Antivirus, a pretty important aspect of software that is widely used by millions of people worldwide. why? Well, the main reason is that it provides its users with certain tools and protection services. As its main motive is to keep them safe from the booming pace of online threats and malware attacks. Although, Windows Defender and Avast, the 2 leading Antivirus products in the market. Often people find themselves confused or in other words the dilemma of choosing any one of the 2 Antivirus. Although, simpler words to either stick with the Windows Defender antivirus or opt for an Avast antivirus since as for Windows operating system it comes equipped with the Windows Defender Antivirus product.
But still, the confusion for the same regards arrives, which one ultimately should stay on your computer? Well, we have carried out the in-depth comparison research so that you can simply go through it and understand how the 2 programs differ from each other. Also how they perform and keep you protected from the malware and online threats when you surf on the internet. Based on that knowledge you can choose the one which seems to be the best in terms of your requirements.
So, Let’s get started.
In today’s time, as the world is excelling in technology and as the Internet is booming at the pretty rapid race the threats in regards to the same are also increasing at the same pace as well. In this internet-driven world, where more than 90% of the population tend to use the internet on an almost daily basis. They are severely prone to get infected by more than 800 million types of different viruses and malware. Therefore, their security come in the action and hence software responsible for the same is known as Antiviruses software.
As of today, Windows Defender and Avast are famous names in the antivirus market. Often people get confused about opting for anyone among these 2 programs, it is mainly because of all the things they have to offer 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. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out. Making it easier for readers to decide between them.
Must Read Comparisons
Windows Defender vs Avast Antivirus – Plans & Pricing
The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.
Windows Defender
- Windows Defender Security Centre free (Windows Only). Previously known as Windows Defender.
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 (Mac Only)
- And last is the security version also specific to Mac. Avast Security (Mac Only)
Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software for different platforms. Provided by the 2 companies for home users.
Pre-Comparison Result (Short Verdict)
Note: This section of the article is for those who want to skip the effort of reading an in-depth comparison report of the 2 antiviruses and directly know the result.
As per the research held to write this article, Avast is the winning contender of the Comparison. Since it offers more security features and provides users with many different types of utility tools than Windows Defender has to offer. Apart from that Avast offers more no. of different antivirus versions for its customers to choose from. Although both Windows Defender and Avast had similar as well as competitive results in the “Protection” category deciding to be a tie between the 2 antivirus software, still Avast managed to keep hold of the win with slightly better results in the Impact test category.
It is recommended to kindly read the full comparison report for in-depth knowledge of what both the software has to offer before opting for any one of them.
A detailed description of everything included in Windows Defender Antivirus Suite
Windows Defender is a very well-known name in the field of antivirus. It is mainly because of the freeware included in the Windows OS. It is a freeware service provided by Microsoft itself. And is mainly used by people in case of the backup.
Windows Defender Security Centre free
The suit provides you with protection from a range of malware threats. But as of advanced protection-related features and extra utilities. You won’t be able to find any of those in it. The most useful and utilized feature is the advanced 2-way firewall. It keeps check on all the outgoing and incoming traffics for malicious activity.
It also has a parental control feature which allows you to set what sites should be visited by the children and helps you monitor their activity. But the disadvantage is that it only works with the Microsoft Edge browser.
Whereas other than those 2 utility tools mentioned above it has nothing in it. It lacks features like file shredder, VPN, password management tool, automatic backup utility, and more.
A detailed description of everything included in Avast Antivirus suite
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, it is limited to only a month. Therefore, for you to be on the safe side, it is recommended to opt for the paid version.
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. And 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.
Must Read: Webroot vs Bitdefender
Windows Defender vs Avast (in terms of providing better protection)
If we talk about the 2 software stated in this article, Well both of them are considered to be pretty accurate as well as proficient Antivirus in terms of providing protection and providing features, although there might be a difference in their functionality and the process how they work and that too it is majorly because of their protection, utility tools, and services they provide to their customers. In today’s date, the number of internet users is booming at a high rate day by day, therefore threats also seem to increase at an alarming rate as well. Hence, both the software provides nominal features for the protection of an individual from such threats.
Therefore to check how well an Antivirus is against such increasing threats hence AV-Tests and AV-Comparatives conducted tests in regards to the same. 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)
There were 2 round evaluation tests conducted in April 2019. The 2 products were tested insight into seeing their performance as well as protection capabilities.
