Have a major dilemma in opting for an antivirus product? Pretty confused between McAfee and Avast? Well, we have carried out a full comparison based on the 2 antivirus software, so you can easily understand what all the 2 software have to offer. Whereas, based on your understanding you can choose the one which suits best for your day to day protection need.
So, Let’s get started with McAfee vs Avast comparison review.
As in today’s time, there is no stopping in the increasing rate of internet users. The same implies to the threats available on the internet. There are millions of dangerous files and malware available on the internet waiting for infecting its billions of users. That’s when antivirus comes into action, as this Antivirus software is responsible for the protection of the users from online threats. Since it tends to block off the harmful and malicious files and ware from reaching one’s computer. Although, they also are responsible for cleaning out an infected PC. By simply scanning it and removing the dangerous files.
Today, McAfee and Avast are pretty known software in the antivirus market. There is often a dilemma in opting anyone among these 2 software, It is Because of all the features, they have to offer to their users. They may lack a couple of features or may excel to one another to some extent, which tends to create a sense of the difference between the 2 software. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out. Making it easier for readers to decide which one fits their needs.
Plans offered by McAfee & Avast Antivirus:
The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.
McAfee Antivirus Suites
- McAfee Total Security Suite (Both Windows and Mac).
- And the McAfee LiveSafe Suite (Both Windows and Mac).
The Avast Antivirus Suites
- The free version. Avast free antivirus (Windows Only)
- The professional version of the software known as Avast Pro antivirus (Windows Only)
- Premier version is also available and known as Avast Premier (Windows Only)
- The internet security specified version. Avast Internet Security (Windows Only)
- The ultimate version of the software. Avast Ultimate (Windows Only)
- Pro version specialized for Mac. Avast Security Pro (Macintosh Only)
- And last is the security version also specific to Mac. Avast Security (Macintosh Only)
Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software. Provided by the 2 companies for home users.
Pre-Comparison Result (Short Verdict)
Note: This section of the article is for those who want to skip the effort of reading an in-depth comparison report of the 2 antiviruses and directly know the result.
As per the research, McAfee is a slightly better option than Avast. Although they contain almost similar security features and provide their users with almost the same type of tools, regardless of that Avast provides more no. of version as a separate option for its customers than McAfee, McAfee excels in the price section. Also, as per the Lab test reports McAfee excels from Avast in the impact on the system performance test section with a very minute difference and was stated almost the same as Avast in the “Protection” test section making McAfee the winner of the battle with a close call.
It is recommended to kindly read the full comparison report for in-depth knowledge of what both the software has to offer before opting for any one of them.
A detailed description of everything included in McAfee’s Antivirus Suites
McAfee is a well-renowned antivirus software known for its security and features. It is one of the famous antiviruses present out there in the market. It provides users with different products. Hence, those are stated above, readers can refer to the context stated above. Therefore all the things which the available versions of the software have to offer are as follows:
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McAfee Total Protection
This particular product is the companies most profound and best-selling product. It offers its users with complete protection from all types of threats. Besides that, it offers a 2-way firewall, a file shredder, and a file utility tool. Whereas, it also comprises of a Network Manager (Responsible for the protection of wifi network and prevents the intruder’s interference), an anti-spam filter(Blocks of malicious emails and messages) and a Vulnerability Scanner suite(keeps check on outdated software and other security flaws).
On top of that, the software consists of A Parental Control module, a social media guard and several computer optimization tools present there in the software. The “Total Protection” subscription also provides the customers with five licenses 0f True Key Identity Manager (Password manager by McAfee). The single subscription of the high-end product by McAfee also allows the protection of up to 10 devices. Regardless of their OS.
McAfee guarantees in the state of Malware infection, that McAfee expert will either remove the virus completely or will refund your money. Supporting its statement stating “100% virus Protection Guarantee”.
Note: The software also provides an extension of Web Advisor, which users can buy separately.
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McAfee LiveSafe
The LiveSafe version by McAfee offers everything present there in the Total Protection Suite. Also, it provides its customers with 1GB of Secure cloud storage to store their files.
Note: Both “Total Security” and “LiveSafe” by McAfee offers compatibility with Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices.
