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(Last updated on January 9th, 2023)

Windows Defender or Avast, which antivirus software is a better option in 2023?

Read this in-depth Windows Defender versus Avast guide to make a smart decision.

If you consider today’s internet a safe place, think again. Every aspect of our life is connected to the internet these days and we are putting more and more of our personal data online than ever before.

This data includes confidential files and documents, photos of ourselves and our loved ones, credit card numbers, etc.

So, more information implies a greater risk. An antivirus program with a strong anti-malware engine and advanced features is a must these days if you want to protect your and your family’s data and privacy.

Although global malware volume has seen a sharp drop over the past year, the number of other more serious threats has reached new heights.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to choosing the best antivirus software for Payid withdrawal casinos Australia . Windows Defender is the built-in option for PCs running Windows 10 and is often praised for its effectiveness and simplicity. Avast is a popular third-party option with more comprehensive protection and extra features. So, which is better for casinos? Windows Defender has been getting stronger with each new release and is now a solid option for basic protection. It’s simple to use and doesn’t require any extra configuration or maintenance. However, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as Avast. Avast offers more comprehensive protection against malware, including ransomware and spyware. It also has extra features like a password manager, browser cleanup tool, and secure DNS. Windows Defender is a software program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. Many casinos are now using Windows Defender to help protect their customers’ information. Windows Defender is easy to use and can be set up to run automatically. It also provides real-time protection against new and emerging threats. casinos that use Windows Defender can help ensure that their customers’ personal and financial information is safe from hackers and other online threats. In a recent study, it was found that casinos are increasingly using Windows Defender to protect their systems from malware and other security threats. This is due to the fact that Defender is highly effective at detecting and removing malware, and its ease of use makes it ideal for busy casino environments. While Defender is not perfect, it is a reliable and cost-effective solution for casinos looking to improve their cybersecurity posture. In addition, the fact that Defender is constantly updated with the latest security threats means that it can provide a high level of protection against even the most sophisticated attacks. As the popularity of online gambling continues to grow, so do the number of casinos using Avast. Avast is a software company that provides antivirus and security products for both individuals and businesses. Their products are used by millions of people around the world, including many in the gambling industry. Casinos are always looking for ways to improve security and protect their customers’ information. Avast provides a number of products that can help casinos achieve this, including their flagship product, Avast Antivirus. This software is designed to protect against a variety of threats, including viruses, spyware, and malware. It can also help to block phishing attempts and prevent fraudsters from stealing personal information. In addition to antivirus protection, Avast also offers a number of other security products that can be beneficial for casinos. In recent years, casinos have increasingly turned to Avast for their security needs. This is because Avast offers a number of features that are particularly well-suited to the casino environment. For one thing, Avast provides excellent protection against malware. This is important for casinos, as they are often targets of attacks by cyber criminals who attempt to steal customer information. In addition, Avast offers a firewall that can help to prevent unauthorized access to casino systems. Another advantage of using Avast is that it offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of its pricing plans. This means that casinos can choose the level of protection that best suits their needs and budget. Overall, there are many reasons why casinos are turning to Avast for their security needs.

Stats from the 2021 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report shows that while the number of malware attacks dropped 43 percent year-on-year to 5.6 billion in 2020, ransomware attacks skyrocketed 62 percent to 304.6 million.

Similarly, intrusion attempts were recorded at 4.8 trillion (up 20 percent) and IoT attacks at 56.9 million (up 66 percent).

These figures strongly suggest that we all need reliable antivirus protection. But which software should you pick?

Many companies are now offering free antivirus options with sound anti-malware protection. But they all have one big problem: lack of advanced features.

On the other hand, premium antivirus suites offer way more than just identifying and blocking malware threats. They include features like password manager, parental controls, VPN, safe browser for online banking, file shredder, webcam and microphone protection, identity theft protection, and much more.

Editor's Note

Best Antivirus Suite for 2021

Editor's Choice

Overall Score: 9.9/10

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Norton 360 Deluxe Final
During the past few months, we have ranked, rated, and reviewed 40 premium antivirus suites from the biggest names in cybersecurity. We did this so you can confidently choose the best antivirus software to protect yourself and your family.

Right now, we think that Norton is the best antivirus software your money can buy. It regularly earns perfect or near-perfect scores from independent labs and has the least impact on system performance compared to rival products. Its products combine top-notch security with an array of excellent security features and, best of all, offer exceptional value for money.

Overall, Norton 360 Deluxe (currently at 70% off) is our pick for the best antivirus suite in 2021. It is competitively priced and comes with almost everything you could possibly ask for, such as a firewall, a fully integrated VPN, dark web monitoring, cloud backup storage (50GB), a password manager, and parental controls. You can cover up to 5 PCs, Macs, smartphones or tablets with this suite.

