Our Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.0/10
McAfee Safe Connect is a US-based VPN service with applications available for Windows, iOS, and Android. While it offers impressive speed, the McAfee VPN is hindered by weak security measures, a concerning logging policy, and limited customer support. Additionally, it struggles to bypass streaming service restrictions, such as those imposed by Netflix. Overall, McAfee Safe Connect falls short of delivering even basic VPN functionalities and is not recommended.
Ranked #39 out of 62 VPNs
McAfee Safe Connect Category Ratings:
- Streaming: 0.8/10
- Torrenting: 0.7/10
- Privacy & Logging: 0.1/10
- Speed: 9.6/10
- Server Locations: 7.2/10
- Bypassing Censorship: 2.5/10
- Security & Features: 3.6/10
- Ease of Use: 7.1/10
- Customer Support: 4.0/10
- Price & Value: 5.0/10
Pros:
- High-speed performance
- User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing custom VPN applications
- Cost-effective when bundled with other McAfee products
Cons:
- Highly intrusive logging practices
- Based in the privacy-unfriendly US
- Lacks a VPN kill switch
- Ineffective for streaming services
- Customer support is untrained and inadequate
Despite McAfee’s success in the antivirus sector, it has yet to translate this success into its VPN offerings.
In our comprehensive McAfee Safe Connect review, we explore its various shortcomings and assess its speed, streaming capabilities, and cost. We provide a thorough examination of its privacy and security measures, as well as its performance in streaming and torrenting.
Ultimately, McAfee Safe Connect is a subpar VPN that requires significant improvements. We recommend opting for a more secure and effective VPN service instead.
EXPERT ADVICE: For a faster and more secure VPN experience, consider Surfshark. As detailed in our Surfshark review, it is a highly recommended budget-friendly VPN that unblocks US Netflix and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
McAfee Safe Connect Key Data
| Data Cap | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Download Speed | 97Mbps |
| Logging Policy | Intrusive Logging |
| Data Leaks | No |
| Jurisdiction | US (Five-Eyes Member) |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| IP Addresses | -1 |
| Countries with Servers | 23 |
| US Netflix | No |
| Torrenting | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Works In China | No |
| Support | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Cheapest Price | $4.99 over 12 months |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30-day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Official Website | Mcafee.com |
Privacy & Logging Policy
McAfee VPN is Poor for Privacy
Privacy & Logging Policy Rating: 0.1/10
McAfee Safe Connect’s privacy practices are among the most concerning in the VPN industry. The service logs personally identifiable data, including your IP address and details about the websites you visit. Rather than safeguarding your privacy, McAfee collects and stores sensitive information, effectively compromising your anonymity when using the VPN.
Ranked #52 out of 62 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy
McAfee collects the following data:
- Your IP address
- URLs and domain names from your browsing history
- Purchase history, hobbies, interests, photographs, and biometric data
- Device-specific information such as battery level, location, hardware type, and ISP details
- Information on other devices connected to your network
This extensive data collection is outlined in McAfee’s privacy policy, highlighting serious privacy concerns for users looking for a secure VPN service.
McAfee retains user information indefinitely, only removing it upon account deletion, after which the data is still retained for 30 days. Furthermore, McAfee shares this data with its affiliated companies, third-party advertisers, and service providers that perform various functions for the company.
Notably, McAfee Safe Connect shares its privacy policy with McAfee’s broader cybersecurity offerings, but the policy lacks any explicit mention of Safe Connect VPN. Upon inquiry, McAfee confirmed that Safe Connect adheres to the same privacy standards and regulations as the rest of its products.
McAfee asserts that the data collection is necessary for user protection and operational purposes. However, many VPN providers successfully protect their users and run their businesses without resorting to such extensive data collection practices.
The ownership structure of McAfee Safe Connect is also a concern. As a subsidiary of McAfee LLC, the service is headquartered in the U.S., a jurisdiction with significant privacy challenges. The U.S. is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, meaning it shares surveillance data with allied countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, U.S. law subjects companies like McAfee to government surveillance under programs such as PRISM, which allows the monitoring of online communications through U.S.-based tech firms.
Even more troubling is the Stored Communications Act (SCA), which permits the U.S. government to seize VPN user information if it has been retained, posing a serious threat to privacy.