A detailed description of everything included in Avast Security Suites
Avast antivirus software is one of the most profound and famous antivirus software out there in the market. Therefore, it tends to provide a lot of options to the user to select the one which suits them better. Hence, those are stated above, readers can refer to the context stated above. Therefore all the things which the stated version of the software has to offer are as follows:
Avast Free Antivirus
The free version of Avast offers a lot of features in the freeware market. In simpler words, it is one of the most feature-rich antivirus available in the market. The Antivirus Offers a lot of handy features such as WIFI inspector, A limited software updater, An unlimited use password vault, and a game mode. Although the free version also includes web and email-based threat detectors. Also one can simply make use of Avast’s free Rescue Disk to remove deep-rooted malware.
But there are extra features that lack the software. And hence, it is limited to only a month. Therefore, for you to be on the safe side, it is recommended to opt for the paid version.
Avast Pro Antivirus
Avast Antivirus Pro includes all the features from the free version. As well as more features like sandbox technology which allows you to test suspicious files in a separate environment, a Real Site feature that prevents hackers to redirect you to unsafe pages and moreover premium in-product support.
Avast Premier Antivirus
In this version, users get the file shredder feature, an automatic updater, and webcam spying protection. Hence is a bit more advanced than the pro version.
Avast Internet Security Antivirus
This particular software carries forward all the features available in the pro version as well as tends to add a firewall, An extra layer of Ransome protection and anti-spam filters which tend to block spam emails and messages.
Avast Ultimate Antivirus
This software in particular packs everything that the company has to offer. It consists of everything explained and inputted in the above-stated software. Although, apart from it, the software offers clean-up utility, an unlimited VPN, and a premium version of Avast’s password manager.
Avast Security Antivirus
The security version of the Avast antivirus is specialized and is created for Mac users which they can tend to download from the official site for free. Since it is a similar version of the software available that on Windows and hence contains the same features.
Avast Security Pro Antivirus
The Security Pro version consists of ransomware protection elements and other additional features in it. Hence, this version is specifically dedicated to Mac users.
McAfee vs Avast (in terms of providing better protection)
As of the 2 software. Both of them are considered to be really good Antivirus. Because of the protection and features, they provide to their customers against vicious malware and harmful files found on the internet.
Therefore, the tests were held by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. To check how well an Antivirus is against such increasing threats. Since these are the software responsible for an individual’s internet security and safety.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as a High-end PC.
AV-Test (Tests)
According to AV-Test, the tests were held in November and December 2017 on Windows 10. Both software protected the system 100%. when tested against 185 samples of zero-day malware and 10,684 samples widespread malware.
McAfee’s Performance, It was completely impressive. Since its detection rate was 100%. Meaning it was perfect in detecting malware. It was awarded a perfect score of 6/6 in the test against zero-day malware and widespread malware in the “Protection” category, and for the false positives, it returned only one bagging a perfect score of 6/6 in the “Usability” category.
And 0n the other hand Avast also showed a pretty impressive performance as it also achieved a perfect score of 6/6 with a slightly low protection rate of 99.9% in the “Protection” category. But for the false positive’s case, it returned 4 false positives in both the months achieving a good score of 5.5/6 in the “Usability” category.
AV-Comparatives (Tests)
AV-Comparatives also conducted 2 test. Malware Protection Test and Real-World Protection Test.
As for the recent Real-World Protection test held in November 2017. Avast and McAfee both achieved the top-most “ADVANCED+” award in the test. But contrary to AV-Test results, Avast showed better output than McAfee with a protection rate of 100% whereas McAfee showed a protection rate of 98.9%.
But when it comes to false positives, well the results weren’t the same. McAfee returned only one false positive, well, on the other hand, Avast registered 3.
And for the Malware Protection test held in September 2017, Avast again outshined McAfee by giving out a near-perfect protection score of 99.9%. Whereas the McAfee protection score was out-shadowed by that of Avast, as McAfee registered the protection score of 99.86%. But for the false-positive count, Avast returned 9 false positives whereas McAfee only rang 2 false alarms.
Therefore, looking at the test results, it can be concluded that both the software are capable to provide top-notch security and are almost equals to each other in the “Protection” category. Therefore, its a tie between the 2 software in terms of providing security to their respective users.
