Choice between Avira and Avast. Avast and AVG become one Virus protection

The use of free anti-virus solutions, which, although they are mostly limited in functionality versions of paid solutions, attract users by the absence of fees for their use.

Most often, free versions of antiviruses are released by manufacturers in order to attract the attention of users and give them the opportunity to "try" their products. As a result, the number of free antiviruses is increasing and it is difficult for the user to make an objective choice.

To reduce user uncertainty, information about the capabilities of various free antiviruses is needed. In this analytical work, we formulate a set of criteria for an objective comparison of antiviruses and present the results of a comparison of the five most popular free antiviruses. The results of the comparison will allow users to objectively evaluate their capabilities and choose the best free antivirus for themselves.

It is worth noting that one of the main motives for choosing a free antivirus is the desire not to pay money for an antivirus. In this case, users should understand that free antiviruses in terms of functionality in most cases will be inferior to paid counterparts.

Methodology

For comparison, the five most popular antiviruses were selected:

1. Avast! Free Antivirus (version 8.0.1483). Download
2. Avira Free Antivirus (version 13.0.0.2678). Download
3. AVG Anti-Virus Free (version 2013.0.3272). Download
4. Bitdefender Antivirus Free (version 1.0.14.889). Download
5. Microsoft Security Essentials (version 4.2.223.0). Download

The study was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, documentation and information materials on the manufacturer's website were analyzed for each of the products. As a result, a set of functions was formulated for each of the products and a list of criteria for comparison. At the second stage, all products were installed on a computer with the Windows 7 operating system, and the operation of a number of functions was tested - an anti-virus scanner and monitor, Internet protection, etc. Testing of the quality of protection and performance of antiviruses was not carried out.

As a result of the analysis, 34 parameters were selected for comparison. For convenience, all criteria have been divided into the following categories:

1. general information
2. Antivirus
3. Internet protection
4. original components
5. Technical support
6. Miscellaneous (features not included in the previous categories)

Comparison of antiviruses

First, let's give a table that shows the main parameters of antiviruses. In all subsequent tables, the functions of the presented components will be disclosed.

Table 1. Antivirus components

* anti-virus scanner and anti-virus monitor;

Table 2. General information

* unless otherwise specified, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of operating systems are supported.

Table 3. Antivirus

* express scan, full scan, custom scan;

** Only on-demand scanning of a selected directory or file is supported.

*** does not work on Windows XP x64.

Table 4. Internet security

* implemented in the web screen and screen scripts;

** filtering by the "black" list of URLs;

*** verification of files received through "peer-to-peer" programs (P2P) from various trackers and through applications for "instant messaging" (ICQ, QIP, etc.).

Table 5. Original components

Table 6. Technical support

Table 7. Other functions

* suspicious files are sent automatically;

** AVG Analyzer optimizes the registry, file system; AVG Accelerator increases the speed of web browsers; AVG Advisor formulates recommendations for fixing bugs in the OS.

conclusions

As can be seen from the comparison, free antiviruses provide only a basic level of protection. However, now it is not only a virus scanner and monitor. Most of the products reviewed include various components to protect users while browsing the Internet. Some products also offer security features that go beyond the boundaries of free products, such as "closing" vulnerabilities in applications (Avast! Free Antivirus), protection of personal data (AVG Anti-Virus Free). As a result, we can state that some free antiviruses are superior in functionality to some paid second-tier antiviruses.

Free antiviruses quickly reacted to the emergence of the new Windows 8 operating system and not only began to protect computers running it, but also changed their user interface in accordance with the style of this operating system (Avast! Free Antivirus, AVG Anti-Virus Free).

There is also a simplification of the user interface of antiviruses and an increase in attention to the convenience of their use. For example, in Avast! Free Antivirus finally has a single window with settings, which makes it easy for users to configure the antivirus. The quality of references and documentation is increasing. We see the ultimate implementation of user offloading in Bitdefender Antivirus Free, which does not contain settings for security components, does not require maintenance, and works on the “set it and forget it” principle.

