antivirus–vergleich.ch
2026

Microsoft Defender vs McAfee

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

Microsoft
Microsoft Defender
8.7
/ 10

Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows PC and provides solid baseline protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. In independent tests, Defender now performs well and is often sufficient for users with cautious browsing habits. However, anyone who needs VPN, password manager, extended web protection, or parental controls should consider a paid suite. As a free reference point, Defender is the most important comparison benchmark.

1st Year PriceCHF 0.00 RenewalCHF 0.00 PlatformsWindows
Protection 8.7
Performance 9.0
Best for 9.3
First-year price 10.0
Key features 7.2
Support 7.8
McAfee
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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Our Verdict

Microsoft Defender narrowly wins – McAfee is the leaner choice.

Microsoft Defender 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.

See Microsoft Defender in detail

Our verdict

Microsoft Defender is a respectable free baseline for Windows in 2026. McAfee (score: 8.5 out of 10) adds web/phishing filter, ransomware module, VPN and password manager – features Defender still does not provide.

On price, Microsoft Defender currently sits at CHF 0 in year one, McAfee at CHF 40. Watch the renewal price closely: both are transparently listed in the table above and matter more long-term than the introductory price.

Strength profiles: Microsoft Defender scores highest on price-performance, McAfee 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 Microsoft Defender McAfee
Real-time protection Yes Yes
Built-in VPN No Yes
Password manager No No
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing No No
Parental controls No Yes
Identity protection No Yes
Low system impact Yes No
Platforms Windows Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad
Number of devices (standard licence) 1 5
System impact in daily use Very low Moderate

More comparisons with Microsoft Defender

More comparisons with McAfee

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Defender vs McAfee

Is Microsoft Defender enough or do I need :paid?
Defender is solid baseline protection in 2026 and enough for cautious users on up-to-date Windows with 2FA. :paid adds VPN, password manager, web/phishing filter, ransomware module and anti-tracking – useful for banking, crypto, heavy web research or a family setup.
How much does :paid cost per month vs Defender?
Defender is free; :paid costs roughly CHF 3–8/month in year one (converted) and rises on renewal. The exact price is in the table above.
Does :paid slow my PC more than Defender?
In AV-TEST performance tests most commercial suites match or slightly exceed Defender. In daily use on modern hardware the difference is barely noticeable.
Can I run :paid and Defender at the same time?
No – as soon as :paid is installed, Defender disables itself automatically. Two active real-time scanners cause conflicts and should be avoided.