M
McAfee4.3/5vsN
Norton 3604.3/5McAfee vs Norton 360 (March 2026)
| MMcAfee | NNorton 360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $19.99/yr |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Best For | Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage | Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite |
Quick Verdict
Both McAfee and Norton 360 earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Quick Overview
M
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware protection, VPN, password management, and ide...
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Starting price: Free
- Category: Antivirus Software
- Founded: 1987
- Pricing model: subscription
N
Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and cloud backup in one platform. O...
- Best for: Families needing multi-device protection, Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Starting price: $19.99/yr
- Category: Antivirus Software
- Founded: 1991
- Pricing model: subscription
Feature Comparison
| Feature | McAfee | Norton 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Antivirus Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Advanced Firewall | ✓ | ✗ |
| Secure VPN | ✓ | ✓ |
| True Key Password Manager | ✓ | ✗ |
| Identity Theft Protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Personal Data Cleanup | ✓ | ✗ |
| File Shredder | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Safe Family Parental Controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Credit Monitoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Antivirus Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Password Manager | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dark Web Monitoring | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI Scam Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Parental Controls | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cloud Backup | ✗ | ✓ |
| 100% Virus Protection Promise | ✗ | ✓ |
| Deepfake Protection | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
McAfee
Free
Starting price
subscription · 4 plans
Essential
$39.99/yrPremiumPopular
$49.99/yrAdvanced
$89.99/yrUltimate
$199.99/yrNorton 360
$19.99/yr
Starting price
subscription · 4 plans
Norton AntiVirus Plus
$19.99/yrNorton 360 StandardPopular
$39.99/yrNorton 360 Deluxe
$49.99/yrNorton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus
$59.99/yrPros & Cons
McAfee
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Norton 360
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one security suite
- AI-powered scam and deepfake protection
- 100% virus protection promise
- Multi-device support across all platforms
Cons
- No free tier available
- Significant price increases after promotional period
- Some advanced features locked to higher-tier plans
- Requires payment details for free trial
Which Is Best for You?
M
Choose McAfee if:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage
- Individuals wanting all-in-one security suite
- Those prioritizing malware protection performance
- You want to start with a free plan
N
Choose Norton 360 if:
- Families needing multi-device protection
- Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite
- Individuals concerned about identity theft
- Those seeking AI-powered scam protection
- Budget is a priority ($19.99 vs $29.99)
Our Verdict
🏆
MMcAfee — WinnerNNorton 360 — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, McAfee takes the lead in this comparison, though both tools share an identical 4.3/5 rating.
McAfee is best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage. Excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests.
Norton 360 remains a strong alternative, especially for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Comprehensive all-in-one security suite.
Pricing-wise, Norton 360 is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both McAfee and Norton 360 earn a 4.3/5 rating — your choice depends on which feature set and pricing model fits your workflow best.
Norton 360 starts at $19.99/yr, while McAfee starts at $29.99/yr (free tier available).
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
McAfee integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Norton 360 integrates with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. McAfee is best for Families needing multi-device protection and Users seeking comprehensive identity theft coverage, while Norton 360 excels for Families needing multi-device protection and Users wanting comprehensive cybersecurity suite. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
McAfee has a 4.3/5 rating from 15,000 reviews, while Norton 360 scores 4.3/5 from 15,000 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, Norton 360 may be more budget-friendly starting at $19.99/yr. However, McAfee (Free) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. McAfee has 4 plans while Norton 360 has 4 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both McAfee and Norton 360 offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose McAfee if you prioritize excellent malware detection rates in independent lab tests and want to start free. Choose Norton 360 if you value comprehensive all-in-one security suite.