I’ve used Avast Antivirus ( free and paid versions) for several months on my PC and Android phone. Here’s my honest experience with it.
Performance & Protection:
Avast offers decent protection against common viruses, malware, and suspicious files. The real-time protection works well in detecting threats during downloads or web browsing. It regularly updates its virus definitions and does a good job with automatic scanning.
However, for advanced threats or ransomware, its free version falls short. It may miss deeper infections unless you’re using the premium version.
User Interface:
The interface is clean, modern, and beginner-friendly. Scans are easy to run, and it provides clear notifications about issues or potential threats. It also offers additional tools like Wi-Fi Inspector, Software Updater, and Password Manager – but many are limited unless you upgrade.
System Impact:
One issue I noticed is that Avast can slow down the system during full scans. Background activity is usually light, but older PCs might feel sluggish when Avast is running in real time.
Free vs Paid Version:
The free version is okay for basic use, but it constantly shows pop-ups asking you to upgrade. The paid version unlocks features like firewall, ransomware shield, and real-time email protection, but there are cheaper alternatives offering similar or better protection.
Privacy Concerns:
There have been past reports of Avast collecting user data, which is something to be aware of if privacy matters to you. Though they claim improvements have been made, it’s something that left me cautious.
Final Verdict:
Avast Antivirus is a good option for casual users who need basic, easy-to-use protection. But for more serious security or privacy needs, other antivirus solutions may offer better value and performance.