Comparison

McAfee vs Bitdefender Central

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 protection against online threats, including scam detection for texts and emails, VPN for secure browsing, and identity monitoring. It helps safeguard your personal information and devices from various cyber risks.

Highlights
  • Scam Detector for texts and emails
  • Secure VPN for public Wi-Fi
  • Identity monitoring and alerts
  • Transaction and credit monitoring
  • Safe browsing with malicious site blocking
  • Personal data cleanup from brokers
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

Bitdefender Central

Manage and control the cybersecurity of all your Bitdefender-protected devices, both locally and across your network. This app allows remote scanning, threat detection notifications, and comprehensive management of your smart home hub for enhanced online safety.

Highlights
  • Install protection on all devices
  • Remote device scanning and optimization
  • Real-time threat notifications
  • Smart home network security management
  • Parental controls and screen time management
  • Locate and lock lost/stolen devices
Features
Read full description

Bitdefender Central places your local and network cybersecurity at your fingertips. Use it to control security for all your Bitdefender-protected devices, and to set up and manage Bitdefender BOX, the revolutionary smart home hub that secures your entire Wi-Fi network. LOCAL PROTECTION With Bitdefender Central you can: - Install Bitdefender protection on all your devices - Manage security and protect your kids online - Scan, clean and optimize any device remotely - Get instant notification whenever Bitdefender detects a threat - Quickly access your activity dashboard - Receive security updates for your devices 24/7 NETWORK PROTECTION Bitdefender Central works with BOX to secure and manage your smart home: - Get ironclad protection for all your internet-connected devices, at home and on the go - Manage all devices in your home network from a single mobile app - Protect your kids online and manage screen time with parental controls - Set up your Bitdefender BOX - Discover your devices and group them under your Bitdefender BOX network - Check protection status and connectivity status for all your connected devices - Filter your devices by status or by user - Create profiles for your family members and allocate devices to them - Get real-time notifications for threats blocked by BOX: anomaly detection, unencrypted - - Banking information sent, botnet attacks - Change your Wi-Fi name and password - Pause the internet connection on your devices PARENTAL FEATURES - Filter out inappropriate content and manage your child's internet time - Choose from 3 preset and customizable filtering modes to effectively manage your child’s online activities - Unified reporting and management across all devices PRIVACY - Locate your lost or stolen devices - Send text or sound alerts to your devices - Lock your lost or stolen devices to prevent unauthorized access Privacy Policy: https://www.bitdefender.com/site/view/legal-privacy-policy-for-home-users-solutions.html

Screenshots

McAfee4 screens
Bitdefender Central4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Bitdefender Central at none against McAfee's 12. Bitdefender Central also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). McAfee's advantage is ratings volume (240K vs 11K) and chart position (#15 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Bitdefender Central asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for McAfee against 4.8 for Bitdefender Central. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: McAfee has 240K ratings behind it against 11K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of McAfee's written reviews are positive against 59% of Bitdefender Central's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
McAfee versus Bitdefender Central: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMcAfeeBitdefender Central
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (240K ratings)4.8 (11K ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.7% of reviews59.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings240K — better11K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size436 MB191 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMcAfee, LLC.Bitdefender SRL

Customer experience

McAfee

All ratings239,887 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews2,533 reviews
Positive51.7%
Neutral8.4%
Negative39.9%

Bitdefender Central

All ratings10,915 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.2%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews542 reviews
Positive59.0%
Neutral9.6%
Negative31.4%

User reviews

McAfee

From 240K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great protection
  • 🔒 Secure VPN
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful features like media vault

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔋 Drains battery
  • 🔒 Issues with VPN connectivity
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

Bitdefender Central

From 11K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Effective protection
  • 🔒 Reliable security
  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Thorough scanning
  • 🚀 Easy to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔋 Battery drain issues
  • 🔍 Confusing interface
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤖 Buggy software

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

Bitdefender Central

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Frequent app crashes on iOS 11+
  • Web protection randomly disabling itself
  • Inability to delete email addresses from account
  • Inconsistent behavior across different devices
  • Lack of support for older devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improve mobile app responsiveness
  • Add more customization options
  • Enhance parental control features
  • Provide better visibility into device protection status
  • Improve compatibility with other VPN services

In-app purchases

10 purchases

McAfee

Subscriptions10
  • Monthly Basic Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Standard Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Monthly Plus Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 7 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
  • Total Protection Yearly1 Year trial$99.991 Year
  • McAfee+ Advanced Yearly1 Year trial$199.991 Year
None

Bitdefender Central

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is McAfee free?
McAfee is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bitdefender Central free?
Bitdefender Central is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, McAfee or Bitdefender Central?
Bitdefender Central is rated higher. McAfee averages 4.7 out of 5 from 240K ratings, while Bitdefender Central averages 4.8 from 11K ratings.
Do McAfee or Bitdefender Central have ads?
Neither McAfee nor Bitdefender Central shows ads.
Which is updated more often, McAfee or Bitdefender Central?
McAfee ships an update every 3 weeks, and Bitdefender Central every 3 weeks. Most recently, McAfee was updated on November 1, 2026 and Bitdefender Central on November 1, 2026.

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