Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protect...
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware prote...
Norton 360 vs McAfee: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Norton 360 and McAfee covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Norton 360 vs McAfee: Overview
Choosing between Norton 360 and McAfee is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/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.
Norton 360 is best known for comprehensive all-in-one security suite, 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
Norton 360
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Starting price: $19.99/mo
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1991
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 Norton 360 and McAfee.
| Feature | N Norton 360 | M McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Protection | All plans | |
| Secure VPN | Standard plan and above | AES-256 encryption with kill switch and auto-connect |
| Password Manager | Standard plan and above | |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Standard plan and above | |
| AI Scam Protection | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Parental Controls | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Cloud Backup | 2GB to 500GB depending on plan | |
| Identity Theft Protection | LifeLock plans only | Up to $2M coverage and 24/7 monitoring |
| 100% Virus Protection Promise | All plans | |
| Deepfake Protection | Deluxe plan and above | |
| Real-time Antivirus Protection | AI-powered malware detection with 99.9% detection rate | |
| Advanced Firewall | Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic | |
| True Key Password Manager | Multi-factor authentication and secure password storage | |
| 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 Norton 360 and McAfee offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Secure VPN, Identity Theft Protection.
Norton 360 unique strengths: Antivirus Protection, Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring. This makes it ideal for families needing multi-device protection.
McAfee unique strengths: Real-time Antivirus Protection, Advanced Firewall, True Key Password Manager. This makes it better suited for families needing multi-device protection.
Norton 360 offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while McAfee provides 10 features and 8 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Norton 360 edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Norton 360 offers more features for the price. McAfee remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize families needing multi-device protection.
Norton 360
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Try Norton 360McAfee
Best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests.
Try McAfeePros & Cons
Norton 360 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
- 100% virus protection promise
- Multi-device support across all platforms
- Strong identity theft protection with LifeLock integration
Cons
- No free tier available
- Significant price increases after promotional period
- Some advanced features locked to higher-tier plans
- Requires payment details for free trial
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.
Norton 360
subscription- 1 device
- Antivirus protection
- Malware & ransomware protection
- 3 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Secure VPN
- 5 devices
- All Standard features
- Parental controls
- 10 devices
- All Deluxe features
- Identity theft protection
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
Norton 360 Pricing: Paid plans start at $19.99/annually. 4 plans available: Norton AntiVirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus.
McAfee Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $29.99/annually. 4 plans available: Essential, Premium, Advanced, Ultimate.
Verdict: Norton 360 is more affordable at the entry level. However, McAfee may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, Norton 360 is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing families needing multi-device protection, McAfee's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Norton 360 if you need:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Individuals concerned about identity theft
- Those seeking AI-powered scam protection
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
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 Norton 360 if: You need families needing multi-device protection or users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. It excels at comprehensive all-in-one security suite and ai-powered scam and deepfake protection.
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: Norton 360 has a slight edge with a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews. However, Norton 360 has a larger user base with 15,000 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.
Norton 360 vs McAfee FAQ
What are the main differences between Norton 360 and McAfee?
Norton 360 focuses on families needing multi-device protection with comprehensive all-in-one security suite, 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 Norton 360 or McAfee 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 Norton 360's lower starting price of $19.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Norton 360 and McAfee?
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/month, while McAfee starts at $29.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Norton 360 integrate with McAfee?
While direct integration may vary, both Norton 360 and McAfee support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while McAfee works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Norton 360 or McAfee?
Based on user reviews, Norton 360 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. Norton 360 is known for ai-powered scam and deepfake protection.
Does Norton 360 or McAfee offer better customer support?
Both Norton 360 and McAfee provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Norton 360 offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Norton 360 compared to McAfee?
Norton 360's main advantages include: Comprehensive all-in-one security suite, AI-powered scam and deepfake protection, 100% virus protection promise. Compared to McAfee, it's particularly strong for families needing multi-device protection.
What are the cons of Norton 360 compared to McAfee?
Norton 360's potential drawbacks include: No free tier available, Significant price increases after promotional period. McAfee may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Norton 360 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, Norton 360 leads in this comparison with a 4.3 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Norton 360 excels for families needing multi-device protection, while McAfee is ideal for families needing multi-device protection.