McAfee vs ESET – Which One To Go For In 2021?

McAfee vs ESET - Which One To Go For In 2021
Post Menu and Details.

Words: 1107

Reading time: ~4 minutes

According to an estimate, every internet user is exposed to more than 350,000 malware threats in a day. This malware invasion has increased up to an alarming state since the beginning of 2021. This year you can’t risk your digital life by trusting any antivirus that you come across. It’s time to make a wise decision to ensure your antivirus is 100% reliable.

In this article, we will highlight the main features of antivirus suites from both McAfee and ESET. We will also compare both antivirus software for malware protection and performance.

McAfee’s Antivirus Suites:

Previously, McAfee offered a variety of security suites to fit the needs of everyone. Now it has specialized in only two antivirus suites, which are McAfee Total Protection and McAfee LiveSafe. Now we will briefly check what McAfee has to offer in both of them.

McAfee Total Protection:

The antivirus company has just launched the latest version of this suite, ‘McAfee Total Protection for 2021’. This new version has an entirely new Windows interface, several brand new features, and an updated Android and iOS.

This latest version of McAfee is designed to secure personal data with more vigilance. The updated McAfee Total Protection is designed to minimize false alarms and to smash threats. Some other significant changes are made in the Web Section. McAfee has introduced some new safety features for iOS and Android users.

With all these fantastic features to bring flawless antivirus software, McAfee promises a ‘Virus Protection Guarantee.’ In case your system gets infected with malware, you can claim a refund or repair for the course.

McAfee LiveSafe:

The award-winning McAfee LiveSafe is a complete solution to all your digital security problems. Some main features are as follows:

  • It ensures total online and offline protection from viruses, ransomware, and online threats.
  • The safe Family feature helps you monitor and control your kid’s activities on the internet.
  • Scans and installs apps with safety.
  • Identity Theft Protection provides 24/7 monitoring and support.
  • The anti-spam feature stops junk email from arriving in your inbox.
  • The distinguishing feature is the 1 GB cloud space with vault-like protection.

Mcafee Vs Eset Which One To Go For In 2021 1

ESET Antivirus Suites:

ESET has divided the packages in terms of features and pricing. This helps the users select the ones which perfectly fit their needs.

  • ESET NOD 32 Antivirus
  • ESET Internet Security
  • Smart Security Premium
  • ESET Multi-Device Security
  • Cyber Security (For Mac)
  • ESET Cyber Security Pro (For Mac)

They are all designed to provide maximum security against viruses, Trojan horses, ransomware, worms, phishing, and other online intruders. 

McAfee vs. ESET:

McAfee ESET
Protection  Perfect protection against malware Perfect protection against malware
System Performance Applications Install and launch without any problems Applications install and launch with less speed
Features It offers more features than ESET It offers fewer features than McAfee
interface Easy to use Easy to use
Popularity More Popular  Less Popular 
Pricing  Less Expensive  More Expensive

McAfee vs ESET – which one provides better protection:

An antivirus’s success lies in successful protection from all sorts of malware, including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and other online threats for the system. For this purpose, experts classify malware into known malware and unknown malware (zero-day malware).

To access the effectiveness of McAfee and ESET software against malware, we relied on tests conducted by AV-test and AV-Comparatives. The laboratories tested antivirus programs against 21,257 samples of widespread malware and 311 samples of zero-day malware. These tests were conducted in September and October 2020, and the scores achieved by ESET and McAfee are as follows:

Antivirus  Home users Business Users Android Users
ESET 6 6
McAfee 6 6 6

Ref: av-test.org

The AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test conducted during July – October 2020 compiles results by giving awards. ESET is awarded ‘Advanced+’ in Real-World Protection Test, whereas McAfee is awarded ‘Advanced’ levels. This award ranking also considers the wrongly blocked files/websites (also called false alarms) and user-dependent detections. If you are sure that you are not bothered by these things, you can rely on McAfee because it does not have any flaw in its protective abilities.

Malware Protection test analyzes the antivirus not only for its detection rates, but it also checks the protection capabilities. In the AV-Comparatives Malware Protection test in September 2020, both ESET and McAfee scored ‘Advanced+.’ Therefore, we can say that both have similar malware detection and protection capability. Both can be used for ultimate protection in 2021.

McAfee vs ESET – Which one gives better system performance?

We all know that when we have antivirus software in our system, the system slows down naturally. But do we have enough time in 2021 to work with slow systems? Not! We all need smart antivirus software that provides ultimate protection without slowing down our devices.

Again we took the results compiled by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives to determine which one is best for your system’s performance.

Here is a summary of the AV-Test results. After looking at this test score, we can say that McAfee is better than ESET for both home users and business users critical of their system’s performance. 

Antivirus  Home users Business Users Android Users
ESET 5.5 5.5
McAfee 6 6 6

Ref: av-test.org

In the ‘system performance’ AV-Comparatives test performed in October 2020, the experts awarded ‘Advanced+’ to ESET and McAfee. So, according to them, both are good for your system.

Mcafee Vs Eset Which One To Go For In 2021 2

McAfee vs ESET – Which Provides Best Features?

Both McAfee and ESET have their distinguishing features. McAfee is more prevalent among users as it provides excellent protection against all sorts of malware. You will get a digital file shredder, PC tune-up, and a firewall. It allows you to use it on as many devices as you want, including Windows, Android, and iOS. Now McAfee has updated its social media guard to protect users from the threats coming through networking platforms. 

On the other hand, ESET is a bit less popular than McAfee. However, it does offer the same level of protection, along with some great features. It gives you flexibility for choosing scan time, allows you to pause notifications when you are using full screen, and provides email filtering. 

Here is the usability score analysis from AV-Test:

Antivirus  Home users Business Users Android Users
ESET 6 6
McAfee 6 6 6

Ref: av-test.org

Conclusion:

McAfee offers more advanced features and tools for ultimate security and user convenience. McAfee also excels in providing extraordinary system performance. On the other hand, ESET is also a reasonable choice. When it comes to security, ESET does not show lacking. However, it needs to work on its system performance to become the best one for 2021. Until then, we recommend McAfee.

McAfee vs. ESET – Which One To Go For In 2021? FAQs


Is it worth paying for antivirus?

You can use a free antivirus, yes. But buying a subscribe for antivirus improves your security protection.

Does ESET slow down your computer?

Only in the virus detecting phase. If you use a standard mode without scanning, your pc will be work as usual.

What is McAfee’s true key?

McAfee true Key automatically collects and enters passwords for you, excluding the need to do it manually. Handy package if you have a lot of passwords and you forgot them often.

Thank you for reading!