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McAfee Antivirus LiveSafe Review (2026): The right choice?
By Tibor Moes / Updated: November 2025
McAfee Antivirus LiveSafe Review 2026
McAfee Antivirus LiveSafe is one of the best antivirus software. It has perfect anti-malware protection, no impact on the speed of your PC, an intuitive design, and all the security features you need.
Buy it if you want complete protection. You will get anti-malware, anti-phishing, a firewall, a password manager, and a VPN.
Alternatively, you could consider Norton 360 Deluxe. It offers the same excellent protection and security features, but costs less.
- Malware protection: 100%. Mcafee detected and removed each of the 1,200 malware samples in our test.
- Speed impact: 100%. McAfee’s anti-malware engine is lightweight and did not slow down our test PC.
- Features: 100%. McAfee LiveSafe includes anti-malware, anti-phishing, firewall, VPN, password manager, and more.
- Price: 90%. McAfee LiveSafe is more expensive than similar products at Norton.
Thanks to the 60-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.
| Ranking | #6 of 28 |
| Anti-malware | ✅ |
| Anti-phishing | ✅ |
| Firewall | ✅ |
| Password Manager | ✅ |
| Unlimited VPN | ✅ |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 🔥 Discount | Save 60% on McAfee 🔥 |
Full Review
McAfee is ranked #6 of the 28 best antivirus of 2026.
McAfee is a feature-packed premium antivirus offering robust protection across multiple platforms. We tested it on a range of devices, including PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android, and found it to be highly effective and user-friendly. McAfee stands out in 2026 for its versatility, offering plans that cover from 5 to unlimited devices—an option few competitors provide.
Anti-malware
McAfee’s antivirus scanner combines traditional signature-based detection with heuristic analysis to identify both known and emerging malware threats. In testing, it successfully detected every malicious file, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. The full system scan took approximately one hour, comparable to leading competitors such as Bitdefender, while the quick scan completed in under two minutes. Although scanning can slow down performance during resource-heavy tasks like gaming or video playback, McAfee allows for flexible scheduling to minimize disruption.
The scanning process runs smoothly in the background for everyday tasks like browsing or document editing. However, the performance drop during intensive use is noticeable. This limitation can be managed by scheduling scans during idle hours, ensuring system protection without affecting productivity.
McAfee’s malware detection rates are among the best in the industry. The scanner effectively identifies zero-day threats through behavioral monitoring, ensuring comprehensive protection. While some competitors achieve similar accuracy with less system impact, McAfee compensates with reliability and a user-friendly scan scheduler.
Overall, McAfee provides near-perfect malware detection and consistent performance across different scan types. Its interface is intuitive, enabling users to configure scan types with ease. Despite minor slowdowns during full scans, McAfee’s detection precision and flexibility make it a leading antivirus choice.
Anti-Phishing
McAfee’s WebAdvisor provides strong defense against phishing attacks and malicious web content. It evaluates each website for known exploits and suspicious patterns using a continually updated phishing database. In testing, WebAdvisor successfully blocked every phishing and exploit attempt that bypassed Chrome’s and Firefox’s native defenses.
The browser extension integrates smoothly with major search engines and displays color-coded safety ratings next to search results. It accurately flags unsafe or illegal content sites while clearly marking legitimate ones. Secure Search mode further enhances browsing safety by guiding users away from compromised links.
WebAdvisor also assesses links shared on popular social platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, marking them as safe or dangerous. Its detection accuracy was impressive during testing, though its claimed functionality for X (formerly Twitter) was inconsistent.
Overall, McAfee’s anti-phishing tools deliver exceptional protection through real-time analysis and proactive blocking. The combination of exploit detection, link evaluation, and broad browser compatibility makes it one of the most effective online safety tools available.
Firewall
McAfee’s firewall provides reliable network protection with simple configuration, making it ideal for non-technical users. It operates automatically after installation, blocking intrusions, exploit attacks, and unauthorized connections. Its default settings are robust enough to outperform built-in Windows and macOS firewalls in general protection.
Despite its strength, the firewall offers limited customization options. Users can block or allow applications, but cannot create detailed traffic rules, modify ports, or manage complex network configurations. This minimalist design is functional but less versatile than advanced competitors such as Norton and Bitdefender.
On macOS, the firewall provides similar core functionality, allowing control over network connections per Wi-Fi network. However, the macOS version suffers from reliability issues and occasional bugs that require reinstallation to resolve.
In summary, McAfee’s firewall is dependable for everyday use but lacks advanced diagnostic tools and configuration flexibility. While suitable for basic protection, it would benefit from improved transparency about detected threats and expanded rule management options.
