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McAfee vs Norton, which is the best option for you in 2024?
This is one of the most asked questions in the cybersecurity industry. Norton aces the antivirus market, with about 80 million users in more than 150 countries. Whereas, McAfee ended 2021 with a whopping 18 million subscribers. And they stand as the most used cybersecurity software tools in 2024 as well.
It’s clear that these tools are widely sought-after and that they offer robust cybersecurity solutions to their users. However, which one is the better choice for you depends on your requirements and the device you use. So let’s break it down to make the selection process easier for you.
McAfee vs Norton: Protecting Devices Comprehensively
McAfee offers comprehensive protection from cybersecurity threats and remains among the top in the industry in 2024. If you’re looking for reliable protection, robust password protection and management, VPN, and identity protection, this one’s the true king in it.
We tested McAfee for three months and found its malware protection a hundred percent accurate. It might be a bit costly for those looking for affordable options, but the performance is worth every penny. This set us in the positive direction for our cybersecurity tool choice.
On the other hand, Norton offers a suite of tools to handle your cybersecurity with utmost accuracy. Cutting-edge Norton 360 offers Anti-Spyware, Antivirus, Malware & Ransomware Protection, and much more.
This antivirus solution comes with it all, including password management, parent control, a reliable VPN, and best of all, compatibility across various devices. It’s also cheaper than McAfee, though with more features you add, the prices can rise.
McAfee vs Norton: Looking at the Specifics
Real-time Malware Protection
While Norton and McAfee both provide a great range of features for real-time protection, our real-life test found McAfee’s malware detection to be highly accurate. But does that mean Norton’s malware isn’t accurate?
False. Norton’s malware and antivirus detention is 99% accurate, the same as McAfee, and if put to test next to next, McAfee took longer and consumed more computer resources to run the scan.
Online Protection
Norton’s online protection is reliable and resilient against cyber threats. It has a Safe Web tool that protects you against fake websites and easily helps you recognize which site is secure to visit and which is not. Whereas, McAfee has a WebAdvisor feature that makes sure that you don’t mistakenly click or type something that will land you on a fake website.
Moreover, Norton Secure VPN, a virtual private network, helps you hide your digital footprints by encrypting your internet connection and allowing you to browse the internet through a different server. As compared to an average VPN provider, Norton Secure is 2.5x fast, reliable, and offers foolproof security while on a public network. It also has the fastest upload and download speeds.
McAfee VPN uses bank-grade encryption to protect your data, the same one that banks use, in addition to the features offered by Norton Secure VPN. The only downside is that it’s more expensive than Norton’s Secure VPN.
Firewall protection
Firewall protection is necessary to keep out the malicious actors from accessing your system. Norton 360 Deluxe’s Smart Firewall works in tandem with Intrusion Prevention Systems, offering robust security on the internet overall.
Moreover, it conceals unused ports to restrict third-party access. Conversely, this firewall also prevents you from entering malicious sites, though the accuracy is somewhat limited when it comes to that.
McAfee works just the same though its false positives are not many. So it’s safe to say that both these leading cybersecurity software providers offer robust firewall protection.
McAfee vs Norton: Price Comparison
Here’s a comparison between McAfee and Norton and how cost-effective they can be in terms of features and devices:
| Plan Name | Norton Price (Per Year) | McAfee Price (Per Year) | Features |
| Basic/Antivirus Plus | $19.99 for 1 device | $29.99 for 1 device | VPN (Norton: No, McAfee: Yes), Firewall, Password Manager |
| Standard/Premium | $39.99 for 3 devices | $59.99 for unlimited devices | VPN, Firewall, Password Manager, Identity Protection (McAfee only) |
| Deluxe/Advanced | $49.99 for 5 devices | $89.99 for unlimited devices | VPN, Firewall, Password Manager, Parental Controls (Norton only), Identity Protection |
| Ultimate/LifeLock Select | $99.99 for 10 devices | $199.99 for unlimited devices | VPN, Firewall, Password Manager, Dark Web Monitoring, Cloud Backup (Norton only), Identity Protection |
| Mobile Security | $14.99 for 1 device | $30 for 3 devices | VPN, Firewall, Password Manager |
While Norton is more cost-friendly, both come with their strengths and weaknesses. McAfee’s higher prices are compensated by the fact that it offers unlimited offers from Premium plans onwards and adds additional features such as identity protection and file shredders in all plans. Though on fewer devices, Norton offers additional features such as cloud backup and dark web monitoring.
Features Comparison for Premium Plans: McAfee+ Premium vs Norton 360 Deluxe
Let’s have a comparative look at the features that McAfee+Premium and Norton 360 Deluxe, both top-tier premium plans, offer:
| Feature | McAfee+ Premium | Norton 360 Deluxe |
| Devices Covered | Unlimited | 5 devices |
| Real-time Threat Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Firewall | Yes | Yes |
| VPN | Yes | Yes |
| Password Manager | Yes | Yes |
| Parental Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Identity Theft Protection | Yes | No |
| Cloud Backup | No | 50 GB |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Safe Browsing/Web Protection | Yes | Yes |
| File Shredder | Yes | No |
| Anti-Phishing | Yes | Yes |
| System Performance Optimization | Yes | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 60 days |
| 24/7 Customer Support | Yes | Yes |
User Compatibility with McAfee vs Norton
The installation and setup processes for Norton and McAfee are both easy to use. Their applications are easy to use and navigate.
Depending on which one you like more, desktop app designs aren’t antiquated or overloaded with menus and buttons. Regarding smartphones and their applications, I’ve found that Norton provides the majority of the functionality, while iOS users should anticipate a few fewer.
While carrying out identical tasks, McAfee places more of an emphasis on using specialist tools to enhance your device’s performance. Though you have to open a lot of additional tabs and applications in Norton’s interface to uncover features, McAfee is simpler to use.
The Bottom Line: Verdict
With the comprehensive overview of the two cybersecurity giants, McAfee vs Norton, it’s difficult to declare a winner. This is because they both have robust cybersecurity features, and strive to serve their customers efficiently. If it boils down to which one should you buy, think about all the features that one has and the other doesn’t. Check out their prices. And if you get what you want at a cheaper price, go with that one. Simple as that!
FAQs
Do I need both Norton and McAfee on my computer?
No. You don’t need to purchase both McAfee and Norton and install them on your computer since they both provide comprehensive cybersecurity. Choose the one that best suits your needs, and go with that one.
Is Norton worth it anymore?
Definitely. Norton still has one of the largest user bases when it comes to cybersecurity. It provides complete digital security, enhancing your online experience.
