Microsoft Defender vs Norton:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Norton had more branded searches than Microsoft Defender among antivirus software in New Zealand. Norton had about 730 branded searches, while Microsoft Defender had 320. Norton made up 6.3% of all antivirus software searches we track, and Microsoft Defender accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus software, Norton appeared in all four answers and Microsoft Defender in three. Norton was mentioned before Microsoft Defender in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Norton, about 2 searches for every 1 for Microsoft Defender
Who does AI mention more?
Norton, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Norton, named ahead of Microsoft Defender in 3 of 4 answers
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Top antivirus software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Norton appeared in all four answers. Microsoft Defender was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Norton was listed before Microsoft Defender in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Bitdefender1st
ESET2nd- Norton3rd
Microsoft Defender4th
Avast5th
McAfee–
Malwarebytes–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bitdefender4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- ESET4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Norton4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Microsoft Defender3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Avast1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- McAfee0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Malwarebytes0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about antivirus software
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which antivirus product should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best antivirus products in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best antivirus product in New Zealand for device protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus for pc”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Microsoft Defender or Norton more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft Defender and Norton by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven antivirus software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Norton, Microsoft Defender. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McAfee | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Norton | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.7% | 23.9% | 18.4% | 10.1% | 11.2% | 8.2% | 2.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.7% | 21.7% | 19% | 10.6% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.2% | 25.3% | 15.3% | 11% | 8.5% | 8.6% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.4% | 25% | 17.7% | 10.4% | 8.8% | 9.2% | 2.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.3% | 24.1% | 17.4% | 9.3% | 8.1% | 9.2% | 2.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.6% | 26.7% | 19.9% | 9% | 9.3% | 6.6% | 3% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.8% | 29.2% | 18.1% | 9.8% | 8.5% | 7.4% | 3.2% |
| May 2026 | 24.9% | 28.6% | 19.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% | 7.9% | 3% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.4% | 30.3% | 19.7% | 8.9% | 8% | 8.2% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 17.8% | 33.4% | 22.5% | 8.7% | 8% | 7.5% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.8% | 30.9% | 20.1% | 9.6% | 7.2% | 7.6% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.2% | 24.4% | 16.4% | 11% | 6.9% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
How has the Microsoft Defender and Norton comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Norton was ahead of Microsoft Defender in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Defender’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 2.5% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Norton’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 8.2% to 6.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 730.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand antivirus software in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Norton lost share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 7.6% to 6.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft Defender’s and Norton’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Microsoft Defender
1 branded search term
- microsoft defender
Norton
4 branded search terms
- norton antivirus
- norton antivirus plus
- norton mobile security
- norton security
Other head-to-heads among antivirus software
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