Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software
Google Safe Browsing vs Norton Safe Web
Google Safe Browsing leads on 0 checks, Norton Safe Web on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGoogle Safe Browsing · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresGoogle Safe Browsing · 4 of 6
Google Safe Browsing scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.
Google Safe Browsing is the better fit for free, broad protection across browsers and services. Norton Safe Web is the better fit for people seeking free browser-based phishing protection.
- Google Safe Browsing fits best
Free, broad protection across browsers and services
- Norton Safe Web fits best
People seeking free browser-based phishing protection
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Side by side
| Feature | Google Safe Browsing 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Norton Safe Web 9.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.0 |
| Ranking | #1 in Anti-Phishing Software | #4 in Anti-Phishing Software |
| Best for | Free, broad protection across browsers and services | People seeking free browser-based phishing protection |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension | Browser extension, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Chrome extension, Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Features Google Safe Browsing 4/6 · Norton Safe Web 3/6 | ||
| Phishing URL blocking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email phishing detection | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Browser protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Credential protection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Real-time scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Threat detection dashboard | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Google Safe Browsing is a web-threat protection service that warns people before they visit dangerous sites or download harmful files. It is suited to individuals and organizations seeking browser and service-level phishing protection, as… Read the review → |
Norton Safe Web is a browser extension and a feature included with Norton device-security plans. It checks websites and links for scam URLs, phishing attempts, malicious links, and other threats, then warns about or blocks suspected… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Google Safe Browsing — where it wins
- Warns before visits to dangerous sites or downloads of harmful files
- Checks Gmail links and works with Chrome, Search and Android
- Offers real-time and local-list URL checks through its API
Where it doesn't
- Safe Browsing APIs are restricted to non-commercial use
- Protection is centered on web threats, not a broader security suite
- Real-time checks are associated with Enhanced Safe Browsing
Norton Safe Web — where it wins
- Checks URLs against a database of scam sites
- Real-time updates help identify and block new threats
- AI analyzes page text, code, images, and hidden elements
Where it doesn't
- Free extension has more limited capabilities than plan-included version
- Protection is browser-focused, with no email protection specified
- Standalone Safe Web pricing is not published
- Google Safe Browsing9.4/10 · Free plan
Free web-threat warnings across Google products, browsers and developer APIs.
Visit siteFull verdict → - Norton Safe Web9.0/10 · Free plan
A free browser extension for real-time URL filtering and AI-assisted phishing detection.
Try Norton Safe WebFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Google Safe Browsing vs Avast Anti-Phishing
- Google Safe Browsing vs Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)
- Google Safe Browsing vs Netcraft Browser Extension
- Google Safe Browsing vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
- Google Safe Browsing vs Malwarebytes Browser Guard
- Google Safe Browsing vs Avast Online Security & Privacy
- Avast Anti-Phishing vs Norton Safe Web
- Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) vs Norton Safe Web
All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update