McAfee alternatives: top competitors in 2025

McAfee has been one of the most recognizable names in antivirus protection for decades, but that doesn't mean it's the best. Many new devices still come with McAfee antivirus software pre-installed; however, despite holding a significant share of the antivirus market, McAfee's reputation has suffered in recent years. Many users seek better options due to performance issues, higher subscription costs, and missing features.

I've tested 32 antivirus software and handpicked the top 4 McAfee competitors that rival its protection but also outperform it in key areas: TotalAV, Norton, Bitdefender, and Surfshark Antivirus. These alternatives offer better value for money in areas like malware detection, system impact, and feature sets.

In this article, I'll provide detailed tests and recommendations to help you choose the antivirus that best fits your needs and is the ideal replacement for McAfee.

Top McAfee replacements for better antivirus protection

1. TotalAV

   Best McAfee alternative in 2025 overall
   9.7
2. Norton Antivirus

   Secure alternative to McAfee with malware detection
   9.1
3. Bitdefender Antivirus

   Reliable McAfee replacement with free plan
   9.4
4. Surfshark Antivirus

   Affordable McAfee competitor with robust privacy tools
   8.8

Why look for an alternative to McAfee antivirus?

McAfee is one of the oldest and most widely used antivirus programs, with some users considering it the best antivirus option. However, it doesn't make my list of top antivirus software due to its impact on system performance and frequent interference with everyday tasks. Despite offering solid protection, McAfee can slow down PCs significantly, with even basic actions like opening a browser or launching a program taking longer than expected after upgrading the computer's RAM. The strict security settings of McAfee also prevent users from using essential tools, such as Visual Studio or local development ports. Due to these issues, many users seek McAfee replacements that provide better performance, more reliable protection, and fewer disruptions.

When looking for a McAfee replacement, users typically prioritize stronger malware and real-time protection, minimal system impact, affordable pricing, an intuitive interface, and reliable customer support. Many McAfee competitors now offer more budget-friendly options – McAfee’s antivirus plans start at $39.99/year, while Bitdefender and TotalAV offer lower starting prices at $29.00/year. Additionally, McAfee lacks a free plan, whereas TotalAV provides a straightforward free version, making it a more accessible option than Bitdefender. Norton 360 Antivirus is priced at $29.99 for the first year. Therefore, Surfshark Antivirus is priced at $50.85/year, a bit higher than McAfee; however, it provides solid malware protection and includes a VPN service.

Best McAfee alternatives in 2025: in-depth reviews

I evaluated 32 of McAfee's competitors based on key factors like malware detection, system performance, cost, and a friendly user interface. My assessments included both in-house tests and independent lab results, ensuring objective comparison. This thorough research allowed me to identify the top 4 McAfee replacements for you to choose from:

1. TotalAV - overall best McAfee replacement in 2025

TotalAV is the best McAfee alternative in 2025. TotalAV and McAfee share many similarities in core protection, such as real-time malware protection and web protection, which ensure you're safe from viruses, spyware, and phishing attacks. Also, it costs less the first year and supports more devices than McAfee.

Let's take a deeper look into what TotalAV has to offer. Its real-time protection continuously scans for threats like McAfee but with less system impact. Additionally, TotalAV includes a WebShield extension to block malicious websites and a dedicated VPN for secure browsing—both features McAfee lacks or restricts in its lower-tier plans.

Beyond the basics, TotalAV includes a password manager, identity theft protection, and an ad blocker. These features enhance security and privacy by safeguarding personal data, improving password management, and blocking potentially harmful ads—features McAfee does not offer. Moreover, TotalAV showed an impressive 100% malware detection rate in my in-house testing, matching independent lab results.

TotalAV stands out for its simple, intuitive interface, which makes navigating the software and mobile apps easy. It also uses only around 1% of the system’s RAM on an 8/16GB computer, ensuring minimal impact on overall performance. Unlike McAfee, it didn't slow down my computer. For more detailed test results, check out the full TotalAV review.

In terms of value, TotalAV comes in at just $29.00/year for its Antivirus Pro plan, offering protection for 5 devices, which is significantly cheaper than McAfee’s $39.99/year plan. TotalAV’s Internet Security and Total Security plans are priced at $39.00/year for 6 devices and $49.00/year for 8 devices. All yearly plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee; you can try them all with a 7-day free trial.

2. Norton 360 Antivirus - multi-functional antivirus to replace McAfee

Norton 360 is another excellent antivirus in 2025. While McAfee provides solid core protection, Norton 360 goes further with its comprehensive features, designed to safeguard your devices and personal data more effectively.

