The Best McAfee Alternatives in 2026
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Why look for a McAfee alternative?
McAfee is pre-installed on many PCs, but independent lab results and value make other antivirus programs worth a look.
Our top McAfee alternatives
Highest protection rate among the programs we list in AV-Comparatives' Feb–May 2026 real-world test, full marks at AV-TEST, and a light footprint on the PC.
- Top protection in two independent labs
- Very light on system resources
- Free version available
Pros
- VPN in the bundle has a daily data limit
- Price rises after the first year
Cons
What users say
Excellent lab results plus the most complete package: VPN, password manager and cloud backup in one subscription, with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
- VPN and password manager included
- Cloud backup
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- High renewal price
- Frequent upsell messages
Cons
What users say
The free version scores the same top marks at AV-TEST as many paid suites. Watch out for auto-renewal on paid plans.
- Strong free version
- Web Shield blocks dangerous sites
- Top marks at AV-TEST
Pros
- Pop-ups promoting paid upgrades
- Users report unexpected auto-renewals
Cons
What users say
Very few false alarms (only 2 in AV-Comparatives' test) and a quiet, low-impact design that suits older PCs.
- Very few false positives
- Light and quiet
- Many expert settings
Pros
- No free version
- VPN only in the top plan
Cons
What users say
Simple app with good protection results. Read the renewal terms carefully, many user complaints are about billing.
- Very easy to use
- 99.0% protection rate
- System clean-up tools
Pros
- Billing and renewal complaints
- Slightly slower in AV-TEST performance