By tradition, we do not give exact recommendations on which of the free antiviruses is definitely the best, but we provide users with information on the basis of which they can make their own choice. We also draw readers' attention to the fact that this study is analytical and shows the capabilities of the considered antiviruses. The answer to the question of how well these antiviruses perform their functions can only be obtained as a result of objective functional testing.

Many security software developers release free antiviruses. Even ZAO Kaspersky Lab presented a free version - Kaspersky Free. How many basic functions are enough to prevent infection in real conditions - for example, when surfing the web? What do you pay for free cheese? Let's find out.

Test Methodology

We provided the most identical conditions for all participants in the experiment. Using VirtualBox, a test system was created - a virtual machine with a clean Windows 7 OS in the "Maximum" edition with the first service pack and all updates. Then it was cloned three times and only one antivirus was installed in each of the clones. The analysis of changes and current activity was carried out by portable software (TCPView, Autoruns with the VirusTotal plugin via API, ProcessExplorer, Regshot, AVZ and other utilities from the system administrator's first aid kit).

Threat sources were sites from the Clean MX database that were marked as infected and/or potentially dangerous. Only active sites added in the last 24 hours were selected for the test. We visited them in turn through the IE browser and logged the results of antivirus operation (if any). During the test, the antivirus and firewall on the host system were disabled.

All tests were run at default settings. Any free antivirus only reduces the likelihood of infection, but does not completely eliminate it. To increase security, you should use more aggressive settings and additional tools - a firewall, proactive protection tools, isolation of potentially dangerous code, anti-phishing, and others. In paid antiviruses, most of them are already integrated, but if you wish, you can make a similar set of free utilities yourself.

Like any software, virtual machine managers also contain bugs. Using various vulnerabilities, malware can go beyond the test system and infect the main operating system. Be careful!

1 kaspersky free

The size of the distribution kit version 16.0.1.445 is 147.8 MB. After installation and updating, Kaspersky Free occupies 232 MB on the disk. It provides basic protection, which includes a virus scanner, a resident monitor, automatic updates, quarantine management and reporting tools. Additional features are marked as inactive - this is a kind of advertisement for the full version of KIS and KTS.

At the first start, a full-sized window appears on the main page of the antivirus with a registration offer. You can click on the inconspicuous gear button in the lower left corner and it will disappear. True, then a reminder of registration will constantly appear again in the form of pop-up messages. Additionally, at the first start in the default browser, the Google Play store page opens with a suggestion to install Kaspersky Internet Security, and Kaspersky Protection Toolbar is built into the browser itself. It is impossible to refuse its integration at the installation stage - there are simply no settings in the installer. However, the toolbar can be deactivated using the browser itself.

In our test, Kaspersky Free did not miss a single real threat. Some malicious sites were blocked by the Microsoft SmartScreen filter, while access to others was blocked by the antivirus. Sometimes they worked at the same time.

However, the antivirus is not tough enough to prevent the user from “shooting himself in the foot”. If you select a potentially dangerous executable previously blocked by smartscreen in the list of downloads and force it to run, Kaspersky Free will allow you to do this with Buddhist indifference. It allows the installation of a program with an invalid digital signature, which 17 antiviruses of the VirusTotal online scanner swear at.

Moreover, Kaspersky itself recognizes it on VirusTotal as Downloader.Win32.Bundl.aq , but ignores it when checking locally with the free version. Even though this is not a virus, but a means of delivering a "combat load", this does not make it any easier for the user.

2 Avira Free Antivirus 2016

Avira Free Antivirus also has limited functionality and rather annoyingly advertises the transition to a paid version. Advertisements for various Avira products are pouring in like a cornucopia even during installation by the web installer. That's probably why it was so damn long. Tired of watching the progress indicator, I managed to finish another article.

After installation, Avira took up 1329 MB including the databases, with only half of this space being in the \Program Files\Avira\ directory. The rest was in \ProgramData\Avira and other places. Avira Free includes a software firewall (which is rare for free antiviruses), but its presence does not explain such high appetites for disk space.

