Kaidaira Miyahira Updated on Mar 31, 2025
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Try NowChoosing between McAfee and Norton can be a real challenge. Both are leaders in the antivirus industry, offering impressive malware protection and robust features. After putting both to the test, I’ve compared their performance across various categories to help answer the age-old question of "Norton vs McAfee", or as some might ask, "McAfee versus Norton antivirus". My detailed assessment should give you a clear picture of which is better: Norton or McAfee for your needs.
Both antivirus solutions excel in many areas, particularly in blocking malware. Norton edges out McAfee because of its faster scan speeds, fewer false positives, and lower system impact. However, McAfee still shines with its extensive VPN server options and valuable extras like optimization tools.
Virus scanning is fundamental for any antivirus. Both McAfee and Norton scored full marks in malware detection during my tests. However, Norton was significantly faster. A full system scan with Norton took only 20 minutes to cover over 1 million files, while McAfee needed over an hour for the same task.
Norton also has an "Insight" tool that marks safe files to skip in future scans, making subsequent full scans as fast as 3 minutes! For busy users, this speed difference is a major advantage.
Winner: Norton
Both tools excel at blocking threats in real time, successfully stopping 100% of the latest zero-day attacks, including ransomware. However, Norton stands out for avoiding false positives. McAfee, though effective, incorrectly flagged a few harmless files like VirtualBox and SNES emulator as threats. Norton’s accuracy here gives it the upper hand.
Winner: Norton
When it comes to system impact, Norton takes the win again. It’s lighter on CPU, memory, and overall performance, especially during scans. Tests showed that McAfee introduced noticeable lags during gaming and software installation, while Norton maintained a smoother experience.
For example:
For users who multitask or game frequently, Norton is the better choice.
Winner: Norton
Both antiviruses include built-in VPNs, a feature many competitors lack. McAfee’s VPN is the winner here, offering servers in over 45 countries compared to Norton’s 25+ locations, giving you more flexibility. McAfee also delivered faster VPN speeds, ensuring smoother streaming and browsing. However, it’s worth noting that Norton’s VPN stands out for unblocking popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Winner: McAfee
If you’re a parent, you’ll appreciate that both Norton and McAfee provide excellent parental controls. Features like location tracking, screen-time limits, and app monitoring are included in both, making this category too close to call.
Winner: Tie
The firewall is critical for defending against cyber threats, and both antivirus programs offer exceptional protection. Norton’s firewall edges slightly ahead due to its advanced customization options for tech-savvy users. Meanwhile, McAfee’s firewall shines with its intuitive interface and Traffic Controller feature for app-specific security.
Winner: Tie
Norton shines with its feature-rich Password Manager, offering extras like password auditing and a built-in password generator. During my tests, Norton’s auto-save and auto-fill functions worked more seamlessly than McAfee’s True Key Manager, especially on sites like Google where I have multiple logins. Norton even includes a Safety Dashboard, offering valuable insights into passwords that might need attention.
Comparison Table:
| Features | Norton | McAfee |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| Password Generator | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Unlimited Passwords | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Password Auditing | ✔️ | ✘ |
| Password Sharing | ✘ | ✘ |
Despite Norton taking the win in this category, it’s worth mentioning that neither Norton nor McAfee is as advanced as premium standalone password managers. However, these basic features are a welcome addition when bundled into antivirus plans.
Winner: Norton
For gamers, Norton’s Game Optimizer provides better performance during gameplay. Found exclusively in Norton 360 for Gamers, this feature detects when you’re playing a game and reallocates system resources to improve performance. During my tests, it delivered a 10-15 FPS boost in titles like League of Legends and Rocket League.
McAfee, unfortunately, doesn’t offer a gaming mode, and running scans during gameplay can impact performance due to its higher resource usage.
Winner: Norton
Norton once again edges ahead in the optimization category. Its 1-click optimization tools allow users to clean up junk files, optimize disk performance, and disable unnecessary background apps at startup. While McAfee does offer App Boost and Web Boost for performance enhancements, Norton’s tools are more comprehensive. For instance, its Startup Manager significantly reduced my boot time by 5 seconds!
Key Features:
Winner: Norton
Both Norton and McAfee pack a host of useful extras, but each brings something unique to the table.
Norton’s Extras:
McAfee’s Extras:
Ultimately, when choosing between Norton vs McAfee for additional utilities, the decision comes down to personal preference.
Winner: Tie
Both antivirus solutions are compatible with major platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Norton and McAfee apps are simple to install and intuitive to use, tailored for both beginners and more advanced users. However, neither software offers virus scans on their iOS apps due to Apple’s sandboxing limits.
