McAfee vs Kaspersky (2024): Which Solution Should Your Team Opt for?

When it comes to antivirus solutions, McAfee and Kaspersky are both well-known options that come with a mix of advantages and disadvantages.

Kaspersky boasts top-notch detection capabilities and antivirus performance; however, it has faced a setback due to being banned in the United States amid allegations of ties to the Russian government. In contrast, McAfee, known for its heavy advertising, lags behind despite offering satisfactory scanning functionalities.

This discussion will help you determine the most suitable antivirus solution for your team and organization.

• McAfee: Ideal for individuals and small businesses based in the U.S. who prioritize a comprehensive security suite under one subscription.
• Kaspersky: Perfect for international users seeking a lightweight yet effective antivirus solution with top-tier threat protection and detection capabilities.

Comparison of Features: McAfee vs Kaspersky

In this review, we will compare the overall antivirus offerings of McAfee and Kaspersky. While both providers offer various antivirus plans, the aim here is to present a general comparison of their antivirus offerings.

Check out: The Top 9 Antivirus Software for Businesses in 2024 (TechRepublic)

This comparison involves assessing aspects like detection results, additional security features, and the impact on devices of these antivirus solutions.

Pricing Details for McAfee and Kaspersky Antivirus

McAfee Pricing

McAfee provides five subscription options for its antivirus service, catering to single and multiple device protection. Here’s a brief overview of pricing and feature distinctions for each plan:

McAfee offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to its annual subscribers. It’s important to note that the prices listed above are for the first year of McAfee’s antivirus plans.

For more: CrowdStrike vs Trellix (2024): Main Points of Distinction (TechRepublic)

Renewal pricing may vary after the initial year, so it’s advisable to consider this aspect when budgeting for a McAfee subscription.

Kaspersky Pricing

Considering Kaspersky’s ban in the U.S. in 2024, the prices shown below are sourced from the official Kaspersky website in the United Kingdom.

Within its consumer antivirus offerings, Kaspersky has three plans: Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Standard, and Plus. Below are the prices for each tier for a single device; each plan can be customized based on the number of devices required.

For small and medium-sized businesses, Kaspersky presents its Service for Small Offices. Similar to its offerings for consumers, the final cost depends on the number of devices that require protection and whether you opt for a one-year or two-year subscription.

• Kaspersky Small Office Security 1 year: £185 per year; 5 devices.
• Kaspersky Small Office Security 1 year: £330 per year; 10 devices.
• Kaspersky Small Office Security 2 years: £290 per year; 5 devices.
• Kaspersky Small Office Security 2 years: £530 per year; 10 devices.

Small Office Security comprises business-oriented functionalities such as a key manager, protection against fraud and ransomware, and an integrated VPN.

Direct comparison: McAfee vs Kaspersky

Regarding the U.S. ban on Kaspersky

Prior to proceeding, it is essential to address the ban imposed on Kaspersky in the United States in 2024. On June 20, 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security announced the prohibition of sale of Kaspersky cybersecurity products and antivirus software starting on September 29, 2024, at 12:00 AM EDT. The BIS stated that Kaspersky’s products posed security risks to the U.S. due to its ties with Russia.

The U.S. government asserted that Kaspersky exposed the U.S. and its citizens to potential espionage, data theft, or system malfunction because Kaspersky Lab, being based in Russia, is under the control and jurisdiction of the Russian government.

In light of this, I cannot recommend Kaspersky to any business or individual currently residing in the United States. The ban not only restricts the sale of Kaspersky products but also hinders any future antivirus signature or codebase updates for the product.

You can access the complete BIS statement regarding Kaspersky.

Although I cannot offer geopolitical analysis on Kaspersky’s situation, I believe users outside the U.S. should be informed of this development before purchasing any of Kaspersky’s cybersecurity solutions.

Detection of threats and impartial test outcomes

Despite antiviruses transforming into feature-rich solutions, their primary function remains scanning and identifying threats within your system. One method to establish a baseline understanding of how these two services perform in this aspect is to review lab results from independent antivirus evaluation organizations.

SEE: Bitdefender vs McAfee: Contrast EDR Software (TechRepublic)

In particular, I have collated the ratings of McAfee and Kaspersky from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, which are among the most reputable antivirus testing firms in the industry.