The interface itself is also amazing. The entire installation is displayed in Russian. After clicking on the tray icon, the language turns into Russian-English, and in the main window it becomes just English. It does not matter, but it is strange to see such a superficial localization.

The executable file from Downloader.Win32.Bundl.aq antivirus allowed to download. When forced to run it, a message appeared that the file was being analyzed by Avira. A few seconds later, he was rashly declared safe.

Upon detecting a malicious java script, Avira displayed a warning. By chance, it coincided with the design of the site and looked like part of it - an inexperienced user may not notice.

After clicking Remove, the script was blocked and the redirect to the phishing page did not occur. Avira then immediately ran a quick system scan - I think this is a justified additional measure.

Avira didn't notice the ZIP-packed malware at first either, only detecting it after manually unpacking the archive.

After forcing download of an executable file blocked by smart screen, Avira determined that it belongs to the PUA (Potentially Unwanted Programs) category.

When trying to access a page containing multiple exploits, Avira immediately displays a warning, but allows the content to be loaded. In this case, no infection occurs.

Just like Kaspersky Free, sometimes Avira antivirus worked together with the SmartScreen filter.

3AVG Antivirus Free Edition

Czech antivirus AVG has undergone significant changes since last fall. Now it is actually a utility for collecting user data with some anti-virus functionality. On disk, AVG Free takes up 192 MB, but this figure increases rapidly as data is cached and sent to the company's servers. According to the official version, this is done for cloud-based scanning and analysis of suspicious files. That's just what can be suspected of a clean OS, where, in addition to the AVG Free antivirus, there are no third-party applications and user files?

The installation itself is fast and almost ad-free, but there is a catch in the installer. At the next stage, it proposes to install a 30-day trial version of a paid antivirus instead of the initially selected free one. You must manually select AVG Free and continue with the installation.

Immediately after installing AVG Free, a pop-up window prompts you to install the AVG SafeGuard by Ask toolbar and make Ask the default search engine, and a page with an advertisement for the AVG application for Android opens in the browser.

A potentially dangerous executable that was ignored by Kaspersky Free was blocked by AVG while trying to download it. Fool-proof worked clearly better.

Another malicious AVG executable allowed the download and only then recognized it as a threat.

At the same time, malicious files in the ZIP archive were detected by AVG only after manual unpacking of the archive.

Web pages often contain malicious Java scripts that try to redirect the user to another page or infect their computer. AVG detects them and displays a blocking request, but after the message “threat successfully removed”, it still redirects to a phishing site, which is already blocked by SmartScreen ... if you're lucky.

Sometimes several threats are found on sites at once. In this case, AVG shows summary information and usually prompts you to select the desired action. Sometimes it disables all items by itself. In this case, no action is required - you can only view the description of the infection found.

One of the web pages considered infected by six antiviruses on VirusTotal was ignored by AVG. He discovered the infection only when it was on the hard drive and was trying to activate.

4 Avast! Free Antivirus (11.1.2245)

When installing Avast! you also need to be careful: by default, the installation of Google Chrome and Google Toolbar for IE is checked. After installation without additional components, the antivirus takes up 604 MB - a lot, but half as much as Avira Free.

Hidden advertising is full even in the main window of the antivirus. The promised gift turns out to be a formal discount on paid products. The "Tools" tab contains not additional protection modules, but advertising links to their descriptions. It is worth clicking one of them, as the offer to choose the option of additional paid protection will settle in the main Avast window for a long time.

When trying to manually launch a blocked MSS executable by Avast! We don't meet any resistance. A potentially dangerous file (downloader) with an invalid signature is ignored by the antivirus.

Malicious java script and exploits Avast! blocks immediately, while infected web pages are not loaded at all. However, the message about detected threats does not look informative - it is the same for different malware and does not even allow us to judge their number.

