The rivalry between McAfee and Norton in the realm of antivirus software has persisted for years in the sectors catered to consumers, small enterprises, and corporations. With the rise of Windows 95 and subsequent operating systems in the late nineties, these two brands gained widespread recognition. As the PC world faced a deluge of viruses and other cyber threats, vendors like Norton and McAfee swiftly emerged. Almost every computer user had one of their products installed. Throughout the years, I have utilized both on my computers and laptops, and they have generally met my expectations.
Fast forward twenty-five years, and the landscape has transformed. A plethora of antivirus options now exists, and a myriad of new threats require attention. Nevertheless, antivirus software remains a fundamental component of cybersecurity. The endurance of Norton and McAfee speaks volumes about the effectiveness of their antivirus solutions. But, which one reigns supreme?
- Norton Antivirus Plus: Ideal for individuals seeking robust antivirus protection along with a password manager and cloud storage at an unbeatable price.
- McAfee Total Protection: Perfect for those in need of strong antivirus protection, a VPN, identity monitoring, and a firewall at an affordable rate.
Comparative Analysis of Norton Antivirus Plus and McAfee Total Protection
| Rating (out of 5) | ||
| Initial Cost | ||
| Antivirus and Malware Protection | ||
| Scan Speed | ||
| False Alarms | ||
| Additional Perks | ||
|
|
Norton Antivirus Plus vs Norton Total Protection: Pricing
Victor: Norton AV Plus
Norton Antivirus Plus cost
- The price tag of Norton AV Plus is usually $85 per year for five devices. Currently, there is a promotional offer lowering it to $30 per year if paid annually. I tested out a seven-day free trial but had to hunt for it on the website. The company clearly emphasized purchasing the service with a 60-day money-back guarantee rather than opting for a free trial.
If you desire more than the fundamental consumer-level AV plan, there was an option to include an additional 50 GB of cloud storage, a password manager, and more for $50 per year, or the Lifelock identity protection service, a VPN, and a range of other security features for $100 per year.
McAfee Total Protection cost
- McAfee Total Protection is priced at $120 per year, discounted to $40 on a special deal. With the inclusion of the VPN, firewall, and identity monitoring, making a direct apples-to-apples comparison was quite challenging. The trial period I enrolled in spans 30 days. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee is provided.
Pricing becomes intricate due to the array of versions available. $50 per year grants you AI-powered technology, $90 adds one million dollars of identity theft protection and bank/credit card monitoring. For $200, you receive all the aforementioned features with a bump to two million in ID protection, along with $25,000 in ransomware protection and enhanced safeguards for financial accounts.
Norton Antivirus Plus vs McAfee Total Protection: Feature comparison
Antivirus and malicious software protection
Winner: Draw
I appreciated that Norton Antivirus Plus encompasses various aspects such as hoax, antivirus, malicious software, ransomware, and cyberattack protection. Additional layers of security are available as you move up to the pricier packages that integrate encryption, Wi-Fi security, ad blocking, dark web monitoring, and more. Despite this, the elementary protection features of AV Plus address the essential requirements.
SEE: NordVPN Review (2024): Is NordVPN Worth the Cost? (TechRepublic)
In comparison, McAfee Total Protection covers a similar spectrum and includes a security score and firewall. Nevertheless, Norton AV Plus offers cloud backup and a password manager. There is minimal distinction between the two.
Scan velocity
Winner: Norton AV Plus
Norton Antivirus Plus and McAfee Total Protection underwent thorough testing across a variety of speed examinations and benchmarks. Norton AV Plus emerges victorious in terms of scanning speed. Its complete and swift scans for antivirus and malicious software at times finish in about half the duration of those conducted with McAfee Total Protection. Nonetheless, I generally multitask while scanning runs in the background, so I rarely focus on the duration.
In contrast, McAfee tends to utilize fewer system resources for scanning compared to Norton. There is a trade-off between various aspects. Overall, though, Norton Antivirus Plus is recognized for its scanning speed.
Incorrect Positives
Champion: McAfee Total Protection
Incorrect positives are the nemesis of security systems. Sometimes, numerous alerts are triggered, causing a sense of inundation. Especially when some of these alerts are incorrect, unnecessary effort can ensue.
During the past quarter-century, I’ve observed both McAfee and Norton tools being culpable of providing an excessive number of alerts, many of which were futile. However, times have changed. Both Norton Antivirus Plus and McAfee Total Protection excel in minimizing incorrect positives, but McAfee produces fewer misleading alerts.
