Free Antivirus Shootout: AVG vs AntiVir vs Avast! – Part 1

Written by: Donna Buenaventura • Edited by: Bill Bunter
Updated Feb 4, 2011

Which is the best free antivirus software? This article compares 3 of the most widely used solutions: AVG, AntiVir and Avast!

Avast, AVG and AntiVir are the widely-used free antivirus programs on the market, but testing each in order to decide which you should use can be a time consuming process. So, I've done all the hard work for you. Read on to find out whether AVG, Avast! or AntiVir is the best choice for your PC.

Best Antivirus Installer: Avast

Installing AVG can confuse some people. The installer bundles a third party toolbar that is not required in order to be able to use the program. Opting to not install the AVG Security Toolbar during installation will not remove any of AVG's security features. The AVG Safe Surf and AVG Safe Search (aka LinkScanner) will still be installed even if you do not install AVG Security Toolbar. However if you do not want LinkScanner feature in AVG, you will need to use the custom installation instead of the standard method. After installing AVG, the program will display a nag that you can hide every time you open the program.

Like AVG, AntiVir will nag you by showing a pop-up window during updates. However, AntiVir’s installer is not bundled with third party software and will not confuse you during installation. Neither AVG nor AntiVir require a system restart before the program can be used.

Avast has a better installer than AVG and AntiVir because it does not nag and does not have bundled software. It requires a system restart though before you can start using the program.

The AVG and AntiVir installers do not require you to enter an e-mail address for they will automatically generate a license key. Avast on the other hand requires registration in order for you to receive the free product key via e-mail.

User Interface: AntiVir and AVG

Most people want programs that are easy to navigate and some people want programs that look good. Avast's user interface is like a media player, and might not appeal some of you (it's one of those love it or hate it things!). Additionally, the program's options are scattered around and it's not always easy to find what you're looking for.

AVG’s UI is nicer than Avast's, allowing you to manage the program’s settings without confusion. But I find AntiVir to have better UI than either Avast or AVG because it’s staightforward and easy to use .

Antivirus Status and Administrative Privileges: AntiVir

If you are using Vista with User Account Control enabled, Avast will display the UAC prompt before you can open the program. It does not make sense to see the UAC prompt if you have not changed anything on the setting that requires administrative privileges. AVG on the other hand will only trigger UAC to prompt you if you there is modification on its settings and if you will manually update the definitions.

AntiVir is better because it will not trigger UAC if you open and make any changes on its program settings unless you will manually install any product updates by navigating to the downloaded updated file.

AVG have issue in reporting its status to its own security center Click to view image. and Windows Security Center in Vista or XP. The resident shield of AVG is often reporting its status as turn-off which triggers Windows Security Center in displaying a balloon and changed AVG icon by showing status alert of the resident antivirus protection.

Jan 3, 2012 7:22 AM

RE: Free Antivirus Shootout: AVG vs AntiVir vs Avast! – Part 1

maybe your right but for me, we dont use any internet security suite or external firewall, we opt the best for win 7 system and use its feature correctly and optimally..any virus can't run with script or batch turn or trigger then, just if exe file without autorun or dos command parameters to run..preventing these little things may help lot of better that using such security for cost..

Jan 3, 2012 7:18 AM

AVG blocked internet connection and LAN connection as well even you didnt configure it to block..i cant imagine if AVG is the best..putting difficulties on my daily routine..Avast is good i use it on virused pc but so slow during scan..while Avira got all..firmly block any unwanter program, and the best it is it block autorun for flash drive that AVG and Avast wont..and scanning computer with Avira takes little time for 320GB hard drive..than 24 hours of scanning white AVG and AVAST...im in corporate world an IT security personnel i trust Avira..look for that..

Tikken Dec 7, 2011 5:59 PM

sorry need to add disclaimer ... back using windows again, so need to find a new AV - previously used Avira in 2007 & liked it then, but it started to shift. Primarily looking for better heuristics and less reliance on frequent signature updates..

Tikken Dec 7, 2011 5:51 PM

Cannot vouch for Avast as you do, but I completely agree with everything else you've said. Thanks.

ganesh Sep 23, 2011 7:37 AM

true

avast is best anti virus and avg is also a better one.avast can remove all types of viruses but avg can not detect recyclers and system volume information.thak you have a nice day .

