The longstanding rivalry between Norton and McAfee has shaped the antivirus landscape for decades, capturing the attention of consumers, small businesses, and enterprises alike. As personal computing took off in the late 1990s, these two names became synonymous with digital security, as hackers unleashed a torrent of viruses targeting the burgeoning PC market. With nearly a quarter-century of evolution behind them, both Norton and McAfee have adapted to an increasingly complex threat environment, yet they remain stalwarts in the antivirus domain. The question now arises: which one stands out in today’s market?
Norton Antivirus Plus vs. McAfee Total Protection: Comparison table
| Norton Antivirus Plus | McAfee Total Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating (out of 5) | 4.8 | 4.75 |
| Starting price | per year for 5 devices | per year for 5 devices |
| AV and malware protection | Excellent | Excellent |
| Scanning speed | Excellent | Very good |
| False positives | Very good | Excellent |
| Also included in the price | 2 GB cloud backup, password manager. | VPN, web protection, identity monitoring, firewall. |
Norton Antivirus Plus vs. McAfee Total Protection: Pricing
Winner: Norton AV Plus
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Norton Antivirus Plus pricing
- Norton AV Plus typically retails for per year for five devices but is currently available for per year with an upfront payment. A seven-day free trial is offered, although it may require some navigation through the website to locate. The company seems to favor promoting a 60-day money-back guarantee over the free trial option.
For those seeking more than basic antivirus protection, options to add 50 GB of cloud storage, a password manager, or the Lifelock identity protection service, along with a VPN and additional security features, are available for and 0 per year, respectively.
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McAfee Total Protection pricing
- McAfee Total Protection lists at 0 per year but is often discounted to during promotions. The inclusion of a VPN, firewall, and identity monitoring complicates direct comparisons. A 30-day free trial is available, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pricing can become intricate, with various tiers available: per year for AI-powered features, for enhanced identity theft protection, and 0 for comprehensive coverage that includes increased identity protection limits and ransomware safeguards.
Norton Antivirus Plus vs. McAfee Total Protection: Feature comparison
AV and malware protection
Winner: Tie
Norton Antivirus Plus offers extensive coverage against scams, viruses, malware, ransomware, and hacking attempts. Higher-tier packages provide additional features like encryption and dark web monitoring. Similarly, McAfee Total Protection delivers a comparable range of protections, including a unique protection score and a robust firewall. While both are strong contenders, the choice may hinge on specific user needs.
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Scanning speed
Winner: Norton AV Plus
Extensive testing reveals that Norton Antivirus Plus consistently outpaces McAfee Total Protection in scanning speed. Full and quick scans can take significantly less time with Norton, although McAfee tends to be less resource-intensive during scans. Ultimately, Norton earns the edge in this category.
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False positives
Winner: McAfee Total Protection
False positives can be a nuisance, generating unnecessary alerts that disrupt user experience. Both Norton and McAfee have made strides in minimizing these occurrences, but McAfee has proven to generate fewer false alerts, making it the preferred choice in this aspect.
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Additional features
Winner: Tie
Comparing the additional features of Norton and McAfee can be challenging due to their differing configurations. Norton Antivirus Plus includes a 2 GB cloud backup and a capable password manager, while McAfee Total Protection comes equipped with a VPN, web protection, and identity monitoring. The best choice will depend on individual user requirements.
Should your business use Norton Antivirus Plus or McAfee Total Protection?
Choose Norton Antivirus Plus if:
- You want to pay as little as possible for a decent AV suite.
- You don’t have a password manager or wish to change your current one.
- You lack a cloud backup service or want to replace your existing one.
Choose McAfee Total Protection if:
- You prefer an AV tool that consumes relatively few system resources during scans.
- You have a strong aversion to false positives.
- You want identity monitoring and a firewall without additional costs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both Norton and McAfee on my computer?
No. Opting for one is sufficient, as both products offer similar features. Installing both may lead to conflicts and unnecessary expenses.
Does McAfee have a VPN?
Yes, McAfee Total Protection includes a VPN, making it a solid choice for users seeking both antivirus and VPN services.
Does Norton remove all viruses?
While Norton’s virus and malware signatures are comprehensive, there is always a slight chance that some threats may bypass detection, particularly if they are new or unique.
Does McAfee block ads?
Yes, ad blocking is a feature included with McAfee Total Protection.
What additional tools are included with Norton Antivirus Plus?
Norton provides a password manager and cloud backup storage at no extra cost.
Methodology
The evaluation involved downloading both products and conducting a thorough comparison. Insights were also drawn from analyst reports, expert analyses, peer reviews, and independent lab findings to assess features, costs, and real-world performance.
