Microsoft Security Essentials vs Avast Free Antivirus

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

Microsoft Security Essentials is a Security & Privacy solution with tags like antivirus, malware-protection, microsoft, free.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including Free, Effective protection, Low system resource usage, Easy to use, Automatic updates, Backed by Microsoft.

On the other hand, Avast Free Antivirus is a Security & Privacy product tagged with antivirus, malware-protection, realtime-scanning, scheduled-scanning, behavioral-detection.

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

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

Product Overview

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.

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.

Key Features Comparison

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

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

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Security Essentials

• Free

Avast Free Antivirus

• Freemium