Bottom line: Norton wins on malware detection and VPN quality. McAfee wins on pricing for large families (unlimited devices on all plans). Both are reliable choices for 2026.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Norton vs McAfee 2026
| Feature | Norton 360 | McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| Price (1-year, 5 devices) | $84.99/yr | $29.99/yr ✅ |
| Malware detection | 99.7% ✅ | 99.4% |
| Devices | Up to 5 | Unlimited ✅ |
| VPN included | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Unlimited |
| Identity protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Password manager | ✅ | ✅ |
| Our rating | 9.2/10 ✅ | 8.8/10 |
Price: McAfee Wins for Families
| Plan | Norton 360 | McAfee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 device | $49.99/yr | $29.99/yr ✅ |
| 5 devices | $84.99/yr | $39.99/yr ✅ |
| Unlimited devices | ❌ Not available | $49.99/yr ✅ |
| Money-back | 60 days ✅ | 30 days |
Choose Norton If…
- You want the highest malware detection rates
- You need a premium VPN (Norton’s is faster)
- You want dark web monitoring included
- You prefer a 60-day money-back guarantee
Choose McAfee If…
- You have a large family with many devices (unlimited devices plan)
- You want the lowest per-device cost
- You need identity theft protection (strong in the US)
- Budget is your main concern
Verdict
Norton wins on pure protection quality. McAfee wins on value for large families — unlimited devices at $49.99/year is unmatched. See our Best Antivirus 2026 full comparison.