Avast Free Antivirus is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an easy and comprehensive antivirus program that can protect all your devices and your online activities. Its malware detection rate is up there with the best in our tests, and other features such as password management, file shredder and tune-up tools are also available. However, the system can consume memory and may cause slowdowns when scanning large files or running programs.
The paid versions of Avast are a little more expensive, but they do provide some great extras like parental controls and an excellent browser extension to help keep your privacy under control. There’s also a good amount of cloud storage which is great for backing up files and creating an emergency restore point. There’s a range of security suites on offer starting with the entry-level Antivirus Plus to the flagship Total Security. There’s also a ransomware specific protection and an sandbox that can be used to test suspicious applications.
Kaspersky is different to other premium antivirus software, as its products are basically variants of the same core program. The major difference is that the larger suites come with additional features, including a password manager, as well as an built-in VPN. They also offer support for a wider range of devices, with the simplest subscription offering protection on one computer, and up to five computers at the top end of the spectrum.
Sophos AV-Home offers good value for money, and the latest version was a success in our testing. It’s not as feature-rich as some of the competitors however, its simple interface is suitable for beginner users. If you’re looking to add more functionality, you can extend the home devices to cover up 10 devices.