Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware prote...
Avast vs McAfee: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Avast and McAfee covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Avast vs McAfee: Overview
Choosing between Avast and McAfee is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Avast offers a free tier and starts at $31.2/annually, while McAfee also has a free option and begins at $29.99/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Avast is best known for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), whereas McAfee stands out for excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
McAfee
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1987
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Avast and McAfee.
| Feature | A Avast | M McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | |
| Firewall Protection | Basic in free, advanced in Premium | |
| Webcam Shield | Premium plan only | |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | Premium plan only | |
| Email Protection | Premium plan only | |
| Password Manager | Available in all plans | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only | |
| Real-time Antivirus Protection | AI-powered malware detection with 99.9% detection rate | |
| Advanced Firewall | Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic | |
| Secure VPN | AES-256 encryption with kill switch and auto-connect | |
| True Key Password Manager | Multi-factor authentication and secure password storage | |
| Identity Theft Protection | Up to $2M coverage and 24/7 monitoring | |
| Personal Data Cleanup | Removes personal info from data broker sites | |
| File Shredder | Permanently deletes sensitive files with multiple overwrite levels | |
| Web Protection | WebAdvisor blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts | |
| Safe Family Parental Controls | Family plans only - device time limits and location tracking | |
| Credit Monitoring | Advanced and Ultimate plans - monitors up to 3 credit bureaus |
Features Deep Dive
Both Avast and McAfee offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
McAfee unique strengths: Real-time Antivirus Protection, Advanced Firewall, Secure VPN. This makes it better suited for families needing multi-device protection.
Avast offers 10 core features with 6 integrations, while McAfee provides 10 features and 8 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, McAfee edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, McAfee offers better overall user satisfaction. Avast remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection.
McAfee
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests.
Try McAfeeAvast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastPros & Cons
Avast Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
McAfee Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests
- Unlimited device coverage on most plans
- Comprehensive identity theft protection with high coverage amounts
- Includes VPN and password manager in all plans
- 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive renewal rates after first year
- Below average phishing protection (80% block rate)
- VPN has limited features and slower speeds
- Can be resource-intensive during scans
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Avast
freemium- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
McAfee
subscription- 5 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Firewall
- Unlimited devices
- Antivirus protection
- VPN
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($1M)
- Credit monitoring
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($2M)
- 3-bureau credit monitoring
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Avast Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $31.2/annually. 4 plans available: Free Antivirus, Premium Security (1 device), Premium Security (10 devices), One Gold.
McAfee Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $29.99/annually. 4 plans available: Essential, Premium, Advanced, Ultimate.
Verdict: McAfee is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Avast may offer better value at scale with Robust free version with essential features.
For budget-conscious teams, McAfee is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing home users seeking comprehensive protection, Avast's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Avast if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
Choose McAfee if you need:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Individuals wanting all-in-one security suite
- Those prioritizing malware protection performance
- Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests
- Unlimited device coverage on most plans
Final Verdict
Choose Avast if: You need home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It excels at excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Choose McAfee if: You prioritize families needing multi-device protection or users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests and unlimited device coverage on most plans.
Overall: McAfee has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, Avast has a larger user base with 150,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the antivirus space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Avast vs McAfee FAQ
What are the main differences between Avast and McAfee?
Avast focuses on home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), while McAfee excels at families needing multi-device protection with excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Avast or McAfee better for small businesses?
Avast offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers McAfee's lower starting price of $29.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Avast and McAfee?
Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available, while McAfee starts at $29.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Avast integrate with McAfee?
While direct integration may vary, both Avast and McAfee support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while McAfee works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Avast or McAfee?
Based on user reviews, McAfee generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.3 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Avast is known for robust free version with essential features.
Does Avast or McAfee offer better customer support?
Both Avast and McAfee provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Avast offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Avast compared to McAfee?
Avast's main advantages include: Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), Robust free version with essential features, User-friendly interface suitable for beginners. Compared to McAfee, it's particularly strong for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of Avast compared to McAfee?
Avast's potential drawbacks include: History of unauthorized data collection issues, Quick scan missed malware in testing. McAfee may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Avast to McAfee or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for antivirus in 2026?
In 2026, McAfee leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Avast excels for home users seeking comprehensive protection, while McAfee is ideal for families needing multi-device protection.