Comparison of antivirus avira and avast. Avast and AVG become one Virus protection

If you are looking for premium protection, check out our including Avast, AVG, Avira, ESET, and Norton (Symantec).

Additional Notes

Information about the product features has been obtained from the official websites of each vendor. If you believe we have stated something not correct, please , and we'll fix it immediately. Our intention is to offer a fair and fact-based comparison of each product.

For measuring the boot time we have used a free tool called BootRacer . We have tested Avira Free Antivirus 2016 (2016.0.7163) and Avast Free Antivirus 2016 (2016.11.1.2253) released on February 3, 2016. Both tests were performed on a Windows 7 Professional x64 computer with CPU Intel Core i7 @ 2.70GHz and 8 GB RAM.

For measuring the overall PC performance we have used a free tool called PassMark PerformanceTest which tests various areas including CPU, graphics, disk, and memory.

Written by Paul B.

My name is Paul and I love Avast since the Home Edition v4.8 (2008). I am recommending it to all my friends, but I realized they don't know how to use it. So I started this site in order to help others getting maximum from this awesome antivirus. Feel free to contact me via

The choice of antivirus should always be treated with great responsibility, because the security of your computer and confidential data depends on it. To fully protect the system, it is no longer necessary to buy a paid antivirus, since free counterparts quite successfully cope with the tasks. Let's compare the main features of Avira Free Antivirus and Avast Free Antivirus to determine the best one.

Both of the above applications have a cult status among antivirus programs. The German antivirus Avira is the world's first mass-produced free program to protect computers from malicious code and malicious actions. The Czech program Avast, in turn, is by far the most popular free antivirus in the world.

Of course, the assessment of the interface is a very subjective matter. Nevertheless, objective criteria can be found in evaluating appearance.

The Avira antivirus interface has remained unchanged for many years. It looks somewhat ascetic and old-fashioned.

In contrast, Avast is constantly experimenting with the visual shell. In the latest version of Avast Free Antivirus, it is maximally adapted to work on the latest Windows 8 and Windows 10 operating systems. In addition, managing Avast, thanks to the drop-down menu, is quite convenient.

So, regarding the evaluation of the interface, preference should be given to the Czech antivirus.

Avira 0:1 Avast

Virus Protection

It is believed that Avira has somewhat more reliable virus protection than Avast, although it also sometimes allows malware to enter the system. At the same time, Avira has a very high number of false positives, which is not much better than a missed virus.

Let's still give a point to Avira, as a more reliable program, although in this regard the gap from Avast is minimal.

Avira 1:1 Avast

Areas of protection

Avast Free Antivirus protects your computer's file system, email, and Internet connection using special screen services.

Avira Free Antivirus has a real-time file system protection service and surfing the Internet, using the built-in Windows firewall. But email protection is available only in the paid version of Avira.

Avira 1:2 Avast

If in the normal state, Avira antivirus does not load the system too much, then by performing a scan, it literally sucks all the juices out of the operating system and the central processor. As you can see, according to the indications of the task manager, the main Avira process during scanning takes on a fairly large percentage of the system's capacity. But besides it, there are three more auxiliary processes.

Unlike Avira, Avast antivirus almost does not strain the system even when scanning. As you can see, it takes up 17 times less RAM than the main Avira process, and loads the CPU 6 times less.

Avira 1:3 Avast

Additional Tools

Avast and Avira free antiviruses have a number of additional tools that provide more reliable system protection. These include browser add-ons, native browsers, anonymizers, and other elements. But it should be noted that if in Avast there are flaws in some of these tools, then for Avira everything works more holistically and organically.

In addition, it should be said that Avast has all additional tools installed by default. And since most users rarely pay attention to the subtleties of installation, elements that are completely unnecessary for a particular person can be installed in the system along with the main antivirus.

But Avira took a completely different approach. In it, if necessary, the user can install a specific application individually. He installs only the tools he really needs. This developer approach is preferred as it is less intrusive.

Thus, according to the criterion of the policy of providing additional tools, Avira antivirus wins.

Avira 2:3 Avast

However, the overall victory in the rivalry between the two antiviruses remains with Avast. Despite the fact that Avira has a slight advantage in such a fundamental criterion as the reliability of protection against viruses, the gap in this indicator from Avast is so insignificant that it cannot drastically affect the general state of affairs.

Free antivirus has been attracting the attention of users for many years. We tested two popular antivirus programs: AVG Free and Avast Free.
Many manufacturers offer free antivirus, but Avast! and AVG are the most popular. Which program is more efficient, has better features, and uses less system resources? We tested the latest versions of the programs in 2015 versions, evaluated the scanning capabilities, additional features, and also checked if unwanted adware is installed.

First of all, let's say where you can download Free and .

