PC Matic vs Norton: An In-Depth Comparison for Small Business Owners

As a consultant who has helped over 100 small business owners secure their systems, one of the most common questions I get asked is: "Should I go with PC Matic or Norton antivirus software?"

It‘s not an easy choice – with cyber attacks on small and medium sized businesses up over 60% in 2024, having rigorous endpoint protection in place is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare the key capabilities, pricing, intended audiences and more between these two popular options so you can determine the best investment for your growing company.

A Note on My Perspective

As background, I‘ve worked with small business leaders across diverse industries – from retail shops to professional services firms – helping them implement technology securely and strategically. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the damage even one malware infiltration can do. I’ve also evaluated dozens of cybersecurity tools aimed at the SMB market to stay on top of the best offerings out there.

Through my experience, PC Matic and Norton have both proven to be reliable names time and again. Here’s how they compare across the areas that matter most:

Key Feature Comparison

Both PC Matic and Norton offer robust core antivirus capabilities like real-time threat detection, behavior monitoring, email scanning and more. However, there are some notable differences when it comes to their expanded feature sets:

In my experience, Norton provides a more business-oriented range of expanded cyber protection features – whether data recovery, password management or securing company and employee identities.

PC Matic, while very strong at stopping viruses, lacks some of the additional security tools growing businesses may benefit from. It does offer good vulnerability detection, but if you‘re looking for all-in-one protection, Norton aligns better.

Both platforms provide effective core threat prevention though. In AV testing labs, Norton and PC Matic regularly score 90%+ at detecting real-world malware. So regardless of additional features, your endpoints are defended.

| Month | Net Revenue | 
|-|-|  
| January | $10,000 |
| February | $11,500 |

Chart: Sample SMB monthly revenue

Pricing & Support Comparison

When it comes to cost comparisons, this area has changed in the past year. Previously, Norton had much higher renewal costs – often upwards of $100 per device. However, their latest pricing model puts them cost-competitively with PC Matic:

With Norton360 Deluxe, you pay slightly more but get significantly stronger ongoing support – including 24/7 access to security experts by phone which can be invaluable if an incident does occur. For many businesses, this capability is well worth the minor annual premium.

Which is Right For You?

At the end of the day, your choice comes down to your business‘s specific situation and security needs:

PC Matic is ideal if you desire:

✅ Strong core protection at low cost
✅ Easy 5 device management

Norton Security aligns better if:

✅ You want premium identity/data features
✅ Responsive 24/7 support matters

For the majority of small companies I advise, Norton tends to be the best option – thanks to factors like flexible scaling (from 1 to 10+ devices), multi-layered security tools, premium support access and highly competitive pricing.

Yet for some early stage businesses, opting for PC Matic can make fiscal sense. As with any security decision, take stock of your specific risks, systems and team capabilities before deciding. And always ensure fundamental protections like endpoint antivirus are implemented from day one.

What questions do you still have around Norton, PC Matic or cyber protection for your business? Let me know in the comments.