Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Acunetix vs McAfee Total Protection

Acunetix
Security & Cybersecurity
Web application security testing made easy
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

McAfee Total Protection
Security & Cybersecurity
Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions
- From
- $29.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Acunetix aWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service; McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
- They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acunetix and McAfee Total Protection actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acunetix | McAfee Total Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $29.99/year |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web, Api | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2005 | 1987 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Acunetix
- DAST scanning
- IAST technology
- AcuSensor
- JavaScript security
- SQL injection testing
- XSS detection
- OWASP Top 10
- API security testing
Only in McAfee Total Protection
- Real-time antivirus
- Firewall
- Safe browsing
- Password manager
- Secure VPN
- Identity monitoring
- Protection Score
- Parental controls
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Acunetix
- Vulnerability Scannernot McAfee Total Protection
- Web Securitynot McAfee Total Protection
- Dastnot McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection
- Antivirusnot Acunetix
- Internet Securitynot Acunetix
- Identity Protectionnot Acunetix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Acunetix
- AWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service
- AWS Marketplace's Invicti listing shows Premium Support priced separately at $150,000 per year and Premium Support with Guided Success at $300,000 per year, on top of the base scanning licence
McAfee Total Protection
- Significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
- Customer support responsiveness issues reported as reason for switching
- Renewal billing can be aggressive with auto-renewal defaults
Pricing, plan by plan
Acunetix
On request- StandardFree
- Single user
- 5 targets
- Scheduled scans
- PremiumFree
- Multiple users
- Unlimited targets
- CI/CD integration
- Acunetix 360Free
- Enterprise features
- SDLC integration
- Custom workflows
McAfee Total Protection
$29.99/year- Basic$29.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- 1 device
- Plus$39.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- 5 devices
- Premium$49.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- VPN
- Advanced$74.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose Acunetix if
- You need dast scanning.
- You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
- You also want iast technology.
Choose McAfee Total Protection if
- You need real-time antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want firewall.
Questions people ask
- Is Acunetix or McAfee Total Protection better?
- Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and McAfee Total Protection at $29.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Acunetix or McAfee Total Protection?
- Acunetix starts at On request and McAfee Total Protection at $29.99/year.
- Does Acunetix or McAfee Total Protection run on more platforms?
- Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. McAfee Total Protection runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- What is Acunetix best used for?
- Acunetix is most often used for vulnerability scanner, web security, dast. Of those, vulnerability scanner and web security are not what McAfee Total Protection is typically brought in for.
- What can Acunetix do that McAfee Total Protection cannot?
- Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Firewall, Safe browsing, Password manager.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
McAfee Total Protection: How much does McAfee Total Protection cost?
McAfee Total Protection introductory pricing ranges from $29.99/year (Basic) to $74.99/year (Advanced), but renewal costs jump to $84.99/year after the first year.
SourceMcAfee Total Protection: What is the trial period for McAfee Total Protection?
McAfee offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free for two months.
SourceMcAfee Total Protection: How many devices can I protect with one McAfee Total Protection subscription?
Device coverage varies by plan: Basic covers 1 device, while other plans protect 5 to unlimited devices depending on the tier selected.
SourceMcAfee Total Protection: Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN?
VPN is included in higher-tier McAfee plans if you opt for auto-renewal.
SourceRelated pages
More on McAfee Total Protection
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