McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business: the ultimate match in antivirus for professionals
With teleworking, real-time threats and an ever-increasing number of devices, it's no longer enough to rely on traditional antivirus software in the workplace. Two solutions are vying for the attention of professionals and small businesses looking for reliable cyber security: McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business.
Both offer comprehensive protection, with antivirus, VPN, anti-ransomware, firewall and more. But their approaches differ: on the one hand, McAfee Total Protection relies on the proven effectiveness of comprehensive software; on the other, Norton Small Business focuses on the simplicity of multi-device management.
So, which solution will offer the best security/price ratio in 2025? And above all: which best suits your business context?
In this comparison, we take a closer look at the features, prices, interfaces and use cases to help you choose between these two giants of cybersecurity.
What is McAfee Total Protection?
Overview of McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection is an all-in-one security solution designed for individuals and small businesses.
It combines award-winning anti-virus, intelligent firewall, anti-spam, secure VPN and privacy tools in a single dashboard.
Unlike McAfee+, which focuses on digital identity and cloud protection, Total Protection provides a solid foundation for securing your devices, files and browsing, with a focus on performance and cross-platform compatibility.
Often used in 'light' business contexts, McAfee Total Protection is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and can protect up to 10 devices depending on the plan. It is regularly cited as a reliable, classic McAfee alternative to the more segmented solutions on the market.
Key features of McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection focuses on the essentials, without sacrificing efficiency. For professionals, this means comprehensive protection against the most common threats, without getting lost in superfluous options. Here are the features that differentiate McAfee Total Protection in the cybersecurity market:
- real-time anti-virus and anti-ransomware protection: automatic detection of malicious files, including zero-day threats;
- Secure VPN (Safe Connect): included depending on the plan, for encrypted browsing even on public Wi-Fi;
- intelligent firewall: blocks suspicious incoming/outgoing connections.
- password manager: secure storage, auto-fill, accessible on multiple devices;
- encryption of sensitive files: to protect critical local data;
- protection against phishing and fraudulent sites;
- automatic updates + unified interface;
- multi-device compatibility: PC, Mac, Android and iOS smartphones.
McAfee Antivirus
Advantages and disadvantages of McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection offers reliability without unnecessary frills.
It appeals to users who want comprehensive, high-performance protection without having to configure everything manually.
McAfee Total Protection shines in a number of ways, especially for SMEs looking for a simple antivirus solution:
- proven solution, regularly awarded by AV-Test for its malware and ransomware detection ;
- a clear, easy-to-use interface, even for non-technical users;
- VPN and password manager integrated from the intermediate plans;
- multi-appliance for up to 10 workstations, ideal for small teams;
- integrated file encryption, useful for professionals handling sensitive data.
❌ Despite its strengths, McAfee Total Protection can still improve on certain points, particularly for professionals looking for more comprehensive software:
- no dark web monitoring or advanced identity protection (reserved for McAfee+) ;
- unlimited VPN is only included in certain packages (beware of the 'included' trap);
- less suited to the needs of fast-growing organisations or those with complex IT infrastructures.
What is Norton Small Business?
Overview of Norton Small Business
Norton Small Business is the cybersecurity solution designed by Norton for small businesses, freelancers and distributed teams.
Unlike Norton 360, which is aimed at the general public, this offering is targeted at pros looking to protect multiple devices, without IT complexity or dedicated infrastructure. The idea is to offer robust protection that is simple to deploy and focused on productivity.
With a subscription model (monthly or annual), Norton Small Business can protect up to 20 devices, with a centralised dashboard to manage users, installations and alerts in just a few clicks. There's no need for an IT department - everything is designed to give teams autonomy.
Norton claims to have millions of VSEs and SMEs covered by this offering, particularly in the consulting, e-commerce, healthcare and digital marketing sectors. It is often cited as an effective alternative to McAfee Total Protection, thanks in particular to its ease of multi-device management and excellent threat detection.
Key features of Norton
Norton Small Business offers a range of essential features to guarantee the security of professionals without adding to their daily workload.