Supplementary attributes
Champion: Tie
Due to their diverse configurations in terms of components included in each bundle, conducting a direct comparison between McAfee and Norton on AV can be challenging. There are numerous similarities, but each integrates different components alongside their fundamental AV/malware offering. Norton Antivirus Plus offers a 2 GB cloud backup and a respectable password manager. McAfee Total Protection includes VPN, internet protection, and identity monitoring.
SEE: Everything You Need to Know about the Malvertising Cybersecurity Threat (TechRepublic Premium)
Which is the superior basic package? It varies. Individuals lacking a password manager and desiring hassle-free cloud backup space will likely lean towards Norton. Others seeking a VPN and identity monitoring might lean more towards McAfee. Nonetheless, for slightly more money, you can usually supplement additional security features that meet your requirements.
Norton Antivirus Plus advantages and drawbacks
Merits of Norton Antivirus Plus
- More economical than McAfee Total Protection.
- Rapid scans covering a comprehensive array of potential AV and malware risks.
- 2 GB of cloud backup storage with the option to upgrade for an additional 50 GB with a $10 fee.
- Includes a password manager.
Drawbacks of Norton Antivirus Plus
- Scanning consumes computing resources, which can occasionally impact user experience.
- Occasional occurrences of incorrect positives.
McAfee Total Protection strengths and limitations
Advantages of McAfee Total Protection
- Complimentary VPN included.
- Diverse array of security features, incorporating AV, malware scanning, identity monitoring, and a firewall.
- Relatively few instances of incorrect positives.
Limitations of McAfee Total Protection
- Pricier compared to Norton AV Plus
- Slower scanning capabilities than Norton.
Norton Antivirus Plus vs McAfee Total Protection on Reddit
Reddit users have varying opinions on Norton vs McAfee. One user expressed: “I would opt for Norton over McAfee but personally wouldn’t endorse either.” Another stated, “For me, McAfee [is superior] as I used it a long time ago.”Utilize Norton: Every instance I encounter malware on my computer necessitates a system reboot and a complete reinstallation of my drivers around twice a year. However, ever since I switched to McAfee nearly 15 years ago, I have not encountered this issue.
REFER TO: The 6 Top Antivirus Software Providers for Mac in 2024 (TechRepublic)
On the flip side, another individual expressed a contradicting viewpoint, stating, “Norton [is terrible]. It simply does not identify threats effectively. I switched from Norton to McAfee (better).” Several observant Reddit users were critical of both solutions. It is worth noting that Reddit is predominantly frequented by proficient power users and IT experts; hence, consumer-centric tools are typically not well-received.
Is Norton Antivirus Plus or McAfee Total Protection more suitable for your business?
If you should opt for Norton Antivirus Plus:
- If you are looking to minimize costs while obtaining a reliable antivirus suite.
- If you do not have a password management tool or are considering switching from your current one.
- If you lack a cloud backup service or are contemplating replacing your existing one.
If you should opt for McAfee Total Protection:
- If you desire an antivirus solution that utilizes minimal system resources during scans.
- If you have a strong dislike for false positives.
- If you desire identity monitoring and a firewall without additional charges.
Frequently inquired questions
Is it necessary to use both Norton and McAfee on my device?
No, selecting one over the other is sufficient. Both products offer similar features, making it redundant to install both. Moreover, having both tools simultaneously could lead to conflicts, as each may attempt to be the default antivirus application and counteract the other.
Does McAfee provide a VPN service?
Indeed, McAfee Total Protection includes a VPN service. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals seeking basic antivirus and malware protection combined with a VPN.
Can Norton completely eliminate all viruses?
While Norton Antivirus Plus has thorough virus and malware definitions, there remains a slight possibility that a new, unique threat could slip through. This holds true for McAfee Total Protection as well.
Does McAfee offer ad-blocking functionality?
Absolutely, ad blocking is a feature included in McAfee Total Protection.
What additional utilities are provided with Norton Antivirus Plus?
Norton includes a reliable password manager and cloud backup storage at no additional cost.
Methodology
I conducted comparisons between both products, referencing analyst reports, expert evaluations, peer feedback, reviews from TechRepublic and TechnologyAdvice, speed evaluations, and independent lab results for each product. This involved a comprehensive assessment of their features, pricing, and real-world performance.
Conclusion: Which is the superior option – Norton Antivirus Plus or McAfee?
After examining both products, I found minimal differences between them. While Norton received marginally higher ratings, the variance is not substantial enough to sway users towards one product over the other. Both solutions are capable of fulfilling the required tasks. The decision lies in nuances, with a few minor distinctions dictating user preferences based on individual needs.
About Author