If you want full-on identity protection and don’t mind paying more, Norton 360 with LifeLock Select (currently at 35% off) gives those in the US a full range of identity protection features, more backup space (100GB), as well as all the above.

So, it’s obvious that you should go for a paid security program for excellent anti-malware protection and complete peace of mind.

In this detailed article, we are comparing Windows Defender and Avast side by side using different metrics to gauge their strengths and weaknesses.

In a hurry? Check out the summary of our comparison below to find out which antivirus product wins in each category.

A Quick Rundown of Winners in Each Category

1. Features
Winner: Avast. Windows Defender comes with all the essential features, but Avast’s security products – especially the high-end ones – have all the advanced features and utilities you can expect to find in modern antivirus suites.

2. Malware Protection
Winner: Tie. Both software are neck and neck in terms of malware protection, as evidenced by two different independent evaluations.

3. System Performance
Winner: Avast. Independent tests show that Avast is exceptional in terms of impact on system performance, whereas Windows Defender failed one key performance test.

4. User-Friendliness
Winner: Avast. Avast’s interface is intuitive and straightforward; everything can be accomplished with just a few clicks. Windows Defender’s interface could be improved.

5. Pricing
Winner: N/A. Since Windows Defender doesn’t have a paid upgrade, so there’s no comparison between both software in this category.

Short Verdict

Independent tests prove that both software provide excellent anti-malware security, but Avast is better than Windows Defender in terms of the impact on system performance. Avast is the overall winner as it offers more security-enhancing features and utilities in its security suites than Windows Defender.

Best Antivirus for 2023


#1 (Excellent)

Norton new logo
  • Robust feature-set
  • Excellent anti-malware security
  • Minimal system impact
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Automatic updates
  • Trusted by 50 million users
  • 100% virus protection promise
  • 60-day money-back guarantee

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#2 (Very Good)

bitdefender
  • Exceptional malware protection
  • Little impact on performance
  • Trusted by millions of users
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • User-friendly interface

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#3 (Very Good)

mcafee logo
  • Good malware protection
  • Trusted by big corporations
  • Minimal impact on performance
  • Good value for money
  • 30-day risk-free guarantee

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Now, let’s dive into the in-depth Windows Defender vs Avast comparison.

1. Features

One way to quickly differentiate between the two products is to look at their features.

Let’s start with Windows Defender.

Windows Defender comes built-in on almost all PCs that run on Windows operating system. You can’t uninstall or remove the software, unfortunately, but it automatically turns off when you install a third-party antivirus program.

The best feature included in Windows Defender is the firewall that keeps your computer secure against malicious traffic. It maintains a watchful eye on all the incoming and outgoing network connections and denies unauthorized access.

Like most antivirus software, the software has a signature-based scanner that regularly checks for all sorts of digital threats. The software’s definitions (or signatures) are routinely updated to provide immediate protection against new and emerging threats — thanks to Microsoft’s cloud-based malware database.

Also, there’s the Find My Device function that lets you track down your computer if it’s been lost or stolen; this is particularly useful for laptops. You can also erase your data or lock your computer if you think that your sensitive data is in danger of being stolen.

Further included with Windows Defender is a suite of parental controls. You can use it to monitor the web activity of your children, restrict screen time with automatic timers, and block your kids from visiting certain sites or apps that are not appropriate for their age.

Now, let’s take a look at Avast’s feature set.

Avast is one of those security companies that offer free, albeit limited, antivirus protection.

The Avast Free Antivirus suite blocks most malware threats, scans your Wi-fi for security weaknesses, and protects against ransomware. Overall, the free version is better than having no protection at all, but it lacks advanced features.

The first paid option from Avast is Premium Security. This package includes all the Avast Free Antivirus features, plus an advanced firewall (protects against all sorts of threats), fake-site filter (stops cybercriminals from stealing your passwords and banking details), webcam protection, file shredder, and automatic updates.

Another useful feature is Sandbox, which allows you to run suspicious files or apps in a secure environment, without putting other files on your computer at risk.

Moreover, the Automatic Software Updater minimizes security risk to your device by updating apps regularly.

The Premium Security package comes in both single-device and multi-device versions. The multi-device plan protects up to 10 devices and supports all platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

Finally, there’s Avast Ultimate – the all-inclusive premium offering from the company. This comes with everything found in the previous suites, plus a VPN utility that lets you anonymously access content that is restricted in your geographic area; the Cleanup Premium utility that cleans junk files and optimizes your PC performance; and the Avast AntiTrack tool to protect your online identity.

