Choosing the right antivirus software for your computer is an important decision. Of course, you want to make sure you are protected from the latest viruses and malware, but you also don’t want to slow down your computer with unnecessary bloatware. So, which antivirus software should you choose?
Norton and McAfee are two of the most popular antivirus software options available. Both offer protection against the latest viruses and malware, but each has unique features. So let’s look at Norton vs. McAfee and see which one is the best option for you.
Here is an overview of the main differences between both antivirus software:
| NORTON | MCAFEE | |
| SATISFACTION RATING (*source: CyberNews) | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 |
| FREE TRIAL AVAILABILITY | YES | YES |
| PRICING | Starts at $59.99/yr | Starts at $39.99/yr |
| SUPPORTED LANGUAGES | English, Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish | English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish |
Norton vs. McAfee: Features & Capabilities
Norton AntiVirus is one of the leading providers of antivirus software globally. The company has been in business for more than 25 years and has a long history of providing quality software to its users.
One of the main reasons Norton is so popular is its features and capabilities. The software is packed with features that help users protect their computers from viruses, malware, and other online threats.
Some of the key features of Norton Antivirus include:
- Real-time protection against security threats
- Anti-phishing protection
- Password management and protection to help keep your passwords safe
- Parental controls to help keep your kids safe online
In addition, Norton also offers several capabilities that allow users to customize their protection. These capabilities include:
- The ability to choose between a basic or full protection plan
- Protection that allows you to customize what types of devices are protected
- The ability to receive automatic updates to keep your protection up to date
McAfee, the security software company, provides a wide range of security solutions for personal and business use. McAfee’s flagship product is its antivirus software, which is available for personal and business use.
McAfee’s antivirus software is one of the most comprehensive and effective solutions on the market. It features real-time scanning of files and emails and regular updates to ensure that users are protected against the latest threats.
McAfee’s antivirus software also includes many other features, such as:
- Parental controls that allow parents to restrict their children’s access to certain websites
- A firewall that helps protect users’ computers from online threats
- A vulnerability scanner that helps users identify and fix security vulnerabilities on their computers
McAfee’s antivirus software is available in many different editions, including free and paid editions. The paid edition offers some additional features, such as:
- User-friendly features that allow users to secure and manage their passwords
- Security tools that help users browse the web securely and protect their information
- A program that can automatically delete files from your computer
- It is a tool that allows you to shred all your files to help you completely erase them.
Norton vs. McAfee: Pricing
The most basic level of Norton AntiVirus protection is the free edition. It provides basic security features, such as malware and virus protection. It is available for Windows and Mac users.
For users who need more comprehensive protection, there is Norton 360 Standard, which costs $84.99 for one device, and Norton 360 Deluxe, which costs $104.99 for up to five different devices.
On the other hand, McAfee offers several different subscription-based pricing plans for its software products. There are three subscription options available to users: personal, family, and business.
The personal subscription costs $90/per year, while the family subscription costs $60 annually. The business subscription seems the most expensive, costing $300/per year.
Reasons to choose Norton over McAfee.
There are many reasons someone might choose to use Norton security software rather than McAfee. The most important factor to consider is that Norton has a much better track record than McAfee. In recent tests by AV-Test, Norton was found to have blocked 100% of all malware threats, while McAfee only blocked 67%.
Another important factor is that Norton is much more user-friendly. The interface is easy to navigate, and the software is not as resource-intensive as McAfee.
Norton also offers a wide range of features not available with McAfee. For example, Norton offers a password manager, a secure browser, and a family safety feature that lets you monitor your children’s online activity. McAfee does not offer any of these features.
Reasons to choose McAfee over Norton.
There are a couple of reasons why someone might choose McAfee over Norton. First, McAfee is considered to be more user-friendly. In a 2016 survey, McAfee was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for ease of use, while Norton was rated 3.5 out of 5 stars. Second, McAfee also has a better reputation for customer service. In the same survey, McAfee was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for customer service, while Norton was rated 2.5 out of 5 stars.
McAfee also has a better reputation for security. It has been ranked as the top antivirus software by PCMag for the past five years. Norton has not been ranked as the top antivirus software since 2013.
The Similarities between Norton and McAfee
There are several similarities between Norton and McAfee’s antivirus software. Both programs offer real-time protection against viruses, worms, and other malware threats. They also provide updates to their antivirus databases regularly. In addition, both programs offer a variety of features to help protect your computer from online threats.
Norton and McAfee Alternatives
There are many Norton and McAfee alternatives on the market, with some being free while others are not.
Here are some of the most popular ones:
BitDefender – BitDefender is popular antivirus software that provides real-time protection against viruses and other malware threats. BitDefender is the best antivirus software that blocks attacks from all e-threats, including viruses, worms, spyware, and several others.
AVG Antivirus – AVG Antivirus is useful antimalware software. It offers unique features like letting you track someone by their phone. It also scores highly in malware detection tests and even protects you from ransomware.
Norton vs. McAfee: Final Verdict
Both Norton and McAfee are well-known and trusted brands in antivirus software. However, when choosing between the two, it cannot be easy to decide which is the best option for you.
Norton Antivirus is a good choice to protect your computer from online threats. This is because its antimalware software specifically protects you against malware and viruses. On the other hand, McAfee is a good choice if you need to protect both your computer and mobile devices. Again, this is because it has different protection features for each device.
So which program is better? Norton is better than McAfee. Norton Antivirus offers a greater number of features and is much more reliable.
FAQ
Will I still be able to use Norton if my subscription expires?
If your Norton subscription has expired, it will still run. However, the software won’t be able to protect you from new threats.
Can McAfee access my browsing history?
According to McAfee, they never store their customer’s personal information, especially their browsing activities.
How many devices can I use with my Norton subscription?
This depends on which subscription you’ve signed up for. Typically, Norton lets you use up to 3-10 devices.
What devices is Norton compatible with?
Norton is compatible with PCs, Macs, Android smartphones, tablets, iPads, and iPhones.
How do you purchase a McAfee subscription?
You can pay for your McAfee subscription by heading over to their website and choosing the subscription you want to purchase via the Products section. After adding your subscription to the cart, you can enter the information needed to confirm your purchase.
Does Norton help get rid of malware?
Norton is one of the best antivirus software for detecting malware. If your device ever does end up with a virus, you can use Norton’s Power Eraser to remove the malware easily.
Can Norton also protect your emails?
Yes. Norton has an antimalware email feature designed to protect your email account from potentially malicious emails.