McAfee vs Norton:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, McAfee had more branded searches than Norton among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand. McAfee had about 3,570 branded searches, while Norton had 590. McAfee made up 60.3% of all antivirus plus brand searches we track, and Norton accounted for 10%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus plus brands, Norton appeared in all four answers and McAfee in one. Norton was mentioned before McAfee in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
McAfee, about 6 searches for every 1 for Norton
Who does AI mention more?
Norton, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Norton, named ahead of McAfee in every answer
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Top antivirus plus brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Norton appeared in all four answers. McAfee was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Norton was listed before McAfee in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Bitdefender1st- Norton2nd
- 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?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best antivirus plus brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best antivirus plus brand in New Zealand for extra device protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“internet security nz”
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 McAfee or Norton more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for McAfee and Norton 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.
Share of searches by month for McAfee, Norton. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McAfee | Bitdefender | Norton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.3% | 35.7% | 14% |
| Nov 2025 | 52% | 36% | 12% |
| Dec 2025 | 56.5% | 28.9% | 14.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.7% | 33.4% | 15.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 55% | 31% | 14.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.6% | 38.2% | 11.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.2% | 36.9% | 12.9% |
| May 2026 | 51.9% | 36.5% | 11.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 50.1% | 37.4% | 12.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.3% | 43.6% | 15.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.2% | 39.5% | 14.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 60.3% | 29.7% | 10% |
How has the McAfee and Norton comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- McAfee was ahead of Norton in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Norton’s share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand moved from 14% to 10%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 880 to 590.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand antivirus plus brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, McAfee gained share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand, from 46.2% to 60.3%.
In September 2026, Norton lost share of searches among antivirus plus brands in New Zealand, from 14.3% to 10%.
How are branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using McAfee’s and Norton’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.
Other head-to-heads among antivirus plus brands
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