Head-to-head · Australia
McAfee vs Norton
Two big all-in-one suites with different shapes: unlimited devices and scam alerts on one side, a bundle built around extras on the other.
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The short version
Both are mature, cross-platform suites. The practical difference is shape: McAfee's higher tiers cover unlimited devices and every plan includes its Scam Detector alerts, which makes it a natural fit for big households. Norton bundles a VPN and a password manager from its first Norton 360 tier and adds identity tools higher up. If you mainly need wide device coverage, McAfee is worth a look; if you want several tools in one subscription for a handful of devices, Norton's bundle may appeal.
Side-by-side
| Feature | McAfee | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mixed-OS families, many devices | All-in-one bundle seekers |
| Signature angle | Breadth + family-scale management | Bundled VPN + cloud backup |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Core antivirus | Yes | Yes |
| Bundled extras (Australia) | Scam Detector, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan; identity theft cover on Ultimate | VPN and password manager in every 360 plan; AIG identity insurance in Advanced |
| Skip it if | You only protect one device | You won't use the extras |
| Price in Australian dollars (AUD) | See official site | See official site |
| Renewal price | See official site | See official site |
McAfee
- Best for
- Mixed-OS families, many devices
- Signature angle
- Breadth + family-scale management
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Core antivirus
- Yes
- Bundled extras (Australia)
- Scam Detector, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan; identity theft cover on Ultimate
- Skip it if
- You only protect one device
- Price in Australian dollars (AUD)
- See official site
- Renewal price
- See official site
Norton
- Best for
- All-in-one bundle seekers
- Signature angle
- Bundled VPN + cloud backup
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Core antivirus
- Yes
- Bundled extras (Australia)
- VPN and password manager in every 360 plan; AIG identity insurance in Advanced
- Skip it if
- You won't use the extras
- Price in Australian dollars (AUD)
- See official site
- Renewal price
- See official site
How to choose between them
- Pick by device count. Count everything you'd install on, then match the plan. McAfee's upper tiers cover unlimited devices; Norton's plans have fixed device counts.
- Decide whether you'll use the extras. A bundled VPN or password manager is only a saving if it replaces something you'd otherwise pay for.
- Compare renewal prices. Both discount the first term; the renewal is the real ongoing cost.
- Know what's different in Australia. McAfee — Scam Detector in every plan; identity theft cover on Ultimate only. Norton — No LifeLock plans; identity theft insurance via AIG Australia in Advanced.
Want the detail? Read the full McAfee review and Norton review, or see how all five suites line up in our Australia picks.