Archive with malware Avast! allowed to download, but checked it myself and immediately found the threat - even before I tried to look at the list of downloads.

Another executable file that is detected by VirusTotal as malicious by 34 antiviruses, Avast! ignored. He silently allowed it to be downloaded and forced to run, bypassing the MSS block.

Big Brother footprints

With the filing of Microsoft, which released "", the practice of open surveillance of users is becoming generally accepted among soft makers. It is directly indicated in the user agreement, but who reads it? For example, for Avira, this item looks like this:

“We may collect, store and use data that can identify you, your device (as defined below) and your device’s interactions with other devices (for example, device ID, device IP address, location, content, language preferences, IMEI code devices, device brand and model, battery status, device OS version, device phone number, SIM number, network provider name, memory status, geo-information based on GPS/Wi-Fi/network location and any other technical information… Some of the this information may be used to identify you, including, without limitation: name, address, phone number, email address, social security number, credit card information, facial image, voice pattern, or biometric data (collectively, "Personal Information") and may include data stored on your device We may also transfer your personal information to other countries where the equipment is located providers of our product".

Other developers have slightly different formulations, but the general principle remains the same. They collect all the data that is technically possible to obtain. Since the antivirus is deeply integrated into the OS, installs its own drivers and intercepts system calls, it has access to all information - including encrypted information, since the user himself decrypted it at least once.

Against this background, the statement of Evgeny Kaspersky, which he made announcing the release of a free antivirus named after himself, is encouraging:

However, even here it is not without a share of slyness. Kaspersky Free itself collects only general depersonalized statistics, such as the number of threats found by type. However, it includes the Kaspersky Security Network cloud service by default, and KSN is known for its appetite for information gathering. Detailed logs are sent to it, which include a list of installed programs along with paths, detailed monitoring of user activity, lists of running processes, application usage statistics and other private data. You can turn it off on the corresponding tab.

conclusions

As you can see from this small experiment, all free antiviruses reacted to the same threats a little differently. Some were blocking the link by displaying a warning early on. Others did not allow the infected file to be downloaded or prevented the launch of a malicious script, while others reacted only to the local launch of the malware or skipped it altogether. The point here is not that a paid antivirus is better than a free one from the same developer - they have the same engine and databases. It's just that the paid versions use additional protection modules, thanks to which threats are recognized and blocked not only by signature analysis.

Kaspersky Free as a whole did not cause significant complaints. It is very similar to a stripped-down KIS, which removed optional components and foolproofing, adding ads and hiding KSN deeper.

Avira distinguished itself by a monstrously long installation and gluttony. She occupied the most space, and the computer with her noticeably slowed down on elementary operations. It practically does not work with archives. In any case, it does not check those downloaded from the Internet before they are manually unpacked.

Avast! ignored a couple of serious threats (one is enough for the user) and is also replete with cunning advertising. It immediately blocks detected malware, but it is impossible to understand what happened without a detailed analysis of the log. Antivirus messages look the same and do not imply a choice on the part of the user - usually they are just notifications about the decision made.

AVG generally looks adequate, but the company's user data policy leaves much to be desired. If not for the ultimatum about collecting information, it could be recommended as a good free antivirus.

Ivan | August 2, 2014, 14:03
Read - http://www.anti-malware.ru/compare/compare_free_antivirus_2013

Nikita Vatrushkin| May 21, 2014, 22:57
According to data from the Internet, Avast Free is a more serious antivirus, and free Avira, according to modern concepts of antivirus programs, is primitive. But Avast really spoils the software, including the OS installed on the computer, and without demand. I didn’t find an option in Avast so that I don’t even feel the software that has already been installed and has been working normally for years, on the contrary, it moves files to quarantine without permission, which in some cases damages programs and it becomes necessary to reinstall them.

Alex | May 21, 2014, 02:13
There was an experience of use of both antiviruses. Avast is very good for a free program. Avira - sieve.