ITPro Sep 20, 2011 3:23 AM

avira all the way

running avira, avg the worst av ever, avast is ok, I don't care about speed i care about detection rate and AVG is rubbish

Pat Jul 17, 2011 10:40 AM

avast vs McAfee Internet Security

I have the paid McAfee Internet Security which will be expired soon. I want to switch to avast Free 6 but want to keep the McAfee for a little longer until it expires next month. Will there be any interference between the 2 av systems when I download the avast if I disable the function of all McAfee's Real Time Scan, Spam, Firewall, Scheduled Scan, etc before downloading the avast? Any one has the experience of doing this?

blondie Jun 14, 2011 11:52 AM

best free anti-virus

Avast in my opinion is the best.
We have tried Nortons, but why pay for anti-virus when you can get it free.
We use touse AVG, but we still use to get viruses that AVG didn't pick up.But as soon as changed to AVAST, we never encounter any problems at all; and it never nags us with pop ups like the other anti-virus soft ware that we have previously used. It just works in the back ground never disturbing you at all.

Chris Quirke Jun 10, 2011 10:39 AM

A good installer doesn't demand email address

I've used AVG for ages, not caring for Avast's UI and put off Antivir by the high false-positive rates of their rescue CD.

You rate Avast's installer best, but IMO demanding an email address is a strong negative.

As to rescue CDs, I find AVG's to be about the smallest and easiest to use out of the 7 I tried, with the usual PUP issues (e.g. Nirsoft) but otherwise OK on false positives.

I'm here looking for a free av for Win2000 with Ashampoo firewall; AVG 2011 won't install on this old OS, and AVG 9 has been killing the client's 1G ADSL cap by downloading the full 70M or so data daily.

FalseReview May 30, 2011 6:18 AM

Avast Review

I have tried both Avast 6 and MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) and both uses way less resource and virtual memory compared to those AV Giants like Kaspersky and Norton. On the second, they also do not restrict much network usage like these AV Giants.

One will not require more firewall if they already have an nvidia chipset, microsoft operating system and a router. Come to think of it, adding more firewalls could only cause more problems. But still Avast pricing on the Pro and Internet Security version is way off compared to it's free version.. They should either remove few features on the free edition or reduce cost on the paid version..

Casey Mar 26, 2011 5:45 PM

MSE or Comodo

I believe that a anti-virus isn't the best protection out there. I recommend Comodo Internet Security to more knowledgeable computer people cause Comodo's fire wall has a HIPS witch it almost bullet proof. But it wouldn't be any good to a novice user because it pops up alot of questions asking about programs/software wanting permission to run, which answered wrong could really damage the computer, or expose the computer to a bad malware infection. If you don't think you can answer the questions right, you need to use Microsoft Security Essentials.

Computer Tech 38 years! Feb 22, 2011 2:18 PM

Avast Out Does Them All!!

I have been building and repairing computers for over 38 years. Seen it all and done it all. Avast is better in detection then any FREE or PAY antivirus software bar none. It also works better in vaulting rootkits, trojans & virus and malware. Updates its self if configured to. Updates definition files everyday and program several times a year. Updates are fast and reliable. Resource use is exstreamly low. Bearly noticible. I have seen with my own eyes Avast kick Nortons and Node32's butt over and over again on all sorts of different infections. My openion is what it is (My Openion) but you can take it to the bank!
Antivir and AVG are not even in the same league as Avast! Run Avast for the nasty stuff and Comodo firewall for port protection. You can also use on demand scanner called Clamwin. It will work well with the other two mentioned but it sometimes gives false detections. Running 2 different system monitoring antivirus software is always a no,no. To run a system monitoring antivirus and a on demand scanner is just fine. If you run two installed system monitoring antivirus software your killing your system resources for no reason.

shibly Feb 18, 2011 8:32 AM

About antivirus

i want to know that at a time can i use two anti virus ? i m using Norton and avast . is there any problem?

jake pascal Feb 14, 2011 11:17 AM

AVG gives a lot of false positives

i used avast_home for 2 years now, its bcoz avg gives alot of false positives, even blocked my RF game. antivir is fine as long as its the licensed version, but avast_free could still rival it in virus detection. forget about avg, it has gone worse.

maninbrown61 Dec 16, 2010 11:25 AM

avg firewall

I use avg pro version and windows has the built in firewall also now i cant acess itunes sharing is thi because i have 2 firewaqlls up and if so should i disable one - which one help please

toyah65 Dec 14, 2010 10:33 AM

free antivirus and firewall

i have tried so many antivirus software, FREE and paid. the one i would recommend is AVAST and, because the free version doesn't come with a firewall, ZONE ALARM. i am a member of WHICH and they recommend these two.
whenever something tries to attack, AVAST and ZONE ALARM are both working together for me so whatever it is doesn't manage to infect my system.

