Comparison

Bitdefender Central vs McAfee Security for Metro

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

Head to head
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

About

McAfee Security for Metro

This app offers comprehensive protection for your privacy, identity, and devices across multiple platforms. It includes features like safe browsing, Wi-Fi scanning, and identity monitoring to help you navigate the online world with confidence.

Highlights
  • Safe browsing with malware blocking
  • Wi-Fi and system scanner
  • Personalized protection score
  • Identity protection and monitoring
  • Phishing and data leak alerts
Features
Read full description

So much protection for your privacy, identity, and devices. With McAfee Security for Metro you can secure multiple devices including your smartphones, tablets, Macs and PCs. Our powerful privacy and identity protection give you the confidence to explore freely online—anywhere, anytime. Here’s just how much security you can expect: SAFE BROWSING • Block malicious websites automatically so you can browse safely • Stop online threats like malware, spyware, viruses, and more • Protect yourself from phishing and data leaks with Safe Browsing alerts WI-Fl & SYSTEM SCANNER • Receive alerts when connecting to an unsecured Wi-Fi network or hotspot • Ensure safer online and network connections with Wi-Fi Scan • Get notifications when iOS needs an update and stay secure PROTECTION SCORE • Learn how safe you are online with your personalized Protection Score • Boost your score by following recommendations like monitoring more info IDENTITY PROTECTION available on qualifying plans • Scan and monitor your personal data online • Receive breach alerts and secure your info quickly with our protection tips • Monitor up to 10 email addresses, ID numbers, passport numbers, bank cards and more McAfee Security for Metro makes it so much safer to live your life online. Download today and start exploring.

Screenshots

Bitdefender Central4 screens
McAfee Security for Metro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bitdefender Central at every 3 weeks against McAfee Security for Metro's every 2 months. Bitdefender Central also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (11K vs 2.8K). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Bitdefender Central against 4.7 for McAfee Security for Metro. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11K and 2.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Bitdefender Central's written reviews are positive against 52% of McAfee Security for Metro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bitdefender Central ships an update every 3 weeks, McAfee Security for Metro every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Bitdefender Central versus McAfee Security for Metro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBitdefender CentralMcAfee Security for Metro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11K ratings) — better4.7 (2.8K ratings)
Positive reviews58.8% of reviews — better52.3% of reviews
Number of ratings11K — better2.8K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size191 MB341 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBitdefender SRLMetroPCS

Customer experience

Bitdefender Central

All ratings10,915 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral2.2%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews539 reviews
Positive58.8%
Neutral9.6%
Negative31.5%

McAfee Security for Metro

All ratings2,773 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive52.3%
Neutral8.1%
Negative39.5%

User reviews

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

McAfee Security for Metro

From 2.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🔒 Secure
  • 👍 Great reliability
  • 🚀 Efficient
  • 👍 User-friendly

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work properly
  • 🐛 Scanning issues
  • 🐛 VPN and other features not working
  • 🐛 Media vault issues
  • 🐛 Account/login problems

Bugs and requests

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

McAfee Security for Metro

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Scan never completes
  • Devices not responding when trying to activate features
  • Deleting protected files without warning
  • Inconsistent behavior across iOS and Android

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add storage cleaner, app lock, and memory booster features
  • Improve instructions and user guidance
  • Add login option instead of creating new account

In-app purchases

None

Bitdefender Central

No in-app purchases

None

McAfee Security for Metro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bitdefender Central free?
Bitdefender Central is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is McAfee Security for Metro free?
McAfee Security for Metro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bitdefender Central or McAfee Security for Metro?
Bitdefender Central is rated higher. Bitdefender Central averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while McAfee Security for Metro averages 4.7 from 2.8K ratings.
Do Bitdefender Central or McAfee Security for Metro have ads?
Neither Bitdefender Central nor McAfee Security for Metro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bitdefender Central or McAfee Security for Metro?
Bitdefender Central ships an update every 3 weeks, and McAfee Security for Metro every 2 months. Most recently, Bitdefender Central was updated on October 18, 2026 and McAfee Security for Metro on October 18, 2026.

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