Softwr

Software · head to head

LastPass vs McAfee Total Protection

LastPass logo

LastPass

Software

Simplify online life with LastPass password manager

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 LastPass has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LastPass free plan limited to 1 device type only; McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year)
  • They diverge on capability: LastPass covers Password vault, McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where LastPass and McAfee Total Protection differ
AttributeLastPassMcAfee Total Protection
Starting priceFree$29.99/year
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, MobileWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
Founded20081987

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 LastPass

  • Password vault
  • Password generator
  • Autofill
  • Security dashboard
  • Dark web monitoring
  • Emergency access
  • Secure notes
  • Digital wallet

Only in McAfee Total Protection

  • Real-time antivirus
  • Firewall
  • Safe browsing
  • Password manager
  • Secure VPN
  • Identity monitoring
  • Protection Score
  • Parental controls

Both cover

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Edge

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LastPass

  • Password management and vault storagenot McAfee Total Protection
  • Multi-device access and autofillnot McAfee Total Protection
  • Dark web monitoring and security dashboardnot McAfee Total Protection
  • Team collaboration with shared folders and policiesnot McAfee Total Protection

McAfee Total Protection

  • Antivirusnot LastPass
  • Internet Securitynot LastPass
  • Identity Protectionnot LastPass

Where each one falls short

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

LastPass

  • Free plan limited to 1 device type only
  • Premium plan costs ~$3/month annually (30% discount applied)
  • Business Teams plan limited to up to 50 users maximum
  • Teams plan offers only 25 security policies
  • Business plan pricing ~$4/user/month
  • Business Max plan costs ~$7/user/month for 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

LastPass

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the LastPass 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 LastPass if

  • You need password vault.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want password generator.

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 LastPass or McAfee Total Protection better?
Neither clearly leads. LastPass 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, LastPass or McAfee Total Protection?
LastPass has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for LastPass and $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection.
Does LastPass or McAfee Total Protection run on more platforms?
LastPass runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. McAfee Total Protection runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use LastPass for free?
Yes. LastPass has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year.
What is LastPass best used for?
LastPass is most often used for password management and vault storage, multi-device access and autofill, dark web monitoring and security dashboard, team collaboration with shared folders and policies. Of those, password management and vault storage and multi-device access and autofill are not what McAfee Total Protection is typically brought in for.
What can LastPass do that McAfee Total Protection cannot?
LastPass covers Password vault, Password generator, Autofill, Security dashboard. McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Firewall, Safe browsing, Password manager. Both handle Chrome, Firefox, Edge.

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