2026

McAfee vs Avira

McAfee and Avira compared side by side: protection, performance, pricing, and features. Which antivirus suits you better?

McAfee

8.5

/ 10

McAfee+ delivers a practical security package for households with many devices. The suite covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and includes VPN, identity protection, and optional parental controls. Setup is quick and the interface straightforward. Worth noting: performance can vary by system, and the renewal price sits noticeably above the introductory offer.

1st Year PriceCHF 39.90 RenewalCHF 84.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.0

Performance 8.0

Best for 8.6

First-year price 8.0

Key features 9.0

Support 8.4

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Avira

8.7

/ 10

Avira is a German security company with over 35 years of history. The name is best known for its free antivirus version, which already provides solid basic protection. Paid versions (Internet Security and Prime) add VPN, password manager, software updater, and system optimization. Avira Prime offers the best value with 5 devices and all features. Detection rates are high. Since 2021, Avira belongs to NortonLifeLock (Gen Digital) but continues to use its own scanning engine.

1st Year PriceCHF 59.90 RenewalCHF 99.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.2

Performance 9.1

Best for 9.0

First-year price 8.8

Key features 8.5

Support 7.8

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Our Verdict

Avira narrowly wins – McAfee is the leaner choice.

Avira scores 8.7 / 10 overall and is the stronger pick on protection and feature scope. If you value maximum performance, low resource use and lower renewal costs, McAfee is the better fit. Both are excellent options for Swiss users.

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Our verdict

McAfee and Avira come out tied at 8.5 out of 10 in our rating. The decision should not hinge on overall score but on your concrete needs.

On price, McAfee currently sits at CHF 40 in year one, Avira at CHF 60. Watch the renewal price closely: both are transparently listed in the table above and matter more long-term than the introductory price.

Strength profiles: McAfee scores highest on protection, Avira on protection. If you care most about one of those dimensions, the choice is clear. For all-round needs, either product is a safe pick.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Criterion	McAfee	Avira
Real-time protection	Yes	Yes
Built-in VPN	Yes	Yes
Password manager	No	Yes
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing	No	No
Parental controls	Yes	No
Identity protection	Yes	No
Low system impact	No	Yes
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad
Number of devices (standard licence)	5	5
System impact in daily use	Moderate	Very low

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Frequently asked questions about McAfee vs Avira

Which scores higher on protection, McAfee or Avira?

Both reach top scores in AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives – the differences are small. The exact scores are in the comparison table above.

Which is cheaper in year 1 and on renewal – McAfee or Avira?

Look at the price columns above: year-one price and renewal price are stated transparently side by side. The renewal delta is often the bigger cost factor over 3 years.

Which is better for families, McAfee or Avira?

Both offer family plans for 5–10 devices. What matters: does the product have a dedicated parental-controls mode, screen-time management and a smooth setup. Details in the feature table.

Do I get better Mac/mobile support with McAfee or Avira?

Platform support is listed in the comparison above. Generally: macOS performance is best with Bitdefender and Intego; Android protection is most mature with Bitdefender, Norton and Kaspersky.