Hey there, can’t decide which antivirus to opt for. Well in this article we’ll provide you with a detailed description of both Sophos and Avast antivirus and compare them head to head so that the readers can understand the difference between the 2 and won’t face any difficulty while opting the one based off their understanding.
So, Let’s get started.
As of today, the number of users on the internet is booming as we move forward in time. The malicious ware and files infecting those users’ risk also increase. Hence these harmful files and ware are responsible for various cyber theft, crime and internet, and PC related issues.
This is where Antivirus comes into action in regards to the following problems caused by malicious files and ware or even when these files and ware are detected in one’s PC. The Antivirus comes into action because the basic duty is to block off the harmful and malicious files and ware from reaching one’s computer. Although, they also are responsible for cleaning out an infected PC which is in general carried out by simply scanning it and removing the dangerous files.
Therefore, as of today, we’ll be comparing 2 antiviruses for the win. Sophos and Avast. People while opting an antivirus software often fails to decide which one to opt among these 2. Since they pack a lot in them and hence offer a lot of features to their customers. Although they may lack a couple of things or may excel to one another in a couple of things which tends to make them different from each other and also makes a decision for the customer hard enough. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out making it easier for readers to decide which of these 2 are best for them.
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Antivirus Plans Offered by Sophos and Avast
The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.
The Sophos Antivirus Suites
- The free version. Sophos Home Free. (Windows and Mac)
- The only paid version. Sophos Home Premium. (Windows and Mac).
The Avast Antivirus Suites
- The free version. Avast free antivirus (Windows Only)
- The professional version of the software known as Avast Pro antivirus (Windows Only)
- Premier version is also available and known as Avast Premier (Windows Only)
- The internet security specified version. Avast Internet Security (Windows Only)
- The ultimate version of the software. Avast Ultimate (Windows Only)
- Pro version specialized for Mac. Avast Security Pro (Macintosh Only)
- And last is the security version also specific to Mac. Avast Security (Macintosh Only)
Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software. Provided by the 2 companies for home users.
A detailed description of everything included in Sophos Security Suites
Sophos is not so known antivirus product if compared with Avast and hence doesn’t feature a pretty diverse product lineup as Avast. Hence it only tends to provide its users with only 2 antivirus suites one being a free version and the last one being a paid version. Therefore all the things which the stated version of the software has to offer are as follows:
Sophos Home Free
As for the first and free suite by the company, it doesn’t have much to offer. Although keep in mind it does provide its users with the basic Antivirus protection followed by Web protection. But doesn’t comprise of Advance features and utility tools in it.
Sophos Home Premium
The next and the Final product by Sophos in the list is its paid Sophos Home Premium variant. It is the company’s only paid product for home users. As for its features, it comprises of a bit comprehensive real-time malware protection. Apart from that it also features an AI threat detection, which in general utilizes deep learning to detect and block new malware threats. It also provides users with ransomware protection to protect your valuable data from being encrypted by hackers. It also consists of features like remote managing security for multiple PCs at your household. Furthermore, there is a Web Filtering feature to make parents sure that there kids browsing experience is always secure. It also comprises of a Privacy Protection feature, which blocks out everyone who is trying to spy on you through your computer’s webcam and microphone. Lastly, it features a Premium Support by the company.
A detailed description of everything included in Avast Security Suites
Avast antivirus software is one of the most profound and famous antivirus software out there in the market. Therefore, it tends to provide a lot of options to the user to select the one which suits them better. Hence, those are stated above, readers can refer to the context stated above. Therefore all the things which the stated version of the software has to offer are as follows:
Avast Free Antivirus
The free version of Avast offers a lot of features in the freeware market. In simpler words, it is one of the most feature-rich antivirus available in the market. The Antivirus Offers a lot of handy features such as WIFI inspector, A limited software updater, An unlimited use password vault, and a game mode. Although the free version also includes web and email-based threat detectors. Also one can simply make use of Avast’s free Rescue Disk to remove deep-rooted malware.
