Software · head to head
McAfee Total Protection vs Kaspersky Total Security
McAfee Total Protection
Software
Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions
- From
- $29.99/year
- Rated
- -
Kaspersky Total Security
Software
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security 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); Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which McAfee Total Protection and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | McAfee Total Protection | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29.99/year | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1987 | 1997 |
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
- Firewall
- Safe browsing
- Secure VPN
- Identity monitoring
- Protection Score
- Chrome
- Firefox
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- VPN
- File encryption
- Browser extensions
- AV-Comparatives Certified
Both cover
- Password manager
- Parental controls
- 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.
McAfee Total Protection
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Identity Protectionnot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirus
- Internet Security
- Parental Controlnot 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
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
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
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
Which should you pick?
Choose McAfee Total Protection if
- You need real-time antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want firewall.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is McAfee Total Protection or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. McAfee Total Protection starts at $29.99/year and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, McAfee Total Protection or Kaspersky Total Security?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29.99/year for McAfee Total Protection and Free for Kaspersky Total Security.
- Does McAfee Total Protection or Kaspersky Total Security 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 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 Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can McAfee Total Protection do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- McAfee Total Protection covers Real-time antivirus, Firewall, Safe browsing, Secure VPN. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Both handle Password manager, Parental controls, Windows Security, macOS.
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.
SourceKaspersky 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Does McAfee Total Protection include VPN?
VPN is included in higher-tier McAfee plans if you opt for auto-renewal.
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.
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