Password manager
McAfee’s True Key password manager secures credentials with 256-bit AES encryption and a zero-knowledge architecture. It supports all major browsers and devices, syncing passwords and data seamlessly across platforms. Users can store unlimited passwords, credit card data, secure notes, and generate strong, unique passwords.
The system’s autofill feature operates efficiently, allowing one-click or automatic login entry for stored sites. Its interface is simple and intuitive, suitable for users new to password management software. Master password recovery is available through email, though this convenience introduces potential security risks.
However, True Key lacks advanced features found in competitors. It does not support TOTP-based two-factor authentication, USB security tokens, secure password sharing, or password health auditing. The absence of breach monitoring limits its proactive security capabilities.
Despite these omissions, True Key remains an accessible and secure tool for basic password management. Its simplicity and reliability make it useful for casual users seeking secure storage and automatic login functionality.
VPN
McAfee Secure VPN, powered by TunnelBear, offers strong privacy protection and reliable speeds. It provides servers in 48 countries, encrypting traffic with 256-bit AES encryption and maintaining a strict no-logs policy. A built-in kill switch ensures user anonymity by cutting the connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects.
Performance was impressive in speed tests, maintaining high data transfer rates on local servers and acceptable speeds across distant connections. While latency increased slightly for overseas servers, streaming and browsing remained stable. The VPN successfully accessed Netflix, Paramount+, and other platforms but had inconsistent success with Disney+ and Hulu.
The VPN lacks desktop split-tunneling and multiple protocol support, though mobile apps include these features. This limits desktop flexibility for users wanting to control which applications use the VPN connection.
Overall, McAfee Secure VPN is a fast, secure, and user-friendly option for casual streaming and online privacy. While it doesn’t match standalone VPNs in versatility, its integration with McAfee’s suite enhances overall protection.
Other security features
McAfee provides a variety of additional tools that enhance system and identity protection. The Tracker Remover efficiently clears browser cookies, history, temporary files, and other digital clutter, freeing up gigabytes of disk space within minutes.
McAfee Safe Family offers strong parental controls for Windows, Android, and iOS. Parents can block inappropriate content, limit device usage, track location with high accuracy, and approve requests for restricted content. Although setup issues may occur, once operational it offers robust supervision and monitoring capabilities.
Identity Monitoring combines dark web surveillance with Experian’s credit network, scanning a broad range of personally identifiable information including SSNs, banking data, and passports. It alerts users to breaches and provides detailed remediation steps. High-tier plans add insurance coverage, credit monitoring, and automated data broker removal.
McAfee’s File Shredder securely deletes sensitive files beyond recovery, while the Social Privacy Manager optimizes privacy settings across platforms like Facebook and TikTok. The Anti-tracker extension prevents online tracking for added anonymity. These utilities collectively enhance McAfee’s security ecosystem, offering users comprehensive protection beyond traditional antivirus capabilities.
Plans and pricing
In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.
The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.
McAfee LiveSafe comes pre-installed on many laptops. Feature-wise, it includes the same as McAfee Premium.
Plan description
McAfee LiveSafe comes pre-installed on many laptops. Feature-wise, it includes roughly the same as McAfee Total Protection Premium.
McAfee Total protection offers five different pricing tiers, with added benefits if you opt for auto-renewal like VPN and ID theft protection.
Here’s a quick rundown:
Total Protection Basic – Best Budget Option
Priced at $29.99/year, this plan offers comprehensive protection for 1 device. It includes key features like antivirus scanning, firewall, and identity monitoring. It’s a good deal, especially if you compare it to Norton’s similar plan, but it lacks parental controls.
Total Protection Essential – Best Budget Option
Priced at $39.99/year, this plan offers comprehensive protection for up to 5 devices, including the same features as Total Protection Basic.
Total Protection Premium – Best Value
At $49.99/year, the Premium plan offers unlimited device coverage and adds Personal Data Cleanup tools. It’s a great deal if you want to protect multiple devices and it even includes parental controls for families.
Total Protection Advanced – For Identity Safety
Starting at $89.99/year, this plan has all the features of the previous plans plus robust identity protection tools, including $1 million in identity theft coverage. While it’s pricier, it’s a good pick for those focused on identity safety.
Total Protection Ultimate – Most Comprehensive
Costing $199.99/year, the Ultimate plan offers all-inclusive identity and credit monitoring along with ransomware protection. It’s expensive, but provides the most comprehensive set of features.
Refund Policy
You can request a refund within 30 days of purchase, within 60 days of automatic renewal, or anytime if McAfee fails to remove malware, which offers peace of mind.
