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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 May 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of McAfee Complete Data Protection is 7.3%, down from 10.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Endpoint Encryption is 9.2%, 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

"In addition, it is easy to use, and you can define rules that protect the database beyond the built-in rules of the product. I found another purpose for the product besides the basic things that it does, protecting the database: privileged use, weak authentication, SQL injection and and database platform vulnerability."
"McAfee Complete Data Protection provides stability and is a good product."
"In the configuration, you can restrict a user from accessing a removable drive."
"With proper policies and configuration, it prevents sending corporate data to both cloud storage or to flash drives and data extraction."
"The server software console is exquisitely designed and organized for handy access and manipulation by the administrator."
"The most valuable feature is security."
"The beauty of McAfee is that they are not looking at encryption from one single standpoint. It is a broader solution."
"It is part of the DLP and works well for that use case."
"The best feature of Symantec Endpoint Encryption is the encryption itself. Encryption truly is the way to go because nowadays we are living in an era of widespread server threats, and you need to encrypt your emails and documents because you never know who might get hold of them."
"We find the dashboard, endpoint mobile encryption, and email encryption valuable."
"The most effective features of Symantec are those related to data protection."
"It has reduced the number of incidents related to the loss of information."
"We can extend it to all of the critical endpoints and the servers, and we can ensure the confidentiality of the data."
"The most valuable features are the messaging features and shared folders."
"I like the solution for its encryption."
"You get updates and other encrypted files easily."
 

Cons

"Some clients still receive spam and malware in their attachments, so the data protection isn't working correctly. We have configured it and enabled the features in the client's system, but some policies have failed to work once or twice."
"The drive side encryption can be confusing to use and needs better documentation."
"The solution needs more advanced features."
"A better GUI platform would make it easier to present information to management; I would not need to fix the data before I present it."
"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 should be more user-friendly."
"They need to segregate McAfee Complete Data Protection for endpoints and servers."
"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."
"There are some issues with the single sign-on with the active directory. We had a few problems related to the synchronization between the active directory and the login features of the Symantec products because the users made many password changes during the day. The time for synchronization with the solutions can be improved. I would like to see mobile encryption. There should be a possibility to include all the mobiles of a company in the console. Many customers are asking about encryptions for tablets or cell phones, but we don't have any product that we are comfortable with to recommend to our customers."
"The product can be expensive. Price was a factor in moving away from the product."
"Upgrades from one version to another may only sometimes be straightforward, especially if one needs a clearer understanding of the process."
"Its decryption time needs to be improved. Currently, its decryption time is very long, and it takes double time than encryption. They need to work on that. Its encryption time is fine."
"More features need to be included in the encryption software."
"I do not find the environment to be very user-friendly."
"I would like them to have integration with a wider range of non-Symantec products."
"They have too high of a price tag. That's why they're losing the market share."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"McAfee Complete Data Protection is a little bit expensive."
"The solution is more expensive than one of its competitors."
"The price of this solution needs to be improved."
"The licensing is yearly."
"When it comes to pricing, I've observed an increase recently."
"We currently have a contract option with McAfee Complete Data Protection."
"The solution is affordable"
"The cost of McAfee Complete Data Protection isn't that high but isn't that cheap as well, so it's in the middle."
"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."
"Depending on how many modules you will use (up to five) the licensing will be more expensive."
"The license is not very expensive."
"The licensing costs yearly are $5000."
"Considering the fluctuation in exchange rates in our part of the world, we find it generally affordable."
"There is a license required for this solution."
"We hold an annual license, and their pricing is competitive, falling into the affordable range."
"Although the performance and stability of this solution are good, our challenge is the price tag. You buy the solution once, but you also have to keep on buying the licenses yearly."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
20%
Government
14%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Computer Software Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
11%
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: April 2025.
849,686 professionals have used our research since 2012.