Head-to-head
McAfee vs Norton
Which family plan fits your devices? A like-for-like comparison of coverage and bundling to help you choose with confidence.
Ad-supported — we may earn a commission from links on this page, at no cost to you, and it never changes our assessments. How this works.
The short version
Both are mature, cross-platform suites. The practical difference is shape: McAfee is often framed around multi-device and family value, while Norton frequently bundles extras such as a VPN and cloud backup into higher tiers. If you want several tools in one subscription, Norton’s bundling may appeal; if you mainly need wide device coverage, McAfee’s family plans are worth a look.
Side-by-side
| Feature | McAfee | Norton |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families & many devices | All-in-one bundles |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Core antivirus | Yes | Yes |
| Devices (US plans) | 5 on Essential, unlimited on McAfee+ | 1 to 10+ by plan |
| VPN included | Every plan (Secure VPN) | Every Norton 360 plan, not AntiVirus Plus |
| Cloud backup | Not among the plan features | 2 GB to 250 GB+ by plan, Windows only |
| Identity features | Monitoring in every plan; credit tools and coverage from Advanced | Dark Web Monitoring in Norton 360; LifeLock bundles (US-only) add identity theft protection |
| First-term price | See official site | See official site |
| Renewal price | See official site | See official site |
McAfee
- Best for
- Families & many devices
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Core antivirus
- Yes
- Devices (US plans)
- 5 on Essential, unlimited on McAfee+
- VPN included
- Every plan (Secure VPN)
- Cloud backup
- Not among the plan features
- Identity features
- Monitoring in every plan; credit tools and coverage from Advanced
- First-term price
- See official site
- Renewal price
- See official site
Norton
- Best for
- All-in-one bundles
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
- Core antivirus
- Yes
- Devices (US plans)
- 1 to 10+ by plan
- VPN included
- Every Norton 360 plan, not AntiVirus Plus
- Cloud backup
- 2 GB to 250 GB+ by plan, Windows only
- Identity features
- Dark Web Monitoring in Norton 360; LifeLock bundles (US-only) add identity theft protection
- First-term price
- 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, not the marketing.
- Decide if you’ll use the extras. A bundled VPN/backup 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.
Want the detail? Read the full McAfee review and Norton review.
Who should pick which
Sources · checked Oct 14, 2026
Frequently asked questions
McAfee or Norton — which is better?
Neither is universally ‘better’. McAfee leans toward multi-device/family value; Norton leans toward bundling extras — a VPN in every Norton 360 plan, cloud backup that grows with the tier. The right pick depends on your device count and whether you’ll use the extras.
Do they both cover Mac and phones?
Both document coverage for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Confirm feature parity for your specific devices on each vendor’s official site.
Where do I see the current price?
On each vendor’s official checkout. Pricing changes often and first-term promotions differ from renewal, so compare the renewal price, not just the intro offer.