McAfee Review 2026: Unlimited Devices from $30/yr (Worth It?)

McAfee is one of the oldest names in antivirus software, founded in 1987. But in a market crowded with newer competitors, does this veteran security suite still hold up? We dug into independent lab tests, real-world performance data, and user experiences to give you an honest assessment.

Here’s what you need to know before subscribing.

Quick Verdict

McAfee Total Protection delivers excellent malware detection backed by consistently perfect independent lab scores. The unlimited device coverage and comprehensive identity theft protection set it apart from many competitors. However, the VPN and password manager are basic compared to dedicated solutions, and the aggressive renewal pricing requires attention.

Bottom line: McAfee is a solid choice for families and users who want all-in-one security with identity monitoring. Just be prepared to negotiate or shop around at renewal time.

What Is McAfee Total Protection?

McAfee Total Protection is a comprehensive security suite that goes beyond traditional antivirus. It combines malware protection with identity theft monitoring, a VPN, password manager, and various privacy tools.

The product line has evolved significantly. What used to be called “McAfee Total Protection” is now part of the “McAfee+” family, with tiers ranging from Essential to Ultimate. Each tier adds more identity protection features while maintaining the same core antivirus engine.

Current McAfee Product Lineup

Plan	Devices	Identity Coverage	Key Features
Essential	5	Basic monitoring	Antivirus, VPN, Password Manager
Premium	Unlimited	$1M coverage	+ Personal Data Cleanup guidance
Advanced	Unlimited	$1M coverage	+ Full-service data removal
Ultimate	Unlimited	$2M coverage	+ 3-bureau credit monitoring, ransomware coverage

All plans include the core antivirus engine, firewall, VPN (with auto-renewal), and True Key password manager. The differences come down to identity protection depth and data removal services.

Malware Detection and Protection

This is where McAfee truly excels. Independent lab testing consistently ranks McAfee among the top performers for threat detection.

AV-TEST Results (2024-2025)

McAfee achieved perfect 6/6 scores across Protection, Performance, and Usability in recent AV-TEST evaluations:

• February 2026: 6/6/6
• December 2024: 6/6/6
• August 2024: 6/6/6
• June 2024: 6/6/6

In fact, McAfee was the only vendor to top both Protection and Performance categories in 2024, earning AV-TEST Awards for Best Advanced Protection and Best Performance.

AV-Comparatives Results

In the March 2024 AV-Comparatives malware protection test, McAfee achieved a 100% protection rate—one of only four programs to do so (alongside ESET, G Data, and Microsoft Defender).

For phishing protection, McAfee scored a 95% detection rate in AV-Comparatives’ 2024 testing, though it had more false alarms than some competitors.

Protection Features

McAfee’s protection goes beyond basic virus scanning:

• Real-Time Scanning: Monitors files and processes continuously
• Firewall: Blocks unauthorized network access
• Web Protection: Warns about dangerous websites before you visit
• Scam Detector: AI-powered protection against phishing and social engineering
• Ransomware Protection: Prevents file encryption attacks
• Vulnerability Scanner: Identifies outdated software that could be exploited

System Performance Impact

Here’s where opinions diverge. Lab tests show one thing; user experience sometimes tells another story.

Lab Test Performance

AV-Comparatives conducted an extensive Performance Test measuring the impact of security software on system resources. Testing on a low-end PC (Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, SSD), McAfee Total Protection earned an overall impact score of 2.8—the lightest product in the test, well below the industry average of 12.3.

This earned McAfee the highest possible ranking: ADVANCED+ (3 Stars) for performance.

Real-World Observations

Despite excellent lab scores, some users report different experiences:

• Full system scans can take significant time and may slow multitasking
• Boot times may increase by 15-30 seconds on some systems
• Background processes use resources during updates and real-time scanning
• Older hardware may feel the impact more than modern systems

Identity Theft Protection

McAfee’s identity protection features are a genuine differentiator. While many antivirus programs focus solely on malware, McAfee provides comprehensive identity monitoring—especially in higher-tier plans.

