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McAfee Complete Data Protection vs Symantec Endpoint Encryption comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

McAfee Complete Data Protec...
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
4th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
33
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Symantec Endpoint Encryption
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
5th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
37
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of McAfee Complete Data Protection is 7.1%, down from 10.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Endpoint Encryption is 9.7%, down from 10.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

ObaseunAwoyinfa - PeerSpot reviewer
Encrypts the hard drive, offers data protection policies and effective part of DLP strategy
The only thing that I think could be improved is the data classifier. It's not a very robust classifier, which is where its limitation lies. For example, you see a lot of higher-end solutions where people can classify data more effectively, adding labels like transcription labels and such. McAfee’s classifier doesn't handle all those tasks. It doesn’t offer the same level of functionality as other data classification tools. You can't do things like fingerprinting and other advanced classification methods. However, if you were to make it more robust, the product could become too heavy to run effectively on endpoints and servers. So, to be honest, I can't think of anything else off the top of my head that could be added. I think it's a great solution as it stands. If anyone wants extended data classification, they can leverage other tools like Titus, Fortra's Classifier Suite (previously known as Boldon James Classifier), or even Microsoft AIP if they have the budget. You can also leverage Trellix to enhance your data protection. From my point of view, McAfee Complete Data Protection is one of the best solutions out there, if not the best, to be honest.
Bharath Kumar Gajula - PeerSpot reviewer
Robust data protection with user-friendly deployment, competitive pricing, and comprehensive features like customizable alerts and effective detection capabilities but needs GUI improvements
The stability is relatively good. Occasionally, certain clients may experience disconnection from the management servers, requiring a manual process to rectify. Even in instances where the link is severed, restoring client connectivity can be challenging, sometimes necessitating the uninstallation and reinstallation of the software. Additionally, when clients go out of sync, we do not receive alerts, indicating an area for potential improvement. I would rate it seven out of ten.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"I don't need to have any interaction with this product, which means that it is very, very good, and it is doing its job."
"All of the Complete Data products are valuable."
"With respect to data loss prevention, I think it is helpful to the customer."
"The server software console is exquisitely designed and organized for handy access and manipulation by the administrator."
"With proper policies and configuration, it prevents sending corporate data to both cloud storage or to flash drives and data extraction."
"The beauty of McAfee is that they are not looking at encryption from one single standpoint. It is a broader solution."
"McAfee Complete Data Protection provides stability and is a good product."
"The solution is excellent for protecting users from data being exploited. It's also great for preventing data leakage."
"I like the solution for its encryption."
"It has reduced the number of incidents related to the loss of information."
"The solution’s installation was easy."
"The solution is easy to use."
"The solution was used to find harmful files and viruses on laptops."
"We can extend it to all of the critical endpoints and the servers, and we can ensure the confidentiality of the data."
"The encryption feature is very good."
"It helps us put antivirus solutions in place and prevent malware from getting to our machines."
 

Cons

"This solution does not do as well at protecting the end-user against unknown viruses."
"The solution's pricing could be better."
"The product must improve endpoint encryption."
"We encountered several problems with the solution's stability."
"I would like to have an easier and less-hassle upgrade process in future releases of the software, and extra license renewal price discounts too."
"The solution needs more advanced features."
"There was an option for SQL setup in the older versions of this product and it has been removed, but we would like to see it made available as an add-on."
"They could be better in terms of Complete Data Protection."
"The security could be improved."
"It's difficult to integrate the solution with the DLP"
"The initial setup is a bit complex."
"The UI could be improved."
"Symantec Endpoint Encryption can improve by being more secure."
"It was hard to install and took us about three months."
"The solution does not have endpoint control."
"There are other solutions in the market that have new features. The feature could improve."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price is good, it's a low-cost solution."
"McAfee Complete Data Protection is a little bit expensive."
"The solution is more expensive than one of its competitors."
"The cost of McAfee Complete Data Protection isn't that high but isn't that cheap as well, so it's in the middle."
"When it comes to pricing, I've observed an increase recently."
"The pricing is better than that of some competing products."
"The solution is affordable"
"The price of this solution needs to be improved."
"They have two solutions for encryption including Symantec Endpoint Encryption and PGP Endpoint Encryption. With one PGP license, you can deploy the two solutions. The PGP license gives you two options."
"The pricing is fair but there is variability in our area that needs to be addressed."
"There is a license required for this solution."
"The cost of this solution is a little on the higher side."
"We hold an annual license, and their pricing is competitive, falling into the affordable range."
"The licensing costs yearly are $5000."
"The license is not very expensive."
"Symantec Endpoint Encryption is not expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
20%
Government
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Computer Software Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Computer Software Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Would you choose Microsoft BitLocker or McAfee Complete Data Protection?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protection....
What do you like most about McAfee Complete Data Protection?
It worked for me: it's easy to use and has been very effective.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for McAfee Complete Data Protection?
The huge problem I see is pricing. We understand that DLP is not cheap anywhere in the world, but we constantly lose our protection because of pricing. Sometimes, this is because end users prefer t...
How does Microsoft BitLocker compare with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and it successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protecti...
What do you like most about Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Antivirus, URL filtering, and firewall protection are the most effective features for data protection.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
I am not sure about the pricing and licensing cost of Symantec Endpoint Encryption.
 

Also Known As

No data available
Symantec Drive Encryption
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Xcel Energy
Citrix Systems Inc., City of Lansing, Commercial & Industrial Property, France T_l_visions, Fujian Mobile Co. Ltd., Group Lotus plc, Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. (HBSS), Portugal Telecom, PostFinance, Public Pension Agency
Find out what your peers are saying about McAfee Complete Data Protection vs. Symantec Endpoint Encryption and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.