McAfee Antivirus
Protect up to 10 devices at a reasonable price, while having every feature you'd want.
About McAfee Antivirus
McAfee Antivirus Plus is the one antivirus platform that recognizes the growing number of devices used in a single household, which could include four or more different operating systems.
The basic package supports up to 10 devices, support, secure web browsing, and antivirus. The MTP 10 Device plan is for one year for 10 devices, but also includes features such as full protection for the home network, password manager, encrypted storage, firewall booster, and identity theft protection.
The one-year basic subscription, MAV Plus, is $34.99 in the first year and then $59.99 per year. If you purchase a subscription for two years of MAV Plus, the price drops to $19.99 per year for each of the first two years, then $59.99 for a renewal. The MTP 10 Family plan is $54.99 for the first year and then $129.99 a year. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
PROS
- Coverage for unlimited number of devices
- Malware protection for all four main classes of devices
- Robust firewall
CONS
- Somewhat slow scanning performance
- Some features limited without autorenewal
McAfee Antivirus Overview
McAfee's malware detection has improved greatly in the past couple of years, but it's still not quite top-of-the-line.
Despite that, the entry-level McAfee AntiVirus Plus is a bargain: $60 per year buys software for up to 10 (in practice, unlimited) devices, whether they run Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, and the software comes with a file shredder and a two-way firewall.
To get parental controls or one of the best password managers in the business, you'll have to spring for McAfee Total Protection or its sibling McAfee LiveSafe, which comes pre-installed on many new PCs.
The multi-device licenses of those two security suites also come with an identity-protection service. But none of the McAfee products have a secure browser or webcam protection, which you often get with other premium antivirus programs.
At the top is McAfee Total Protection Ultimate, which adds unlimited VPN service with no strings attached. Hardcore PC gamers may consider McAfee Gamer Security, which for $60 per year offers low-overhead protection for a single rig.
Features & Pricing
McAfee has one antivirus engine that forms the core of all of its offerings. In its most basic form, McAfee Antivirus Plus ($29.99 for the first year) provides antivirus software and web protection for up to 10 devices. Customers also get access to online security experts. McAfee’s other products are variations on this, with different numbers of devices and additional features added on to the basic antivirus. McAfee uses different avenues for selling the same product, so the same product can show up in different places.
Individual Basic covers one device for $34.99 for the first year and has the following features:
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Password manager
- File shredder
- Identity monitoring
- Web protection
- Online security experts
- Protection score (an assessment of your security environment)
- VPN (when enrolled in auto-renewal)
- Multi-platform compatibility
Individual Plus sells for $39.99 for the first year and is the same as Individual Basic, but supports 5 devices.
Individual Ultimate supports unlimited devices, adds parental controls and up to $1 million of coverage for identity theft remediation and sells for $74.99 for the first year. Auto-renewal is not required for the VPN.
Family Plus is the same as Individual Plus above, and also costs $39.99 for 5 devices for the first year.
Family Premium is the same as Family Plus above, but supports 10 devices and parental controls for a year and sells for $49.99 for the first year.
Family Ultimate is the same as Individual Ultimate, and sells for $74.99 for the year.
McAfee Total Protection adds additional features to the Individual and Family plans.
Total Protection Basic ($34.99 for the first year) includes everything in Individual Basic above, and also includes:
- McAfee Web Advisor
- PC Optimization
Total Protection Plus supports 5 devices, but is otherwise the same as Total Protection Basic, and sells for $39.99 for the first year.
Total Protection Premium is the same as Total Protection Plus, but supports 10 devices and adds Parental Controls. It sells for $49.99 for the first year.
Total Protection Ultimate sells for $74.99 for the first year and is the same as Total Protection Premium, but adds:
- Unlimited devices
- $1 million identity theft coverage
McAfee Gamer Security (59.99 for the first year) is the McAfee security package that’s optimized for performance, and includes features to make games perform better. It includes the following features:
- McAfee MicroAV Engine which offloads detection to the cloud
- Game Boost Engine which optimizes performance
- Real time performance monitoring
- Background app manager
- Historical performance monitoring
- Customizable settings
Reviews
McAfee's Total Protection offers exactly what we've come to expect: total protection from malware. Especially if you go with one of the more advanced plans from the brand, you'll get protection for all of your devices, while enjoying identity protection, too.
McAfee is one of a handful of big names in the antivirus space, and it more than warrants its popularity.
McAfee is incredibly user-friendly for first-time antivirus users, but while you do get some great advanced features for the steep initial and ongoing price, its all-important protection isn’t as comprehensive as the competition.
McAfee was dinged on its lack of speed, and in one series of tests, its consumption of system resources. McAfee is slightly easier to use for inexperienced users. McAfee uses the same antivirus engine for its products
If you are looking for an antivirus software with real-time malware detection for all your devices at an affordable price, McAfee is an excellent choice.
Besides common features like firewall, Wi-Fi security, a password manager and PC optimization available in most antivirus software, McAfee has extra features like file shredder, PC cleaner, identity protection and a virtual private network (VPN).
Protect all your devices with just one subscription
McAfee AntiVirus Plus protects every Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS device in your household, all for an excellent price, though it does less on Apple platforms.
McAfee Total Protection review: Top security, but the app needs a little work
The app design isn't as straightforward as it could be, but overall Total Protection offers a lot of value.
Rated #4 out of 16 AntiVirus Software
McAfee performs superbly across the major aspects in my review, particularly when compared to other competitors in the space. On top of this, McAfee’s offering comes with many additional features. This includes home network security, a password manager, email checking, and safe web browsing.
McAfee Total Protection includes an unlimited VPN, good scam protection and ID protection.
Total Protection is better than ever, partly thanks to a redesign, but also the addition of ID protection.
McAfee is a bargain for big families, but doesn't provide perfect protection
McAfee's antivirus lineup provides decent malware protection, but some other brands do it better.