What’s Monitored

Depending on your plan, McAfee monitors:

• Dark web: Scans for your personal information on dark web marketplaces
• Social Security number: Alerts if your SSN appears in suspicious contexts
• Email addresses: Monitors for compromised credentials
• Bank accounts: Watches for unauthorized transactions
• Credit cards: Monitors for fraudulent charges
• Medical ID: Alerts to potential medical identity theft

Credit Monitoring by Plan

Plan	Credit Bureaus	Score Updates
Essential/Premium	None	None
Advanced	TransUnion only	Monthly
Ultimate	Experian, Equifax, TransUnion	Daily

Identity Theft Insurance

• Advanced: Up to $1 million in coverage
• Ultimate: Up to $2 million in coverage (individual) or $4 million (family plan)
• Ransomware Coverage: Ultimate adds $25,000 for ransomware-related expenses

The insurance covers eligible expenses including reimbursement for stolen funds, legal fees, lost wages, and identity restoration costs like notary fees and document mailing.

VPN: Safe Connect

Every McAfee plan includes the Safe Connect VPN, though you must enable auto-renewal to access it. Here’s an honest assessment:

VPN Specifications

• Servers: 2,000+ in 23 countries
• Encryption: AES-256 (bank-grade)
• Protocol: WireGuard
• Kill Switch: Yes (called “Safe Reconnect”)
• Split Tunneling: Android only

VPN Speed Performance

We gathered data from multiple testing sources:

• Local servers: 12-13% download speed reduction
• US/EU servers: 30-40% speed reduction typical
• Long-distance (Asia/Pacific): 40-43% reduction
• Best recorded speed: 270 Mbps (compared to 950+ Mbps from dedicated VPNs like Surfshark)

VPN Limitations

• No streaming unblocking: Unlike ExpressVPN or NordVPN, McAfee’s VPN doesn’t reliably work with Netflix, Disney+, or other streaming services
• Limited server network: 23 countries is modest compared to 90+ from major VPN providers
• No multi-hop: Can’t route through multiple servers for extra privacy
• Being phased out: The standalone Safe Connect app is being retired in 2025; VPN will only be available through McAfee antivirus apps

Verdict on VPN: The included VPN is adequate for basic privacy on public WiFi but shouldn’t be compared to dedicated VPN services. If streaming access or maximum speed matters, you’ll want a separate VPN subscription.

Password Manager: True Key

McAfee includes True Key, its password manager, with all plans. True Key uses industry-standard security:

• Encryption: AES-256
• Architecture: Zero-knowledge (McAfee can’t see your passwords)
• Multi-factor authentication: Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint, 2nd device

True Key Limitations

True Key is basic compared to dedicated password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden:

• No password sharing between family members
• No emergency access if you’re incapacitated
• Limited import options (only LastPass and Dashlane)
• No detailed security auditing of password strength
• No data breach alerts for compromised passwords

Verdict on True Key: It works fine as a basic password manager included with your security subscription, but it’s not a replacement for dedicated solutions if password management is a priority.

Pricing and Plans (2025)

McAfee’s pricing requires careful attention. The first-year promotional prices are attractive, but renewal rates jump significantly.

First-Year Pricing

Plan	First Year	Devices
Essential (2-year)	$39.99	5
Premium	$49.99	Unlimited
Premium Family	$69.99	Unlimited
Advanced	$89.99	Unlimited
Ultimate	$199.99	Unlimited

Renewal Pricing

Plan	Renewal Price	Increase
Essential	$119.99	3x
Premium	$149.99	3x
Advanced	$199.99	2.2x
Ultimate	$279.99	1.4x

Value Analysis

At first-year prices, McAfee offers solid value:

• $29.99/year for basic protection is competitive with Norton, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky
• Unlimited devices on Premium+ plans is excellent for families with many devices
• Identity monitoring provides real value that standalone services charge $10-20/month for

At renewal prices, the value proposition weakens. $149.99/year for Premium is steep when competitors offer similar protection for less.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

All McAfee plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you time to test the software on your devices before committing.