Winner: Tie
Norton excels in customer service, with wait times averaging just a minute for live chat support, compared to McAfee's 5-10 minutes. Both brands offer phone support in multiple languages and have extensive user forums, but Norton’s faster, more responsive service gives it the edge.
Winner: Norton
Both Norton and McAfee offer tiered plans to fit your needs, but Norton provides better overall value for your money. Starting at just €29.99, Norton’s plans are packed with features like cloud backups, identity protection, and gaming mode. Among the plans, Norton Deluxe stands out as a balanced, feature-rich option.
Here’s a quick comparison of their plans:
Norton
McAfee
Winner: Norton. While McAfee’s plans are strong, Norton delivers a superior features-to-price ratio, making it ideal for those seeking affordability and functionality.
Good news for first-time users of both providers! Norton and McAfee offer 30-day free trials, but here’s the catch—not without a credit card. During the sign-up process, both require your payment details. While these trials are a great way to test the waters, you’ll need to cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.
Winner: Tie. Both antivirus brands offer free trials, but their reliance on credit card information makes them equal in this category.
Here’s where Norton takes the lead with its generous 60-day money-back guarantee compared to McAfee’s 30 days.
Not only does Norton offer twice the time, but the refund process is also a breeze. With Norton, you can complete your request via 24/7 live chat, and refunds are issued in 5 working days. McAfee, on the other hand, requires you to call after submitting a request, extending the process to 7 days.
Winner: Norton. A longer guarantee period and a hassle-free process put Norton ahead.
Both Norton and McAfee excel at providing reliable antivirus protection, but Norton emerges as the winner in this showdown. Let's break it down:
While McAfee shines in areas like VPN performance and system compatibility, Norton’s offerings are more robust for overall security, affordability, and customer experience. If you’re still pondering which is better, Norton or McAfee, the answer depends on your needs.
Norton is one of the most trusted antivirus software solutions in the market, and getting started with it is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to ensure your device is secure with Norton’s advanced protection.
Head over to Norton’s official website and choose the subscription plan that suits your needs. Once you’ve selected your plan, proceed to payment. With Norton’s competitive pricing, you’re sure to find a great option.
After subscribing, log in to Norton’s web portal. From there, download the setup file tailored to your operating system. This quick step gives you access to Norton’s powerful tools, ensuring your device stays protected.
Run the downloaded setup file and click “Install.” The installation process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Once complete, your antivirus software will be ready to shield your system from threats.
Norton goes beyond basic antivirus protection. Once installation is finished, click “Set Up Features.” From here, you can activate extras like Dark Web Monitoring, Cloud Backup, and other essential security features. These tools make sure you get the best value out of your Norton subscription.
Yes, Norton surpasses McAfee in several areas, but that doesn’t mean McAfee is inadequate. Both are highly reliable options, but Norton shines with better customer support, superior value-for-money plans, and an extended 30-day money-back guarantee. However, each has unique strengths, so it ultimately depends on your priorities.
No, running Norton and McAfee together can lead to system issues. Using both simultaneously might slow your system, cause software interference, and even miss potential threats. It’s best to choose either Norton or McAfee based on your needs, not both.
Norton is designed to deliver robust protection with minimal system impact. On powerful systems, you likely won’t notice any slowdown during use or scans. That said, like all software, there will be a slight performance load when it’s actively scanning, but Norton optimizes this to avoid frustration.
Norton offers various plans packed with useful features. For most users, the €34.99/year plan is the best choice. It provides essential security tools, protects up to five devices, and includes 50GB of cloud storage for sensitive files (US-specific feature). This plan offers excellent value without overloading you with options.
While free antivirus software exists, premium solutions like Norton or McAfee provide superior protection. Free tools often miss advanced threats and lack features like customizable firewalls and built-in VPNs. If airtight security matters to you, investing in a premium suite like Norton or McAfee is the better option.
Between Norton and McAfee, Norton consistently ranks as the best antivirus on the market. It boasts excellent malware detection, responsive customer support, valuable security features, and plans that deliver exceptional value. Plus, Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
For a thorough look at McAfee vs Norton, Norton leads in functionality, and TrustedVPN highly recommends it for complete protection. However, always compare plans to find the best fit for your needs.
As a senior editor, Kaidaira Miyahira conducts in-depth research and data analysis on VPNs, working closely with writers to produce comprehensive reviews and guides on the best VPNs for streaming, gaming, and secure browsing. With a strong background in online security, Kaidaira provides readers with expert insights into protecting their digital privacy and avoiding cyber threats. Passionate about internet freedom, Kaidaira has authored numerous articles offering practical strategies for enhancing security and maintaining anonymity online.