Malwarebytes vs. McAfee Total Protection (discontinued) vs. Norton 360

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Malwarebytes
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Malwarebytes is a antimalware application for home and small businesses, which blocks viruses, malware, hackers, viruses, and malicious websites.
$119.99
per year 3 devices
McAfee Total Protection (discontinued)
Score 5.1 out of 10
N/A
McAfee's Total Protection included antivirus and antimalware offerings for home and small businesses or home offices. This product line is not a focus for Trellix, the brand formed from the merger of McAfee and FireEye that offers business grade products. Trellix Endpoint Security is the company's product line for business endpoint security.
$24.99
per year (2 year subscription, 5 devices)
Norton 360
Score 7.2 out of 10
N/A
The Norton products, including Norton 360, Norton Antivirus, and Norton Security, are consumer antivirus and privacy protection products. Features include password management, VPN, dark web and credit monitoring for individuals, and cloud backup for PCs.
$59.99
per year
Pricing
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Editions & Modules
Teams - Sole proprietor
$119.99
per year 3 devices
Teams - Boutique business
$399.99
per year 10 devices
Teams - Small office
$799.99
per year 20 devices
Multi-Device
$24.99
per year (2 year subscription, 5 devices)
Individual
$29.99 ($79.99)
1st year price (subsequent years)
Family
$29.99
per year (2 year subscription, 10 devices)
Norton AntiVirus
$59.99
per year
Norton 360 Standard
$94.99
per year 3 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones
Norton 360 Deluxe
$119.99
per year 5 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones
Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus
$189.99
per year 10 PCs, Macs, tablets, or phones
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Free Trial
NoNoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAll plans include a 60-day money back guarantee. 1st year discount available for the Small office plan.1st year discounts available.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Considered Multiple Products
Malwarebytes
Chose Malwarebytes
For me, there are no other alternatives compared to the free version of Malwarebytes. I used McAfee Total Protection as an alternative, it's a full product with anti-malware, anti-virus, anti-spam.
Chose Malwarebytes
McAfee usually takes a long time to scan each system as we usually have scheduled systems scan every weekend. But if we want to scan a particular system in minimal time we usually go with Malwarebytes to get the job done.
Chose Malwarebytes
I am old school, so Malwarebytes being installed means I do not need to use any other third party's protection. In the past I have used: McAfee, AVG, Avast, Panda, Adaware, Spybot, F-Secure, and the list goes on, but I don't need of those now!
Chose Malwarebytes
We chose Malwarebytes for Teams which offered a significant savings compared to other scanners
Chose Malwarebytes
I haven't used Norton, MacKeeper, nor any other anti-viral software for many years. I believe Malwarebytes is the most effective malware software available in its price range and have been extremely satisfied with it. Since using it I have had no issues nor incidents with …
Chose Malwarebytes
To be blunt, MB leaves them in the dust from an operative and functional perspective. We use them because we get great support for all functions and find they do an excellent job at what they are designed to do. Competitive costs and no extraneous fees. Software that tries to …
Chose Malwarebytes
It's been a while since I made my decision to purchase Malwarebytes over the other products listed. I believe at the time Malwarebytes was the best product on my short list. I tried both AVG and Avast before deciding on Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes was also recommended to me by …
Chose Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes stacks up against all of the big guys and in my experience, does it better with no heavy resources, no slow down and no interference with other programs. My very first experience over 9 years ago, Malwarebytes caught a virus that none of the other big guys could …
Chose Malwarebytes
I have tried a lot of antivirus software. I really do not like a lot of it, because it consumes a lot of PC resources, which slows down the computer too much and takes time away from me. Malwarebytes is light, fast, effective and has a free version that works very well.
Chose Malwarebytes
Our office selected this software over Norton because it picked up malware that Norton did not pick up. Malwarebytes is very user friendly, cost effective and reliable. We like that they are constantly running updates to improve their software. Everything is well laid out in …
Chose Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes just works and protects our endpoints. The configuration is simple and intuitive with almost zero overhead.
Chose Malwarebytes
Avast and Norton's products were part of the testing for us but the cost was very high for them and the products were not light on the machine. They took up a lot of memory and slowed the computers down. Malwarebytes although may lack some feature, is a very light software.