Norton AV features provide a comprehensive protection suite, including enhanced security with parental controls, system optimization for better performance, automatic PC backup for data safety, and a Smart Firewall for advanced threat defense. Moreover, Norton’s password manager securely stores and generates strong passwords, while McAfee doesn't offer an integrated password management solution. Besides, dark web monitoring alerts you if your personal information is found on the dark web, providing an extra layer of security that McAfee doesn’t include.

In my in-house testing, Norton antivirus showed a 100% malware detection rate, which aligns closely with independent lab results. It consistently blocked malicious websites and phishing attempts. McAfee, however, often requires manual intervention to block malicious URLs, making Norton 360 a more proactive solution. Read on to learn more about how Norton antivirus performs compared to competitors.

You can get the Norton Plus plan, which costs $29.99/year and includes protection for 1 device – making it a more budget-friendly option than McAfee’s $39.99/year plan for just 1 device. The Norton Standard plan for 3 devices costs $39.99, and the Norton Deluxe plan, at $49.99/year, covers up to 5 devices. The Norton 360 Select plan offers comprehensive protection for up to 10 devices, including advanced security features like LifeLock identity theft protection and 250 GB Cloud Backup, for just $99.99/year. Also, each plan comes with a 7-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

3. Bitdefender - solid McAfee alternative with robust security features

Bitdefender's alternative to McAfee continuously receives high scores in independent tests according to AV-test results. Like all antiviruses, Bitdefender and McAfee share key features like real-time malware protection, web security, and firewall monitoring. Still, this software goes beyond the basics with additional advanced tools and better performance.

Like McAfee, Bitdefender protects against viruses, ransomware, and phishing attempts. However, it excels in independent tests, with an impressive 100% malware detection rate – outperforming McAfee in both in-house and lab-based tests. A combination of advanced threat detection capabilities and machine learning algorithms makes Bitdefender better able to protect against emerging threats.

What really makes Bitdefender stand out are its extra features. For instance, it includes an unlimited VPN, a password manager, and advanced email protection – features McAfee either lacks or reserves for its premium plans. Additionally, Bitdefender offers dark web monitoring, identity theft protection, and real-time data breach alerts, providing a more comprehensive security suite than McAfee. Bitdefender also includes robust scam prevention and detection, along with crypto mining protection. This protects you from fraudulent schemes and unauthorized mining that could slow down your system or compromise your privacy.

Bitdefender offers a wide range of pricing options to suit different needs, with plans available for both individuals and families. The Bitdefender Total Security plan starts at $59.99/year for up to 5 devices, while the Premium Security plan is priced at $79.99/year, and the Ultimate Security plan is available for $89.99/year. If you're protecting multiple devices, family plans cover 5 to 25 devices, ranging from $79.99/year to $119.99/year. Besides offering specialized options like MacOS safety and privacy enhancements, Bitdefender also offers extra features like add-on packages for more tailored protection. You can also test the service risk-free by signing up for a 30-day free trial and get your money back if you're not satisfied.

4. Surfshark Antivirus - reliable privacy-focused McAfee replacement

Surfshark One antivirus is a strong and secure replacement for McAfee. Both Surfshark and McAfee provide real-time malware protection, web security, and firewall features. Nevertheless, Surfshark distinguishes itself by offering a well-rounded cybersecurity package that includes VPN, webcam protection, and ad-blocking – all in one simple-to-use app.

In my tests, Surfshark demonstrated a solid 100% malware detection rate, which is competitively higher than McAfee's performance. However, Surfshark's malware database is updated every 3 hours, which protects against new, zero-day threats more effectively. Surfshark, unlike McAfee, also includes a built-in VPN, providing improved online privacy and secure browsing. Moreover, Surfshark offers CleanWeb, an ad-blocking tool that removes intrusive ads and trackers while you browse, and even webcam protection that alerts you if any app or website tries to access your camera without permission.

While Surfshark’s scan speed can be slower than other AVs, taking more than 2 minutes for a quick scan, its clean and intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate. Surfshark antivirus lacks a dedicated firewall, which means it doesn't provide the same level of network traffic monitoring and control as McAfee, potentially leaving you more vulnerable to network-based attacks. You can read more about it in my colleague's Surfshark antivirus review.

Surfshark’s Surfshark One bundle, which includes premium VPN service, is priced at $58.85/year for 5 devices. You can try this antivirus system risk-free for 7 days, and if you decide Surfshark is not right for you, you will receive a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How I tested and ranked the best McAfee alternatives

To create this list of the best McAfee alternatives, I tested 32 different antivirus software options. My first step was to run in-house tests, focusing on how each program handled real-time protection by downloading unzipped malware files and seeing how quickly they were detected. Then, I stored malicious files on my system to evaluate how well each antivirus performed during deep scans. Plus, I cross-checked my results with independent lab tests from trusted sources like AV-Test Institute, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to ensure consistency and accuracy. Finally, I used the following criteria to select the top McAfee competitors:

• Malware detection rate. Firstly, I focused on how well each antivirus detected real-time threats and malware during deep scans. I aimed to find software whose detection accuracy consistently exceeded 50% in independent tests. All of my top choices performed well above this threshold.
• Performance impact. I measured how each antivirus software affected my computer’s speed and performance during regular use. This included opening programs and browsing the web to ensure little to no noticeable slowdowns.

