Our verdict: McAfee Total Protection is a full security subscription: antivirus, web protection, a password manager, a VPN and identity monitoring. The 30-day trial is complete, but it needs a payment method and turns into a paid plan whose renewal price is much higher than the first year.
About McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection protects Windows PCs, Macs and phones from viruses, ransomware and phishing, with cloud-based and offline scanning. It adds web protection that warns about risky sites, links and downloads, a password manager, a Secure VPN and identity monitoring that alerts you when your personal data turns up on the dark web.
The free trial lasts 30 days and includes all Total Protection features. You sign up with a payment method; if you do not cancel at least 7 days before the trial ends, you are charged $39.99 for the first year, and the plan then renews at $109.99 per year according to McAfee's US trial terms. When the subscription expires, protection is switched off.
What it does well
- Antivirus. Real-time and on-demand scanning for viruses, ransomware, spyware and other malware.
- Web protection. Warns about risky websites, links and files before you open them.
- Secure VPN. Encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi with AES 256-bit encryption.
- Password manager. Generates, stores and fills passwords on PC and mobile.
- Identity monitoring. Alerts you when your email or other personal data appears in data breaches.
Who it is for
Good fit
Users who want antivirus, VPN and identity monitoring from one company and are fine with a yearly subscription.
Look elsewhere
Anyone looking for a free antivirus, or who wants to avoid auto-renewal at a much higher price.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Full-featured 30-day trial
- VPN, password manager and identity monitoring included
- Covers Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and ChromeOS
Cons
- Trial needs a payment method and becomes a paid subscription
- Renewal costs far more than the first year
- Protection stops when the subscription expires
How to install McAfee Total Protection
Start the trial on McAfee's free trial page, create a McAfee account and enter a payment method. Download and run the installer from your account; it will ask to remove other antivirus software. Turn off auto-renewal in My Account if you only want to test it, and cancel at least 7 days before the trial ends to avoid the charge.
Questions about McAfee Total Protection
Is McAfee Total Protection free?
No. The 30-day trial is free but needs a McAfee account and a payment method. Unless you cancel at least 7 days before it ends, McAfee charges $39.99 for the first year and then renews at $109.99 per year.
What happens if I don't renew McAfee?
The software and its protection are deactivated when the subscription expires.
Can I get a refund?
McAfee gives a full refund on request within 30 days of the first purchase or 60 days of an automatic renewal.