In summary, McAfee provides a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets, from basic protection to all-out identity and financial safety. We recommend Total Protection Premium for most users due to its value and comprehensive feature set.
Test score comparison
We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:
- Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
- Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
- Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.
We calculate a final score using this formula:
Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.
While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:
Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.
Source: AV-Test (Last updated: November 2025).
Price comparison
We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a single Windows PC with the most essential features:
- Anti-malware
- Anti-phishing (web protection)
- Firewall
- Password manager
- Unlimited VPN (no data limit)
A few notes:
- Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
- Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
- Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).
Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.
User reviews
We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform.
We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.
Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: November 2025.
Company Profile
McAfee is a global leader in online security with over 35 years of innovation, protecting 600+ million devices across 182 countries. With 1,800 employees and 108 million customers worldwide, McAfee’s mission is to make the digital world safer for everyone.
Advanced Digital Protection
Known for its award-winning antivirus software, McAfee provides comprehensive privacy and identity protection solutions that enable users to confidently navigate the online world, no matter their device or location. Backed by a network of 100 million threat sensors and 200+ researchers, the company detects 620 new threats every minute and blocks over 13,669 threats per minute.
A Legacy of Leadership
Founded in 1987 by John McAfee, the company has evolved through ownership changes, briefly becoming Intel Security in 2014 before returning to the McAfee name in 2016. In 2021, McAfee shifted focus exclusively to consumer security, selling its enterprise division and going private after a $14 billion buyout.
Accessible Solutions
McAfee’s products are available through online platforms, retail outlets, and partnerships with ISPs and device manufacturers. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats, ensuring customer safety and peace of mind while advancing digital security globally.
How we test antivirus software
At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:
For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.
Anti-Malware Protection (30%)
We evaluate how well the antivirus detects and removes various malware types like viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
In-House Testing: Using 1,200 diverse malware samples, we conduct real-time attack simulations to assess detection and neutralization of known and emerging threats through signature-based and heuristic analysis.
Independent Lab Results: We incorporate findings from respected institutes like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to validate our results.
Security and Privacy Features (30%)
We assess additional tools that enhance cybersecurity:
Web Protection: Testing the software’s ability to block phishing sites and web-based threats by accessing known malicious websites.
Firewall: Evaluating effectiveness using intrusion simulations and the ShieldsUP! test to secure network ports and monitor traffic.
Password Manager: Assessing capabilities to generate, store, and auto-fill complex passwords, plus features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.
VPN: Evaluating security protocols, encryption, speed, server locations, data limits, and support for streaming and peer-to-peer sharing while hiding IP addresses.
Parental Controls: Testing screen time management, content filtering, location tracking, and resistance to bypass attempts to protect children.
Identity Theft Protection: Assessing monitoring of personal info and responsiveness to potential identity theft alerts.
Secure Cloud Storage: Evaluating capacity, security, usability, and features like file encryption and secure sharing.
Anti-Ransomware: Simulating attacks to test detection and blocking of unauthorized encryption via behavioral detection and exploit prevention.
Dark Web Monitoring: Checking effectiveness in scanning the dark web for personal info and providing timely alerts.
System Performance Impact (10%)
We measure how the antivirus affects device performance during everyday tasks:
Resource Usage: Monitoring CPU and memory during scans and real-time protection.
Performance Tests: Evaluating impact on launching apps, downloading files, browsing websites, and copying data, aligned with AV-Test criteria.
False Positives (10%)
Accuracy is crucial to avoid interruptions:
False Positive Detection: Assessing how often legitimate applications or files are incorrectly flagged.
Usability Tests: Referencing AV-Test evaluations to gauge false positive frequency for effectiveness and user-friendliness.
Price and Value (10%)
We analyze overall value by comparing features to cost:
Cost Analysis: Considering subscription prices, device coverage, and multi-year plans.
Feature Evaluation: Assessing if included features justify the price compared to competitors.
Ownership and Reputation (10%)
Trust is essential in cybersecurity providers:
Company Background: Researching history, industry track record, mergers, or acquisitions.
Privacy Policies: Examining data handling, privacy commitment, and compliance with regulations.
Ethical Conduct: Investigating past unethical behavior, data breaches, or controversies.
Sources and tools
- Apple Platform Security
- AV-Comparatives Consumer
- AV-Test Android
- AV-Test macOS
- AV-Test Windows
- GRC Firewall Test
- Microsoft Defender
- SpeedTest VPN
- Trustpilot Security Software
Author: Tibor Moes
Founder & Chief Editor at SoftwareLab
Tibor has tested 28 antivirus programs and 25 VPN services, and holds a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate from Stanford University.
He uses Norton to protect his devices, NordVPN for his privacy, and Proton for his passwords and email.