This raises significant concerns regarding Safe Connect, as McAfee logs an extensive amount of user data. Additionally, McAfee’s privacy policy clearly states that the company will provide information to any legal, governmental, or judicial authority upon request.
In conclusion, McAfee Safe Connect VPN is not ideal for users prioritizing privacy. For a more reliable no-logs VPN, consider reviewing our assessment of Private Internet Access.
Speed
Fast Speeds Across the Board
Speed Rating: 9.6/10
Speed is one of the few areas where McAfee Safe Connect excels. In our tests, the VPN achieved fast speeds of 97Mbps when connected to a nearby server. While international performance was somewhat lower, download speeds never dropped below 75Mbps.
Ranked #8 out of 62 VPNs for Speed
McAfee Safe Connect’s impressive speeds can be attributed to its use of Hydra, Hotspot Shield’s proprietary protocol. We explore more about the Hydra protocol in our Hotspot Shield review.
Hotspot Shield also licenses the Hydra protocol to other VPN services, including Kaspersky Secure Connection and Bitdefender VPN, which we review separately.
Below are the complete speed test results for McAfee VPN:
| No VPN (New York) | US (New York) | Canada (Toronto) | UK (London) | Germany (Berlin) | Brazil (São Paulo) | Japan (Tokyo) | South Africa (Johannesburg) | Australia (Sydney) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Server Location |  |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Download Speed | 100Mbps | 97Mbps | 95Mbps | 92Mbps | 90Mbps | 97Mbps | 89Mbps | 75Mbps | 83Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 100Mbps | 93Mbps | 91Mbps | 96Mbps | 94Mbps | 92Mbps | 69Mbps | 93Mbps | 93Mbps |
| Ping | 1ms | 6ms | 15ms | 76ms | 87ms | 114ms | 144ms | 243ms | 208ms |
| Distance | 0mi | 5mi | 300mi | 3,500mi | 4,000mi | 4,800mi | 6,700mi | 8,000mi | 9,900mi |
McAfee VPN’s speeds are impressive and on par with those of several leading VPN services.
Streaming
Doesn’t Work with Netflix & Other Major Platforms
Streaming Rating: 0.8/10
McAfee Safe Connect performs poorly when it comes to streaming. During our tests, the VPN failed to unblock any of the major streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Hulu.
Ranked #49 out of 62 VPNs for Streaming
McAfee itself acknowledges these limitations, stating that “streaming services might not work correctly over the secure VPN connection.”
Even more concerning, McAfee’s customer support team appeared unfamiliar with Safe Connect’s streaming capabilities, often expressing surprise when asked about its ability to bypass geo-restrictions. They even questioned why a VPN would be used to access restricted content.
In conclusion, McAfee Safe Connect is not designed for streaming. There are many better alternatives available for users looking to unblock streaming services.
Price & Value Assessment
Overpriced for Its Offering
Rating: 5.0/10
McAfee Safe Connect VPN falls short of delivering value for its price. The monthly subscription costs $7.99, which can be reduced to $1.99 per month if paid annually. However, even at this lower rate, there are more robust and feature-rich VPNs available at a similar price point, making Safe Connect a less attractive option.
Price & Value Ranking:
Ranked #31 out of 62 VPNs
Below are the available subscription options for McAfee Safe Connect:
- Monthly Plan: $7.99/month, billed monthly
- Annual Plan: $1.66/month, billed $19.99 for the first year, then $47.99 annually, offering a 79% discount for the initial term
While these prices may seem competitive, the VPN’s limited features do not justify the cost.
McAfee Total Protection Bundle:
For users seeking a comprehensive security package, McAfee offers its Total Protection Ultimate bundle, which includes Safe Connect VPN, antivirus software, a password manager, and identity protection tools. The Total Protection annual plan is priced at $5.83/month, making it a more compelling value for those in need of a full security suite.
Payment and Refund Options
McAfee VPN supports a variety of payment methods, including:
- American Express
- Mastercard
- PayPal
- Visa
McAfee Safe Connect Free Plan
McAfee offers a free version of its Safe Connect VPN without requiring any personal information or payment details. Although McAfee claims that the free version only connects to the nearest server, our tests revealed that users could access all 23 available servers, spanning from France to Singapore.
