Alternatives · Antivirus
McAfee alternatives
McAfee compared with 6 alternatives: Norton 360, Bitdefender, TotalAV, Trend Micro, Avast and 1 more.
McAfee's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. 4 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAfeeThis tool | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Norton 360 | Free trial · from $84.99/yr | Trial only | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Bitdefender | Free plan · from $49.99/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| TotalAV | From $99/yr | No | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Trend Micro | Free plan · from $29.95/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Avast | Free plan | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Malwarebytes | Free plan · from $59.99/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
How each one differs from McAfee
- Free trial · from $84.99/yr
Norton 360
Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup
- McAfee has a free plan. Norton 360 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Norton 360 also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
Suits: Households that want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager in one subscription
- Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Bitdefender
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier
- Bitdefender also covers password manager.
Suits: Windows users who want free real-time antivirus
- From $99/yr
TotalAV
Antivirus with tune-up tools, plus VPN and ad blocking on higher plans
- McAfee has a free plan. TotalAV does not.
- Only TotalAV lists a browser extension.
- TotalAV also covers password manager, disk cleanup and ad and tracker blocking.
Suits: Households that want antivirus, VPN and ad blocker in one bill
- Free plan · from $29.95/yr
Trend Micro
Antivirus suites for PCs, Macs and phones, up to an ID-theft bundle
- Only Trend Micro lists a browser extension.
- Trend Micro also covers password manager.
Suits: Households covering Windows, Mac and phones on one 5-device plan
- Free plan
Avast
Free antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate
- Only Avast lists a browser extension.
Suits: Windows users who want real-time antivirus without paying
- Free plan · from $59.99/yr
Malwarebytes
Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans
- Only Malwarebytes lists a browser extension.
- Malwarebytes also covers ad and tracker blocking.
Suits: Cleaning up a computer that is already infected, for free
Limits worth knowing in McAfee
- McAfee's website refused automated reads on 2026-10-17, so its plan prices are not listed here; check mcafee.com before buying.
- In the iPhone app, McAfee+ Advanced is sold as an in-app subscription at $199.99 a year or $19.99 a month.
- The free app only scans; safe browsing, the VPN and scam detection need a paid plan.
- McAfee notes that not every feature is available on every device, location or plan.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to McAfee?
The alternatives to McAfee in this directory are Norton 360, Bitdefender, TotalAV, Trend Micro, Avast and Malwarebytes. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with McAfee.
Is there a free alternative to McAfee?
Yes. Bitdefender, Trend Micro, Avast and Malwarebytes have a free plan alongside paid ones.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.