2026

Proton VPN vs McAfee

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

Proton VPN

8.7

/ 10

Proton VPN comes from the team behind ProtonMail and is based in Switzerland – under the protection of strict Swiss privacy laws. The software is fully open source and independently audited. Proton VPN offers Secure Core servers that route traffic through multiple countries, and a strong free tier with no data limit. Ideal for users who prioritize maximum transparency and privacy.

1st Year PriceCHF 79.90 RenewalCHF 79.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android, iPhone / iPad

Protection 9.7

Performance 8.8

Best for 8.7

First-year price 8.0

Key features 8.8

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

Proton VPN narrowly wins – McAfee is the leaner choice.

Proton 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

Proton 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, Proton VPN currently sits at CHF 80 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: Proton VPN scores highest on protection, 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	Proton 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)	10	5
System impact in daily use	Moderate	Moderate

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Frequently asked questions about Proton VPN vs McAfee

Which scores higher on protection, Proton 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 – Proton 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, Proton 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 Proton 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.