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Best for New Windows Computers
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Brings the well-loved Microsoft antivirus to other devices
Includes dark web monitoring, identity theft insurance, and restoration services
Bundled with premium Microsoft 365 productivity apps and cloud storage
Best for Bundled Security
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Consistently perfect third-party test results, verifying comprehensive antivirus, ransomware, and malware protection
Includes advanced security features like a VPN, firewall, data breach alerts, privacy tools, device optimization, and more
Maintains a full suite of features for Mac users, unlike many other antivirus options
Avast is the better choice for antivirus software due to its extensive security features, competitive pricing, and compatibility. That doesn’t mean Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) can’t stop malware in its tracks, but it doesn’t go the extra mile to provide comprehensive security protection.
Still, if you’ve just opened your brand-new PC, you should make sure Windows Security is active before getting on the internet.
Since both antivirus solutions offer a free tier, you may wonder which one is the best for you. We’ve tested both, so check out our side-by-side comparison below. Whether you’re a PC-only user or have multiple devices, you may find one of these offers you better protection.
With the launch of enterprise security solutions, Microsoft rebranded Windows Defender Antivirus as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, the built-in antivirus protection offered free for Windows 10 and 11. (Earlier versions of Windows 10 have Windows Defender.) Windows users can manage their Microsoft Defender Antivirus features in the Windows Security app. But here's where it can get tricky. The company also offers premium cybersecurity protection for individuals, called Microsoft Defender, which is not free and is only available with the Microsoft 365 subscription.
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Best Overall | |
| Star rating | ||
| Starting price | Free or $9.99/mo for Microsoft Defender | Free or starts at $35.88/first yr |
| Max number of protected devices | 30 (paid plans) | 10 |
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease of use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics.
This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.
Based on our experience, we think Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a good antivirus, especially considering it’s free and included with your device. While you can purchase a Microsoft 365 plan with Microsoft Defender, you don’t actually need one to enjoy the benefits. The Windows Security suite offers comprehensive device coverage, and its antivirus protection scores are solid.
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One drawback is that real-time protection scans can consume significant CPU resources and negatively impact overall system performance. There are also some areas where Defender falls short, particularly if you’re seeking a comprehensive security suite that includes an ad blocker, VPN, performance enhancement tools, and additional features. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is really only there to keep your PC malware-free, but it does that very well.
We actually love Avast and recommend it frequently. While its free tier is impressive, the added bonuses you get from the paid plans really make Avast a full security stack. Avast checks networks for security, protects against phishing, includes anti-tracking technology, and more.
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When you sign up for one of Avast’s premium plans, you get 24/7 support included. We would love to see that on the free plan, but we understand why it isn’t. Since we find the paid plans well worth your investment, we don’t think this is a deal-breaker. This is especially true, considering how well Avast’s third-party protection scores perform. It’s just a trustworthy system.
Avast is the better value for money, considering what you get with the paid plans. We think Microsoft 365 is a bit pricey, but Microsoft Defender Antivirus offers full protection without requiring an upgrade purchase.
Avast offers better paid plan options, and we appreciate the extras that come with them.
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Best Value | |
| Price range | Free or $1.99–$16.67/mo for Microsoft Defender | $49.08-$69.48/first yr |
| Best value plan | Free plan | Avast Premium Security for $49.08/first yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
We believe Avast’s paid plans are a better option than those included with Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 doesn’t offer much more protection. Most of the additional features focus on storage, email, and Microsoft Copilot (which we don’t trust because it’s invasive and catalogs even sensitive data for AI purposes). The only thing you’ll really need is the free Defender, which is why we chose that option.
Avast, on the other hand, includes webcam protection, a VPN, privacy alerts, compatibility with various operating systems and browsers, and a lot more. There are even family plans that include identity theft protection. While the free Avast program is good, having the additional protection features of the paid plans is better.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus itself is free, but you can purchase a Microsoft 365 plan that includes the Microsoft Defender security package, along with additional storage, email capabilities, and more. (We do suggest disabling Copilot if you purchase 365.)
Microsoft Defender Antivirus: Free antivirus solution included with Windows. Windows Security offers real-time protection, ransomware protection, network protection, and even parental controls.
Microsoft 365 Personal: Use on up to five devices, 1 TB cloud storage, productivity apps with Microsoft Copilot, email, ID security, and data security. Also offers ID theft monitoring and insurance, and includes Microsoft Defender advanced security features, such as anti-phishing technology.
Microsoft 365 Family: Use on up to five devices, 6 TB cloud storage, productivity apps with Microsoft Copilot, email, ID security, and data security. Also offers ID theft monitoring and insurance, and includes Microsoft Defender advanced security features, such as anti-phishing technology.
Avast One Basic: This free plan includes antivirus, ransomware protection, email protection, a VPN with 5 GB of data per week, tracking protection, data breach searches, and a privacy advisor.
Avast One Silver: Everything in Basic plus scam protection, unlimited data on the VPN, streaming support with your VPN, and performance-enhancement tools.
Avast One Gold: Everything in Silver, plus coverage for families.
Avast One Platinum: Everything in Gold plus identity theft protection, including identity theft insurance, 24/7 support, social media monitoring, lost wallet protection, and dark web scanning.
Avast not only offers better features but also provides more comprehensive protection than Microsoft.
Additionally, Microsoft has relaunched its Copilot feature with Microsoft 365 plans. Copilot wants to take screenshots of your activity, whether it’s private or not, then categorize and make the images searchable. This is a huge invasion of privacy. On the other hand, Avast attempts to protect your information with additional features, including webcam security.
