McAfee vs Trend Micro
We give McAfee a 2.8 GPA and Trend Micro a 2.6, out of 4.0. McAfee grades higher on ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
McAfee
Antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring for PCs, Macs and phones
Trend Micro
Antivirus suites for PCs, Macs and phones, up to an ID-theft bundle
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAMcAfeeGood | 2.6GPATrend MicroGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CNo plan prices on record: mcafee.com turned our reader away, so there's no two-year figure for a household, and C is the grade for no stated price. The only price we have is McAfee+ Advanced in the iPhone app, $199.99 a year or $19.99 a month. | CMaximum Security for 5 devices is $139.95 for a 2-year term, about $5.83 a month, above the dearer quarter of antivirus. The yearly route is $74.95 for the first term, but the renewal price isn't stated, so two years that way can't be worked out. |
| Free plan and trial | CThe free McAfee Security app covers one device with a Wi-Fi scan, an identity scan and a system scan. That's a look, not protection: safe browsing, the VPN and scam detection all need a paid plan. | CHouseCall scans a Windows PC for free, on demand. It's a check-up, not protection: anything ongoing needs a paid plan, and the listing shows no free trial. |
| Features | BScam Detector for texts and emails, safe browsing, a VPN from the Basic plan up, breach alerts for up to 10 emails and cards, and on McAfee+ data broker cleanup and $1M identity theft cover. McAfee notes not every feature is on every device. | BAI-based malware and web protection, Pay Guard for banking, Folder Shield for cloud-synced folders, and a password manager from Internet Security. The VPN, identity protection and a 24/7 helpdesk come only in Premium Security Suite. |
| Ease of use | A4.72 from about 239,000 App Store ratings, the highest score from the biggest crowd in this category. | BNo store rating on record. It installs and starts protecting, with nothing to set up first. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWindows, Mac, Android and iPhone. No web app, integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. | BWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and Chromebooks through a browser extension. No API or integration list on record, so it stops at B. |
| Best for | scam checks and identity monitoring across devices | covering PCs, Macs, phones and Chromebooks |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: McAfee and Trend Micro. How we grade
Where they differ
- Only Trend Micro lists a browser extension.
- Trend Micro also covers password manager.
At a glance
| McAfee | Trend Micro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | Not published | $29.95 per year for 1 device (Antivirus+), first term; renewal price not stated |
| Free plan | The free McAfee Security mobile app covers one device with a Wi-Fi scan, an identity scan and a system scan. | HouseCall gives a free on-demand security scan of a Windows PC; ongoing real-time protection needs a paid plan. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | McAfee, LLC | Trend Micro Inc. |
| Price read from | Not confirmed | trendmicro.com |
| Checked | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 |
Who each one suits
McAfee
- Households that want one subscription across PCs, Macs and phones
- People who want scam text and email checks alongside antivirus
- Buyers who want identity monitoring and data broker cleanup in the same plan
Trend Micro
- Households covering Windows, Mac and phones on one 5-device plan
- Chromebook users, who are covered through a browser extension
- US buyers who want identity fraud insurance with their antivirus
Worth knowing
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.
Trend Micro
- Prices shown are introductory first-term prices; Trend Micro says plans renew yearly at the then-current renewal price, which the pages do not state.
- Subscriptions bought in the online store are enrolled in automatic renewal.
- The VPN and identity protection come only with Premium Security Suite.
- Identity fraud insurance is for US customers only and excludes free and trial users.
Key features
McAfee
- Scam Detector
- Flags risky texts and emails, explains what is wrong with them, and blocks harmful sites even after an accidental click.
- Secure VPN
- Encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi and lets you connect through other countries. Included from the Basic Protection plan up.
- Safe browsing and device scans
- Blocks malicious websites automatically, scans the device and Wi-Fi networks for risks, and guides you through fixing what it finds.
- Identity and credit monitoring
- Watches for up to 10 email addresses, ID numbers, passport numbers and bank cards in breaches; McAfee+ adds transaction and credit monitoring.
- Personal data and account cleanup
- McAfee+ Advanced finds sites selling your information and old online accounts, and can ask for removal or delete them for you.
- Identity theft coverage
- Higher plans include $1M identity theft coverage, restoration help from a licensed professional, and security freeze and credit lock tools.
Trend Micro
- AI-based malware protection
- Cloud-based AI detection blocks known and new malware, ransomware and dangerous websites on every paid plan.
- Folder Shield
- Protects chosen folders from ransomware, including cloud-synced folders such as Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive.
- Pay Guard
- Included from Antivirus+ up, Pay Guard checks that banking and shopping sites are genuine before you sign in or pay.
- Password manager
- Internet Security and higher plans include a password manager that creates strong passwords and signs you in to sites.
- VPN and identity protection
- Premium Security Suite adds Trend Micro VPN, dark web monitoring, ID theft restoration help and up to $1 million identity fraud insurance in the US.
- Premium Service helpdesk
- Premium Security Suite includes a 24/7 personal helpdesk for technical problems beyond security.
Plans
McAfee
Pricing could not be confirmed. See mcafee.com.
Trend Micro
HouseCall$0
Free on-demand security scan for Windows PCs.
Antivirus+ Security$29.95
per year for 1 device, first term; renewal price not stated
Real-time antivirus, web threat and scam blocking for one computer. Shown as 30% off $42.95.
Internet Security$59.95
per year for up to 3 PCs, first term; renewal price not stated
Adds a password manager and social media privacy checks, for PCs, Macs and Chromebooks. Shown as 29% off $83.95.
Maximum Security$74.95
per year for up to 5 devices, first term; renewal price not stated
Covers Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook, with Pay Guard banking protection and Folder Shield. Shown as 29% off $104.95.
Premium Security Suite$109.95
per year for up to 10 devices, first term; renewal price not stated
Maximum Security plus VPN, ID Protection, ScamCheck, $1M US identity fraud insurance and 24/7 IT helpdesk. Shown as 29% off $154.95.
Ways to pay less
McAfee
No public discounts listed.
Trend Micro
- Other savings
About 30% off the first year
First-term prices are shown against crossed-out prices: Antivirus+ $29.95 ($42.95), Internet Security $59.95 ($83.95), Maximum $74.95 ($104.95), Premium Suite $109.95 ($154.95).
- Other savings
Two-year terms
Each plan is also sold for 2 years: Maximum Security for 5 devices is $139.95 and Premium Security Suite for 10 devices is $219.95.
