Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on McAfee Safe Connect
In our extensive analysis of 96 VPN providers, McAfee Safe Connect unfortunately falls below the average, with a rating under 54.1% — the average rating determined from our study. Our in-depth review reveals significant concerns with its features and user experience. While McAfee Safe Connect offers some basic functionalities, its lower rating suggests that users might find more robust and efficient VPN solutions elsewhere.
Market Benchmarks
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our Review?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
About McAfee Safe Connect
McAfee, a well-established name in the cybersecurity industry, offers McAfee Safe Connect VPN. Founded in 1987 by John McAfee, the company is headquartered in San Jose, California, USA. McAfee Safe Connect VPN focuses on providing secure Wi-Fi connections and protecting user privacy. The service is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
McAfee Safe Connect offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $3.33/mo and require a 12-month commitment.
Visit McAfee Safe Connect Online: https://www.mcafee.com/
McAfee Safe Connect Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Servers | (not stated) |
| Countries with Servers | 23 |
| Works In China | Unlikely |
| Encryptions | AES-256 |
| Cheapest Price | $3.33/mo, 12-month Subscription |
| Protocols | IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | – |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Both Android and Apple (iOS) |
| Ads Blocking | No |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat, and Email |
McAfee Safe Connect Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about McAfee Safe Connect. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of McAfee Safe Connect highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
✅ Competitive Pricing
McAfee Safe Connect offers an economically attractive option in the VPN market. Its cheapest plan, while requires a 12-month commitment, costs only $3.33 per month. This competitive pricing makes McAfee Safe Connect a compelling choice for those seeking affordable online privacy solutions.
However, users should still evaluate the overall value of the service, including features, security levels, and customer support, to ensure it meets their specific needs despite the lower price point.
❌ Base in One of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
McAfee Safe Connect operates from United States – a country within the 14-Eye surveillance alliance. Users should be aware of potential data sharing agreements in this jurisdiction. Privacy-focused customers might view this as a concern. It’s important to consider how this may affect data privacy and security.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The 14-Eyes Alliance, also referred to as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR), is an extended intelligence collaboration originally rooted in the Five- and Nine-Eyes alliance. Countries included in the 14-Eyes Alliances are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
The primary goal of this coalition is the exchange of signals intelligence (SIGINT), encompassing electronic communications and data.
How does the 14-Eyes Alliance affect your privacy and security?
The impact of this alliance on everyday life privacy is profound. Member nations, as disclosed in revelations like those by Edward Snowden (watch video), often engage in extensive surveillance of both their citizens and global communications. This means that data collected by one member could be shared with others in the alliance.
Additionally, online services based in a 14-Eyes country may be legally obligated to provide user data to their respective governments, which can then be disseminated among member states. This surveillance culture erodes personal privacy and can pose threats to digital security as there are pushes for encryption “backdoors” that could inadvertently weaken cyber defenses.
Users often consider the jurisdiction of the VPN provider as a key factor in their decision-making process. Those who are particularly concerned about privacy might opt for VPN providers based outside of the 14-Eyes countries to reduce the risk of surveillance and data sharing among these nations.
❌ Kill Switch Not Supported
McAfee Safe Connect’s VPN service currently does not include a kill switch feature. This means that in the event of a sudden VPN disconnection, your devices might not automatically disconnect from the internet, potentially exposing your real IP address and online activities.
While the absence of a kill switch might not be a significant issue for casual browsing, it could be a concern for users who require a higher level of security and privacy assurance. As such, those who prioritize uninterrupted privacy protection might need to consider other VPN options or additional security measures.
Note: In comparison, 79 out of the 96 VPN companies we studied come with a kill switch feature.
❌ Not a Zero-Log VPN
According to our research, McAfee Safe Connect does not maintain a strict no-logging policy.
Without a no-logging policy, McAfee Safe Connect may collect and store data about your online activities, potentially impacting your digital privacy. While this is not an uncommon practice (41 out of the 96 VPNs we studied do not maintain a no-logging policy), the absence of a no-logging policy might raise concerns for users highly sensitive about their online privacy.
You should weigh the implications of this policy when considering McAfee Safe Connect and determine if this level of privacy aligns with your needs.
❌ No Double VPN
McAfee Safe Connect’s suite of features does not include a double VPN option. A double VPN function may not be crucial for those with basic security needs, but it could be a major drawback for those seeking advanced privacy measures. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
What is a Double VPN?
Double VPN is a more advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers. Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack.
There are some who strongly believe that a double VPN could be an overkill as having data pass through a basic single VPN connection is already almost impossible to compromise. This point of view of course depends on individual circumstance. If your complete anonymity on the Internet trumps all other concerns then using a double VPN may be for you. For example, if you were an investigative journalist or a political activist in a totalitarian country, using a Double VPN would make sense. After all, your life would be at stake.
❌ Split Tunneling Not Available
Unfortunately, McAfee Safe Connect does not offer the split tunneling feature in its services. All your internet traffic will go through the VPN server when it’s active.
Split tunneling is a VPN feature that helps manage the flow of data on your device. It allows users to choose which data is sent through the VPN and which is sent through a regular internet connection. This can help increase speed and lower latency for certain tasks. At the same time, critical operations will still benefit from VPN security.
❌ Unlikely to Work in China
At least half of the VPN companies we studied are unlikely to function effectively in China, and McAfee Safe Connect falls into this category.
Due to China’s stringent internet regulations and advanced censorship technologies, many VPN services struggle to bypass these restrictions. Users planning to access the internet from within China should be aware that McAfee Safe Connect may not be the most reliable option in this region. This limitation is a crucial consideration for travelers or residents in China who require consistent VPN access.
✅ Above Average Server Fleet Size
McAfee Safe Connect operates on more than (not stated) servers in 23 countries. A larger server count typically offers more options for users in terms of server locations, reduces server load, and can provide better speeds and reliability.
❌ Struggle to Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Unfortunately based on our research, McAfee Safe Connect struggles to bypass the geo-blocks imposed by major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime TV, HBO Go, Hulu, and Disney+. You might not access content beyond your current region’s library with this VPN.
Based on our research, out of 96 VPN companies, only 10 were unable to bypass geo-blocks on stream platforms. For dedicated streamers hoping to delve into international content, this limitation is a significant drawback.
What is Geo-blocking?
Geo-blocking is a practice adopted by streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. Streaming availability is restricted based on your geographical location due to licensing agreements and regional content rights. The capability of a VPN to unblock geo-restrictions on streaming platforms can be a pivotal factor – especially if you want uninterrupted access to your favorite shows and movies when traveling abroad.
Bottom Line: Is McAfee Safe Connect Right for You?
Verdict Recap
In our extensive analysis of 96 VPN providers, McAfee Safe Connect unfortunately falls below the average, with a rating under 54.1% — the average rating determined from our study. Our in-depth review reveals significant concerns with its features and user experience. While McAfee Safe Connect offers some basic functionalities, its lower rating suggests that users might find more robust and efficient VPN solutions elsewhere.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to McAfee Safe Connect
There are many McAfee Safe Connect alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.