Chose Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is so much less intrusive than other antivirus softwares. in addition, I've found that almost all other anti virus softwares have so many popups and slow down your computers so much because of all the computing power they suck up. Malwarebytes doesn't do this which …
Chose Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes has an effective free version (some of the others do, some don't). Malwarebytes has a slightly different focus on the type of malware it looks for. As opposed to picking one winner, I would suggest selecting a well-reviewed paid AV, and possibly supplementing …
Chose Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is cheaper and more cost-effective than software like Norton. It finds threats more effectively and is more up to date than "better known" programs like Norton. For a limited time, you can also use Malwarebytes at no cost. It is a product that has proven itself …
McAfee Total Protection (discontinued)
Chose McAfee Total Protection (discontinued)
I haven't used Norton for a while, but when I did use it I felt that it slowed down my computer and had constant pop-ups, which were both equally frustrating and annoying. It was also very difficult to remove from my computer.

Malwarebytes is a great, straightforward program …
Norton 360
Chose Norton 360
If Norton offers an enterprise system I think it would be excellent. McAfee is slow to update and doesn't provide as much flexibility as Norton.
Chose Norton 360
Updates are better in Norton. Support is always greater with Norton. The interfaces are totally different and it is so easy to use Norton. Th cost of renewal is also better in Norton compared to McAfee Data Center Security Suite.
Chose Norton 360
User-friendly interface (it's not just AV and users who were interacting with the product), performance, resource usage (most of the computers were not very fresh and that factor was very critical), efficiency, it shouldn't be just sitting on a PC - it should protect it, what …
Chose Norton 360
Other security products have their own strengths and weaknesses but Norton Internet Security does very well in terms of performance and working with Android OS devices. While past versions were known to be performance hogs, today's incarnation of the security program is well …
Chose Norton 360
Norton 360 has a better detection rate as well as remediation rate than the others I have used. It also does not affect the computer resources if configured properly. It provides an all in one solution that is easy to configure for the novice user and provides easy to review …
Best Alternatives
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Small Businesses
AVG AntiVirus Business Edition
AVG AntiVirus Business Edition
Score 8.0 out of 10
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes
Score 8.8 out of 10
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes
Score 8.8 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
BlackBerry Protect (CylancePROTECT)
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Likelihood to Recommend
8.1
(54 ratings)
9.0
(3 ratings)
8.0
(16 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(2 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(4 ratings)
Usability
8.1
(5 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
8.9
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
MalwarebytesMcAfee Total Protection (discontinued)Norton 360
Likelihood to Recommend
Malwarebytes
Now, I gave it that rating because it's a handy tool for diagnosing issues. Quarantining them, and most of the time, it does fix the problem. Though with rootkits, it's been hit or miss, and sometimes perfectly valid software gets flagged erroneously. However, once you've run it, it tends to run continuously, consuming far too many resources and being a real pain to uninstall, sometimes even causing issues.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
I think McAfee is great to have whether it's for work or for personal use. While it has some drawbacks, I like the peace of mind of feeling safe when I'm browsing the web/email, especially when my computer has sensitive/confidential information, knowing that McAfee will immediately detect any threats. The UI is extremely easy to navigate, which makes it easy for users regardless of how tech-savvy they are.
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
For a stand-alone business this should do the trick, but if using across multiple clients (multi-tenancy not an option). Default settings within the program will cause performance issues if not tweaked, meaning someone with networking experience may be necessary. Not ideal for MSP's unless they only have a few clients, as the manageability must be done within "the walls" of each company.
Read full review
Pros
Malwarebytes
  • Low system resources, it does not slow down the whole computer when scanning or when real-time protection is enabled
  • Quick and frequent updates, usually people hate updating, but for malware/viruses, you want to be updated as possible. It takes less than 15 seconds and usually does it automatically. They usually send a few updates a day as they find more.
  • Protection features actually work when visiting known bad websites. The page will be blocked and nothing will be downloaded. It may not be what the user wants, but it's what the user needs (as the user can't know every bad website)
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Excellent protection of all internet connected assets on our VPN.
  • Constant updates of needed security patches that ensure our network and systems are protected from current and emerging/potential threats.
  • Prompt and reliable customer service that provides needed answers and expertise in a crisis.