But there are extra features that lack the software and hence, are limited to only a month. Therefore, for you to be on the safe side, it is recommended to opt for the paid version.
- AVAST vs AVG Comparison – Which is Best?
Avast Pro Antivirus
Avast Antivirus Pro includes all the features from the free version. As well as more features like sandbox technology which allows you to test suspicious files in a separate environment. A Real Site feature which prevents hackers to redirect you to unsafe pages. Moreover premium in-product support.
Avast Premier Antivirus
In this version, users get the file shredder feature, an automatic updater, and webcam spying protection. Hence is a bit more advanced than the pro version.
Avast Internet Security Antivirus
This particular software carries forward all the features available in the pro version. As well as tends to add a firewall, An extra layer of Ransome protection and anti-spam filters. which tends to block spam emails and messages.
Avast Ultimate Antivirus
This software in particular packs everything that the company has to offer. It consists of everything explained and inputted in the above-stated software. Although, apart from it, the software offers clean-up utility, an unlimited VPN, and a premium version of Avast’s password manager.
Avast Security Antivirus
The security version of the Avast antivirus is specialized and is created for Mac users which they can tend to download from the official site for free. Since it is a similar version of the software available that on Windows and hence contains the same features.
Avast Security Pro Antivirus
The Security Pro version consists of ransomware protection elements and other additional features in it. Hence, this version is specifically dedicated to Mac users.
Sophos vs Avast (in terms of providing better protection)
As of the 2 software. Both of them are considered to be really good Antivirus. Since they tend to provide their users with nominal features, and basic protection from all types of virus and malware files. Hence as for them to perform perfectly, they should be up to date with the latest malware and virus files.
Therefore, the tests were held by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. To check how well an Antivirus is against such increasing threats. Since these are the software responsible for an individual’s internet security and safety.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as a High-end PC.
AV-Test (Tests)
As of the June 2019 evaluation by AV-Test, Avast bagged a near-perfect score of 5.5/6 by AV-Experts since it almost blocks off all the malware and virus files it was put up to test against.
Although if we talk about Sophos, well it didn’t participate in the AV-Test evaluation at all, hence no result for the same can be carried out.
AV-Comparatives (Tests)
AV-Comparatives also conducted a test in June 2019 keeping Real-World malware conditions in mind and hence conducted a Real-World Protection Test in which one is focusing on the major malware conditions in the real world, during, or after the execution of harmful files.
And as for the result for the evaluation held by AV-Comparatives, Avast tends to receive the second-best “ADVANCED” award by AV-Comparative experts in the “Protection Category” due to its impressive performance to block off almost every virus and malware, it was put to test against.
Well, again Sophos didn’t take part in AV-Comparatives evaluation as well, hence no results could be carried out for the same.
Therefore, as for the conclusion, Avast is the straight-up winner of the “Protection Category” since no comparison could be carried out as Sophos never took part in any of the independent lab’s evaluations for unknown reasons. Hence making Avast the sheer winner of the “Protection Category”.
Sophos vs Avast (in terms of impact on system):
As for the antivirus product, well it mainly requires a background Real-Time scanning option to perform all the time to execute the protection services for the client. Although, it is been a serious issue for people since this background scanning tends to eat up most of the CPU performance. But is important for the sake of safety and security.
Therefore, for antivirus to be workable and acceptable it should imply less strain on PC. Since heavy strains on CPU can result in unexpected pauses and hang in a whole system’s OS. Which can be pretty annoying sometimes.
Therefore, tests were conducted by independent labs to carry out the result of how the 2 software fared in a particular category. By carrying out a couple of activities like launching popular websites, downloading and installing, commonly used applications, copying of files, and more.
Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as a High-end PC.