The free plan, however, is highly restrictive, offering just 250MB of data per month. In comparison, top-rated free VPNs offer up to 10GB of data per month, making McAfee’s free tier one of the least generous options on the market.
Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
Both the monthly and annual plans come with a 7-day free trial, and McAfee provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. During the free trial, users will automatically be enrolled, and billing will begin on the last day unless canceled. After the trial, the 30-day refund policy takes effect, allowing users additional time to evaluate the service risk-free.
Server Locations
Limited Global Coverage: Only 23 Countries
Rating: 7.2/10
McAfee Safe Connect offers one of the smallest server networks among VPN providers, with servers in just 23 countries. This limited reach is further compounded by the absence of city-level server selection, a common feature in higher-quality VPN services.
Server Locations Ranking:
Ranked #31 out of 62 VPNs
- 23 Countries
- 23 Cities
- Undisclosed Number of IP Addresses
Although the server network is relatively small, McAfee Safe Connect includes servers in some of the most sought-after locations. The majority of the servers are concentrated in Western Europe and North America, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany.
While this may cover some of the key regions, users looking for broader global access will find the limited server variety disappointing compared to more competitive VPNs.
Limited Server Coverage in Asia, Oceania, and Other Regions
Asia and Oceania are significantly underserved by McAfee Safe Connect, with only four server locations in total: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, each having just one server. If you reside in these regions, it’s advisable to choose a VPN tailored to your specific country or region. These localized services will generally offer faster speeds, enhanced security, and nearby servers for improved performance.
McAfee’s server network fares even worse in other parts of the world. Brazil is the sole option in South America, and there are no servers in Africa whatsoever, leaving vast regions unrepresented.
Lack of Transparency Regarding Server Infrastructure
McAfee has declined to disclose critical details about its server infrastructure, including the total number of individual VPN servers and IP addresses. Additionally, the company has not clarified whether these servers are physical or virtual. When asked for this information, we were repeatedly informed that this was “information that cannot be disclosed to customers” without any further explanation.
This lack of transparency is especially concerning given that most leading VPN providers openly share their server counts and IP address details, allowing users to make informed decisions.
For those seeking comprehensive global server coverage, McAfee Safe Connect is not the best option. If your home country is not covered, or if you require extensive server availability while traveling, we recommend considering HideMyAss (HMA VPN), which boasts servers in over 190 countries.
Torrenting
Not Safe for Torrenting
Rating: 0.7/10
McAfee Safe Connect is not a suitable choice for torrenting or P2P activities due to its intrusive logging policy and lack of a VPN kill switch. As a result, it cannot be trusted to protect your privacy while downloading torrents.
Torrenting Ranking:
Ranked #52 out of 62 VPNs
The absence of a kill switch is a critical issue. Without this feature, your real IP address may be exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Additionally, McAfee Safe Connect’s extensive logging practices can easily be used to identify users, further compromising your privacy.
Although torrenting is technically allowed on all Safe Connect servers, and the VPN demonstrated fast upload speeds in our tests, the risks far outweigh the benefits. For torrenting, privacy and security are paramount, and McAfee Safe Connect falls short in both areas.
For a safer torrenting experience, it is essential to use a no-logs VPN that includes a kill switch to prevent IP leaks. To explore better options, check out our guide to the best VPNs for torrenting, which highlights services that combine strict privacy policies with high-speed performance and no restrictions on torrenting.
Security & Technical Features
Basic Security with Limited Advanced Features
Rating: 3.6/10
McAfee Safe Connect offers fundamental security measures but falls short in several key areas. The VPN employs AES-256 encryption to protect your traffic and did not leak our IP or DNS address during testing. However, it lacks a crucial security feature: a kill switch. Additionally, Safe Connect does not provide advanced tools such as split tunneling or manual port selection.
Security & Technical Features Ranking:
Ranked #49 out of 62 VPNs
While McAfee Safe Connect ensures basic protection, the absence of a kill switch and the lack of more advanced security features significantly diminish its overall effectiveness.