Avast features 2021

If you’re interested in Avast’s business-specific products, click here for more information. 

Winner: Avast. It’s quite obvious that Avast offers more advanced features and tools than Windows Defender.

2. Malware Protection

Malware protection is a key component of a reliable antivirus suite. After all, it’s the reason why security products exist.

Let’s examine the recent evaluations conducted by independent labs like the AV-Test Institute and AV-Comparatives to see which among Windows Defender and Avast has better anti-malware capabilities.

The latest AV-Test evaluations were held in January-February 2021. All popular antivirus products were assessed in three different categories: Protection, Performance, and Usability.

In the Protection test, Windows Defender received a perfect 6/6 score, showing excellent anti-malware capabilities.

Windows Defender AV Protection Test Jan Feb 2021

Avast also proved that it was one of the top products and bagged a perfect 6 out of 6 score.

Avast AV Protection Test Jan Feb 2021

Let’s now look at the tests conducted by the other reputable antivirus testing lab: AV-Comparatives.

The lab conducts two types of protection tests: the Real-World Protection Test and the Malware Protection Test.

The Real-World Protection Test is a web-based evaluation, whereas in the Malware Protection Test, malicious files are executed on the system.

In the latest Real-World Protection Test, conducted in July-October 2020, AV-Comparatives evaluated 17 popular antivirus brands, including the names like Norton, Bitdefender, McAfee, Kaspersky and ESET.

Windows Defender and Avast were also among the participants and, once again, both managed to secure the highest-possible award. This shows that both antivirus suites provide excellent protection against all sorts of malware threats.

AV Comparatives Real World Protection Test July October 2020

Winner: Tie. It’s a tie in this category as both antivirus suites have comparable results from two independent sources.

3. System Performance

An antivirus program that affects your computer speed is a pain in the neck. A reliable security suite is one that thwarts malware threats without impacting system performance.

To see how Windows Defender and Avast fare in this category, we will again refer to the independent lab evaluations.

In the AV-Test’s January-February 2021 performance evaluations, both Avast and Windows Defender clinched 6 out of 6 score.

Avast:

Avast AV Performance Test Jan Feb 2021

Windows Defender:

WIndows Defender AV Performance Test Jan Feb 2021

AV-Comparatives also conducted a similar test in October 2020.

While Avast earned the highest ADVANCED+ award due to its exceptional impact score, Windows Defender got the one-star STANDARD award.

Windows Defender’s performance was particularly disappointing as it was the only product of the 17 tested that got the lowest ranking.

AV Comparatives Performance Test October 2020

Winner: Avast. Independent tests show that Avast is better than Windows Defender in the system performance category, as it puts less influence on your computer speed.

4. User-Friendliness

Another important aspect that we can look at is user-friendliness. Let’s directly compare both software’s user interfaces and see which one is better.

Windows Defender has a simple, minimalistic visual aesthetic. Opening the software requires several clicks; you have to jump through several hoops before you can reach the Windows Security Center, which is the primary dashboard for controlling the software’s features and operations.

The interface is neat and clean, and everything is laid out well. The left-hand grouping allows you to reach various modules and operations.

There’s no option to schedule scans, which may be frustrating for some people, but you can run different types of scans.

Windows Defender Interface on Windows 10

Avast’s interface is simple and intuitive, dominated by dark colors. Even those who aren’t computer literate will be able to effectively utilize everything that Avast has to offer.

When you open the software, you’ll probably see a large green checkmark in the center, which indicates that everything is okay. The checkmark will change to a red exclamation point if there’s something wrong. Beneath the indicator icon is a quick scan button that allows you to immediately begin a smart scan of your computer.

The left-hand rail organizes all the major features and into four self-explanatory categories: Status, Privacy, Protection, and Performance. All the major features of the software are just a few clicks away from the main screen.

In addition, there are customization options available if you like to fine-tune your experience. For instance, you can schedule scans to work around your schedule or lower the number of automatic scans to free up processing speed for other tasks.

Avast Interface

Winner: Avast. Overall, Avast’s interface provides a better user experience than Windows Defender’s.

5. Pricing

Avast offers a full suite of antivirus products, including a limited freemium option, while Windows Defender is a free program with no paid-for upgrades. So, there’s no real comparison between both software in this category.

Avast Free antivirus is just like Windows Defender in that it doesn’t cost you a penny. However, this freemium software offers minimal value. Avast Internet Security, the company’s first premium offering, costs $59.99 per year for one PC. Avast Premium, the next step up, costs $69.99 per year for one PC license. Avast Ultimate, the highest tier of protection from Avast, also gives you one PC license for $119.99 per year.

