McAfee offers antivirus, VPN, and identity protection software for consumers and businesses. Compare McAfee's features, pricing plans, pros, cons and rivals.
Category
Security
Pricing
Subscription, from Free (limited antivirus scan) or from about $29.99 for the first year on paid plans
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
1987
Headquarters
San Jose, California, United States
WindowsFree TrialAndroidFreemiumMac
Overview
McAfee is a cybersecurity company founded in 1987 by John McAfee, credited with releasing one of the earliest commercial antivirus programs. Over nearly four decades the company has changed ownership and structure multiple times, including a period as part of Intel and a stint as a public company, before being taken private again in 2022.
Today McAfee is primarily known for its consumer security suites, sold under the McAfee+ and Total Protection brands, which bundle antivirus protection with a VPN, identity monitoring, and a password manager into a single subscription.
Key Features
McAfee's core offering is real-time antivirus and malware scanning, complemented by a firewall, web protection tools that flag risky links and sites (WebAdvisor), and a built-in VPN for encrypting internet traffic on public networks.
Higher-tier plans add identity theft monitoring and restoration support, credit monitoring in some markets, a password manager, parental controls, and coverage for multiple devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Pricing
McAfee sells tiered consumer subscriptions, commonly Basic, Plus, Premium, and Advanced, that scale by the number of covered devices and the depth of identity protection and VPN features included.
Plans are typically sold with a discounted introductory price for the first year, after which they renew at a higher standard annual rate, a pricing pattern common across the consumer antivirus industry.
Key Features
Real-time antivirus and malware protection — Scans for and removes viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malware in real time across supported devices.
Built-in VPN — Encrypts internet traffic, particularly useful on public Wi-Fi, included with most paid McAfee plans.
Identity theft protection and monitoring — Monitors for exposure of personal information and provides restoration support if identity theft occurs on higher-tier plans.
Password manager — Stores and autofills credentials securely across devices as part of bundled security suites.
Web protection (WebAdvisor) — Browser extension that flags risky websites, links, and downloads before users interact with them.
Parental controls — Lets families monitor and manage children's device usage and online activity.
Multi-device coverage — Single subscriptions can cover multiple devices across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Business and enterprise security — Separate enterprise product line offers endpoint protection and threat intelligence for organizations.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Long operating history and strong brand recognition in cybersecurity
Bundles antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and password management in one subscription
Broad multi-device and cross-platform support
Frequently pre-installed or bundled by PC manufacturers and ISPs, easing initial adoption
Offers identity theft monitoring and restoration support on higher tiers
Cons
Renewal pricing after the introductory first year can be significantly higher
Historically criticized for aggressive upsells and background resource usage on some devices
Some advanced features like identity protection are gated behind higher-priced tiers
Frequent ownership and rebranding changes over its history can create confusion about current offerings
Free version offers only very limited protection compared to paid competitors
Pricing
Basic From about $29.99 for the first year (introductory) Annual
Plus From about $39.99 per year Annual
Premium Approximately $50 to $55 per year (regional pricing varies) Annual
Advanced Varies by region and promotion Annual
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded McAfee?
McAfee was founded in 1987 by John McAfee, who released one of the earliest commercial antivirus programs.
Is McAfee still owned by John McAfee?
No, John McAfee resigned from the company in 1994. The company has since changed hands multiple times, including a period as part of Intel, and is now privately owned following a 2022 acquisition led by Advent International and Permira.
What is included in McAfee Total Protection?
McAfee Total Protection bundles antivirus and malware scanning with a VPN, password manager, and identity theft protection features, with the exact feature set varying by plan tier.
Does McAfee offer a free version?
McAfee offers limited free tools and trial scans, but full real-time protection, VPN, and identity features require a paid subscription.
How does McAfee pricing work?
McAfee typically sells introductory first-year pricing that renews at a higher standard annual rate, with cost increasing by plan tier and number of covered devices.
What are the main alternatives to McAfee?
Common alternatives include Norton (Gen Digital), Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Avast, and Malwarebytes.