Protocols
| Protocols | Available in McAfee Safe Connect |
|---|---|
| Hydra | Yes |
| IKEv2/IPSec | No |
| OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) | No |
| WireGuard | No |
Encryption
| Encryption | Available in McAfee Safe Connect |
|---|---|
| AES-128 | No |
| AES-192 | No |
| AES-256 | Yes |
| Blowfish | No |
| ChaCha20 | No |
Security
| Security | Available in McAfee Safe Connect |
|---|---|
| Diskless Servers | No |
| DNS Leak Blocking | No |
| First-party DNS | No |
| IPv6 Leak Blocking | No |
| Supports TCP Port 443 | No |
| VPN Kill Switch | No |
| WebRTC Leak Blocking | No |
Advanced Features
| Advanced Features | Available in McAfee Safe Connect |
|---|---|
| Ad Blocker | No |
| Dedicated IP | No |
| Double VPN | No |
| SOCKS | No |
| Split Tunneling | No |
| Static IP | No |
| Tor over VPN Server | No |
| Tracker Blocker | No |
McAfee Safe Connect utilizes the Catapult Hydra VPN protocol, a choice that raises concerns regarding online security.
Several issues arise from McAfee’s use of Catapult Hydra. Notably, the company does not publicly disclose this as its selected protocol. When inquired, multiple support representatives described this information as “undisclosable to customers.”
This lack of transparency is unusual, as most VPN providers openly reveal their chosen protocols. For example, other providers using Catapult Hydra, such as Hotspot Shield and Kaspersky Secure Connection, clearly communicate this choice to their users.
McAfee’s secrecy surrounding its protocol choice is particularly concerning. In 2018, a significant security vulnerability was identified in Catapult Hydra by independent researcher Paulos Yibelo. This flaw exposed user data, such as the user’s country and WiFi network name, to potential third-party access.
Although a fix for this issue was promptly issued, the initial oversight highlights broader concerns about Catapult Hydra’s transparency and security. This protocol remains less transparent compared to other options, contributing to the overall apprehension regarding its reliability.
In contrast, our recommended VPN protocol, OpenVPN, has been established since 2001, benefiting from extensive development and refinement through its open-source community.
One major concern with McAfee Safe Connect is the absence of a kill switch across all platforms. A kill switch is a critical security feature that prevents web traffic from being exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. Without this feature, your IP address may be exposed during a connection failure, compromising your online privacy.
Additionally, McAfee Safe Connect lacks advanced security features such as split tunneling and manual port selection.
On a positive note, Safe Connect employs AES-256 encryption, a widely trusted method known for its robust security and resilience. The VPN also successfully passed our IP and DNS leak tests, as demonstrated in the image below, which shows our connection to an East Coast US server.
Despite the use of AES-256 encryption and successful IP and DNS leak protection, these factors are insufficient to offset the significant shortcomings in McAfee Safe Connect’s encryption and security features.
Ultimately, McAfee Safe Connect fails to provide the level of privacy and security necessary to reliably protect your online activities. Therefore, it cannot be trusted to maintain your anonymity effectively, and we do not recommend relying on it for safeguarding your online presence.
Device & OS Compatibility
Limited Device Support
Device Compatibility:
McAfee Safe Connect VPN offers support for a limited range of devices and operating systems. Currently, it is available for Windows, iOS, and Android platforms. Notably, there is no macOS app, which is surprising given its broad user base. Additionally, Safe Connect does not support Fire TV, Linux, or provide a Smart DNS tool. It also lacks compatibility with home routers, leaving devices that do not support VPN applications, such as gaming consoles, without a viable workaround.
Available Apps:
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
The absence of VPN browser extensions is another limitation. Users seeking such features may refer to our lists of the best Chrome VPN extensions or top-rated Firefox VPN add-ons.
In summary, the limited platform and device support provided by McAfee Safe Connect in 2024 is notably inadequate for a paid VPN service. The service allows up to five simultaneous connections but restricts users to registering a maximum of five devices per account. In contrast, many other paid VPN services offer unlimited device installations, making McAfee Safe Connect less flexible for users with multiple devices.
User-Friendly but Lacks Advanced Configuration
Ease of Use Ranking:
Ranked #35 out of 62 VPNs
Installation:
- Mobile Devices: The McAfee Safe Connect app can be easily downloaded from your device’s app store.
