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Basecamp vs McAfee Total Protection

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

All industries

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
McAfee Total Protection logo

McAfee Total Protection

Security & Cybersecurity

Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions

From
$29.99/year
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Basecamp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and McAfee Total Protection actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and McAfee Total Protection differ
AttributeBasecampMcAfee Total Protection
Starting priceFree$29.99/year
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryAll industriesSecurity & Cybersecurity
Founded20041987

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Basecamp

  • Message boards
  • To-do lists
  • Schedules
  • Documents & files
  • Group chat
  • Check-in questions
  • Hill Charts
  • Email forwards

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.

Basecamp

  • Project management for a small team in one placenot McAfee Total Protection
  • Message boards and chat alongside to-dosnot McAfee Total Protection
  • Client collaboration, since guests are not chargednot McAfee Total Protection
  • Flat-rate project management for a larger team on Pro Unlimitednot McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection

  • Antivirusnot Basecamp
  • Internet Securitynot Basecamp
  • Identity Protectionnot Basecamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Basecamp

  • The free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage
  • Pro is $15 per user per month, so cost scales with headcount unlike the flat Pro Unlimited at $299 a month billed annually
  • Storage beyond the plan costs $50 a month per additional terabyte
  • Timesheet and the Admin Pro Pack are paid upgrades on Pro and only bundled with Pro Unlimited

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

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp review.

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 Basecamp if

  • You need message boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want to-do lists.

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 Basecamp or McAfee Total Protection better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp starts at Free 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, Basecamp or McAfee Total Protection?
Basecamp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Basecamp and $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection.
Does Basecamp or McAfee Total Protection run on more platforms?
Basecamp runs on Web. McAfee Total Protection runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Basecamp for free?
Yes. Basecamp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year.
What is Basecamp best used for?
Basecamp is most often used for project management for a small team in one place, message boards and chat alongside to-dos, client collaboration, since guests are not charged, flat-rate project management for a larger team on pro unlimited. Of those, project management for a small team in one place and message boards and chat alongside to-dos are not what McAfee Total Protection is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that McAfee Total Protection cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. 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.

Source
McAfee 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.

Source
McAfee 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.

Source
McAfee Total Protection: Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN?

VPN is included in higher-tier McAfee plans if you opt for auto-renewal.

Source

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