under 120 words long, and doesn’t go into a lot of detail. NordVPN and ExpressVPN’s setup guides are two to three times as long and include screenshots and tips to help you solve common problems.

In terms of its layout, Norton VPN has a light, clear, uncluttered user interface. It’s very simple to connect with the app’s default settings, and it’s equally easy to find the various configuration options in the settings menu.

The location list is easy to use, but it doesn’t have any extras. There’s no information on load or ping times for locations, for example, which makes it more difficult to find the best options for you, and there’s no ability to sort locations or save favorites (though the app does list your five most recent connections).

Once you’ve used one version of Norton VPN, you’ll be able to quickly find your way around all the others. The mobile apps also cut non-essential elements, giving them a cleaner look and making them very easy to use. As noted before, some labeling is inconsistent between platforms, which could be a source of confusion, but this is likely to be ironed out in future.

The Windows app also tries a little too hard to upsell you. There’s a Store link in the (fairly sparse) sidebar, and in some versions, there are also pages for Norton’s Dark Web Monitoring and Parental Controls features, even if they require a purchase or upgrade to be enabled. I expect marketing with free VPNs, but when you’ve bought a service, you don’t anticipate quite so many in-app efforts to persuade you to spend more.

Norton VPN connected quickly throughout my testing, with a delay of under four seconds between hitting “Connect” and having the VPN live with either WireGuard or OpenVPN. That’s a great result, as many top VPNs leave you waiting for six seconds or longer for OpenVPN to connect.

The VPN scores well for accessibility, with keyboard support that allows Windows users to connect, disconnect, choose locations, and tweak settings with keypresses. This can take some time, but it works, which is more than can be said for most Windows VPN apps. Norton VPN also supports an above-average 26 languages. They aren’t included by default, but you can add and use them with a couple of clicks.

Rating: 8/10

Why is Norton VPN based in the US?

Norton is owned by Gen Digital, which is co-headquartered in the United States and Czechia. This means that it falls under the jurisdiction of the US, which is part of the Five Eyes group of intelligence-sharing nations. In comparison, NordVPN is registered in Panama, which has a strict set of data privacy regulations.

However, Norton VPN's no-logs policy means the company commits not to store or share user data, and the fact that it has been audited means its security and privacy claims have been put to the test.

Norton VPN now also has a Transparency Report, which is updated twice a year. This counts the number of National Security Letters, government warrants, search orders, and subpoenas issued to the company and states it is unable to comply with them, as it cannot provide any of the requested information.

Norton VPN review: reputation

Norton VPN has a lot of credibility, with an audited no-logs policy (committing not to store or share user data), a Transparency Report (stating that the firm is unable to comply with data requests), and a brand that goes back to the 1980s.

It’s also worth noting here that Norton and Avast (which is part of the same group) have more VPN experience than you might realise.

Norton launched its first VPN, Norton WiFi Privacy (later Norton Secure VPN) in 2017, while the Avast SecureLine VPN was introduced in 2013. This means that Avast has been in the VPN business longer than Surfshark (launched in 2018), Proton VPN (2017), and Windscribe (2016).

In recent months, Gen Digital has been making significant improvements to Norton VPN, including the addition of double VPN functionality (passing your connection through an additional VPN server) and an IP rotation feature (which periodically changes your IP address, making you harder to track).

Notably, Norton VPN also published its first independent privacy audit in August 2024. This comprehensive inspection found Norton VPN had minimal privacy risks and that its setup was consistent with the firm’s no-logs policy.

The audit did identify two privacy concerns, but this isn’t unusual, and they were immediately addressed and resolved. Norton provided an Executive Summary Report on the audit’s results, meanwhile, which is better than many competitors but not as good as ExpressVPN, which offers in-depth, annotated audit reports.

Historically, Norton’s VPN has been something of an afterthought, and it didn’t compare favorably with the capabilities of leading competitors. While Norton has an “Excellent” 4.6/5 rating on TrustPilot, based on user reviews, the VPN product doesn’t have its own profile. On G2, however, the product gets a strong rating of 4.2/5, while Capterra gives it 4.4/5. In comparison, NordLayer/NordVPN gets 4.3/5 and 4.6/5, respectively, while Surfshark gets 3.9/5 and 4.5/5.

