Choosing the right VPN can feel like navigating a maze.
You want security, speed, and a price that fits.
Two big names often pop up: ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN.
But which one is actually better for you in 2025?
We’ll help you make the best choice for your online needs.
Ready to dive in?
Overview
We put ProtonVPN and McAfee VPN through rigorous testing to see how they stack up.
Our analysis covers speed, security, server network, pricing, and user experience.
This comparison will give you a clear picture of each VPN’s strengths and weaknesses.
Stop guessing which VPN is best. Choose ProtonVPN, the Swiss-based provider with over 15,000.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $4.49/month
Key Features:
- Email Aliasing.
- Encrypted Vault.
- Open Source.
McAfee Safe Connect VPN encrypts your VPN connection, protecting your data on up to 5 devices.
Pricing: Plan starts at $39.99/month. More plans are available with offers.
Key Features:
- Bank-grade Encryption
- Wi-Fi Protection
- Unlimited Devices
What is ProtonVPN?
Want a VPN that’s serious about privacy? Check out ProtonVPN.
They’re based in Switzerland. This means that they have strong privacy laws.
They also have some unique security features. They offer a free version.
Also, explore our favorite ProtonVPN alternatives…
Our Take
Join over 100 million users who choose Proton VPN for ironclad online security. With 13,000+ servers spanning 120+ countries and speeds boosted by up to 400% with VPN Accelerator, you can browse, stream, and game with unparalleled privacy and performance.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on privacy: Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy.
- Secure core servers: Adds an extra layer of protection.
- Free version available: Try it out before you buy.
- Open-source apps: Transparency and community-driven development.
Pricing
- Proton Free: $0.00/month.
- VPN Plus: $4.99/month.
- Proton Unlimited: $7.99/month.
Pros
Cons
What is McAfee VPN?
You probably know McAfee from their antivirus software. But did you know they also have a VPN?
McAfee VPN is all about keeping your online activity private and secure.
It’s a good option if you want a simple VPN that works. There is no complicated setup or confusing menus.
Also, explore our favorite McAfee VPN alternatives…
Key Benefits
- Trusted brand: From a reputable security company.
- Good basic security: Uses strong encryption.
- Simple to use: Easy for beginners.
- Kill switch included: Protects your data if the VPN drops.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Try it out safely.
Pricing
- Essential: $39.99/yr – 5 devices 1 user.
- Advanced Individual: $89.99/yr – All devices 1 user.
- Advanced Family: $119.99/yr – All devices 6 family members.
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
This comparison pits Proton VPN, a vpn providers rooted in high-security principles, against McAfee VPN, a vpn services bundled by a legacy security brand.
This proton vpn review, alongside a look at the mcafee vpn review, clarifies which virtual private network offers superior auditability, core features, and overall value for vpn users.
1. Privacy Jurisdiction and Audits
- Proton VPN: Is based in Switzerland, a country with strong privacy laws. Its no logs policy is frequently audited, and the encrypted vpn tunnel integrity is publicly verifiable, ensuring a high level of vpn service trust.
- McAfee VPN: Is owned by a US-based company, which operates under jurisdictions subject to intelligence-sharing. While it makes privacy mcafee claims, the lack of extensive third-party audits makes some vpn users hesitant to fully trust mcafee safe connect.
2. Core Security Features
- Proton VPN: Features secure core servers that route vpn connection traffic through multiple hardened locations. It uses strong vpn protocols and includes advanced functionality like split tunneling and Tor integration.
- McAfee VPN: Offers a straightforward vpn connection and focuses on ease of use. It includes standard security, but often lacks advanced features like multi-hop connections and built-in ad blocking found in other vpn services.
3. Server Network and Speed
- Proton VPN: Operates a meticulously managed network based on internet service provider, featuring high-speed proton vpn servers optimized with vpn accelerator technology to improve vpn connection stability and upload speeds.
- McAfee VPN: Has a smaller, but adequate, network of vpn servers. While providing decent speeds, it does not offer specialized servers (like Secure Core) or the advanced speed technology found in the proton vpn review.
4. Free Service Offering
- Proton VPN: Offers a top-tier free vpn service with unlimited data, though users cannot select specific vpn servers. This is a major trust and value component of the proton vpn review.
- McAfee VPN: Does not typically offer a standalone free vpn version; instead, it is often bundled with the main McAfee antivirus package, meaning it is not a free or standalone vpn option for all vpn users.
5. Application Ecosystem
- Proton VPN: Provides the comprehensive proton vpn app that integrates with other proton services, like proton mail. Its android app and desktop versions are designed for security-conscious vpn users.
- McAfee VPN: Is generally included within the McAfee software suite. Its dedicated app is simple and beginner-friendly, providing a quick vpn connection for android users and other operating systems.
6. IP Address and Network Handling
- Proton VPN: Hides the user’s real ip address and assigns a new one, ensuring anonymity. It protects against dns leaks and uses a reliable kill switch to prevent the real ip address from being exposed if the vpn connection drops or the vpn fails.
- McAfee VPN: Protects the user’s ip addresses with strong encryption. However, the app’s behavior when the vpn fails is sometimes less consistent than the highly reviewed security offered by Proton VPN.
7. Device Limit and Value
- Proton VPN: Proton vpn servers offer multi-device support, but the number of simultaneous connections is limited, encouraging the purchase of higher tiers for access to the full vpn services.
- McAfee VPN: The mcafee vpn review shows its value is highest when purchased as part of the overall security suite, but it usually comes with a hard limit on simultaneous connections, unlike some other vpn providers.
8. Transparency and Open Source
- Proton VPN: Maintains a philosophy of transparency, with key parts of its vpn protocols being open-source, allowing the community to verify its security. The proton vpn review often cites this commitment as a core strength.
