Software · head to head
McAfee Total Protection vs Avast One
McAfee Total Protection
Software
Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions
- From
- $29.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Avast One has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: McAfee Total Protection significant renewal price increase after first year (from $29.99 to $84.99/year); Avast One ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- They diverge on capability: McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Avast One covers Antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which McAfee Total Protection and Avast One actually diverge.
| Attribute | McAfee Total Protection | Avast One |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29.99/year | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1987 | 1988 |
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 McAfee Total Protection
- Real-time antivirus
- Safe browsing
- Password manager
- Secure VPN
- Identity monitoring
- Protection Score
- Parental controls
- Edge
Only in Avast One
- Antivirus
- VPN
- Data breach monitoring
- Email Guardian
- Webcam Shield
- Ransomware Shield
- Performance optimization
- AV-Comparatives Award
Both cover
- Firewall
- Windows Security
- macOS
- Chrome
- Firefox
- 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.
McAfee Total Protection
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Identity Protectionnot Avast One
Avast One
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Privacy Toolsnot McAfee Total Protection
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.
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
Avast One
- Ransomware and Wi-Fi vulnerability protection only on paid plans
- Free plan VPN is limited, no data breakthrough monitoring
- Rebuilt app in May 2026 may have stability issues
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Avast One
Free- FreeFree
- Antivirus
- Limited VPN
- Privacy tools
- Silver$2.99/month
- Enhanced antivirus
- VPN
- Device cleanup
- Premium$4.19/month
- Full antivirus
- VPN with 55 servers
- Password manager
- Premium Plus$11.67/month
- All Premium features
- 30 devices covered
Which should you pick?
Choose McAfee Total Protection if
- You need real-time antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want safe browsing.
Choose Avast One if
- You need antivirus.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want vpn.
Questions people ask
- Is McAfee Total Protection or Avast One better?
- Neither clearly leads. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year and Avast One at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, McAfee Total Protection or Avast One?
- Avast One has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection and Free for Avast One.
- Does McAfee Total Protection or Avast One run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Avast One for free?
- Yes. Avast One has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year.
- What is McAfee Total Protection best used for?
- McAfee Total Protection is most often used for antivirus, internet security, identity protection. Of those, identity protection is not what Avast One is typically brought in for.
- What can McAfee Total Protection do that Avast One cannot?
- McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Safe browsing, Password manager, Secure VPN. Avast One covers Antivirus, VPN, Data breach monitoring, Email Guardian. Both handle Firewall, Windows Security, macOS, Chrome.
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.
SourceAvast One: Is Avast One free?
Yes. Avast One offers a free tier with antivirus, VPN (limited), and privacy tools. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for Silver and $4.19/month for Premium covering up to 5 devices.
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.
SourceAvast One: What does Avast One include?
Avast One provides antivirus, VPN, password manager, device cleanup, Wi-Fi security, data breach monitoring, and protection against AI-generated scams and deepfakes.
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.
SourceAvast One: Does Avast One have ransomware protection?
Ransomware protection is available only on paid plans, not the free tier. Free users get antivirus and basic protection only.
SourceMcAfee Total Protection: Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN?
VPN is included in higher-tier McAfee plans if you opt for auto-renewal.
Source