Many people often decide to purchase a paid application, like Antivirus, for example, because the free version is too annoying to have ads or a panel system that integrates with a web browser or other very useful applications.
Before we move on to the results of the duel, we remind you that both antiviruses are available for free download on the Internet, but at the same time, we must remember that they are intended for non-commercial personal use. There are tools that can, for example, be installed in a company. You should not use them at home if you are using the computer for business purposes.

Round 1. Scanning capabilities

Both Avast Free Antivirus 2015 and AVG AntiVirus 2015 offer several scan modes for free. The most popular is the quick scan, which is activated immediately after installation in both applications. Avast offers a full scan automatically - the system displays a message suggesting that you should restart your computer and perform a full scan. This is valuable advice and is intended for novice users, so it does not affect the more positive assessment of Avast antivirus.
Avast, in addition to quick and full scans, has other scan modes: virus scan, browser add-on scan, old software scan, network threat scan, and performance issue scan. A scan related to browser add-ons is called "Browser Cleanup" - the program suggests which add-ons can be removed, as they have a low reputation.

This is what the tab looks like showing outdated programs

Outdated software information is useful, although Avast is unable to check all applications and limits its offerings to only very popular tools such as web browsers and Adobe Flash Player. The GrimeFighter scanner is designed to optimize your computer by suggesting which applications are unnecessary and how to change system settings to speed up your computer. On the test computer, Avast found 14 problems in the system settings, but when you click the "Optimize PC" button, a message will appear to purchase a subscription. Without an annual subscription, you will not be able to improve the performance of your computer.

Network security in Avast Home is a useful and unusual feature in other programs, including Wi-Fi network protection.
Of the available scanners, Avast responsibly searches for network threats. Firstly, it works without having to pay additional fees, and secondly, it is practical, because it gives tips for securing a Wi-Fi network, helps you set up a router, or tells the user if the Internet is available. If, for example, you are using unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, or a relatively light security password, Avast will tell you how to change your settings to be more secure.
AVG AntiVirus, in addition to a full and quick scan, also offers scanning of selected files and folders, anti-rootkit scanning, as well as the ability to schedule scans for a selected date and time.

It checks your system for registry errors, looking for "junk files" that take up disk space unnecessarily, fragmentation, and parsing broken shortcuts to slow down disk speed. After scanning, you can click on "Fix it now", the program will redirect you to a website offering to buy AVG PC Tuneup!. If you decide to download it, then the first cleaning of the "garbage" is free, and further use of the program includes the purchase of a license. At AVG, we do not consider this a useful feature for network security scanning.

Tour results: Avast victory. While speeding up your computer with a scanner that is really just a clever promotion to buy GrimeFighter tools, Avast also offers a useful network security scanner that you won't find to be found in AVG's antivirus and therefore wins this round.

Round 2. Real-time protection

A modern antivirus should provide real-time protection and immediately block threats. Both antivirus programs tested offer this protection, and it's enabled by default when installed on the drive.
During the installation of the anti-virus program, it is offered to install other utilities for free. In the case of Avast, .
Applications allow you to configure real-time protection. For Avast Antivirus, click the "Settings" button, go to "Active Protection" and then we get the option to configure system files, email and web pages. In the Avast example, you can choose to scan documents on opening, or scan the agent automatically when removable media is connected, or decide which files, compressed archives, Avast will try to decompress during the scan.
AVG has a similar ability to set up real-time protection. To go to the settings, click on the big "Computer" icon in the main window, and then under the "antivirus" icon, click on the small button for settings. There you will find, among other things, information about which files (extensions) AVG will scan or which links can be found in the system registry.
Tour results: draw.

Both antivirus programs not only provide real-time protection, but also contain a number of features that work independently of each other, offering the ability to change settings.

Round 3. Additional protection and bonuses

To fully provide protection, manufacturers offer the most suites of security tools - the Internet Security product, which includes antivirus and other tools. In the case of free antivirus software from AVG and Avast, you cannot expect complete protection.
AVG AntiVirus 2015 already displays a button in the main window that says "Free trial 30 days," suggesting that the user has downloaded and tested the PRO version, which includes a firewall, anti-spam features, secure data (encryption and file protection using a password), and other applications. Regardless, the free version offers several solutions within the core hardware and not just an antivirus program. In the case of AVG LinkScanner is a feature that provides protection against malicious websites, as well as a mail scanner that detects malicious email attachments.
Some of the features available in the free antivirus industry are clever advertisements - first run a scan aimed at catching bugs in the system, and then fix them and improve system performance, but after subscription (well, not bastard manufacturers?).
Avast Free Antivirus 2015 offers a feature SecureLine VPN, which allows you to hide browsing or enable data encryption. Unfortunately, SecureLine VPN requires the purchase of a subscription. With the additional tools that are available in the free version, you can only replace "remote support". This feature allows you to connect to the desktop of another person who is using Avast. Just like AVG, Avast protects against phishing.
Tour results: draw.

