Comparison

McAfee vs Poolstar

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

McAfee

This app offers comprehensive security for your devices, including scam detection, a secure VPN for privacy, and monitoring for data breaches and financial fraud. It helps protect your personal information and online accounts from various threats.

Highlights
  • Scam detection and blocking
  • Bank-grade VPN encryption
  • Identity and credit monitoring
  • Social media privacy management
  • Personal data cleanup
  • Online account cleanup
  • Identity theft coverage
Features
Read full description

McAfee Security protects smartphones, tablets, Macs, and PCs with robust data protection features, bank-grade VPN encryption, and breach monitoring for your personal info. Stay safer than safe with McAfee, a trusted name in online and mobile security. THREAT DETECTION: SCAM DETECTOR ▪ Flags risky messages and blocks harmful sites for you, even if you accidentally click. ▪ Identifies suspicious emails before you open them and guides you on what to do next. We’ll even explain the danger, so you know what to watch out for. SECURE CONNECTION: SECURE VPN ▪ Keeps personal data and locations private with bank-grade Wi-Fi VPN encryption. ▪ Defends your mobile devices against unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots. ▪ Connects to different countries and change your location & IP address*. SMART SCAN ▪ Scan your device and your personal information for issues. Get guidance to fix problems, quickly and easily. WI-FI SCAN ▪ Wi-Fi scan analyzes networks for security risks and ensures a safer online connection. SAFE BROWSING ▪ Blocks malicious websites automatically so you can browse safely. DATA PROTECTION: IDENTITY MONITORING ▪ Scans and monitors online personal data for security breaches. ▪ Receive alerts and secure your info quickly with our protection tips. ▪ Monitors up to 10 email addresses, ID numbers, passport numbers, bank cards*. TRANSACTION & CREDIT MONITORING ▪ Protect yourself from financial fraud and stay on top of your bank and credit card transactions. ▪ Monitor your credit to keep track of changes to your credit score and catch unauthorized activity. SOCIAL PRIVACY MANAGER ▪ Adjusts 100+ privacy settings across your social media accounts in just a few clicks. PERSONAL DATA CLEANUP ▪ We'll tell you if sites are selling your information, guide you on what to do next, and can even handle it for you. ONLINE ACCOUNT CLEANUP ▪ McAfee reduces your exposure to data breaches by finding old or unused online accounts and guiding through next steps. We can even delete them for you. IDENTITY THEFT COVERAGE AND RESTORATION ▪ You’re backed by $1M identity theft coverage and restoration support from a licensed professional, just in case. PLANS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS McAfee Security - Free ▪ Single device protection ▪ Wi-Fi Scan ▪ Identity Scan ▪ System Scan McAfee Basic Protection ▪ Single device protection ▪ Secure VPN ▪ Basic Identity Monitoring* ▪ Wi-Fi Scan ▪ Safe Browsing ▪ System Scan ▪ Text Scam Detector* McAfee+ Advanced: ▪ Unlimited device protection ▪ Secure VPN ▪ Identity Monitoring* ▪ Wi-Fi Scan ▪ Safe Browsing ▪ Social Privacy Manager ▪ System Scan ▪ Scam Detector ▪ Online Account Cleanup ▪ Personal Data Cleanup ▪ Transaction Monitoring ▪ Credit Score, Report, and Monitoring ▪ Identity Restoration ▪ Security Freeze & Credit Lock ▪ 24/7 online security experts* Not all features are available for all devices, locations or subscriptions not listed in the description. See System Requirements for additional information. *Privacy Policy: You can view our privacy policy and terms at https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-us/policy/global/legal.html* License Agreement: You can view our end user license agreement at: https://www.mcafee.com/en-us/consumer-support/policy/legal.html?culture=%3Clocale%3E#eula To provide you with the best possible experience, McAfee Security requires iOS 16 and above. You are encouraged to update your device to the latest version to receive timely security updates, maximum protection, and enhanced performance. COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK McAfee and the McAfee logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of McAfee LLC or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Copyright © 2026 McAfee LLC

About

Poolstar

Control your intelligent pool cleaning robot remotely. Monitor its real-time working status and enhance your pool maintenance efficiency for a smarter, more convenient experience.

Highlights
  • Mobile control
  • Real-time status monitoring
  • Pool maintenance efficiency
  • Smart experience
  • Convenient operation
Features
Read full description

The Poolstar APP is a dedicated control application for the PoolStar intelligent pool cleaning robot. It supports mobile control, real-time working status monitoring, and improves pool maintenance efficiency for a smart and convenient experience.

Screenshots

McAfee4 screens
Poolstar3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: McAfee at 4.7 against Poolstar's 1.7. McAfee also leads on ratings volume (241K vs 6) and review sentiment (52% vs 33%). Poolstar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. McAfee sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Poolstar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

McAfee holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: McAfee has 241K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of McAfee's written reviews are positive against 33% of Poolstar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
McAfee versus Poolstar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMcAfeePoolstar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (241K ratings) — better1.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings241K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#17 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size438 MB35 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMcAfee, LLC.宁波市普世达泳池用品有限公司

Customer experience

McAfee

All ratings240,550 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews2,533 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral8.4%
Negative39.9%

Poolstar

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

McAfee

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App keeps logging users out
  • VPN not working as expected
  • Compatibility issues with iOS updates

Requested features

3 requests
  • More customization options
  • Improved scanning and detection capabilities
  • Better integration with other devices

Poolstar

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

McAfee

Subscriptions9
  • Monthly Basic Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Standard Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Plus Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Monthly Advanced Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Total Protection Monthly1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • McAfee+ Advanced Monthly1 Month trial2 variants$19.991 Month
  • Yearly Standard Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly Plus Subscription7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • McAfee+ Advanced Yearly1 Year trial$199.991 Year
None

Poolstar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is McAfee free?
McAfee is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Poolstar free?
Poolstar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, McAfee or Poolstar?
McAfee is rated higher. McAfee averages 4.7 out of 5 from 241K ratings, while Poolstar averages 1.7 from 6 ratings.
Do McAfee or Poolstar have ads?
Neither McAfee nor Poolstar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, McAfee or Poolstar?
McAfee ships an update every 3 weeks, and Poolstar every 3 weeks. Most recently, McAfee was updated on November 13, 2026 and Poolstar on October 31, 2026.

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