Avast Products Regular Price Discounted Price
Avast Internet Security$47.99/yearCheck here
Avast Premium Security (1 Device)$69.99/yearCheck here
Avast Premium Security (Multi-Device) $89.99/yearCheck here
Avast Ultimate$99.99/year Check here
Avast Business AntivirusVariesCheck here

Winner: N/A. There’s no comparison between both Avast and Windows Defender in this category.

The Verdict

The main difference is that Avast offers better malware protection than Windows Defender — without putting a burden on system performance. Avast offers a free antivirus product as well as several premium products at different price points whereas Windows Defender is completely free.

Do I need Windows Defender if I have Avast?

No. Avast can go it alone. It’s an excellent antivirus program that is packed with all the features you need to protect the data and privacy of yourself and your family. Plus, it’s advanced tools go beyond malware protection.

Is Avast slowing down my PC?

All antivirus programs use some computing power and impact your computer speed as a result. Avast has improved considerably when it comes to performance. Independent lab tests show that Avast is among the top products that don’t have much influence on system performance.

What is better than Avast?

Avast is one of the best antivirus suites out there. Still, some programs are better than Avast. For instance, Norton comes with unmatched features and offers impressive malware protection. Bitdefender and McAfee also boast excellent features and offer affordable pricing plans.

Our recommendations: If you want to get the highest level of security and performance, there's no better choice than Norton, which protects over 50 million users worldwide.

 

After reviewing dozens of antivirus products from some of the biggest names in the cybersecurity realm, we believe that Norton 360 Deluxe is the best antivirus suite available on the market. It provides flawless anti-malware protection without slowing you down. Plus, you get almost all the advanced features you could ever want.

 

If you're willing to pay more for advanced identity protection features, we recommend Norton 360 with LifeLock select (only available in the US). It's a bit pricey but worth the price. 

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13 thoughts on “Windows Defender vs Avast: Which One to Pick? (2023)”

  1. I am an Avast user for the last 4 to 5 years. Avast was good back then but something has happened to it and I have stopped using it.

  2. I have been using Avast Internet Security for some time now. I am running a laptop on Windows 10. I have a question: Is it possible to run Windows Defender and Avast Internet Security at the same time? Would you want to? Looking at some of the settings in Windows Defender now, it looks like Avast Internet Security is managing those options at the moment eg the firewall options. Does that make sense? Is that a good approach?

    1. Yes, you can run Avast and Windows Defender at the same time. You can put Avast in the “passive mode.” But I am not really sure why you’d want to do that as Avast Internet Security is pretty comprehensive in terms of features and protection.

      1. The only reason I can think of why you might, is that one of them might detect something amiss that the other one does not. The downsides I see is that they might not ‘play well together’, there may be a performance hit, and you have to know about how to work with both of them, and maybe have to spend time learning and implementing getting both of them to ‘play well together’.

  3. In the section on impact on system resources, you conclude that Avast has less impact, but looking at the two associated tables, it appears that Avast performs significantly worse on all but one of the tests listed in the tables.Since Avast is said to perform better on the other testing mentioned in that section, is it possible that the two tables are mislabeled, with the lower table actually reflecting Windows Defender’s results, and the upper table (where the only “worse” score is for slower installation) those for Avast?

    1. Hey Scott,
      Thanks for your comment.
      These results are from the last year’s tests. Windows Defender performed much better in the recent test conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. I will update it very soon.
      Umair

    1. Hello Sagar,
      Thanks for your comment.
      If you want extra features and utilities along with great malware protection, go with Avast Internet Security or Avast Ultimate (if your budget allows you).

  4. Avast free you even say is basic but pay for the better functionality and then compare ‘like’ for like, I can cheat a test too. And the performance drop is worse for installing apps…Not sure about you but I would rather every day websites and apps run faster than the 1 time I install an app.

    Call yourself an objective writer? Well doesn’t look like it from where I am standing.

    I am about to uninstall Avast to use Defender…because it is SAFER… 99.3% means Avast would have GIVEN ME A VIRUS while Defender would have saved me.

    1. Hello Mike,

      Thanks for your comment.

      If you look at the independent tests conducted during the past 2 years, Avast Free has consistently outperformed Windows Defender in terms of both malware detection and the impact on system performance. It’s not a good idea to rely on one test and make your choice based on that; you should choose a software that has an excellent track record. Windows Defender, unfortunately, doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to performance in independent labs.

      And yes, we manually approve (and edit) comments to ensure they are in accordance with our comments’ policy.

  5. You didn’t specify whether it is the free version of Avast antivirus or the premium one which is better than Windows Defender. For me, Windows Defender is better than the free Avast version.

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