Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading security & cybersecurity solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Avast One if you need Antivirus and prefer a free starting option. Choose McAfee Total Protection if you prioritize Real-time antivirus and want plans starting at $39.99/year. Avast One has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection: At a Glance
| Criteria | Avast One | McAfee Total Protection |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Free | $39.99/year |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Category | Security & Cybersecurity | Security & Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 1988 | 1987 |
Feature Comparison: Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection
| Feature | Avast One | McAfee Total Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus | ||
| Firewall | ||
| VPN | ||
| Data breach monitoring | ||
| Email Guardian | ||
| Webcam Shield | ||
| Ransomware Shield | ||
| Performance optimization | ||
| Windows Security | ||
| macOS | ||
| Chrome | ||
| Firefox | ||
| AV-TEST Certified | ||
| AV-Comparatives Award | ||
| Cloud deployment | ||
| Real-time antivirus | ||
| Safe browsing | ||
| Password manager | ||
| Secure VPN | ||
| Identity monitoring | ||
| Protection Score | ||
| Parental controls | ||
| Edge |
Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection: Pricing Breakdown
Avast One Pricing
Model: freemium
- 1 Device
- Antivirus
- VPN (5GB/week)
- Basic firewall
- 5 Devices
- All Essential features
- Unlimited VPN
- Identity protection
- 30 Devices
- All Individual features
- Family sharing
- Advanced privacy
McAfee Total Protection Pricing
Model: subscription
- 1 Device
- Antivirus
- VPN
- Password Manager
- 5 Devices
- All Basic features
- Identity Monitoring
- Personal Data Cleanup
- Unlimited Devices
- All Plus features
- Credit monitoring
- Identity theft coverage
Pros and Cons
Avast One
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Antivirus functionality
- Strong Firewall functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
McAfee Total Protection
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Real-time antivirus functionality
- Strong Firewall functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection?
Choose Avast One if you:
- Need Antivirus
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Firewall
Choose McAfee Total Protection if you:
- Need Real-time antivirus
- Have a budget of $39.99/year+
- Work primarily on Web and Desktop
- Value Firewall
Frequently Asked Questions: Avast One vs McAfee Total Protection
Is Avast One better than McAfee Total Protection?
It depends on your needs. Avast One has a 4.4/5 user rating while McAfee Total Protection has 4.3/5. Avast One excels in Antivirus and Firewall, while McAfee Total Protection stands out with Real-time antivirus and Firewall. Consider your budget (Free vs $39.99/year), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Avast One or McAfee Total Protection?
Avast One offers a free plan and starts at Free. McAfee Total Protection starts at $39.99/year. Avast One has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Avast One and McAfee Total Protection together?
While both are security & cybersecurity tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core security & cybersecurity needs.
What are the main differences between Avast One and McAfee Total Protection?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs subscription), platform support (Web, Desktop, Mobile vs Web, Desktop, Mobile), and feature focus. Avast One emphasizes Antivirus, Firewall, VPN while McAfee Total Protection focuses on Real-time antivirus, Firewall, Safe browsing. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Avast One and McAfee Total Protection.