Head-to-head · Canada
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 (Canada) | Scam protection, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan; identity theft coverage on Ultimate | VPN and cloud backup in every 360 plan; scam protection in every tier |
| Skip it if | You only protect one device | You won't use the extras |
| Price in Canadian dollars (CAD) | 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 (Canada)
- Scam protection, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan; identity theft coverage on Ultimate
- Skip it if
- You only protect one device
- Price in Canadian dollars (CAD)
- 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 (Canada)
- VPN and cloud backup in every 360 plan; scam protection in every tier
- Skip it if
- You won't use the extras
- Price in Canadian dollars (CAD)
- 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 Canada. McAfee — Scam protection in every plan; identity theft coverage on Ultimate only. Norton — No LifeLock plans or identity insurance; scam protection in every tier.
Want the detail? Read the full McAfee review and Norton review, or see how all five suites line up in our Canada picks.