McAfee Total Protection just took first place in the latest AV-Comparatives PC Performance Test, the gold standard for measuring how much (or how little) security software slows down your computer.
With an overall impact score of 3.3 out of a possible 100, McAfee outperformed all 19 other security products tested and earned the highest possible rating: 3 Stars ADVANCED+.
The industry average? 12.8. McAfee came in nearly 4x lower than that. The lower the impact score, the less the software gets in your way.
What Is the AV-Comparatives PC Performance Test?
AV-Comparatives is an independent cybersecurity testing lab that has been rigorously evaluating security software since 1999. Unlike a review written by a single journalist or a score based on a company’s own claims, AV-Comparatives tests are:
- Independent: delivers unbiased, data‑driven evaluations of security products
- Standardized: every product is tested under the same conditions
- Widely trusted: regularly cited in product roundups, expert reviews, and buying guides that shape how consumers choose security software
The PC Performance Test specifically measures how much a security product impacts your computer’s everyday speed. Testing is conducted on a real Windows 11 machine (Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, SSD) with all default settings enabled and an active internet connection. That’s the same setup millions of everyday users have at home.
AV-Comparatives evaluates real-world tasks including:
- Copying and moving files
- Installing and launching apps
- Downloading files from the web
- Browsing websites
The lower the impact score, the less the software gets in your way.
What McAfee’s Score Actually Means
McAfee Total Protection scored 3.3, the lowest impact score of all 20 products tested, and well below the industry average of 12.8.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: if the average security product takes a measurable toll on your machine while it works in the background, McAfee barely registers. You get full, always-on protection without the sluggishness that frustrates so many users.
This result earned McAfee the ADVANCED+ rating, the highest tier AV-Comparatives awards, reserved for products that deliver top-tier performance with minimal system impact.
Why “Lightweight” Protection Matters More Than You Think
There’s a common misconception that stronger protection means a heavier, slower product. McAfee’s results prove otherwise.
When your security software is slow, you notice it:
- Apps take longer to open
- Downloads feel sluggish
- Your machine lags during everyday tasks
- You’re tempted to disable protection to get your speed back, leaving yourself exposed
A lightweight product means protection that works quietly in the background, without making you choose between safety and performance. That’s the promise behind McAfee’s result, and it’s now independently verified.
First Place, But Not for the First Time
This isn’t a one-off result. McAfee has earned the ADVANCED+ rating consistently across multiple rounds of AV-Comparatives testing, demonstrating that this level of performance isn’t luck. It’s the result of deliberate, sustained engineering.
Independent, repeatable results like these are what separate marketing claims from proven performance.
With McAfee, you get award-winning protection and award-winning performance, so your devices stay secure without slowing you down.
Which McAfee Plans Include This Protection?
The same AI-powered threat protection validated in this test is built into every major McAfee plan:
- McAfee+ Premium
- McAfee+ Advanced
- McAfee+ Ultimate
- McAfee Total Protection
- McAfee LiveSafe
Whether you’re protecting one device or an entire household, you’re getting the same industry-leading, independently verified performance under the hood.
Ready to get protection that doesn’t slow you down? Explore McAfee+ Plans →
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