The aim is clear: to provide proactive protection, while limiting the impact on performance and making team management easier. Here are the key features:
- protection against malware and ransomware: SONAR technology to detect behavioural threats in real time;
- intelligent firewall: monitoring of incoming and outgoing connections to prevent data leaks;
- centralised device management: simple web dashboard for adding or removing devices on the fly;
- automatic, silent updates: for constant protection without interruption;
- web protection: block fraudulent sites, phishing, malicious scripts;
- 24/7 pro customer support: priority access to Norton assistance, via chat or telephone;
- multi-OS compatibility : Windows, Mac, Android, iOS (features vary according to device);
- VPN and password manager (on Premium versions or via integration with Norton 360).
Advantages and disadvantages of Norton
Norton Small Business stands out for its ease of use and effectiveness in the business environment.
But depending on specific needs, certain limitations may weigh in the balance.
✅ A good choice for businesses that want reliable, multi-device security with low maintenance:
- rapid deployment, with no technical skills required ;
- intuitive management of licences and devices;
- excellent detection scores in independent tests;
- high-performance firewall and web filtering;
- good compatibility on different OSes.
❌ A few limitations remain, particularly in terms of functional richness compared with more high-end solutions:
- no identity monitoring or native dark web analysis ;
- VPN and password manager not included by default ;
- interface sometimes considered too basic for advanced IT profiles;
- plans limited to 20 devices: beyond that, you need to switch to enterprise packages.
McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business: compare features
| Features | McAfee Total Protection | Norton Small Business |
| Anti-malware and ransomware protection | Yes (real-time, McAfee AV engine) | Yes (proactive SONAR technology) |
| Integrated VPN | Yes (depending on plan, via Safe Connect) | Yes (optional or via Norton 360) |
| Password manager | Yes (True Key) | Optional (via Norton 360 pack) |
| Dark web monitoring | No (McAfee+ only) | No (available via Norton LifeLock) |
| File encryption | Yes | No |
| Intelligent firewall | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes | Yes (pro, dedicated to businesses) |
| Multi-device (Windows, Mac, mobile) | Yes (up to 10 devices) | Yes (up to 20 devices) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | Yes |
| Centralised management dashboard | Yes (via McAfee Security app) | Yes (simple web interface) |
Focus on anti-malware and ransomware protection
McAfee Total Protection uses McAfee's historic AV engine, renowned for its robustness and rapid response. It detects both classic malware and ransomware, with a top score in the latest AV-Test tests (6/6).
Norton relies on SONAR, its behavioural detection engine, which identifies threats even before they are known. This is particularly useful against polymorphic ransomware.
💡 Verdict: the two solutions are neck and neck on pure detection. McAfee scores a point with its extra file encryption.
Focus on secure VPN
The McAfee Safe Connect VPN is included in certain Total Protection packages, with unlimited bandwidth depending on the plan:
- encrypts connections
- blocks trackers
- automatically activates on public Wi-Fi.
Norton's VPN is powerful, but not included in the Small Business package. You need to subscribe to Norton 360 or add an option, which can complicate readability.
💡Verdict: McAfee Total Protection advantage, if you take a VPN plan included.
Focus on the password manager
True Key, McAfee's manager, lets you store credentials, generate complex passwords, and sync between devices. Two-factor authentication is integrated.
At Norton, the function exists only in the consumer suite. It is not included in the Small Business offering by default, which may limit business uses.
💡Verdict: McAfee is more generous on this point, with no additional cost or configuration.
Focus on file encryption
McAfee Total Protection includes a local encryption tool (128-bit) to protect sensitive files stored on the computer. This is a real plus for professionals handling confidential documents.
Norton Small Business offers no integrated encryption solution, except via third-party extensions.
💡Verdict : Clear advantage for McAfee, with an integrated, simple and discreet tool.
McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business: compare prices.
