McAfee
Antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring for PCs, Macs and phones
McAfee report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 17, 2026
Best for scam checks and identity monitoring across devices
McAfee pairs antivirus with a VPN and checks on scam texts and emails, and McAfee+ adds identity monitoring and data broker cleanup. Its app is the highest rated in this category, 4.72 from about 239,000 App Store ratings. But we couldn't read its prices, and the free app only scans.
Who McAfee is for
- Great if scam texts and phishing emails worry you more than viruses
- Handy when you want old accounts and data broker listings cleaned up for you
- Good for households covering PCs, Macs and phones on one subscription
Who McAfee is not for
- Skip it if you want real protection for free, as the free app only scans
- Pricey if you go for McAfee+ Advanced in the iPhone app, at $199.99 a year
Why McAfee gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyNo 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.
- CFree plan and trialThe 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.
- BFeaturesScam 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.
- AEase of use4.72 from about 239,000 App Store ratings, the highest score from the biggest crowd in this category.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac, Android and iPhone. No web app, integration list or API on record, so it stops at B.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from McAfee's App Store and Google Play listings on 17 October 2026, and its App Store rating. mcafee.com turned our reader away, and timed out when we went back to check it. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make McAfee? Put this grade on your site
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/mcafee#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/mcafee.svg" alt="McAfee: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where McAfee stands among antivirus apps
McAfee's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 13 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. McAfee’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 3 of 14, level with 11
- CFree plan and trialAbove 3 of 14, level with 7
- BFeaturesAbove 4 of 14, level with 10
- AEase of useAbove 13 of 14, level with 1
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 14, level with 14
Keep McAfee, or make your own?
Keep it
To replace McAfee you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. McAfee’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is McAfee?
McAfee sells security subscriptions for home users that cover PCs, Macs, phones and tablets. Plans pair malware and scam protection with a VPN, and the McAfee+ plans add identity and credit monitoring, personal data cleanup and $1M identity theft coverage. A free mobile app scans Wi-Fi networks, the device and your identity.
McAfee's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
McAfee pricing
We could not confirm McAfee’s current pricing from its own site, so we are not listing plans here. See mcafee.com for current prices.
How people rate the McAfee app
4.7
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars82%
- 4 stars12%
- 3 stars3%
- 2 stars<1%
- 1 star2%
239,324 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 17, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
McAfee alternatives
- McAfee vs Norton 360
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- McAfee vs Bitdefender
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- McAfee vs TotalAV
From $99/yr
- McAfee vs Trend Micro
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- McAfee vs Avast
Free plan
Common questions
Is McAfee free?
McAfee has a free plan. The free McAfee Security mobile app covers one device with a Wi-Fi scan, an identity scan and a system scan.
What platforms does McAfee work on?
McAfee is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
How is McAfee rated?
McAfee's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 239,324 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 17, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does McAfee have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 17, 2026. McAfee is listed for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Is McAfee open source?
McAfee is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Who makes McAfee?
McAfee is made by McAfee, LLC.
What are the alternatives to McAfee?
The closest alternatives to McAfee in our directory are Norton 360, Bitdefender, TotalAV, Trend Micro and Avast. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with McAfee.
How does McAfee compare with other antivirus apps?
McAfee's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3. It stands best on ease of use (A, above 13 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Could I make my own version of McAfee?
To replace McAfee you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade. What you could not make: An engine that recognises new malware as it appears. Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other. The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job. This is a judgement from its listing. We have not built one.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 17, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.