Both programs provide some interesting additional features, which, however, are available for a fee.

Assuming that users typically choose these apps mainly because they're free and don't want to pay for security, AVG and Avast's programs get similar results on this round.

Round 4. Results of independent tests

Free antivirus programs are often considered less effective at detecting threats than their paid counterparts. We have checked the latest analysis results from the independent organization AV-Test, which specializes in IT security and antivirus testing.
In the test for evaluating the effectiveness of protection in a higher place was Avast, with a score of 5/6, while AVG received a score much worse, amounting to 3/6. Avast's anti-malware check analysis was exactly 100 percent effective on 153 samples, and AVG's was 95 percent. However, in another test of more than 12,000 samples, Avast scored 99 percent and AVG scored 98 percent.
AVG PC Analyzer found dozens of errors on the test computer, but we couldn't fix them because you need to subscribe.
AV-Test also evaluates the effectiveness of how applications slow down the daily operation of your computer, as well as functionality - the impact of security on your computer (for example, the display of false alarms).
Result: victory for Avast. From the AV-Test analysis, which we consider quite reliable, Avast got much better results in detecting threats.

Round 5. Advertising and constant messages

Many free software installers are trying to "slip" other tools into the computer, ads that are absolutely unnecessary. If you're careless and don't read the messages on the screen, browser plug-ins or other programs are usually installed later (I wonder how they found their way to the computer).
We expected similar practices from manufacturers. Avast prompts you to install Google Chrome during installation (selected by default during installation after agreeing), while AVG gives you the choice of whether you want to install a free antivirus program or a demo version of Internet Security. In addition, AVG also offers the installation of AVG Web Tools TuneUp (selected by default).
If you read the displayed information carefully, you can avoid installing this tool, which you probably don't need. Most users, however, do not read such messages and click "Install" without hesitation.
By default, Avast has an active voice messaging feature - the first time you launch it, you hear "Welcome to the Avast software" - a female voice says, and then "scan has been completed." If you are annoyed by this type of sounds, turn them off in the settings.
Tour results: draw. Both programs, which are free apps, advertise the purchase of other tools, and do so during the installation process. However, attentive users can easily uninstall unnecessary add-ons.

Round 6. Resources used and work in the background

Of great importance, especially for older PCs, is the size of the system resources used by the program. We checked in Windows 8.1 how much memory is required by antivirus programs.
Avast launches three services that use a total of about 32.5 MB. For comparison, an average of seven active services use a total of about 54 MB. Considering how much memory other applications require today, for example, web browsers can use even a gigabyte of storage, antivirus uses a negligible amount.
When it comes to running in the background, annoying messages don't show up during testing.

It should be understood that even the free version of Avast offers the “Run in the background / Enable full screen mode” function, accessible from the system tray. If enabled, no messages will be displayed.
Tour results: Avast wins again. Not only does it use less MB of memory, but it also has easy available options to turn off messages, which is useful when playing games, for example.

Conclusion - the victory of Avast antivirus.

Over the years we have seen the development of free antivirus and it is obvious that the latest versions are much better. Avast Free Antivirus 2015 was the clear winner in a duel between two popular applications. First of all, it has the best results in the detection performance test, has a very useful network threat scanning function, and also uses less system resources.

Good day, dear readers of the blog site. Surely your home computer has some kind of anti-virus protection, no? If not, then I strongly recommend acquiring one, about why this is necessary was discussed in one of the previous articles, specifically here. It can be either a paid antivirus or its free counterparts, in most cases free antivirus options are installed, which, by the way, are not much inferior to many paid antiviruses in terms of protection, and you can download them completely free of charge. This is perhaps the most important advantage of free antiviruses (your "Cap Obvious").

For about a year on my home computer there was a free version of Avast antivirus (if anyone is not in the know, this company also has a paid version of "Avast Internet Security", which in addition to the antivirus contains a firewall (firewall) and even a bunch of any functionality). So for this year I have not got a single virus! I periodically checked with a free Kaspersky utility to clean up viruses, it also found nothing. All this made me think that in most cases, installing a free antivirus is the best solution, since such an antivirus provides a sufficient level of protection, does not slow down the system (unlike ... you know who) and is inexpensive (free).

Based on the results of numerous tests of antiviruses on various resources, I selected four contenders for the title best free antivirus 2014. Of these, only two antiviruses have been on my computer for quite a long time as the main protection, these are Avast and AVG. The comparison was made using tests (antivirus ratings) + my experience of using it, I will try to be objective. By the way, do not pay attention to the order of the antiviruses in the text, this does not mean anything, you just have to start somewhere.

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Avast Software CEO Vincent Steckler announces the completion of the acquisition of a majority stake in AVG Technologies.