- McAfee VPN: As part of a larger, commercially oriented company, its software is typically closed-source, requiring vpn users to rely on mcafee claims rather than public code review to verify security.
9. Protocol and Performance Focus
- Proton VPN: Supports modern and secure vpn protocols like WireGuard, ensuring a fast and private vpn tunnel. The proton vpn app makes protocol switching easy for users.
- McAfee VPN: Supports standard vpn protocols like IKEv2 and OpenVPN, focusing on maintaining adequate speeds for typical browsing and streaming, rather than optimizing for high-demand performance.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- No-logs policy: Ensure the VPN provider doesn’t keep logs of your online activity. This is crucial for maintaining your privacy.
- Kill switch: A kill switch automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your data from being exposed.
- Customer support: Look for a VPN provider with responsive customer support if you encounter any issues.
- A free trial or money-back guarantee allows you to test the VPN before committing to a long-term plan.
- Device compatibility: Ensure the VPN is compatible with all your devices (computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.).
- Independent security audits: Reputable VPN providers undergo independent security audits on server locations to verify their claims.
Final Verdict
Choosing between ProtonVPN and McAfee VPN depends heavily on your individual needs.
While McAfee Safe Connect VPN features are decent, especially if you’re already invested in the McAfee ecosystem, Proton VPN emerges as the stronger overall choice for most users.
Its focus on privacy, robust security features like double VPN, and consistently high speeds, particularly on Proton VPN’s paid plans, make it a top contender.
While VPN doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity, Proton VPN’s Swiss jurisdiction and strict no-logs policy provide a higher level of privacy.
We’ve rigorously VPN tested both services, and based on our analysis, Proton VPN offers a better balance of speed, security, and usability.
Keep in mind that VPN may impact internet speed, and VPNs work by routing your traffic through a VPN.
So, while McAfee VPN and NordVPN are viable VPN on the market, Proton VPN is the one we review as the best overall.
If you want easy access to the VPN and a robust set of VPN features, Proton VPN is the way to go.
More of ProtonVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy with its Swiss base and open-source apps, while NordVPN focuses on speed and a vast server network.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: It is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs PureVPN: It is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: It offers a wider server network and a stronger focus on privacy, while PrivadoVPN provides a decent free plan and good speeds.
- ProtonVPN vs AdGuard VPN: It’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: It generally has better speeds and a larger server network, while StrongVPN is known for strong encryption.
- ProtonVPN vs FastestVPN: ProtonVPN is typically faster and offers stronger privacy features compared to the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
- ProtonVPN vs AuraVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on VPN security and privacy, while AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
- ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost: It is user-friendly with specialized servers, while ProtonVPN emphasizes security and privacy with features like Secure Core.
- ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN: ProtonVPN is a dedicated VPN service with stronger security and privacy features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
- ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for customization and a large server network, while ProtonVPN focuses on strong privacy and a transparent approach.
- ProtonVPN vs Mysterium: ProtonVPN uses a traditional server network known for security and speed, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN.
More of McAfee VPN
Here’s a quick comparison of McAfee VPN with alternatives:
- McAfee VPN vs NordVPN: It is faster with more features, while McAfee is simple and budget-friendly.
- McAfee VPN vs ExpressVPN: It is faster, user-friendly, offers better privacy, and is better for streaming. McAfee is basic.
- McAfee VPN vs PureVPN: It has: larger server count. McAfee: basic.
- McAfee VPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It is faster, has unlimited devices, has more features, and is better for streaming. McAfee is basic.
- McAfee VPN vs ProtonVPN: McAfee: basic. ProtonVPN: stronger privacy.
- McAfee VPN vs PrivadoVPN: McAfee: basic. PrivadoVPN: potentially faster, stronger privacy, free tier.
- McAfee VPN vs AdGuard VPN: McAfee: basic VPN. AdGuard VPN: ad-blocking focus.
- McAfee VPN vs Virtual Shield: Both are basic VPNs. Alternatives offer more.
- McAfee VPN vs StrongVPN: McAfee: basic. StrongVPN: robust encryption.
- McAfee VPN vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN: budget-friendly, comparable, or better.
- McAfee VPN vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
- McAfee VPN vs CyberGhost: McAfee: basic. CyberGhost: user-friendly, specialized servers, more features.
- McAfee VPN vs Private Internet Access: McAfee: basic. PIA: larger network, unlimited devices, more customization.
- McAfee VPN vs Mysterium: McAfee: basic VPN. Mysterium: decentralized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a VPN work?
A VPN creates a secure, encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic, masking your IP address and protecting your online activity. This makes it appear as if you are browsing from a different location. VPN work by routing your connection through their servers.
Can I use a VPN on my router?
Yes, some VPNs, including ProtonVPN, can be installed on your router. This protects all devices connected to your network, including those that don’t support VPN apps directly. A VPN on your router offers comprehensive protection.
Which VPN is better, ProtonVPN or McAfee VPN?
Based on the VPNs we review, ProtonVPN generally offers better speeds, stronger security features, and a more user-friendly experience. However, McAfee VPN might be a suitable option if you’re already using McAfee’s security suite.
What are the key features of McAfee VPN?
Features of McAfee VPN include a secure connection, encryption, and integration with other McAfee products. However, it lacks some advanced features like double VPN and may have limitations with streaming and torrenting.
Is it safe to be connected to a VPN?
Yes, using a reputable VPN like ProtonVPN or McAfee VPN is generally safe. It enhances your online security and privacy. Being connected to a VPN adds a layer of security. However, it’s crucial to choose a trustworthy provider, as not all VPNs are created equal.
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