McAfee Pricing (April 2026)
How much does McAfee cost?
McAfee offers a free plan with paid tiers starting at $29.99/yr.
All Plans
Essential
- 5 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Firewall
- Password manager
- VPN
- Identity monitoring
Premium
- Unlimited devices
- Antivirus protection
- VPN
- Password manager
- Identity monitoring
- Personal data cleanup scans
Advanced
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($1M)
- Credit monitoring
- Full-service data cleanup
- Identity restoration
Ultimate
- Unlimited devices
- Identity theft coverage ($2M)
- 3-bureau credit monitoring
- Credit lock
- Ransomware coverage
McAfee Pricing Breakdown
McAfee's pricing strategy is designed to provide flexibility while offering comprehensive protection across different user needs. The pricing model follows a tiered approach, with significant first-year discounts that transition to higher renewal rates. Understanding these pricing nuances is crucial for making an informed decision.
The entry-level McAfee Basic plan starts at an attractive $29.99 for the first year, covering a single device with core antivirus protection. However, for most users, the Essential plan at $39.99 offers better value, providing coverage for up to five devices and including a VPN and password manager. The McAfee+ Premium plan, priced at $49.99 initially, represents the best overall value for most consumers, offering unlimited device coverage and advanced identity monitoring features.
Higher-tier plans like McAfee+ Advanced ($89.99 first year) and Ultimate ($199.99 first year) provide increasingly comprehensive protection. These plans include full personal data cleanup, extensive identity theft coverage, and credit monitoring services. While the initial prices are competitive, it's critical to note that renewal rates can increase significantly, sometimes jumping to $149.99 or $249.99 annually.
Compared to competitors like Norton, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky, McAfee sits at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. However, the unlimited device coverage and integrated identity protection features can offset the higher cost for families or users with multiple devices. The key is to carefully evaluate your specific security needs and compare the total value of features against the price.
To maximize value, consider these strategies: look for promotional discounts, opt for multi-year plans to reduce the average annual cost, and take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to thoroughly test the service. Always factor in the renewal price when making your initial selection.
Feature Breakdown by Plan
| Feature | Essential | Premium | Advanced | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 devices | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Antivirus protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firewall | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Password manager | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPN | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Identity monitoring | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Unlimited devices | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal data cleanup scans | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Identity theft coverage ($1M) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Credit monitoring | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Full-service data cleanup | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Identity restoration | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Identity theft coverage ($2M) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 3-bureau credit monitoring | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Credit lock | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ransomware coverage | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Team Cost Calculator
Estimated annually costs based on team size (price per user × team members):
| Team Size | Essential | Premium | Advanced | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $199.95/yr | $249.95/yr | $449.95/yr | $999.95/yr |
| 10 users | $399.90/yr | $499.90/yr | $899.90/yr | $1,999.90/yr |
| 25 users | $999.75/yr | $1,249.75/yr | $2,249.75/yr | $4,999.75/yr |
| 50 users | $1,999.50/yr | $2,499.50/yr | $4,499.50/yr | $9,999.50/yr |
Is McAfee Worth It?
The free plan lets you test core functionality before committing.
Paid plans range from $39.99/yr (Essential) to $199.99/yr (Ultimate). Most users pick the Premium plan.
Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage, Individuals wanting all-in-one security suite. Keep in mind: expensive renewal rates after first year.
McAfee Pros & Cons
- 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
- 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