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Best Features | |
| Manual and scheduled scans | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Device optimization tools | ||
| Parental controls | ||
| Password manager | ||
| VPN | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Extras | ID theft monitoring, cloud storage, Microsoft 365 apps | Tracking protection, breach monitoring |
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
Microsoft Defender Antivirus offers real-time threat protection, a firewall, and even parental controls, but doesn’t provide a full cybersecurity suite. Even Microsoft Defender, included with paid 365 plans, doesn’t offer much more than advanced phishing protection.
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Avast includes all those security features, plus webcam protection, device optimization, tracker blocking, and more.
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Data security on the web is one of the most pressing issues facing most Americans today. We appreciate the lengths to which Avast goes to provide you with a comprehensive protection suite.
Avast performed better across the board in third-party testing. There wasn’t a single category in which Microsoft Defender performed better than Avast. This doesn’t mean Defender isn’t good at stopping malware; it just means Avast is better.
We rely on third-party testing from sites like AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs because they have the resources to thoroughly test aggressive and dangerous malware, viruses, and other threats. We use EICAR, a personal testing site that simulates viruses, malware, and other threats, to assess how well each antivirus (AV) software performs.
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Our Pick | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | N/A | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 100% | 99.98% |
| SE Labs results | 100% | 1100% |
| EICAR score | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
Both antivirus platforms did very well in testing. Since Defender doesn’t work on macOS or Android, there were no results for those platforms; however, it performed well in the categories where it had compatibility.
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Avast did better, however, not just because it had broader compatibility, but because its protection features were more robust.
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Avast offers better compatibility and 24/7 support for paid subscribers, but we had a better experience chatting with a Microsoft representative. Still, Avast has an edge because you can use it across more devices and get support whenever you need it.
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Our Pick | |
| Windows | ||
| macOS | N/A | |
| Android | N/A | |
| iOS | N/A | |
| Browser extensions | N/A | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, plus its proprietary Avast Secure Browser |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Online guides, chat, phone, forms | Online guides, email, phone, chat |
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
Both antivirus designs are user-friendly. We didn’t have issues navigating either. Obviously, Avast has more room for error, considering it is compatible with a wider range of operating systems, but it still runs smoothly on all the ones we tested.
Microsoft customer support was also helpful in clearly differentiating between Microsoft Defender and the Windows Security app.
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Microsoft Defender Antivirus offers free antivirus protection for Windows that's good. But we don't think it's worth upgrading to Microsoft Defender. If you need more built-in security features for online browsing, are looking to cover unlimited devices, or want to splurge for an unstoppable cybersecurity suite, check out TotalAV, McAfee, or Norton.
| Antivirus |  TotalAV |
 McAfee |
 Norton 360 |
| Star rating | |||
| Price | $19.00–$49.00/first yr | $39.99–$249.99/yr | $49.99–$299.88/first yr |
| # of devices protected | 4 - 8 | Unlimited | 1 - 10 |
| Real-time protection | |||
| Malware scans | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled | Manual and scheduled |
| Firewall | |||
| EICAR test results | 2/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Phishing protection | |||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Opera | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Extras | Password manager, ad blocker, VPN | Parental controls, performance optimization tools, VPN | Password manager, VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls, privacy monitor, identity theft protection, cloud backup |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get McAfee | Get Norton 360 |
We think Avast is a better choice than Microsoft Defender. Avast offers advanced protection features, device optimization, a quality VPN, and more.
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Our Pick | |
| Value | ||
| Features | ||
| Test results | ||
| Compatibility & customer support | ||
| Learn more | Get Microsoft Defender | Get Avast |
Even if you only use Avast’s free version, you’ll still be getting a high-quality antivirus product with extra protection. Microsoft Defender can take you so far, but Avast will go the rest of the way.
Given its consistent performance, competitive pricing, and advanced security features, we recommend upgrading to a complete Avast protection suite.
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Consistently perfect third-party test results, verifying comprehensive antivirus, ransomware, and malware protection
Includes advanced security features like a VPN, firewall, data breach alerts, privacy tools, device optimization, and more
Maintains a full suite of features for Mac users, unlike many other antivirus options
Yes, we think having a different antivirus is a good plan. While Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender) is a comprehensive antivirus solution that protects you from malware, viruses, and more, it doesn’t offer advanced protection features like webcam protection, dark web monitoring, and other useful tools that can help protect you online beyond a basic antivirus.
Yes, you shouldn’t run two antivirus programs at the same time. Sometimes, one can hinder the other, or they might create an issue when both are trying to operate your machine. It’s best to choose one and disable the secondary antivirus software.
Yes, depending on your needs. Avast is a great antivirus with proven protection scores and features, but the best antivirus solution is one that offers a range of features and functions tailored to your specific needs. Norton and Bitdefender, for example, offer robust scam protection, while McAfee offers unlimited device coverage with its antivirus deals.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly known as Windows Defender) doesn’t come with advanced features such as device optimization tools or data breach monitoring. While Defender is good and will stop malware, viruses, and more, it can’t help you with the ever-growing number of threats pervading the internet that can’t be caught by antivirus software alone.
Consistently perfect third-party test results, verifying comprehensive antivirus, ransomware, and malware protection
Includes advanced security features like a VPN, firewall, data breach alerts, privacy tools, device optimization, and more
Maintains a full suite of features for Mac users, unlike many other antivirus options
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