Yuri | March 28, 2014, 19:58
All free antiviruses work without any guarantee and quality. Free cheese is in a mousetrap, and the full cost of Kaspersky in terms of a month of use will not ruin you: 80 rubles - for two computers. But the guaranteed quality of work, proprietary technical support and constant updating. I tried Avira at work - complete junk, skips viruses, does not update, constantly turns off and completely cuts down the computer several times almost daily.

Andrew | December 8, 2013, 20:22
Avira rules! There was Avira, then put Avast - horror. Games slow down. Deleted Avast and got my Avira back. Better Avira!

Alexander | April 1, 2012, 18:41
I have been using Avira for a long time, and then a friend asked me to install Avast, she praised it very much. I decided to put myself too. I had enough nerves for a month, the car slows down, I gored the launch in the sandbox. I returned to Avira, only paired it with Ad-Aware Free Internet Security.

Eugene | March 30, 2012, 22:27
There is also a free alternative in Russian to a paid one. This is the BitDiskFree program, it can be used as a reserve parachute in conjunction with another antivirus product.

Alexander | March 26, 2012, 09:59
In conjunction with, the choice of antivirus will not be fundamental.

Eugene | March 23, 2012, 19:37
After analyzing the open media on this subject (SOFT forums, computer magazines, computer sites), here is the result of testing free anti-virus products for 2011-2012:

- AVAST - 99.05% detection and neutralization of all threats.
- AVG - 91-85.53%.
- Microsoft Security - 72.74%.
- MalwareBytes - 64.7-78%.
- AVIRA - took one of the last places in testing...

P.S: The best is now considered free, configured for maximum security, American (it has Russian) COMODO Internet Security. It almost caught up with Kaspersky - under 100% (the result is 99.98%).

Sources:

www.computerbild.ru
www.comss.ru
www.anti-malwart.ru
www.softodrom.ru
www.softportal.com etc.

Nicholas| March 22, 2012, 00:18
The choice is only yours, since it makes no sense to advocate for any one of them, due to the fact that the main antivirus should be in the user's head. Avast is more popular, and while Selev doesn't really like it, it still works quite well. Yes, and it is removed quite simply - either by regular Windows tools, or you can simply run the Avast installer, and choose what you want to do in the installation menu (install, change or remove the program). So don't worry too much...

Free antivirus has been attracting the attention of users for many years. We tested two popular antivirus programs: AVG Free and Avast Free.
Many manufacturers offer free antivirus, but Avast! and AVG are the most popular. Which program is more efficient, has better features, and uses less system resources? We tested the latest versions of the programs in 2015 versions, evaluated the scanning capabilities, additional features, and also checked if unwanted adware is installed.

First of all, let's say where you can download Free and .

Many people often decide to purchase a paid application, like Antivirus, for example, because the free version is too annoying to have ads or a panel system that integrates with a web browser or other very useful applications.
Before we move on to the results of the duel, we remind you that both antiviruses are available for free download on the Internet, but at the same time, we must remember that they are intended for non-commercial personal use. There are tools that can, for example, be installed in a company. You should not use them at home if you are using the computer for business purposes.

Round 1. Scanning capabilities

Both Avast Free Antivirus 2015 and AVG AntiVirus 2015 offer several scan modes for free. The most popular is the quick scan, which is activated immediately after installation in both applications. Avast offers a full scan automatically - the system displays a message suggesting that you should restart your computer and perform a full scan. This is valuable advice and is intended for novice users, so it does not affect the more positive assessment of Avast antivirus.
Avast, in addition to quick and full scans, has other scan modes: virus scan, browser add-on scan, old software scan, network threat scan, and performance issue scan. A scan related to browser add-ons is called "Browser Cleanup" - the program suggests which add-ons can be removed, as they have a low reputation.

This is what the tab looks like showing outdated programs

Information about outdated programs is useful, although Avast is unable to check all applications and limits its offerings to only very popular tools such as web browsers and Adobe Flash Player. The GrimeFighter scanner is designed to optimize your computer by suggesting which applications are unnecessary and how to change system settings to speed up your computer. On the test computer, Avast found 14 problems in the system settings, but when you click the "Optimize PC" button, a message will appear to purchase a subscription. Without an annual subscription, you will not be able to improve the performance of your computer.

