Avast Free Antivirus vs Microsoft Security Essentials

Struggling to choose between Avast Free Antivirus and Microsoft Security Essentials? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Avast Free Antivirus is a Security & Privacy solution with tags like antivirus, malware-protection, realtime-scanning, scheduled-scanning, behavioral-detection.

It boasts features such as Real-time scanning, Scheduled scanning, Behavioral detection, Anti-phishing, Anti-spam, Firewall, Sandbox technology, Wi-Fi inspector, Software updater, Browser cleanup and pros including Free, Lightweight, Effective malware protection, Extra security features like firewall and sandbox, Easy to use interface, Works on Windows, Mac, Android.

On the other hand, Microsoft Security Essentials is a Security & Privacy product tagged with antivirus, malware-protection, microsoft, free.

Its standout features include Real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware, Scheduled scanning for threats, Automatic updates to help keep definitions current, Lightweight impact on system resources, Integration with Windows Action Center for security alerts, Free for personal use on Windows PCs, and it shines with pros like Free, Effective protection, Low system resource usage, Easy to use, Automatic updates, Backed by Microsoft.

Feature	Avast Free Antivirus	Microsoft Security Essentials
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Security & Privacy	Security & Privacy

Product Overview

Avast Free Antivirus

Description: Avast Free Antivirus is a free antivirus program that provides essential protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats. It includes real-time scanning, scheduled scanning, and behavioral detection to keep devices secure.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Description: Microsoft Security Essentials is a free anti-virus program developed by Microsoft. It provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software for Windows-based PCs.

Key Features Comparison

Avast Free Antivirus Features

• Real-time scanning
• Scheduled scanning
• Behavioral detection
• Anti-phishing
• Anti-spam
• Firewall
• Sandbox technology
• Wi-Fi inspector
• Software updater
• Browser cleanup

Microsoft Security Essentials Features

• Real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware
• Scheduled scanning for threats
• Automatic updates to help keep definitions current
• Lightweight impact on system resources
• Integration with Windows Action Center for security alerts
• Free for personal use on Windows PCs

Pros & Cons Analysis

Avast Free Antivirus

Pros

• Free
• Lightweight
• Effective malware protection
• Extra security features like firewall and sandbox
• Easy to use interface
• Works on Windows, Mac, Android

Cons

• Occasional false positives
• Limited customization options
• No parental controls
• No VPN
• Some features only in paid versions

Microsoft Security Essentials

Pros

• Free
• Effective protection
• Low system resource usage
• Easy to use
• Automatic updates
• Backed by Microsoft

Cons

• Limited configuration options
• No advanced features like firewall
• Only available for Windows
• May miss some threats detected by paid antivirus

Pricing Comparison

Avast Free Antivirus

• Freemium

Microsoft Security Essentials

• Free