Investing in a robust antivirus solution is essential as cyber threats become more sophisticated. McAfee and Avast are two reputable antivirus providers, both offering effective defenses against malware with overlapping feature sets.
McAfee employs advanced real-time threat detection using machine learning, while Avast continuously monitors application behavior and online activities for threats. McAfee's firewall blocks suspicious connections but has limited configuration options, whereas Avast's firewall allows for greater customization. McAfee’s ‘Premium’ subscription includes identity theft protection features, while Avast One’s ‘Gold’ subscription offers less extensive identity protection. McAfee includes a VPN with no data caps across all tiers, while Avast's VPN has a data cap in its free version but offers more locations in premium plans. McAfee includes a True Key Password Manager, while Avast does not have a password manager. McAfee provides robust parental controls, unlike Avast.
Both antivirus solutions have additional features, such as file shredders. McAfee is noted for its resource efficiency, scoring 2.6 in impact tests, while Avast scored 3.8. Both have user-friendly interfaces, with McAfee being sleek and organized, and Avast having an intuitive design. In malware protection tests, McAfee achieved a 99.6% online detection rate and a 99.96% online protection rate, while Avast had a 99.3% online detection rate and a 97.7% offline detection rate. Pricing for McAfee ranges from .99 per year for one device to .99 for the ‘Ultimate’ plan, while Avast offers a free tier and premium plans starting at .88 for three devices.