AVG vs Avast: Which One to Choose?
We are still in 2019, but the desire to protect computers from hackers and viruses has not waned one bit. The growing concern of digital criminality continues to drive users towards searching for effective protection against harmful digital vices. Two commonly used Antivirus programs in the digital community today are AVG Antivirus and Avast Antivirus Software.
Are AVG and Avast the same thing? AVG vs Avast, which should you go for? To arrive at a logical answer, we will look at
- The price
- Features
- User interface
- Security protection
- System resource consumption
Short Verdict
After analyzing AVG Antivirus vs Avast, we concur with users who rate AVG as the better Antivirus program. Let’s break both programs down using 5 different categories to see for ourselves if truly AVG offers users a better deal than avast.
Lower Price: Avast or AVG
Both apps have free and paid versions. When looking through the prices of Avast and AVG for both Mac and Windows systems, we found slight price differentials. Both apps are priced similarly, but the only difference is that AVG allows users to install the program in as much as 5 different systems at once making it the more economical choice.
AVG vs Avast: Scanning types and Features
Avast for both Mac and Windows systems
Avast has different versions for users to pick from. The free option is actually one of the best free Antivirus apps on the internet today containing certain features rival free programs do not have. Some of the features we speak of include
- WiFi inspector to check for available WiFi networks
- Software updater
- Password Manager
- Game mode feature for an uninterrupted gaming experience
- Rescue disk option for rooting out malware
- Convenient browser extensions
To enjoy extra features not contained in the free version users are to pay for the Pro version which has special features such as
- Sandbox technology for fishing out suspicious files in an external environment far removed from your device
- Real site feature to protect your device from fake and harmful websites and for data protection
- An advanced Avast Security firewall for inspecting online activities
- Clear out spammy and junk mails
- VPN for privacy when online
Special versions of Avast include Avast Ultimate (all the above-mentioned features including a cleanup tool, unlimited VPN, safe password and password manager) and the Avast Premier ( all the above-listed features including a software updater, file shredder, ongoing protection)
AVG
This antivirus program also has a free and a paid version for both Windows and Mac systems. The free version is only for Windows devices and not for Mac Computers. With the free version, you can
- Block dangerous websites, links, and attachments
- Protection against Phishing
As for the paid version, you get to enjoy all the benefits of the free version including
- Different utilities for extra protection
- Ransomware protection
- Encryption tool
- Advanced two-day firewall
- Webcam protection
- WiFi guard
- Handy silent mode
- Phishing out scam emails and email protection
- Installation in multiple devices
- Clear out junk files
- Improve battery life
- Software updater
The free version is only available for Windows while the two paid versions (Internet Security and Ultimate) are available for both Windows and MacOS.
Verdict: Avast has more features compared to AVG. Avast comes out top but only by a tiny margin.
AVG vs Avast: Protection
The sole essence of installing an Antivirus program on your computer is to ensure that is it fully protected from external viral and hacking threats. Let’s now compare AVG vs Avast to see which program provides full proof protection from harmful malware and Spyware.
Both programs are very durable and reliable programs, and they also have similar signature technologies for tracking spyware, viruses, rootkits, and Trojans. They have proved to be quite useful for dealing with malicious files, known and Unknown viruses, and Malware threats.
When these programs detect malware on your device, they send the data to their cloud for further investigation. If the results come out as positive, you will be notified, and with just a click of the button, the threat will be eliminated. So how do both programs fare in relation to the other? We look no further than Germany’s AV-Test institute and Austria’s AV-Comparatives for guidance.
AV-Test
In February 2018, AV-Test published their findings after performing specific tests using both programs on a Windows 10 device. Funny enough, both AVG and Avast both scored 100% when used to detect malicious files that could endanger the computer.
AV Rest rating: Both programs got a 5.5/6 rating
AV-Comparatives
The Austrian institution performed a similar test two months later in April 2018, and both programs faired really well. After testing both programs against similar malware samples, they scored 99.9% with 1 false alert each and a compromised result of 0.45.
Verdict: Both programs posted similar results are shown to be equally effective when dealing with similar threats — a fair draw.
Avast VS AVG: Resources
Many computer users often complain of slow system operation due to an antivirus program running in the background. For an antivirus program to run effectively, it uses some of the device’ resources to execute commands. This is why your system may not execute commands as quickly as it should sometimes. If you plan to procure AVG or Avast software, you deserve to know to what degree each of these programs will impact your device’ performance.
Judging by the results released by both AV Test and AV-Comparatives, we can boldly say that both programs have very little or no impact on the systems in which they are installed. When both programs were used to perform similar tasks, they both scored,
AV-Test – 5/6 ratings
AV-Comparatives- 8.9 score each
Verdict: A tie. No clear winner
Avast Antivirus vs AVG: Interface
No apps user likes to use an app that’s very difficult to understand or use. Easy page navigation and page accessibility are hallmarks of a great computer application. When it comes to Antivirus programs, the same is the case. Avast antivirus vs AVG, which has a better-looking interface?
Avast
Avast has a lovely dark interface that does not fill the whole screen when you launch it. It has a vertical menu comprising of Privacy, Protection, Status, and Performance. With a click on each menu, you are taken to the submenu for detailed tasks. On the left-hand side of the screen is a button for navigation back to home page setting. A red light display signifies that a threat has been detected while a green sign is telling you that all is well with your device.
AVG
Has an interface that looks more traditional than advanced. At first glance, the homepage looks complicated, but as you navigate from one page to the other, you become more accustomed to it. With its horizontal menu, you can access Computer, Web and Email, Privacy, and Payment and Hacker Attacks menu. You can also scan for problems with a click of your mouse. A red indicator signifies threats while a green signal signifies that nothing is wrong with your device.
Verdict: Avast has a very simple interface that is easy to use and understand at first glance. A better option to AVG’s slightly outdated interface. Avast wins it.
Final Verdict
Picking a clear winner is not as easy as it should be because both programs are owned by the same company and offer users the same value. Picking between Avast VS AVG should be based on preference and not much else. The only slight advantage that AVG has over its counterpart is the fact that users can install and use the paid version of the software on multiple computers at the same time. This makes it a wise choice for those looking to save money.
AVG highlights:
- Decent protection from viruses, ransomware, spyware.
- Scanning of computer’s drives for all types of problems.
- Detecting and preventing zero-day threats.
- Detecting and neutralizing phishing/fraudulent sites.
- Blocking suspicious links and files.
- Scanning incoming e-mails, including attachments.
- Free Mac and Android packages.
- Extra tools like a file shredder.
Avast highlights:
- Compatible with all modern platforms.
- Different levels of protection against malware.
- Effectively detects phishing sites.
- A strong security plug-in for browsers which automatically detects suspicious websites.
- New passive mode for running multiple security products in parallel.