Software · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs McAfee Total Protection
Kaspersky Total Security
Software
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
McAfee Total Protection
Software
Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions
- From
- $29.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and McAfee Total Protection actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | McAfee Total Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $29.99/year |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 1997 | 1987 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android), 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 Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- VPN
- File encryption
- Browser extensions
- AV-Comparatives Certified
Only in McAfee Total Protection
- Real-time antivirus
- Firewall
- Safe browsing
- Secure VPN
- Identity monitoring
- Protection Score
- Chrome
- Firefox
Both cover
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- Windows Security
- macOS
- AV-TEST Certified
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Desktop support
- Mobile support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Parental Controlnot McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Identity Protectionnot Kaspersky Total Security
Both are used for antivirus, internet security, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
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
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
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 Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
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 Kaspersky Total Security or McAfee Total Protection better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security 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, Kaspersky Total Security or McAfee Total Protection?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kaspersky Total Security and $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or McAfee Total Protection run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year.
- What is Kaspersky Total Security best used for?
- Kaspersky Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, parental control. Of those, parental control is not what McAfee Total Protection is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that McAfee Total Protection cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Firewall, Safe browsing, Secure VPN. Both handle Parental controls, Password manager, Windows Security, macOS.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceMcAfee 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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceMcAfee Total Protection: Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN?
VPN is included in higher-tier McAfee plans if you opt for auto-renewal.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
Source