Avast Free Antivirus is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an easy and complete antivirus program that guards all your devices and your online activities. Its malware detection rate was among the best in our tests, and it also offers other features such as a password manager. A file shredder and tune-up utilities are also available. However, the system consumes memory and can cause slowdown when analyzing large files or running programs.
The paid versions of Avast are a little more expensive, but they include some nice features, such as parental controls as well as a fantastic browser extension to keep your privacy under control. You’ll also get a good amount of cloud storage which is useful to backup your files and creating an emergency restore point. There are a variety of security suites to choose from, ranging starting with the entry level Antivirus Plus up to the most powerful Total Security. There’s also a ransomware-specific security and Sandboxes that can be used to test suspicious apps.
Kaspersky offers a different method to other antivirus programs that are premium in that its products are essentially all variants of the same core program. The primary difference between the larger versions is that they have additional features, like a built-in VPN and a password manager. They also support more devices. A basic subscription gives protection for one computer and up to five on the higher level.
Sophos’ AV Home offers a decent level of protection for an affordable price and its latest version performed well in our test labs. It’s not as feature-rich as some of the competitors, but its stripped-down interface is great for new users. If you’re looking for more functionality, the firm’s home products can be expanded to cover up to 10 devices.