Avast’s Impact Test
And here’s the result when Avast was tested by AV-Tests in their July-August 2019. Avast also showed a slight impact on the system although, it was also rewarded with an impressive rate of 5.5/6.
Below are the test reports for Avast in the “Performance” Category (AV-Test).
And as for the AV-Comparatives performance test held in April 2019. Avast received an “ADVANCED+” rating with a low impact score.
Below are the test reports for Avast in “Performance” Category (AV-Comparatives).
Sophos Impact Test:
Well, once again no result can be carried out since Sophos again didn’t participate in any of the conducted lab tests. Therefore, no exact evaluation can be made out of how impactful Sophos is on the CPU.
Therefore for the conclusion, it is again clear that Avast won the “Performance” category since no test comparison could be carried out between the 2 because Sophos didn’t participate in any of the Lab evaluations, Putting Avast at the advantage and making it the sheer winner of “Performance Category”.
Sophos vs Avast (in terms of Price)
Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score. And hence contains similar features. But the same might not be the case when it comes to price tags. As in this section, we’ll be stating the assigned prices of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to choose the one which suits them best.
Sophos Antivirus Software Pricing
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Sophos Home Free
As for the first Product in the list, Sophos Home Free is completely free to download and provides users with basic protection services for 1 month.
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Sophos Home Premium
The next up in the list is the Sophos Home Premium. It is priced at $36 for a yearly subscription whereas $72 for 2 years subscription.
In INR it cost around rupees 1749 as a discounted price, which provides the subscription for 1 year.
Note: The paid version subscription covers the protection for up to 10 devices.
Avast Antivirus Software Pricing
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The Avast Pro Antivirus
The price of this software is set to be 49.99 dollars for a year subscription.
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Avast Internet security
Avast Internet security is priced at 47.99 dollars for a 1-year subscription and 87.99 dollars for a 2-year subscription.
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The Avast Premier
The premier membership for 1 year cost 55.99 dollars and the 2 years one costs at 111.99 dollars.
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Avast Ultimate
The ultimate only consists of a 1-year membership plan which is set to be priced at 119.99 dollars a year.
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Avast Security for Mac
This software is priced at 47.99 dollars a year.
Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of Avast software on a different platform.
Customer Reviews (Which one is more Satisfactory?)
As you proceed further to buy any one of the antiviruses, you might want to take a look at what previous users of the product think about the product. In this section, listed below are the results of customer feedback, considered by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the popular independent review website that keeps a track of customer feedback.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) results
So, if we talk about this website, it tends to rate the products based on an A to F rating scale. Therefore, according to this website, Avast is awarded the A+ Rating, hence explaining that users are pretty happy with the customer support and services provided by it. Whereas on the other hand, Sophos received a C+ rating explaining that software received Satisfactory and average feedbacks from its customers.
Therefore, for the conclusion of this section based on the report published by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Avast tends to take the lead. Hence settling the result to be in favor of Avast. Making it the sheer winner of the “Customer Satisfaction” section’s winner.
Final Verdict – Avast or Panda? (The Winner!)
Getting a premium antivirus in the present time is one of the significant needs of Internet clients. Since software like antivirus will in general furnish people with security and well being from online dangers. As of the 2, Antivirus programming examined in this article. The comparison is done for individuals to comprehend the 2 products portrayed in this article in a better way and to the differences between the 2. Whereas based on that knowledge select the one which suits best for their needs.
Thus, the end is that both of the Antivirus software is very well working. What’s more, are quite fruitful in shielding the person from online dangers and noxious product. But as the results of the examination between the 2. Avast exceeds expectations unmistakably, Because of its streamlined features as well as has a steady and streamlined effect on the CPU. Also, it provides a decent amount of options available for all customers. Additionally, according to the Lab test, Sophos didn’t partake in any of the Lab tests evaluations, making Avast the sheer champ of the comparison battle between the 2.
Therefore, it is clear that Avast is the winning contender of this head to head comparison between Sophos and Avast.