McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware prote...
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
McAfee vs Avast: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of McAfee and Avast covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
McAfee vs Avast: Overview
Choosing between McAfee and Avast is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
McAfee offers a free tier and starts at $29.99/annually, while Avast also has a free option and begins at $31.2/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
McAfee is best known for excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests, whereas Avast stands out for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
McAfee
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1987
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between McAfee and Avast.
| Feature | M McAfee | A Avast |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Features Deep Dive
Both McAfee and Avast offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
McAfee unique strengths: Real-time Antivirus Protection, Advanced Firewall, Secure VPN. This makes it ideal for families needing multi-device protection.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
McAfee offers 10 core features with 8 integrations, while Avast provides 10 features and 6 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
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
McAfee Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $29.99/annually. 4 plans available: Essential, Premium, Advanced, Ultimate.
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.
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 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
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
Final Verdict
Choose McAfee if: You need families needing multi-device protection or users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. It excels at excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests and unlimited device coverage on most plans.
Choose Avast if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
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.
McAfee vs Avast FAQ
What are the main differences between McAfee and Avast?
McAfee focuses on families needing multi-device protection with excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests, while Avast excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is McAfee or Avast better for small businesses?
McAfee 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 McAfee and Avast?
McAfee starts at $29.99/month with a free tier available, while Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can McAfee integrate with Avast?
While direct integration may vary, both McAfee and Avast support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. McAfee integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Avast works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, McAfee or Avast?
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. McAfee is known for unlimited device coverage on most plans.
Does McAfee or Avast offer better customer support?
Both McAfee and Avast provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. McAfee offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of McAfee compared to Avast?
McAfee's main advantages include: Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests, Unlimited device coverage on most plans, Comprehensive identity theft protection with high coverage amounts. Compared to Avast, it's particularly strong for families needing multi-device protection.
What are the cons of McAfee compared to Avast?
McAfee's potential drawbacks include: Expensive renewal rates after first year, Below average phishing protection (80% block rate). Avast may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from McAfee to Avast 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. McAfee excels for families needing multi-device protection, while Avast is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.