2026

PIA VPN vs McAfee

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

PIA VPN

8.7

/ 10

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a proven VPN provider with fully open-source apps and a court-proven no-logs policy. PIA offers unlimited simultaneous connections, a large server network, and advanced configuration options. The software targets technically savvy users who want maximum control over their VPN settings.

1st Year PriceCHF 56.90 RenewalCHF 119.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.1

Performance 8.6

Best for 8.4

First-year price 9.3

Key features 8.9

Support 8.0

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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

PIA VPN narrowly wins – McAfee is the leaner choice.

PIA VPN 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

PIA VPN and McAfee come out tied at 8.7 out of 10 in our rating. The decision should not hinge on overall score but on your concrete needs.

On price, PIA VPN currently sits at CHF 57 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: PIA VPN 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	PIA VPN	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	No	No
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad	Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad
Number of devices (standard licence)	999	5
System impact in daily use	Moderate	Moderate

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Frequently asked questions about PIA VPN vs McAfee

Which scores higher on protection, PIA VPN or McAfee?

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 – PIA VPN or McAfee?

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, PIA VPN or McAfee?

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 PIA VPN or McAfee?

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.