Norton 360 vs McAfee: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Norton 360 is built for all-in-one, while McAfee suits families. For most users McAfee is the stronger default, but Norton 360 can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. McAfee has the lower entry price.
Both Norton 360 and McAfee get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Norton 360 | McAfee | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Antivirus | Antivirus |
| What it's known for | All-in-one suite bundling antivirus, VPN, cloud backup and LifeLock identity options (Gen Digital). | Unlimited-device family plans, identity monitoring and an integrated VPN. |
| Pricing | ~$49.99 first year Deluxe (multi-device), renewals higher | ~$39.99-89.99 first year (plan dependent), renewals higher |
| Best audience | Users wanting one subscription covering security, privacy and identity. | Large households wanting unlimited-device coverage and identity tools. |
| Best for | all-in-one, identity-bundle | families, unlimited-devices |
| Entry price | ~$49.99 yr1 | ~$39.99 yr1 |
| Biggest strength | Comprehensive all-in-one feature bundle. | Unlimited device coverage on most plans. |
| Main caveat | Renewal prices roughly double the first-year rate. | Renewal prices roughly triple the intro rate. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Norton 360 key features
- All-in-one suite: antivirus, Secure VPN, password manager, cloud backup
- Dark-web monitoring
- PC cloud backup (e.g. 50 GB on Deluxe)
- AI-powered scam/deepfake detection
McAfee key features
- Unlimited-device family/individual plans
- AI Scam Protection (text, email, deepfake)
- Secure VPN and Personal Data Cleanup
- Identity monitoring with up to $2M coverage
Pricing tiers side by side
Norton 360 plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| 360 Deluxe | ~$49.99 yr1 | 5 devices, VPN, 50 GB backup; renews ~$119.99 |
| 360 with LifeLock Select | from ~$99.99+ yr1 | Adds identity protection |
| 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus | up to ~$349-364.99/yr | Top identity tier |
McAfee plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Total Protection (intro) | ~$39.99 yr1 | Renews ~$119.99 |
| McAfee+ Premium | varies | Unlimited devices, VPN, data removal |
| Family / Advanced | ~$89.99 yr1 | Adds identity + $2M coverage |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Norton 360 wins
Bundles antivirus, VPN, cloud backup and optional LifeLock identity protection in one subscription.
- Comprehensive all-in-one feature bundle.
- Includes VPN and cloud backup at most tiers.
That makes it the stronger pick for users wanting one subscription covering security, privacy and identity.
Where McAfee wins
One subscription covers unlimited household devices with AI scam protection built in.
- Unlimited device coverage on most plans.
- Strong AV-TEST protection scores (6/6).
That makes it the stronger pick for large households wanting unlimited-device coverage and identity tools.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Norton 360 if you fit its core audience — users wanting one subscription covering security, privacy and identity.
- Choose McAfee if you fit its core audience — large households wanting unlimited-device coverage and identity tools.
FAQ
Is Norton 360 better than McAfee?
McAfee is the stronger default for most users, but Norton 360 can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Norton 360 and McAfee?
Norton 360 is bundles antivirus, VPN, cloud backup and optional LifeLock identity protection in one subscription. McAfee is one subscription covers unlimited household devices with AI scam protection built in.
Which is cheaper, Norton 360 or McAfee?
Entry pricing differs: Norton 360 starts at ~$49.99 yr1, while McAfee starts at ~$39.99 yr1. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Norton 360 and McAfee: