Bitdefender vs McAfee
Bitdefender rates 4.6/5 and starts at $3/mo. McAfee rates 4.1/5 and starts at $3/mo. Bitdefender is the higher rated.
Bitdefender rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.1/5). Bitdefender suits Performance-conscious users, while McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices.
Bitdefender vs McAfee at a glance
| Measure | Bitdefender | McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Reviews | 9,800 | 8,600 |
| Starting price | $3/mo | $3/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Public API | No | No |
| Integrations listed here | 4 | 4 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.1 |
| Starting price | $3/mo | $3/mo |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Performance-conscious users | Families with many devices |
| Top malware detection | ||
| Low system impact | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| VPN (limited) | ||
| Anti-phishing | ||
| Antivirus & firewall | ||
| Unlimited devices (top tier) | ||
| Identity monitoring | ||
| VPN | ||
| Password manager | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Bitdefender
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Plus | $3/mo | $36 |
| Total Security | $4/mo | $48 |
| Ultimate | $6/mo | $72 |
McAfee
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $3/mo | $36 |
| Plus | $5/mo | $60 |
| Advanced | $8/mo | $96 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Bitdefender if…
- Best-in-class detection matters to you.
- Light on resources matters to you.
- Good value matters to you.
- Heavier system impact would be a problem.
Choose McAfee if…
- Unlimited devices option matters to you.
- Strong identity tools matters to you.
- Easy to use matters to you.
- Full VPN costs extra would be a problem.
Bitdefender
Pros
- Best-in-class detection
- Light on resources
- Good value
Cons
- Full VPN costs extra
- Renewal pricing higher
McAfee
Pros
- Unlimited devices option
- Strong identity tools
- Easy to use
Cons
- Heavier system impact
- Aggressive upsells
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitdefender better than McAfee?+
Bitdefender rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.1/5). Bitdefender suits Performance-conscious users, while McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices.
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender or McAfee?+
Bitdefender starts at $3/mo and McAfee starts at $3/mo.
Do Bitdefender or McAfee have a free plan?+
Neither offers a permanently free plan, but free trials are often available.
Which is better rated, Bitdefender or McAfee?+
Bitdefender, at 4.6/5 across 9,800 reviews, versus 4.1/5 for McAfee.
What is Bitdefender best for, and what is McAfee best for?+
Bitdefender is aimed at Performance-conscious users (best protection, older/slower PCs). McAfee is aimed at Families with many devices (many household devices, identity protection).