- Windows: For Windows users, download the app via the direct link, which will initiate the download automatically. Installation involves following the straightforward on-screen instructions.
After installation, the McAfee Safe Connect app is visually appealing and easy to navigate, though it remains quite basic in terms of features.
We particularly appreciated the app’s tutorial screen, which effectively explains and highlights the key features of the VPN, enhancing the overall user experience.
The main screen of the app is designed with a minimalistic approach, featuring a connect button and a server list. It provides essential information at a glance, including connection time, data transfer, and your WiFi/network connection.
Settings are accessible via the app’s sidebar, but the available options are quite limited, which may not meet the needs of users seeking more advanced configuration.
You can select your language preference and decide if the app should launch on startup, but these are the only customization options available. More experienced users may find the lack of advanced settings and configurable options limiting.
For those seeking a broader range of customizable features and advanced options, we recommend exploring more sophisticated VPNs such as AirVPN. For a detailed review, see our expert analysis.
Bypassing Web Censorship
Won’t Work in Censored Regions Like China
Effectiveness in Censored Regions: 2.5/10
McAfee Safe Connect is ineffective in regions with stringent web censorship, such as China. Unlike many VPNs, it lacks essential obfuscation tools and specialized VPN protocols necessary to overcome such extensive censorship.
Ranked #46 out of 62 for Bypassing Web Censorship
To successfully navigate the Great Firewall of China and other severe internet restrictions, VPNs must deploy advanced obfuscation techniques that disguise traffic as standard HTTPS traffic. Only top-tier VPN providers consistently achieve this level of efficacy, and McAfee Safe Connect unfortunately does not meet these standards.
Without the requisite obfuscation tools, McAfee Safe Connect is unable to bypass censorship laws in China or similar heavily restricted regions. Furthermore, its intrusive logging policy significantly undermines its suitability for use in high-censorship environments.
The VPN records critical user data, including IP addresses, device MAC addresses, GPS locations, and biometric information, making it easy for authorities to trace users.
For effective VPN options in high-censorship countries, refer to our comprehensive guide on the best VPNs for bypassing web censorship.
Customer Support
Live Support Is Not Very Helpful
Customer Support Rating: 4.0/10
McAfee VPN’s customer support is notably inadequate despite being available around the clock. Support agents demonstrate a limited understanding of VPN-related issues, and the knowledge base offers minimal relevant information about Safe Connect.
Ranked #50 out of 62 for Customer Support
The customer support service for McAfee VPN falls short in comparison to its peers. The available resources and expertise are insufficient, contributing to its lower ranking among VPN providers for customer support.
| Customer Support | Available in McAfee Safe Connect |
|---|---|
| 24/7 Email Support | No |
| 24/7 Live Chat Support | Yes |
| Chatbot | No |
| Yes | |
| Email Support via Online Form | No |
| Online Resources | Yes |
| Tutorial Videos | No |
McAfee’s support infrastructure utilizes a unified knowledge base for its entire product suite. Out of 360 articles, only eight address Safe Connect specifically, underscoring its lack of focus within McAfee’s offerings.
Safe Connect appears to be a lower priority for McAfee, as evidenced by the support experience. While a phone contact number is provided, attempts to reach support by phone resulted in unfulfilled promises of call-backs on two occasions.
Additionally, the live chat feature frequently disconnects during conversations. Although it often reconnects, there were instances of complete communication loss.
The support team, shared across McAfee’s broader product line, lacks adequate training on Safe Connect. As a result, agents struggled to address basic inquiries, such as the ability of Safe Connect to bypass geo-restricted content and the total number of VPN servers available.
Furthermore, Safe Connect appears to be encumbered by McAfee’s legacy practices. Notably, users must provide their full name, email address, and phone number before initiating a live chat, which is counterintuitive for a service designed to protect personal information.
This requirement to disclose identifiable information undermines the privacy objectives of Safe Connect. Additionally, support agents are notably intrusive, often requesting remote access to your device even for basic queries, such as accessing US Netflix.
These practices are concerning and may be particularly unsettling for privacy-conscious users. The need to disclose personal information and grant remote access for straightforward issues can be perceived as excessive and counterproductive.