Network security in Avast Home is a useful and unusual feature in other programs, including Wi-Fi network protection.
Of the available scanners, Avast responsibly searches for network threats. Firstly, it works without having to pay additional fees, and secondly, it is practical, because it gives tips to secure a Wi-Fi network, helps you set up a router, or tells the user if there is access to the Internet. If, for example, you are using unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, or a relatively light security password, Avast will tell you how to change your settings to be more secure.
AVG AntiVirus, in addition to a complete and quick scan, also offers scanning of selected files and folders, anti-rootkit scanning, as well as the ability to schedule scans for a selected date and time.

It checks your system for registry errors, searches for "junk files" that take up disk space unnecessarily, fragmentation, and analysis of broken shortcuts to slow down disk speed. After scanning, you can click on "Fix it now", the program will redirect you to a website offering to buy AVG PC Tuneup!. If you decide to download it, then the first cleaning of the "garbage" is free, and further use of the program includes the purchase of a license. At AVG, we do not consider this a useful feature for network security scanning.

Tour results: Avast victory. While speeding up your computer with a scanner that is really just a clever promotion to buy GrimeFighter tools, Avast also offers a useful network security scanner that you won't find to be found in AVG's antivirus and therefore wins this round.

Round 2. Real-time protection

A modern antivirus should provide real-time protection and immediately block threats. Both antivirus programs tested offer this protection, and it's enabled by default when installed on the drive.
During the installation of the anti-virus program, you are offered to install other utilities for free. In the case of Avast, .
Applications allow you to set up real-time protection. For Avast antivirus, click the "Settings" button, go to "Active Protection" and then we get the option to configure system files, email and web pages. In the Avast example, you can choose to scan documents on opening, or scan the agent automatically when removable media is connected, or decide which files, compressed archives, Avast will try to decompress during the scan.
AVG has a similar ability to set up real-time protection. To go to the settings, click on the big "Computer" icon in the main window, and then under the "antivirus" icon, click on the small button for settings. There you will find, among other things, information about which files (extensions) AVG will scan or which links can be found in the system registry.
Tour results: draw.

Both antivirus programs not only provide real-time protection, but also contain a number of features that work independently of each other, offering the ability to change settings.

Round 3. Additional protection and bonuses

To fully provide protection, manufacturers offer the most suites of security tools - the Internet Security product, which includes antivirus and other tools. In the case of free antivirus software from AVG and Avast, you cannot expect complete protection.
AVG AntiVirus 2015 already displays a button in the main window that says "Free trial 30 days," suggesting that the user has downloaded and tested the PRO version, which includes a firewall, anti-spam features, secure data (encryption and file protection using a password), and other applications. Regardless, the free version offers several solutions within the core hardware and not just an antivirus program. In the case of AVG LinkScanner is a feature that provides protection against malicious websites, as well as a mail scanner that detects malicious email attachments.
Some of the features available in the free antivirus industry are clever advertisements - first run a scan aimed at catching bugs in the system, and then fix them and improve system performance, but after subscription (well, not bastard manufacturers?).
Avast Free Antivirus 2015 offers a feature SecureLine VPN, which allows you to hide browsing or enable data encryption. Unfortunately, SecureLine VPN requires the purchase of a subscription. With the additional tools that are available in the free version, you can only replace "remote support". This feature allows you to connect to the desktop of another person who is using Avast. Just like AVG, Avast protects against phishing.
Tour results: draw.

Both programs provide some interesting additional features, which, however, are available for a fee.

Assuming that users typically choose these apps mainly because they're free and don't want to pay for security, AVG and Avast's programs get similar results on this round.