Cybersecurity has a cost... but not all plans are created equal. Between multi-appliance plans, premium features such as VPN and password manager, and prices in euros, McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business adopt two very distinct strategies. Here's how they position themselves for professionals.
| Plan / Software | McAfee Total Protection | Norton Small Business |
| Free version | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Entry plan | Essential: €109.95/year for 5 devices
|
Small Business : from €99.99/year for 6 devices
|
| Mid-range plan | Premium Individual: €129.95/year (unlimited number of devices)
|
- |
| Full plan (premium) | Advances Indiviual: €149.95/year
|
Small Business Premium: from €199.99/year for 10 devices
|
☝️ Key facts:
- McAfee Total Protection is more flexible, with several price levels and VPN/Manager options included from the intermediate plans.
- Norton Small Business simplifies management, but remains more expensive if you don't have many devices to cover.
- Norton only becomes attractive if you have more than 10 devices to secure, without the need for encryption or VPN.
McAfee Total protection vs Norton Small Business: which interface is more intuitive?
When you're managing several devices on a daily basis, the interface of an antivirus can make all the difference between wasting time and real efficiency.
McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business focus on simplicity, but each in its own way. Web interface, mobile app, centralised dashboard: we compare their ergonomics on the pro side.
| Interface criteria | McAfee Total Protection | Norton Small Business |
| Main dashboard | Simple interface, quick access to key functions | Minimalist, highly intuitive web dashboard |
| Installation and deployment | Traditional installation by device (key or link) | Single link sent by email to each user |
| Mobile browsing | Dedicated application (McAfee Security), well designed and fluid | Correct mobile app, less comprehensive than desktop |
| Clear alerts and notifications | Clear alerts, sometimes too frequent | Synthetic, non-intrusive alerts |
| Customisation / settings | Fairly extensive settings (scanning, firewall, VPN, etc.) | Less fine-tuning, but sufficient for SMEs |
| Multi-device experience | Management via McAfee account for up to 10 devices | Single console for up to 20 devices |
☝️ What we think :
- If you're looking for fine-grained control: McAfee Total Protection. McAfee offers a slightly denser but comprehensive interface: ideal for those who want to fine-tune their security (VPN, scanning, firewall, etc.).
- If you prefer immediate efficiency and simplicity: Norton Small Business. Norton, on the other hand, relies on an ultra-fluid, frictionless experience: perfect.
McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business: compare integrations
A good antivirus is good. An antivirus that integrates perfectly with your work environment is better.
Whether you use collaborative tools, cloud solutions or a complete office suite, the ability to integrate easily with your everyday apps is a real criterion for choice.
We rated McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business on three key criteria: number of integrations, ease of configuration and level of automation possible.
👉 Number of available integrations:
- McAfee Total Protection: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
McAfee offers basic but functional integrations, mainly geared towards operating systems and browsers (security extensions, email scanning, Windows network management).
No extended marketplace or connectors to tools such as Google Workspace, Slack or Microsoft Teams. The emphasis is on the McAfee ecosystem itself. - Norton Small Business: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Norton offers wider compatibility, particularly with its enterprise version. Although it doesn't have an official integration store, it naturally integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, certain secure messaging platforms and common cloud services.
No advanced integration with CRMs or complex IT tools.
👉 Ease of configuration:
- McAfee Total Protection: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Security features integrate automatically during installation, with little setup required. Perfect for simple use, but limited if you're looking to customise connections to other business tools. - Norton Small Business: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Quick configuration via a centralised dashboard. Adding users, managing devices and automatic updates are well thought out. The "set & forget" approach works well for lightweight environments.
👉 Customisation and automation:
- McAfee Total Protection: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Not many options on the automation or customisation side. We're sticking with a one-piece logic, designed to work without any external interaction. No APIs or triggers. - Norton Small Business: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Ability to schedule scans, updates and alerts based on schedules or events, but no depth of external integration. No automation via Zapier or API, but sufficient for non-technical teams.
💡 Conclusion:
- Norton Small Business takes a slight lead here, thanks in particular to more flexible configuration and better compatibility with cloud tools.
- McAfee Total Protection, on the other hand, is aimed at those who prefer a standalone solution with no external dependencies... but this limits its role in a modern digital stack.
