Avast vs. McAfee 2025: Near Tie Between Strong Contenders

We compared two antivirus giants, Avast and McAfee, and decided that McAfee eked out the win. McAfee, a top antivirus that receives some of the highest scores from a third-party auditor, AV-TEST. Its base antivirus plan includes features such as identity monitoring, parental controls, and a password manager.

Opposite that, you have Avast, another top performer in AV-TEST lab results. Avast offers free antivirus and browser protection for both Mac and Windows users. If you splurge on the Avast One premium plan, you also get access to a virtual private network (VPN), data breach alerts, a scam text blocker, and a device cleaner, among other security features.

Both antiviruses are strong contenders that protect against viruses, ransomware, and other malware. The one that's right for you depends on the price that makes you the most comfortable. There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s dive into this comparison to find out more.

Avast vs. McAfee review at a glance

• Avast: Best for safer web surfing
• McAfee: Best comprehensive security suite

		Our Pick
Star rating	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.9 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	Free or $35.88/first yr	Starts at $39.99/first yr
Max number of protected devices	Up to 30 devices	Up to 25 devices
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

Avast pros and cons

Avast offers a reliable free program for one device that includes both manual and automatic malware scanning. It also includes a firewall for Windows and protection against ransomware.  You'll need to upgrade for optimization tools and phishing protection, though. Avast paid plans include a Web Shield to block dangerous sites, Phishing Net for protection against phishing attempts, and a Ransomware Shield to protect your most important files. These features protect you from some of the most common online cyberthreats, including phishing scams, malicious or fake websites, and ransomware.

McAfee pros and cons

McAfee offers multiple plan options packed with a range of features. All plans include manual and scheduled malware scans, as well as real-time protection. You'll need to upgrade if you want to protect more devices or want parental controls.  We also like that every plan includes a firewall and phishing protection. Other premium perks include a file shredder and identity monitoring, which watches up to 10 email addresses for breaches. This makes McAfee great for people who want to protect both their devices and personal data by securing them and anything they might encounter online.

Which antivirus is the better value?

Both of these top-notch antiviruses offer consumers a ton of value. McAfee wins for its superior feature list and reasonable plan pricing.

		Our Pick
Price range	$35.88-$119.88/yr (first year only)	$29.99–$249.99/yr
Best value plan	Premium plan for $35.88/first yr	McAfee+ Premium plan for $49.99/first yr
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

When selecting your antivirus program, it’s essential to weigh out cost to performance. Both Avast Free and McAfee Basic are great for virus protection on a single device. While the lack of a price tag on Avast’s free plan is definitely appealing, you may find it comes with some limits to the protection you receive. 

Both antiviruses are most comparable in their Premium plans — especially in terms of price. Avast Premium costs $35.88/first yr for one device and McAfee+ Premium costs $49.99/first yr for an unlimited number of devices.

In terms of price, this might’ve been a tie. But Avast doesn’t include a VPN. We also like that McAfee secures as many devices as you need, making it our pick for the best value.

McAfee also offers an optional 30-day free trial, allowing you to test the service before committing. Just remember to cancel before the trial ends, or you’ll be enrolled in a year-long plan. If you do forget, don’t worry. McAfee offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Avast plans

Avast, on the other hand, jumps from its free plan (also called Essential) to the Avast Premium plan. Covering anywhere from one to 10 devices, the plan includes Email Guardian, which flags email scams, phishing attempts, and attachments with possible malware. It also scans websites for malware and phishing attacks, and comes with a built-in firewall.

Avast One includes some extras that may make the cost worth it for you. These include automatic app and PC driver updates, webcam protection, and the ability to scramble your online profile to confuse advertisers. The One plan also increases your VPN bandwidth from 5 GB per week to unlimited data.

McAfee plans

McAfee’s Basic plan is an affordable alternative at $39.99/first yr. It offers many of the same features as Avast’s free plan, along with identity monitoring, an unlimited VPN, a password manager, and web protection.

The McAfee Essential plan offers antivirus software and a VPN for enhanced web browsing security. It also comes with a tracker remover. This is handy for deleting any web tracking of your information. We also appreciate that this plan covers up to five devices, which is particularly helpful if you own multiple internet-connected phones and laptops — or if you’d like to secure your family’s devices as well.

If you’re not looking for comprehensive identity theft protection (though we do recommend identity protection ourselves), the McAfee+ Premium plan is a top-tier plan with a focus on web protection. We appreciate that it also includes several privacy features, such as a personal data cleanup scan and tracker remover. It also includes scam protection and device optimization tools.

Which antivirus has the better features?

McAfee has better features than Avast, namely the VPN and tracker blocker.

		Our Pick
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Device optimization tools
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Extras	Webcam protection, breach monitoring	Identity theft protection, data removal services
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

Avast’s and McAfee’s basic plans are pretty evenly matched. Both providers’ paid plans offer 24/7 coverage on your devices, including scans and quarantining of malware, ransomware, and phishing attempts. The differences begin with McAfee Safe Connect VPN, a tool that helps keep your IP address hidden on websites with trackers. Avast doesn’t include a VPN for free, but you can purchase Avast SecureLine separately.

