If you’re looking for a simple and comprehensive antivirus program that can protect all your devices and online activities, there’s not many better alternatives than Avast Free Antivirus. Its malware detection rate was among its top during our testing and it comes with other features such as a password manager. A file shredder, and tune-up tools are available. The system is slow when scanning large files and running programs because it uses the memory of the system.
Avast’s paid editions are more expensive, but they include some great extras, like parental controls, and a great browser extension that helps you protect your privacy. There’s also a good amount of cloud storage which is useful to backup your files and creating an emergency restore point. There are several security suites available, starting from the basic Antivirus Plus up to the most popular Total Security. This includes dedicated ransomware protection and a user-friendly sandbox for testing suspicious apps.
Kaspersky takes a different approach to other premium antivirus software in that its products are basically variants of the same core program. The main difference is that the bigger suites add extra features, like password management and an in-built VPN. They also provide support for more devices. A basic subscription offers security for one computer, and up to five on the top range.
Sophos’ AV-Home provides an adequate level of protection for a reasonable price and its latest version performed well in our test labs. It’s not as comprehensive like some of the other options however its minimalist interface read this article is great for new users. If you’re looking to add more functionality then you can extend the home devices to cover up to 10 devices.