Round 4. Results of independent tests

Free antivirus programs are often considered less effective at detecting threats than their paid counterparts. We have checked the latest analysis results from the independent organization AV-Test, which specializes in IT security and antivirus testing.
In the test for evaluating the effectiveness of protection in a higher place was Avast, with a score of 5/6, while AVG received a score much worse, amounting to 3/6. Avast's anti-malware check analysis was exactly 100 percent effective on 153 samples, and AVG's was 95 percent. However, in another test of more than 12,000 samples, Avast scored 99 percent and AVG scored 98 percent.
AVG PC Analyzer found dozens of errors on the test computer, but we couldn't fix them because you need to subscribe.
AV-Test also evaluates the effectiveness of how applications slow down the daily operation of your computer, as well as functionality - the impact of security on your computer (for example, the display of false alarms).
Result: victory for Avast. From the AV-Test analysis, which we consider quite reliable, Avast got much better results in detecting threats.

Round 5. Advertising and constant messages

Many free software installers are trying to "slip" other tools into the computer, ads that are absolutely unnecessary. If you're careless and don't read the messages on the screen, browser plug-ins or other programs are usually installed later (I wonder how they found their way to the computer).
We expected similar practices from manufacturers. Avast prompts you to install Google Chrome during installation (selected by default during installation after agreeing), while AVG gives you the choice of whether you want to install a free antivirus program or a demo version of Internet Security. In addition, AVG also offers the installation of AVG Web Tools TuneUp (selected by default).
If you read the displayed information carefully, you can avoid installing this tool, which you probably don't need. Most users, however, do not read such messages and click "Install" without hesitation.
By default, Avast has an active voice messaging feature - the first time you launch it, you hear "Welcome to the Avast software" - a female voice says, and then "scan has been completed." If you are annoyed by this type of sounds, turn them off in the settings.
Tour results: draw. Both programs, which are free apps, advertise the purchase of other tools, and do so during the installation process. However, attentive users can easily uninstall unnecessary add-ons.

Round 6. Resources used and work in the background

Of great importance, especially for older PCs, is the size of the system resources used by the program. We checked in Windows 8.1 how much memory is required by antivirus programs.
Avast launches three services that use a total of about 32.5 MB. For comparison, an average of seven active services use a total of about 54 MB. Considering how much memory other applications require today, for example, web browsers can use even a gigabyte of storage, antivirus uses a negligible amount.
When it comes to running in the background, annoying messages don't show up during testing.

It should be understood that even the free version of Avast offers the “Run in the background / Enable full screen mode” function, accessible from the system tray. If enabled, no messages will be displayed.
Tour results: Avast wins again. Not only does it use less MB of memory, but it also has easy available options to turn off messages, which is useful when playing games, for example.

Conclusion - the victory of Avast antivirus.

Over the years we have seen the development of free antivirus and it is obvious that the latest versions are much better. Avast Free Antivirus 2015 was the clear winner in a duel between two popular applications. First of all, it has the best results in the detection performance test, has a very useful network threat scanning function, and also uses less system resources.

If you are looking for premium protection, check out our including Avast, AVG, Avira, ESET, and Norton (Symantec).

Additional Notes

Information about the product features has been obtained from the official websites of each vendor. If you believe we have stated something not correct, please , and we'll fix it immediately. Our intention is to offer a fair and fact-based comparison of each product.

For measuring the boot time we have used a free tool called BootRacer . We have tested Avira Free Antivirus 2016 (2016.0.7163) and Avast Free Antivirus 2016 (2016.11.1.2253) released on February 3, 2016. Both tests were performed on a Windows 7 Professional x64 computer with CPU Intel Core i7 @ 2.70GHz and 8 GB RAM.

For measuring the overall PC performance we have used a free tool called PassMark PerformanceTest which tests various areas including CPU, graphics, disk, and memory.

Written by Paul B.

My name is Paul and I love Avast since the Home Edition v4.8 (2008). I am recommending it to all my friends, but I realized they don't know how to use it. So I started this site in order to help others getting maximum from this awesome antivirus. Feel free to contact me via