Brandwave

Bitdefender vs McAfee:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, McAfee had more branded searches than Bitdefender among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand. McAfee had about 3,570 branded searches, while Bitdefender had 1,760. McAfee made up 60.3% of all antivirus plus brand searches we track, and Bitdefender accounted for 29.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus plus brands, Bitdefender appeared in three of the four answers and McAfee in one. Bitdefender was mentioned before McAfee in every answer.

Among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

McAfee, about 2 searches for every 1 for Bitdefender

McAfee 3.6K searchesBitdefender 1.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Bitdefender, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, McAfee in 1

Bitdefender in 3 of 4McAfee in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Bitdefender, named ahead of McAfee in every answer

Bitdefender first in 3McAfee never first

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Top antivirus plus brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Bitdefender was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. McAfee was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Bitdefender was listed before McAfee in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Bitdefender1st
  2. Norton2nd
  3. McAfee3rd

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Norton4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Bitdefender3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • McAfee1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about antivirus plus brands

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which antivirus plus brand should I use in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Bitdefender
    2. 2Norton

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best antivirus plus brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Bitdefender
    2. 2Norton
    3. 3McAfee

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best antivirus plus brand in New Zealand for extra device protection?”

    1. 1Bitdefender
    2. 2Norton

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “internet security nz”

    1. 1Norton

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “antivirus plus nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Is Bitdefender or McAfee more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Bitdefender and McAfee by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all three antivirus plus brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Bitdefender and McAfee among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for McAfee, Bitdefender. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMcAfeeBitdefenderNorton
Oct 202550.3%35.7%14%
Nov 202552%36%12%
Dec 202556.5%28.9%14.6%
Jan 202650.7%33.4%15.8%
Feb 202655%31%14.1%
Mar 202650.6%38.2%11.2%
Apr 202650.2%36.9%12.9%
May 202651.9%36.5%11.7%
Jun 202650.1%37.4%12.5%
Jul 202641.3%43.6%15.2%
Aug 202646.2%39.5%14.3%
Sep 202660.3%29.7%10%

How has the Bitdefender and McAfee comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Bitdefender took it in July 2026, McAfee took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bitdefender’s share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand moved from 35.7% to 29.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 1.8K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McAfee’s share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand moved from 50.3% to 60.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.2K to 3.6K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand antivirus plus brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, McAfee gained share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand, from 46.2% to 60.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Bitdefender lost share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand, from 39.5% to 29.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

10 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bitdefender’s and McAfee’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Bitdefender

4 branded search terms

  • bitdefender
  • bitdefender av
  • bitdefender cen
  • bitdefender total sec

McAfee

6 branded search terms

  • jonathan mcafee
  • mcafee
  • mcafee av
  • mcafee protection
  • mcafee total protection
  • mcafee web protection

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among antivirus plus brands

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