TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malw...
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware prote...
TotalAV vs McAfee: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of TotalAV and McAfee covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
TotalAV vs McAfee: Overview
Choosing between TotalAV and McAfee is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
TotalAV offers a free tier and starts at $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.
TotalAV is best known for perfect scores in av-test evaluations, 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
TotalAV
- Best for: Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, Families needing multi-device coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 2016
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 TotalAV and McAfee.
| Feature | T TotalAV | M McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Protection | Scans downloads, installs, and executables automatically | |
| Malware Detection | Award-winning antivirus engine with zero-day cloud scanning | |
| WebShield Protection | Blocks malicious websites and phishing attacks | |
| VPN Service | Internet Security and Total Security plans only | |
| Password Manager | Total Security plan only | |
| Ad Blocker | Total Adblock included in all plans | |
| System Optimization | Disk cleaner and browser cleanup tools | |
| Data Breach Monitoring | Monitors email for appearances in known breaches | |
| Multi-Platform Support | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android compatibility | |
| Cloud Storage | 2GB free secure cloud storage | |
| 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 TotalAV and McAfee offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
TotalAV unique strengths: Real-time Protection, Malware Detection, WebShield Protection. This makes it ideal for budget-conscious 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.
TotalAV offers 10 core features with 7 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. TotalAV remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize budget-conscious 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 McAfeeTotalAV
Best for Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection and Families needing multi-device coverage. Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations.
Try TotalAVPros & Cons
TotalAV Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
- Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking
- Competitive pricing with valuable bundles
- User-friendly interface for beginners
Cons
- Significant price increase upon renewal
- Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities
- Auto-renewal enabled by default
- Mac protection scores lower than Windows/Android
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.
TotalAV
subscription- Real-time antivirus protection
- 3 device licenses
- System tune-up tools
- Everything in Premium
- 6 device licenses
- Safe Browsing VPN
- Everything in Internet Security
- 8 device licenses
- Total Password manager
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
TotalAV Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $99/annually. 3 plans available: TotalAV Premium, Internet Security, Total Security.
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, TotalAV may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, McAfee is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, TotalAV's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose TotalAV if you need:
- Budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families needing multi-device coverage
- Users wanting antivirus plus VPN bundle
- Beginners who prefer simple interfaces
- Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations
- Minimal impact on system performance
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 TotalAV if: You need budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection or families needing multi-device coverage. It excels at perfect scores in av-test evaluations and minimal impact on system performance.
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, TotalAV 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.
TotalAV vs McAfee FAQ
What are the main differences between TotalAV and McAfee?
TotalAV focuses on budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection with perfect scores in av-test evaluations, 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 TotalAV or McAfee better for small businesses?
TotalAV 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 TotalAV and McAfee?
TotalAV starts at $99/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 TotalAV integrate with McAfee?
While direct integration may vary, both TotalAV and McAfee support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. TotalAV integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, while McAfee works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, TotalAV 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. TotalAV is known for minimal impact on system performance.
Does TotalAV or McAfee offer better customer support?
Both TotalAV and McAfee provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. TotalAV offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of TotalAV compared to McAfee?
TotalAV's main advantages include: Perfect scores in AV-TEST evaluations, Minimal impact on system performance, Excellent WebShield malicious site blocking. Compared to McAfee, it's particularly strong for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of TotalAV compared to McAfee?
TotalAV's potential drawbacks include: Significant price increase upon renewal, Lacks behavior-based detection capabilities. McAfee may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from TotalAV 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. TotalAV excels for budget-conscious users seeking comprehensive protection, while McAfee is ideal for families needing multi-device protection.