McAfee vs Adaware: Which One is Better? [2024 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.

McAfee vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Eric Goldstein
Eric Goldstein
Chief Editor

McAfee vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Some antivirus software, like McAfee, provides comprehensive premium services, while titles like Adaware opt for budget-friendly simplicity. They each have strong anti-malware protocols that use the latest detection methods to stop unknown infections from getting through. However, the rest of their extra features vary.

McAfee is an all-around cybersecurity suite that offers protection from a range of threats. Along with malware detection, you get an anti-phishing browser extension and a firewall. The social media guard protects your privacy on networking sites, and the digital file shredder prevents hackers from accessing your deleted files. A subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices, and the Security Management Console helps you locate and wipe them remotely. Plus, you get a PC tune-up feature to ensure these extra features don’t slow down your machine.

While Adaware still provides strong basic security, its list of extras is slightly shorter. Along with real-time protection, you get default port scans and an email security protocol. It includes a Safe Sender list so all your regular communications won’t be interrupted. Adaware also has impressive parental controls, which let you create age-based templates that block access to different sites and apps. The software is not quite as straightforward as McAfee—it takes two reboots to install, for example—but it’s considerably more budget friendly.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$39.99
30 Days
$49.99
30 Days
Security
Features
Ease of Use
Support
Pricing
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10
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5
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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
lenjin
Dec. 16, 2021
very good
I'm very pleased with the antivirus. I used Kaspersky and Bitdefender...
BigEyedBeans
May 16, 2021
Very Good
I've used McAfee for 25yrs plus and I have had NO problems whatesoever. I...
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No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Larry Andress
May 1, 2023
Terrible Customer Svc
It is easy to sign up and pay them but if the McAfee doesn't agree with...
Steve
May 1, 2023
McAfee VPN Has Major Issues
McAfee virus protection seems to work alright but their VPN has major...
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No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
Our Verdict
Eric Goldstein
Eric Goldstein
Chief Editor
Choosing between McAfee and Adaware really depends on your personal needs. If you have a lot of devices which you use regularly for different online activities, investing in McAfee may be the best choice. However, if you want to save money but still enjoy strong anti-malware defenses, Adaware may work well for you.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2024.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

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