McAfee vs Avast (in terms of impact on system)
Real-Time scanning, the major reason for the antivirus to perform its activities in the background. Although, it is been a concern of people since they are accused of consuming a high amount of CPU performance. But it is important for the sake of safety and security.
Therefore, in recent times companies have focused to create more and more lightweight Antivirus software so the least possible strain can be exerted on the CPU and one can work on its system with ease. Since heavy strain can result in unexpected pauses and hang in a system which can be pretty annoying sometimes.
Therefore, tests were conducted by independent labs to carry out the result of how the 2 software fared in a particular category. By carrying out a couple of activities like launching popular websites, downloading and installing, commonly used applications, copying of files, and more.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as a High-end PC.
McAfee’s impact Test
McAfee attained the perfect score of 6/6 by the AV experts. Since it was very minimal in the background and did not put any type of load on the CPU. Attaining a perfect score in the “Performance” Category.
Below are the test reports for McAfee in the “Performance” Category (AV-Test).
Whereas in AV-Comparatives test results, McAfee attained an “ADVANCED +” rating with a low rating of 7.3. Making it a pretty stable software to use.
Below are the test reports for McAfee in the “Performance” Category (AV-Comparative).
Avast’s Impact Test
Avast, on the other hand, wasn’t able to provide a perfect score as McAfee but did provide an acceptable score of 5/6 making it a bit more stressful software than McAfee in the “Performance” Category.
Below are the test reports for Avast in the “Performance” Category (AV-Test).
Whereas in AV-Comparatives test results, Avast also attained an “ADVANCED +” rating with a low rating of 8.9. Making it a pretty stable software to use.
Below are the test reports for Avast in “Performance” Category (AV-Comparative).
Note: Keep in mind the lower the rating in AV-Comparative test results the better the software in the “Performance” category.
Looking at the results, it is clear that both the software tends to show a minimal amount of CPU degradation. Since both end up providing similar results. Hence it is clear that none of these two software will significantly slow down your system. But it has to be said that McAfee is slightly better in terms of impact on a system as it showed better results than Avast.
McAfee vs Avast (in terms of Price)
Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score and hence have similar features to offer to their customers. But as for the price tags, it might not be the same case. As in this section, we’ll be stating the allotted price of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to decide which one fits their budget.
McAfee Antivirus Software Pricing
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McAfee Total Protection
The total protection by McAfee is available for you to purchase at cost of rupees 1400 for a year subscription and protection up to 5 devices.
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McAfee LiveSafe
The LiveSafe version is cost at rupees 1299 for a year subscription for 1 device protection.
Note: Each product prices vary depending on the no. of devices protection is needed for.
Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of McAfee software on a different platform.
Avast Antivirus Software Pricing
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The Avast Pro Antivirus
The price of this software is set to be 49.99 dollars for a year subscription.
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Avast Internet security
Avast Internet security is priced at 47.99 dollars for a 1-year subscription and 87.99 dollars for a 2-year subscription.
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The Avast Premier
The premier membership for 1 year cost 55.99 dollars and the 2 years one costs at 111.99 dollars.
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Avast Ultimate
The ultimate only consists of a 1-year membership plan which is set to be priced at 119.99 dollars a year.
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Avast Security for Mac
This software is priced at 47.99 dollars a year.
Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of Avast software on a different platform.
Final Thoughts
The conclusion for the Comparison review carried out on McAfee and Avast is that both of the Antivirus software is very well functioning and, have proved to be pretty successful in protection from online threats and malicious ware to having a really low impact on the system. But as of the result of the comparison between the 2. McAfee excels at a very close range, Because of its streamlined features as well as price options available for all its customers. Also, the company state to refund the money, if the software fails to detect and remove 100% of the virus from an infected PC. Therefore, it tends to protect from 100% of malicious files followed by giving out less impact on the system.
Hence, Both McAfee and Avast are pretty close to each other in terms of providing protection and having a low impact on the systems. Based on the comparison which is just carried out in the above context. But, as of the result, McAfee is the winning contender of this head to head comparison between McAfee and Avast.