  • Strategic whitepapers on emerging cyber threats and McAfee solutions to resolve them before they become a problem for my team or our clients.
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
  • Norton works quite quickly and is efficient enough to detect threats
  • It is very easy and simple to install and is without any complications and irrelevant inquiries.
  • Norton is available at a very reasonable price in the market and is not heavy on pocket.
Read full review
Cons
Malwarebytes
  • One of the main things that malwarebytes is missing as a company, is phone support for its clients. All support questions has to go thru email only. This is not acceptable for issues that needs to be resolved quickly.
  • There is an issue when installing the client on a machine, it has a set amount of time where the software can register with the management server. The issue with this is, with machines that are over a wide area network, slow connection speeds can cause the software not to register. When that happens, it never re attempts to register in the future.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Price - Extremely high price tag for many of the solutions.
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
  • Cost could be an issue. They could perform a free trial at the beginning for people to check.
  • It would be good if you can do an online free check of your computer.
  • While the updates are good sometimes your computer is attacked by a virus they did not expect.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Malwarebytes
The last time we renewed Malwarebytes, we renewed for a 3 year renewal. That should describe the confidence we have in the product. Plus the cost savings impact year after year.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
McAfee has consistently delivered on its stated goals of providing comprehensive protection for our networks and systems. Due to their excellent work and follow through I have been, and will continue to be a loyal customer.
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
I did renew it before because support is great and cost is great. I believe that Norton has a very long experience in what they do and they are doing a great job with all the updates they provide and the work they are doing. Moreover Norton is going in the right direction for sure.
Read full review
Usability
Malwarebytes
Usability-wise, it's pretty good, and it gets the job done. But once that's finished, the nags, the pop-ups, and the fact that it slows older systems down recklessly really cost it rating points. It becomes a clutter, and one of the first things we check when we receive reports that a PC is slow is whether it's running malware. Once we uninstall it, the PC is usually easily 40-50% faster. That's too much in the way of resources for something that wants to always run in the background.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
User interface is excellent. The green tickmark in the tray ensuring everything is undercontrol is so satisfying. I have turned on Auto updates so, I am not bothered about unnecessary download updates popup
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Support Rating
Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes customer support team is awesome! They really go above and beyond to help you with whatever issue you may experience. It is not that we need to contact their support team often, but the few times we did, we would speak to someone who knew what they were talking about and able to solve our problem. It is a comfort knowing that aside from a great product, you are getting a reliable support structure.
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Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
Security software with very good features that works in the background.
Price suitable for companies of any size and easy to install and use.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Malwarebytes
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
Would like a manual or online version that is simple to understand and explains in detail what choices we have and why to make these choices.
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Alternatives Considered
Malwarebytes
Avast and Norton's products were part of the testing for us but the cost was very high for them and the products were not light on the machine. They took up a lot of memory and slowed the computers down. Malwarebytes although may lack some feature, is a very light software.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
I haven't used Norton for a while, but when I did use it I felt that it slowed down my computer and had constant pop-ups, which were both equally frustrating and annoying. It was also very difficult to remove from my computer. Malwarebytes is a great, straightforward program I've used for virus scanning. It's pretty bare bones but I think if you just want something to scan for viruses it gets the job done quickly and reliably. In my opinion McAfee offers similar benefits as Norton but its more intuitive and doesn't impact system performance.
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
User-friendly interface (it's not just AV and users who were interacting with the product), performance, resource usage (most of the computers were not very fresh and that factor was very critical), efficiency, it shouldn't be just sitting on a PC - it should protect it, what was perfectly done with that product.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Malwarebytes
  • Positive Impact: Have not had to remediate malware/virus infections since installed.
  • Positive impact: As far as browsing goes, we can boldly go where no man has gone before. No, really, I am confident when I am clicking on search engine results that if something get past my trained eye, Malwarebytes will pick of the slack.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Blocks unsafe websites
  • Virus detection and removal
  • Protects sensitive data
Read full review
Gen (NortonLifeLock, Avast, Avira, AVG)
  • Poor performance against Spyware and other threats despite claiming to act against them (recognizes very few and eliminates less) It is limited to viruses.
  • Regular blocking of incoming scripts (in front of other antivirus)
  • Little or almost no compatibility with the Windows XP Firewall, but they are involved.
Read full review
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