Who Should Use McAfee?

McAfee Is a Good Fit If You:

• Have many devices: Unlimited device coverage means one subscription covers everything
• Want identity protection: The identity monitoring features are genuinely useful, especially on Advanced/Ultimate plans
• Prefer set-and-forget security: McAfee runs quietly in the background
• Need family coverage: Family plans with separate identity monitoring for each member
• Trust established brands: 35+ years in the security industry

Consider Alternatives If You:

• Want the best VPN: Dedicated VPN services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN vastly outperform McAfee’s included VPN
• Need advanced password management: 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane offer more features
• Are on a tight budget: Bitdefender and Kaspersky often offer similar core protection for less
• Prefer open-source: Solutions like ClamAV or combining Microsoft Defender with Malwarebytes may suit you better
• Have older hardware: While lab tests show low impact, some users with older systems report slowdowns

Frequently Asked Questions

Is McAfee good antivirus software in 2025?

Yes. McAfee consistently earns perfect scores from AV-TEST (6/6/6) and achieved 100% malware protection in AV-Comparatives testing. It’s a reliable choice for comprehensive security, though it may be overkill if you only need basic protection.

Does McAfee slow down your computer?

Lab tests show McAfee has minimal system impact—the lowest among tested products according to AV-Comparatives. However, full scans can temporarily affect performance, and some users with older hardware report longer boot times.

Is McAfee’s VPN any good?

McAfee’s included VPN provides basic privacy protection with AES-256 encryption and WireGuard protocol. However, it doesn’t work for streaming, has a limited server network (23 countries), and is slower than dedicated VPN services. It’s fine for public WiFi security but not a replacement for services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

What’s the difference between McAfee Total Protection and McAfee+?

McAfee+ is the current product line, replacing the old “Total Protection” branding. McAfee+ plans (Essential, Premium, Advanced, Ultimate) offer varying levels of identity protection in addition to core antivirus features.

Is McAfee worth the renewal price?

This depends on your needs. At promotional first-year prices, McAfee offers excellent value. At renewal prices ($149.99+ for Premium), you’re paying a premium for the brand and identity features. Consider negotiating, looking for promotions, or comparing alternatives at renewal time.

Does McAfee protect against ransomware?

Yes. McAfee includes ransomware protection in all plans. The Ultimate plan adds $25,000 in ransomware coverage through the identity theft insurance.

Can I use McAfee on multiple devices?

Yes. Premium, Advanced, and Ultimate plans cover unlimited devices across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Essential covers 5 devices.

Is McAfee legitimate or a scam?

McAfee is a legitimate cybersecurity company with a 35+ year history. However, beware of fake “McAfee” pop-ups and emails used in phishing scams—these are not from the real company. Always access McAfee through mcafee.com directly.

Final Verdict

McAfee Total Protection (now McAfee+) delivers on its core promise: excellent malware protection backed by industry-leading lab scores. The 100% detection rates and perfect AV-TEST scores aren’t marketing fluff—they’re verified by independent testing.

The real value comes from the combination of protection, unlimited devices, and identity monitoring. For families with multiple devices and concerns about identity theft, McAfee’s higher-tier plans bundle services that would cost more separately.

However, McAfee isn’t without drawbacks:

• The VPN and password manager are serviceable but basic
• Renewal prices are aggressive (watch out for auto-renewal)
• Some users experience performance impacts the labs don’t show

At first-year pricing, McAfee is easy to recommend for most users. At renewal pricing, shop around or negotiate.

Our Rating: 4.3/5

McAfee earns high marks for protection and features but loses points for VPN quality, basic password management, and renewal pricing practices.

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Last updated: December 2025. We regularly review our recommendations and will update this article as McAfee releases new features or when independent lab results change.