As of the Windows Defender’s result, it came out with a perfect protection rate of 100% as it successfully blocked almost all types of malware samples attaining a perfect 6/6 score from AV experts in the “Protection Category”.
Although, the result of Avast odds were seemed to be against it. It also showed a slightly less impressive result as compared to that of Windows Defender antivirus. Hence it bagged a low rating of 5.5/6 by the AV-Experts in the AV-Test (Tests) but still pretty impressive score.
AV-Comparatives (Tests)
Therefore, one more test was held by AV-Comparatives. But this test was held in sight of aiming to test a product in real-world malware conditions.
As for the result of the Real-world protection test which was issued by AV comparatives in a summarized format of tests in June 2019. Both Windows Defender, as well as Avast, showed impressive results although they still were rewarded with the second-best “ADVANCED” award.
Hence, for the protection test on two software, It is clear that Windows Defender and Avast are very much capable of providing with the best protection to their customers, but as of the result they both proved to be very competitive in this category as they came up with almost the similar score in the “Protection” category hence providing the results that both the software tends to be same when it comes to protection of their users.
Windows Defender vs Avast (in terms of impact on system)
Real-time scanning or in other words background activity of Antivirus. The basic process required by Antivirus to perform the basic and regular check-ups which are mainly responsible for eating up most of the CPU performance. But is pretty important for the sake of safety and security against online threats.
Therefore, for antivirus, it has to ensure the stability of the system, as well as OS, is maintained while at the same time maintaining the need of exerting as low as it possible strain and impact on PC since the heavy strain can be a more viable reason for unexpected pauses and hang in a system 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.
Windows Defender’s Impact Test
As of the test conducted in regards to checking the load exerted by Windows Defender on the system in April 2019. It got a low rating of 5.5/6, in the AV-Test study. Whereas, it bagged the third-best rating “STANDARD” award in the test held by AV-Comparatives. Since the exerted rate on the CPU by it was very high. Hence it exerted more burden than any other software in the test.
Below are the test results of Windows Defender’s Impact test held by AV-Test as well as AV-Comparatives.
Avast’s Impact Test
As for Avast’s impact test result, it attained a perfect 6/6 score by AV experts as it displayed a peak performance resulting in a complete score.
Below are the test results of Avast’s Impact test held by AV-Test.
And for the AV-Comparatives test, Avast was able to bag the topmost “ADVANCED+” award due to its low impact score resulting in it to be a pretty stable and strain-free software.
Below are the test results of Avast’s Impact test held by AV-Comparatives.
Hence, for the result of the Impact test, Avast tends to excel from Windows Defender in terms of exerting strain as well as the impact on the system, therefore making Avast the winner of the “Performance” category.
Windows Defender vs Avast (Comparing Prices)
Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score and almost contains similar features hence also competed with each other in almost close quarters. But as for the price tags, it might not be the same case. As in this section, we’ll be stating the allotted price of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to decide which one falls in their budget range.
Windows Defender Antivirus Software Pricing
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Windows Defender Security Centre free
It is a freeware which can be downloaded for free. Whereas it is pre-installed in the original Windows OS.
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
The Avast Security for Mac Antivirus 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.
Since Windows Defender is a freeware and does not have an allocated price tag. Hence no comparison can be carried out in regards to the same. Although you can still opt for Avast as it does imply a lot less amount of money for its pretty effective products.
Final Thoughts (Final Verdict)
Getting a premium antivirus in today’s time is everybody’s basic need. Since they have a responsibility to provide individuals with security and safety from online threats and malware. As of the 2 Antivirus software discussed in this article. The comparison is for people to understand the software better and based on that understanding to opt the one which suits best for their needs.
Hence, the conclusion of the article explains that both of the Antivirus programs are very well functioning, and are pretty successful in protecting the individual from online threats and malicious ware. But as of the result of the comparison between the 2 the end result of this comparison, well Avast excels, Because of its streamlined features as well as prices and options available for all the customer and tend to protect from 100% of malicious files followed by giving out less impact on the system in comparison to the Windows Defender Antivirus. Though they both seemed to stand there ground.
Therefore, Avast is an Antivirus software that is recommended for all the internet users out there seeking for a new antivirus. Since it has to offer a lot of things at a budget-friendly price. And keep in mind the software is capable of stopping all kinds of threats. As proved in the tests stated above.
Therefore, it is clear that Avast is the winning contender of this head to head comparison between Windows Defender and Avast.