When should you choose McAfee Total Protection or Norton Small Business?
The right antivirus is not always the one that does the most... but the one that meets your real needs. Here are some typical use cases to help you decide between McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business, depending on your organisation, your level of technical expertise and the number of devices to be protected.
Examples of McAfee Total Protection use cases
McAfee Total Protection is particularly suitable if you're looking for a comprehensive security suite that's easy to deploy, with powerful on-board tools. To give you a better idea, here are a few situations in which McAfee Total Protection is effective:
- if you are a freelancer or the manager of a micro-business who wants a solid antivirus with VPN, firewall and encryption without having to go through several subscriptions;
- if you are a healthcare, legal or HR professional who is sensitive to local data protection and needs file encryption;
- if you are a multi-platform user (PC, Mac, Android, iOS) wishing to manage the security of all your devices from a single interface.
- if you are a non-technical user: simple installation, automatic updates, no complex settings.
Examples of Norton Small Business use cases
Norton Small Business shines in collaborative environments where simplicity and scalability are priorities. Here are a few examples:
- if you are an SME with 5 to 20 employees, without a dedicated IT team, but need to manage the security of several workstations easily ;
- if you are a marketing agency, consultancy or start-up : rapid deployment, intuitive dashboard and centralised alerts;
- if you're a company with a high level of mobility: remote management of workstations, frequent equipment replacement, autonomous users, etc;
- if you run collaborative projects using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365: Norton integrates seamlessly;
- ideal for "set & forget" profiles: install, configure once, and it runs automatically.
McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business: the final verdict for connected professionals
McAfee Total Protection and Norton Small Business have two very distinct visions of professional cybersecurity.
👉 McAfee Total Protection plays the all-in-one protection card, with a real focus on on-board features: file encryption, VPN, anti-ransomware, password manager... All at a competitive price for pros who want to centralise their security without complexity.
Norton Small Business, on the other hand, is aimed at collaborative efficiency. Less rich in native functions, but more flexible to deploy, it appeals to small teams who want to quickly protect up to 20 devices without drowning in settings.
So who's winning?
| Business need | Our recommendation |
| Secure up to 10 devices with VPN, password manager, encryption | ✅ McAfee Total Protection |
| Easily manage the security of 5 to 20 employees, without an IT team | ✅ Norton Small Business |
| Deploy a turnkey solution quickly, without complex settings | ✅ Norton Small Business |
| Benefit from an all-in-one package with antivirus, VPN, firewall and True Key | ✅ McAfee Total Protection |
| Protect sensitive local data (customer documents, HR, legal) | ✅ McAfee Total Protection |
| Monitor security remotely with centralised console and pro alerts | ✅ Norton Small Business |
🎯 The real "winner" is the one that responds to your reality on the ground. And if you're still hesitating... both often offer a free trial period. You might as well test before you lock in.
FAQ: McAfee Total Protection vs Norton Small Business
What is the best alternative to McAfee Total Protection?
If you're looking for an alternative to McAfee, Norton Small Business is a solid option for SMEs. For more technical or growing structures, solutions such as Bitdefender GravityZone or ESET PROTECT may also be suitable.
Does Norton Small Business protect against ransomware?
Yes, Norton uses SONAR technology for proactive ransomware protection, even against unknown threats. AV-Test tests confirm excellent detection scores.
Is McAfee Total Protection multi-device compatible?
Yes, it can cover up to 10 devices depending on the plan chosen, including PCs, Macs, Android and iOS smartphones. Management is via a centralised interface.
Can Norton Small Business be installed without any technical skills?
Absolutely. Installation is guided, sending links to users is automated, and configuration requires no advanced IT knowledge.
Is VPN included in McAfee Total Protection?
The Safe Connect VPN is included in the Plus and Premium plans, with unlimited bandwidth depending on the level. It launches automatically on unsecured networks.
Is there a free version of McAfee or Norton?
No. Neither McAfee Total Protection nor Norton Small Business offer a free version. However, free trials are available to test before you buy.
Article translated from French