Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee
The three names most people end up choosing between, and all three cost the same to start. The entry price is $49.99 at every one of them, so this comes down to what you actually get.
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Bitdefender Total Security
Lab-test royalty that stays out of your way.
Norton 360 Deluxe
The everything-suite, with identity protection in its DNA.
McAfee+
One subscription, every device in the house, identity included.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | Bitdefender Total Security | Norton 360 Deluxe | McAfee+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.7 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Price | From $4.17/mo | From $4.17/mo | From $4.17/mo |
| Renews at | $99.99/yr | $119.99/yr | $149.99/yr |
| Free plan | No | No | No |
| Best for | Most people, most devices | Families wanting one subscription | Big households, many devices |
| Category | Complete suites | Complete suites | Identity protection |
| Provider | Bitdefender | Gen Digital | McAfee |
| Visit Bitdefender Total Security | Visit Norton 360 Deluxe | Visit McAfee+ |
Our verdict
Bitdefender wins on protection, and the price is not what separates these three. Bitdefender Total Security, Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee Premium all cost $4.17 a month, $49.99 for the first year. Our scores are 4.7, 4.5 and 4.0, and Bitdefender holds the highest rating we give on this site.
Norton is the one to pick if the extras matter more than the last few percent of detection. It bundles cloud backup, a password manager and a VPN into the same $49.99, and the tier above adds LifeLock identity protection at $8.33 a month, $99.99 for the first year. McAfee is the household answer.
It covers phones, tablets and Macs under one subscription and is built for homes with more devices than people. It also scores lowest of the three at 4.0, and it is the heaviest of the three on an older machine. The honest downsides, in order. Bitdefender buries useful settings several clicks deep.
Norton installs more software than most people want and is awkward to remove cleanly. McAfee asks for your attention through notifications more than the other two do.
One more thing worth knowing before you pay any of them: all three prices are first year rates that rise on renewal, and Microsoft Defender is already on your Windows PC for nothing at a score of 4.2, higher than McAfee. Most people, most devices: Bitdefender.
You want backup and identity cover in one bill: Norton. A house full of phones and laptops on three operating systems: McAfee.
“The best mix of protection, speed, and price in this lineup. Top marks at AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST again in 2026, noticeably light on system resources, and the suite features feel useful rather than bolted on. Watch the renewal price, like everywhere in this market.”Editorial team, on Bitdefender Total Security
“The most complete all-rounder: excellent lab scores, generous cloud backup, a real VPN, and the deepest identity tools of any mainstream suite. It does more in the background than Bitdefender, and the renewal jump is steep, but as a one-subscription-covers-everything deal it is hard to beat.”Editorial team, on Norton 360 Deluxe
“Unlimited devices on one plan is McAfee’s trump card, and the identity pivot is real: credit monitoring and identity insurance are now the core product. The scanner is solid, but the constant upsells and a renewal price that triples make this a deal only at first-year prices.”Editorial team, on McAfee+
Frequently asked questions
Which is best: Bitdefender, Norton or McAfee?
Bitdefender on protection, Norton on what comes with it, McAfee on covering a crowded household. Our scores are 4.7, 4.5 and 4.0. All three cost $4.17 a month, $49.99 for the first year, on the tiers most people buy, so the price does not decide this. Pick Bitdefender unless you specifically want Norton's cloud backup or McAfee's device count.
Do Bitdefender, Norton and McAfee cost the same?
On the entry tiers, yes: Bitdefender Total Security, Norton 360 Deluxe and McAfee Premium are all $4.17 a month, $49.99 for the first year. The higher tiers separate them. Bitdefender Premium Security is $6.67 a month, $79.99 a year; Norton with LifeLock Select is $8.33 a month, $99.99; McAfee Advanced is $7.50 a month, $89.99.
Which of the three is lightest on an older PC?
Bitdefender of these three, though none of them is the lightest on the market. McAfee runs the most services in the background and is the one users notice first on low powered machines. If the PC is genuinely old, Webroot Essentials at $2.50 a month, $29.99 a year, is built for exactly that and worth comparing separately.
Is any of the three free?
None of these three has a free tier. If free is the requirement, Microsoft Defender is built into Windows, costs nothing and scores 4.2 here, which is higher than McAfee at 4.0. It only covers Windows and has no identity monitoring, and that is the trade you are making.