McAfee and Avast are prominent names in cybersecurity, offering competitive antivirus software. With similar pricing and features, choosing the best option can be challenging. This comparison of McAfee+ and Avast One, based on real-world testing and in-depth reviews, will help you determine the ideal antivirus solution for your Windows PC or Mac.
McAfee and Avast antivirus pricing appears in a split-view.A side-by-side comparison of McAfee and Avast antivirus pricing.
Pricing and Plan Options
Avast offers a free plan (Avast One Basic), making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious users. This plan includes antivirus protection for one device, ransomware protection via protected folders, and email malware scanning. It even includes a limited VPN with a 5GB weekly data cap.
McAfee, while lacking a free tier, typically offers first-year discounts. However, it’s crucial to consider the renewal price, which is often significantly higher. McAfee’s Basic plan starts at $30 annually, renewing at $90, covering one device with real-time virus protection, an unlimited VPN, a password manager, and identity theft monitoring.
Avast One Silver, priced at $28 for the first year (renewing at $80), covers three devices and expands upon the free version by offering an unlimited VPN with servers in over 50 locations.
For multiple devices, McAfee+ Premium ($45/$150 annually) offers unlimited installations and includes PC cleanup utilities. Avast One Gold ($63/$180 annually) covers five devices and offers a suite of cybersecurity tools for PC cleanup, scam prevention, and anonymous browsing with an unlimited VPN.
Both McAfee and Avast offer premium plans with identity theft insurance. McAfee+ Ultimate ($200/$280 for one, $250/$425 for a family) and Avast One Platinum ($120/$300 for up to six users and 30 devices) offer comprehensive protection.
Feature Comparison
Avast One Gold includes in-app guides for many features.Avast One Gold includes in-app guides for many features.
Malware Protection
AV-Test, a reputable third-party cybersecurity research firm, consistently awards McAfee perfect scores. Avast also performs well, with only minor weaknesses recorded eight months out of the past eight years.
McAfee antivirus earned a perfect score for the last four years in AV-Test evaluations.McAfee antivirus earned a perfect score for the last four years in AV-Test evaluations.
Real-world tests using simulated malware websites confirmed both McAfee+ Premium and Avast One Gold effectively blocked threats. However, neither quite matches the near-perfect protection offered by Norton or Bitdefender.
Scam and Tracking Protection
McAfeeMcAfee’s VPN hid my location from Google.
Beyond malware, both McAfee and Avast address online scams and tracking. McAfee offers text scam protection, while Avast focuses on email scams. Both include VPNs in their paid tiers, effectively masking user locations and encrypting data.
Additional Features
McAfee includes a built-in password manager, a feature absent in Avast. Both offer dark web monitoring and PC cleanup tools in their premium packages.
Customer Support and User Experience
McAfee and Avast antivirus Microsoft Store rating appears in a split-view.McAfee’s app store ratings are as good as Avast’s.
While McAfee’s support, though slow, provided helpful answers, Avast consistently receives higher praise for its 24/7 chat support. Avast’s response times were significantly faster.
Avast One Gold comes with fast and helpful support thatAvast One Gold comes with fast and helpful support that’s always available.
Avast One’s user interface is more intuitive, with helpful guides and a well-designed layout. McAfee’s interface, particularly its feature access, feels less streamlined.
Conclusion
Both McAfee+ Premium and Avast One Gold offer reliable antivirus protection. Avast’s free tier and competitive pricing for multi-device plans make it a strong contender. Ultimately, Avast One edges out McAfee due to its superior user experience and customer support. However, if neither meets your specific requirements, explore our guide to the best antivirus software for further options.
