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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Norton Safe Web vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Norton Safe Web #4 in Anti-Phishing Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Try Norton Safe Web
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen #6 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Microsoft

Norton Safe Web leads on 0 checks, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNorton Safe Web · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen · 5 of 6

Norton Safe Web scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Norton Safe Web is the better fit for people seeking free browser-based phishing protection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the better fit for windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations.

  • Norton Safe Web fits best

    People seeking free browser-based phishing protection

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen fits best

    Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Norton Safe Web 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #4 in Anti-Phishing Software #6 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for People seeking free browser-based phishing protection Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Browser extension, Cloud Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Chrome extension, Web Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Norton Safe Web 3/6 · Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 5/6
Phishing URL blocking ✓ ✓
Email phishing detection Not checked yet —
Browser protection ✓ ✓
Credential protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time scanning ✓ ✓
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
  • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
  • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune
Cons
  • 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
  • Email phishing detection is not included
  • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
  • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Our verdict

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 →

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a built-in Windows and Microsoft Edge security feature for people and organizations seeking protection from phishing and malicious content while browsing. It checks visited URLs against reported threat…

Read the review →
  1. Norton Safe WebAnti-Phishing Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Microsoft Defender SmartScreenAnti-Phishing Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen — where it wins

    • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
    • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
    • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune

    Where it doesn't

    • Email phishing detection is not included
    • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
    • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • 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 →
  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows and Edge safeguard for suspicious sites, downloads, and credential entry.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update