What is McAfee?
McAfee is an American cybersecurity company headquartered in San Jose, California, that has built consumer antivirus software since 1987. Its flagship consumer suite, McAfee Total Protection, provides real-time virus and ransomware scanning, a two-way firewall, a password manager, web protection against phishing sites, and a secure VPN. Coverage ranges from a single device up to unlimited devices depending on the plan.
Higher tiers, sold under the McAfee+ name, add identity monitoring, credit monitoring through TransUnion, and identity theft insurance. McAfee applications run on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with a web portal for managing devices and subscriptions. McAfee offers a 30 day free trial and a money back guarantee, though it does not sell a permanent free antivirus plan the way some competitors do.
Key Features of McAfee
Here are the powerful features that make McAfee stand out from the competition. Packed with innovative tools and advanced functionalities, this software offers a range of benefits.
- Real-time antivirus and anti-malware scanning
- Ransomware protection with behavior-based detection
- Two-way firewall
- Secure VPN (unlimited on Plus tier and above)
- Password manager
- Web protection and anti-phishing browser extension (WebAdvisor)
- Identity monitoring and dark web alerts (McAfee+ tiers)
- Credit monitoring and identity theft insurance (Advanced tier)
- PC performance optimization and file shredder
- Parental controls (Premium tier and above)
McAfee Pricing
Here are the pricing plans for McAfee. Choose the plan that best fits your requirements and budget.
Basic
$84.99/year
1 device
Standard renewal rate; commonly sold with a discounted first-year promotional price of $29.99. Includes antivirus, firewall, and password manager.
Plus
$39.99/year (first year)
5 devices
Introductory first-year price; McAfee states renewal pricing is higher. Adds secure VPN.
Premium
$49.99/year (first year)
Unlimited devices
Introductory first-year price; renews at a higher standard rate. Adds parental controls and data broker removal guidance.
Advanced
$89.99/year (first year)
Unlimited devices
Introductory first-year price; renews at a higher standard rate. Adds $1 million identity theft insurance and full-service data removal.
McAfee Specifications
Get a closer look at the technical specifications and system requirements for McAfee. Find out if it's compatible with your operating system and other software.
- hybrid
- web app
- windows
- macos
- ios
- android
- freelancers
- startups
- smes
- phone
- live support
- tickets
McAfee Videos
Alternatives of McAfee
AlternativesExplore alternative software options that can fulfill similar requirements as McAfee. Evaluate their features, pricing, and user feedback to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Consumer antivirus from Sophos with free and premium plans for up to 10 devices
Cloud-based antivirus and internet security software from Trend Micro, headquartered in Tokyo
Cloud-based antivirus with fast scanning, identity protection, and multi-device coverage for home users.
McAfee Comparisons
Compare McAfee with other similar options available. Explore the key differences to see why it's the top choice for businesses and individuals.
Overall McAfee Reviews
Here's our unbiased review of McAfee. Discover how our team of experts rates its features, ease of use, customer support, and other aspects that contribute to its overall appeal.