Firstly, let’s assess how these two vendors fared on AV-TEST. The scores below present ratings from the AV-TEST evaluation of the leading home antivirus solutions tested in April 2024. Being a Windows user, I focused on the results for the Windows version of both providers.

As observed, both McAfee and Kaspersky achieved perfect scores across all categories. With a final protection rating of 6/6 by AV-TEST, these two antivirus services deliver exceptional security performance in both identifying malware and implementing protective measures against them.

On examining AV-Comparatives, similar outcomes were obtained. In the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test conducted from February to May 2024, the two solutions registered identical protection rates.

The presented test results reveal that both McAfee and Kaspersky deliver top-notch malware detection and protection capabilities, regardless of the chosen provider.

Effect on system performance

Reviewing the impact of each antivirus software on system performance, we refer once more to the findings of AV-TEST.

Both McAfee and Kaspersky achieved a flawless 6/6 for Performance in the recent April 2024. This indicates that both services had minimal impact on computer speed while the antivirus was active or running.

SEE: Bitdefender vs Kaspersky (2024): Which Solution Is Better? (TechRepublic)

However, when it comes to McAfee specifically, there are mixed reviews qualitatively.

In a post in the antivirus Reddit community, several users mentioned that McAfee tends to inundate users with pop-up messages and can heavily consume system resources. Two individuals even referred to McAfee as “adware” due to difficulties in uninstalling it.

Conversely, I came across a Reddit thread comparing Kaspersky where a user highlighted that the antivirus was lightweight and made minimal impact on system resources.

Nevertheless, the user experience with either solution may differ based on individual systems and other contributing factors.

Inclusive security functionalities

Both McAfee and Kaspersky offer a range of additional security features. McAfee provides AI-driven real-time protection, identity theft monitoring, scam protection, personal data cleanup, and even includes a VPN service.

A subscription to McAfee also includes the True Key password manager software. To learn more about True Key itself, feel free to explore our detailed McAfee True Key review.

On the other hand, Kaspersky offers its own set of features, such as anti-phishing protection, secure web browsing, a two-way firewall, performance optimization capabilities, a VPN, and a password management service in its premium plans.

I personally appreciate how Kaspersky provides a completely free version of its desktop antivirus solution. This allows users to experience the solution without requiring an initial paid subscription.

McAfee advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Exceptional detection rate.
• Provides a range of subscription choices.
• Can opt for plans with password manager and VPN included.

Disadvantages

• Noted for being demanding in terms of system resources.
• Developed a reputation for displaying intrusive ads.

Kaspersky advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Effective threat detection and performance.
• Easily manageable and minimal impact on system performance.
• Features a complimentary version.

Disadvantages

• Banned in the United States.
• Accused of having ties to Russia.

Should your firm choose McAfee or Kaspersky?

Due to the recent prohibition of Kaspersky antivirus and other cybersecurity products in the United States, I have to favor McAfee. It’s uncommon for one of our comparisons to be influenced by such a significant event — especially with an antivirus provider as popular and efficient as Kaspersky.

SEE: How to Initiate a Career in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)

While non-U.S. users or organizations can still procure and utilize Kaspersky, there is an underlying concern that other regions may also impose a ban in the near future. Regardless of the veracity of the Russian allegations, companies may prefer not to risk involving themselves with Kaspersky given its current circumstances. Personally, I feel it’s not wise to take a security and financial risk for a software solution that might eventually be banned in my locality.

To McAfee’s merit, it furnishes a robust antivirus bundle with potent threat detection, a wide array of supplementary security features, and an extensive selection of subscription options. Additionally, it boasts a user-friendly money-back guarantee policy for individuals inclined towards trying an antivirus service with less commitment.

Methodology

My comparative analysis between McAfee and Kaspersky’s antivirus solutions entailed a thorough examination of each product’s practical performance, value, and antivirus capabilities.

In particular, I scrutinized the respective antivirus functionalities of both providers, encompassing threat scanning and detection, real-time malware protection, system performance impact, and other supplementary security attributes.

This assessment was carried out by referencing the official documentation of both products and consulting assessments from reputable antivirus testing bodies like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives.

Furthermore, I incorporated genuine user feedback from community forums and trustworthy review platforms to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each solution.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

See author's posts

Tags: antivirus, bring, Cloud Security, equal, Kaspersky, McAfee, McAfee vs Kaspersky, negatives On, popular, positives, Security, solutions, that