Softwr

Software · head to head

Google Analytics vs McAfee Total Protection

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Software

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
McAfee Total Protection logo

McAfee Total Protection

Software

Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions

From
$29.99/year
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Google Analytics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Analytics and McAfee Total Protection differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsMcAfee Total Protection
Starting priceFree$29.99/year
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded19981987

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

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 Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

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.

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot McAfee Total Protection
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot McAfee Total Protection
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection

  • Antivirusnot Google Analytics
  • Internet Securitynot Google Analytics
  • Identity Protectionnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

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

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

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

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics 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 Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.

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 Google Analytics or McAfee Total Protection better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics 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, Google Analytics or McAfee Total Protection?
Google Analytics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Analytics and $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection.
Does Google Analytics or McAfee Total Protection run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. McAfee Total Protection runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Yes. Google Analytics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what McAfee Total Protection is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that McAfee Total Protection cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. 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

Related pages

Other head to heads