Head-to-head · UK
McAfee vs Avast
Breadth for big households against a familiar all-rounder that starts free. Here's how to tell which one fits.
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The short version
McAfee's strength is breadth: one subscription spanning a household's Windows PCs, Macs and phones, with a VPN and identity monitoring in every plan and credit tools on the higher ones. Avast is a familiar all-rounder best known for its free antivirus, with paid tiers adding scam protection, a VPN and clean-up tools. Busy, mixed-device homes tend to suit McAfee; one or two devices — or anyone who wants to start free — tend to suit Avast.
Side-by-side
| Feature | McAfee | Avast |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mixed-OS families, many devices | Familiar all-rounder |
| Signature angle | Breadth + family-scale management | Recognised brand, broad suite |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Core antivirus | Yes | Yes |
| Bundled extras (UK) | Scam Detector, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan | Scam text and call blocking in Premium Security; VPN in Ultimate |
| Skip it if | You only protect one device | You dislike upsell prompts |
| Price in pounds (GBP) | 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 (UK)
- Scam Detector, VPN and identity monitoring in every plan
- Skip it if
- You only protect one device
- Price in pounds (GBP)
- See official site
- Renewal price
- See official site
Avast
- Best for
- Familiar all-rounder
- Signature angle
- Recognised brand, broad suite
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Core antivirus
- Yes
- Bundled extras (UK)
- Scam text and call blocking in Premium Security; VPN in Ultimate
- Skip it if
- You dislike upsell prompts
- Price in pounds (GBP)
- See official site
- Renewal price
- See official site
How to choose between them
- Start from your device count. Many devices across several operating systems point to McAfee's household plans; one or two point to Avast or built-in protection.
- Decide whether you want identity monitoring. McAfee's higher tiers bundle it; with Avast you'd typically look elsewhere for it.
- Weigh prompts and privacy. Expect upgrade prompts in Avast's lower tiers, and review its privacy settings — see our Avast review.
- Compare renewal prices. McAfee takes renewal payments ahead of the term ending, and both raise prices after the first term — compare year two.
- Know what's different in the UK. McAfee — Scam Detector in every plan; no US credit tools. Avast — Scam SMS and call blocking in Premium Security.
Want the detail? Read the full McAfee review and Avast review, or see how all five suites line up in our UK picks.