McAfee’s comprehensive antivirus software has been proven by third-party testers to keep you safe from malware. Additionally, the included feature that monitors dark web forums for your information makes it a more valuable personal security asset when you’re not actively online. Many services and online shops require an email address, but the trouble is that you may not know whether the server to which you just gave your email address is secure. Identity monitoring builds confidence that hackers are not harvesting our personal information.

While McAfee includes a password manager, Avast doesn’t, but it’s not a defining feature. It’s nice to have all our security tools in one suite, but there are many free password managers, so we don’t think it’s a deal breaker that Avast doesn’t include one in its lineup.

Avast vs. McAfee: Test results

Third-party testing occurs when an entity other than the antivirus company evaluates the software's security. This helps ensure that the results are fair and unbiased. By reviewing third-party test results, we can ensure that our recommendations are based on accurate information and that we only recommend products that are genuinely worth it.

Here, we’ll compare the most recent AV-TEST scores to determine which offers the best protection: Avast or McAfee.

Avast vs. McAfee malware protection scores

	Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	18/18	18/18
AV-TEST macOS score	18/18	N/A
AV-TEST Android score	17/18	18/18
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

From AV-TEST, Avast earned a score of 18/18 for protection on Windows and Mac. After four months of testing, it detected and protected the system against 100% of threats. Avast also scored under the industry average for copying, installing, and launching desktop applications. This is great for the longevity of your computer.

At times, antivirus software can detect viruses that aren’t viruses, also called false positives. AV-TEST put Avast to the test, and luckily, there were no false positives during testing. Accuracy is also 100%.

AV-TEST’s evaluation found that McAfee performs similarly. It scored 18/18 in protection for Windows against web and email threats as well as against widespread malware. McAfee’s performance was also good, but it is worth noting that McAfee’s effect on performance aligns with the industry average. That’s something to keep in mind, since it might slow down faster than Avast. In the most recent test for false positives, McAfee achieved 100% accuracy.

The only real difference between the two is that Avast earned top marks in AV-TEST’s Mac results, while McAfee wasn’t tested on Mac at all. This isn’t necessarily a red flag for McAfee, as antivirus companies must pay for third-party testing. It’s not uncommon for an antivirus to focus on just one or two platforms, and if McAfee’s excellent performance tells us anything, we can guess it also performs well on Mac.

Avast vs. McAfee: compatibility and customer support

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Avast Secure Browser	Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Phone, email, forums, online guides	Live Chat, phone, forums, online guides
Learn more	Get Avast Read Avast Review	Get McAfee Read McAfee Review

Compatibility experience

Avast and McAfee cover most major operating systems, including Mac and Windows, as well as your smart devices, such as Android and iOS. One significant difference between the two, however, is that McAfee also works on ChromeOS while Avast adds browser extensions for Opera and its own Avast Secure Browser.

In terms of setup and usability, Avast offers a straightforward setup process that takes minimal time to get started. Hit 'Download,' and the application requires only a few permissions to get started.

McAfee makes you jump through a few hoops. To get started with a free trial, you need to add a payment method. They then provide you with a serial number that they’ll request once the interface starts setting up on your computer.

Customer support experience

Customer support is available 24/7 with both antiviruses. Through the Avast interface, clicking "Help" will direct you to the support website. Once there, you will be asked a few questions about your issue. Afterward, you can either search for helpful guides or contact Avast directly. They also give you a phone number to call. We love that!

McAfee does not provide the same experience. To get the best support from McAfee, go to the Customer Service page on the McAfee website. The site gives you similar support features to Avast. There are several aspects of protection where McAfee excels, but it is not as user-friendly as Avast. In fact

Avast vs. McAfee alternatives

Both Avast and McAfee are two of the best antivirus programs we've tested. Avast is a great beginner-friendly software option for all skill levels, while McAfee offers secure protection for an unlimited number of devices. But if you're interested in antivirus software at a different price point or need more robust online protection, here's how McAfee compares to two other top contenders: 

FAQs

Avast vs. McAfee: Which is better?

While both antiviruses are good choices, we believe that for Windows users, McAfee is the better option for a low-cost plan that still delivers significant value. It also includes comprehensive identity theft protection with its higher-tier plans, and paired with its strong antivirus, this fortifies your online security against almost all kinds of threats. Your web traffic is better protected with a VPN. Your personal data is safer with optimization tools and active identity monitoring. And all this comes at a similar price as Avast’s premium plan. All in all, McAfee is the choice for a better optimized tool for personal cybersecurity.

The best antivirus programs help you secure your devices against multiple threats without requiring you to jump through hoops. Avast and McAfee both offer this level of protection, with excellent performance scores from AV-TEST as well as a well-rounded set of security features.