• Additional features. I looked for additional tools that enhance protection, such as VPNs, password managers, firewall features, and ransomware protection. These advanced tools can help defend your devices and personal data against various cyber threats, from identity theft to ransomware attacks. Furthermore, I checked how often the software updated its virus definitions and ensured the program was consistently protected against the latest threats.
• Compatibility. I have selected top choices compatible with most operating systems (Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) and have available browser extensions and apps for mobile devices. Another main point was the user interface of each program to ensure it was intuitive and easy to navigate, even for beginners. There are no complicated setups or confusing menus to navigate-just a straightforward user experience.

• Pricing. Lastly, I considered both pricing and overall value for users looking for robust protection. I chose TotalAV, Norton, Bitdefender, and Surfshark for their affordability and feature-rich plans. Prices range from just $24.99/year for Bitdefender to $51.04/year for Surfshark, offering great value compared to McAfee's $39.99/year.

By evaluating these criteria through in-house testing, lab data, and real-world use, I identified the top 4 McAfee replacements that offer the best value, security, and performance.

Get the best McAfee alternative now

Top McAfee competitors comparison table

How to choose the right replacement for McAfee to suit your needs

The best alternative to McAfee largely depends on your specific needs and browsing habits. In my testing, I evaluated cross-device compatibility and malware detection rates across several operating systems to ensure each option provides solid protection. While the McAfee alternatives I've selected will meet most users' needs, here are a few key factors to consider if you're having trouble choosing:

• Consider antivirus pricing. When choosing an antivirus, consider both the initial price and the long-term costs. Some antiviruses, like McAfee, offer discounts for the first year but significantly increase prices upon renewal. To get a better idea of malware detection rates, I recommend reviewing both independent lab test results and feedback on platforms like Reddit to get a clearer picture of malware detection rates. In my study, TotalAV showed the best malware detection rate (100%), making it a top contender. If you're looking for a more affordable alternative, TotalAV’s one-year plan for three devices is the cheapest McAfee alternative, priced at $19.00. However, if you need coverage for multiple devices, you may find that other antivirus solutions offer better value for larger device counts.
• Check device compatibility. The software should support all your devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Even though McAfee offers unlimited device support, its resource-heavy nature can slow down older or lower-spec devices, making it an inefficient option for all users. While testing TotalAV, I noticed that, while it works on all major platforms, it significantly impacts system performance, particularly on older or lower-spec devices. However, if you want smooth performance across all your devices, look for antivirus solutions compatible with a wide range of devices that minimally impact your system, like Norton 360, Surfshark, and Bitdefender.
• Other useful features. My preferred alternatives offer features similar to McAfee's, including a VPN and password manager. Even on its more affordable plans, Bitdefender provides VPN, anti-tracking tools, and advanced ransomware protection. On the other hand, Surfshark One stands out with its CleanWeb feature, which blocks ads, trackers, malware, and personal data removal from online databases.

Conclusion: find your best McAfee alternative in 2025

McAfee has long been a popular antivirus protection provider, but these days there are better options. Over time, its reputation has been tarnished by performance issues, high renewal costs, and a lack of essential features like a firewall and web protection on its basic plan. Additionally, users have reported frequent false positives, system slowdowns, and customer support difficulties.

If you're looking for a solid alternative to McAfee, I recommend TotalAV. It delivers high-quality threat detection, minimal system impact, and valuable features, including a VPN, password manager, and identity theft protection. TotalAV's comprehensive security tools make it ideal for anyone seeking better performance and safety. Plus, you can try TotalAV for just $29.00/year, with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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FAQ

Is it worth switching from McAfee to another antivirus?

Yes, switching from McAfee to another antivirus is worth it, especially if you're facing issues like performance slowdowns, high renewal costs, or missing features. After testing various options, I recommend TotalAV as a great alternative. In addition to offering excellent malware protection, it has additional features such as a VPN and password manager.

Can I use a free antivirus as a replacement for McAfee?

Yes, you can use a free antivirus to replace McAfee; however, free versions often need more advanced features and may provide a different level of protection. If you want a reliable alternative, I recommend TotalAV. It offers real-time malware protection, system optimization tools, web protection, privacy features, and identity theft monitoring.