Rating: 9/10

Norton VPN review: customer support

Norton offers help via a support site, a community forum, 24/7 live chat, and 24/7 phone support – something that even providers like NordVPN and Surfshark don’t offer.

The support chatbot is acceptable, but it isn’t perfect. For example, I discovered that it doesn’t seem to understand that the Mimic stealth protocol uses obfuscation (making encrypted data look like regular web traffic) or that this would be recommended for regions with restrictive internet policies. Equally, it wasn’t able to help with finding the kill switch or whether Norton VPN works on routers. If you want to escalate an issue, you can talk to a human operator or get phone support, however.

I opened a test live chat session, and an agent arrived in a couple of minutes. The agent was friendly, knowledgeable, and provided sensible suggestions for my problem. You can also give Norton agents remote access to desktop systems. In the past, I’ve found Norton’s support agent to be impressive, demonstrating expertise and commitment to solving problems (spending almost an hour on my issue in one case).

The community forum is a nice addition, but it’s fairly quiet. Only a handful of questions are posted each month at present, and the community isn’t even replying to all of these. There’s also a substantial knowledge base. As noted earlier, though, having additional detail, as well as illustrations and video tutorials, would make the guides a lot more useful.

Rating: 8/10

Norton VPN review: final verdict

Norton VPN: Much improved, and challenges the established names
Norton VPN is a huge step forward for the antivirus provider. It offers fast, secure connections and solid unblocking capabilities, making it a good VPN for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and browsing the internet securely.

I found Norton VPN’s apps easy to use, and the addition of advanced security features means you can be confident that your privacy is being protected. Customer support is also impressive and speaks to the substantial resources available from the security giant.

Norton VPN's pricing is competitive, putting it in line with or ahead of some of the best products on the market. However, while new features are coming out frequently, there are quite a few areas for improvement.

To compete with the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, I would like to see a broader global server network, upgrades to the IP rotation and double VPN features, and improvements to the VPN’s Mac and iOS apps.

Final rating: 81/100

Subscribe if:

✅ You want a quality VPN from a trusted security brand. Norton is one of the most established names in antivirus and digital security, and this gives its VPN some serious pedigree.
✅ You value fast connection speeds. In my tests, Norton VPN delivered speeds that were right up there with the very fastest VPNs.
✅ You want apps that are both easy to use and support advanced features. Auto-connect, IP rotation, a tracker blocker and multi-hop are just a few of Norton's wide range of additional privacy features.

Don't subscribe if:

❌ You're an Apple loyalist. If you use Apple devices, Norton VPN misses out too many features on iOS and macOS to justify choosing it over alternatives.
❌ You need lots of simultaneous connections. If you live in some countries – the UK, for example – Norton VPN's Base plan can only be used on one device. Even in the US, there's a five-device limit. Compared to the likes of Surfshark and Private Internet Access which impose no device limits at all, this seems stingy from Norton.

Alternatives to Norton VPN

NordVPN: our top pick overall
NordVPN takes the top spot in our guide to the best VPN services thanks to an unrivaled suite of privacy and security tools, cutting edge VPN protocols, great unblocking ability for streaming and a huge network of super-fast servers all around the world. What's more, it works out cheaper than Norton VPN if you sign up to the multi-year plan – but be aware of massive price hikes when you renew.

ExpressVPN: the best VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN is perfect for people who are new to VPNs, and if you're looking for VPN apps that are very simple and incredibly reliable, it's probably a better choice than Norton VPN. It's great for streaming, its privacy credentials are all fully audited, and it's also great on mobile. However, with prices starting from $6.67 per month, it's also more expensive.

Surfshark: the best cheap VPN
Surfshark is an excellent VPN, and it’s tough to beat, offering support for unlimited simultaneous connections and a huge range of devices at an affordable price. Norton VPN does stand out, though, for its proprietary Mimic stealth protocol and the availability of phone support.

Norton VPN review: FAQ

How we test VPNs

I test VPNs using a number of methods – you can find the details in my how we test VPNs article.

The quick version is that after studying any published information about the VPN's privacy – no-logs policies and independent audits, for example – I install each VPN I test on a variety of devices and put it through a series of rigorous tests.

This include over 100 speed tests per provider, kill switch tests, in which I try my best to force the VPN to expose my real Ip address, and a ton of streaming testing.

The whole Tom's Guide VPN team pitches in too, and the unique insights each person brings helps make our VPN reviews well-rounded and as helpful as possible.