Donna Buenaventura Dec 4, 2010 1:27 AM

Hi Satish,

If you want antivirus with email protection, use Avast or AVG.
If you want no email scanner, Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG.
If you want antivirus without having to update the definitions, use Panda Cloud Antivirus.

satish sanhotra Dec 4, 2010 1:14 AM

which antivirus is best

hiii.. i want to know which antivirus ids best for my pc..

Adal Nov 19, 2010 3:31 PM

I dont know why but I never really liked antivir. From what I've seen AVG free is getting better but I dont use it myself on my own pc so I wouldnt really know. Its still a very good choise. If you are looking for another free AV take a look at ZenOK Free Antivirus, its getting more and more popular lately.

Klus Oct 26, 2010 4:22 PM

Reccomend ZenOK Free Antivirus

Reccomend ZenOK Free Antivirus, I've been using it for a while and I'm quite happy with it

manjesh raju Oct 7, 2010 6:14 AM

booting slow avg

booting very slow avg its good

David Oct 4, 2010 7:08 AM

avast

You know my girls dad works on computers for a living and he suggested avg and malwarebytes as an anti-malware which i highly recommend. But after talking to another person who works on computers who actually has a shop he says avast is better. He said it uses less memory and searches deeper to find more viruses. And after researching in some cases it does find more viruses.

Donna Buenaventura Oct 3, 2010 12:25 AM

Hi James,
No, Avast free don't include firewall protection. The paid edition, Avast Internet Security has firewall protection: http://www.avast.com/internet-security

James Smith Oct 2, 2010 10:08 PM

Avast Professional/Pay Advertises it is better than free it has a firewall

Does Avast free not have a firewall? The comparison charts I read for the three As' do not list a firewall on any of them.

Liton Sep 15, 2010 9:19 PM

FYI

Comodo is an excellent one, no add, no nag, no registration-renew every year like avast of course it comes with NO virus! Check out if any of you are interested:
http://www.comodo.com/

Donna Buenaventura Sep 11, 2010 7:33 PM

Hi g wales,
Try using Avast Uninstall Utility: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html
or Appremover: http://www.appremover.com

g wales Sep 11, 2010 7:25 PM

avast av.

being a computer virgin i downloaded avast av .Then friends and family recomended avg so I tried to swap but avast would not uninstall.I installed avg anyway but now I am stuck with both. help! how can I get rid.

Lauren Sep 9, 2010 5:41 AM

FREE AV

People cannot complain about getting viruses if they're using the free versions of any of the Anti-Virus products. Purchase the products. Free technical support & full protection. AVG Internet Security works very well and I find it doesn't slow my PC down like Kaspersky or McAfee! Another good product is PrevX. It's new and can won't replace your current anti-virus. It finds all bad files on your PC! check it out: http://www.prevx.com/

Mike Sep 7, 2010 5:19 PM

AVG

AVG's older version, about 2 yrs ago, caught a virus that Norton could not find. I called Norton Customer Support, they spent about 10-15 mins asking me information building me up that they would fix the problems, screen pop ups, and virus warnings on the background. Then they asked me for a cc number and said it would cost $99.00. I hung up. Downloaded AVG, It found the problem, they the AVG Blog said it could not get rid of everything and suggested Malwarebytes. Between both of them the problem was resolved. Thanks AVG. Not so hot about this new free version. Mine had the Firewall included. This one does not.

Panda Aug 26, 2010 12:00 AM

Reccomend AVAST

The anti that you buy at the store or whatever will always have a virus on their cd, how do you think they make money... If you want no viruses on your comp and want to be protected all the time, id recommend using avast... Avast is they key to safe websearching, etc!!!!

Ellie Aug 16, 2010 8:33 PM

Avast vs AVG

caught a virus with AVG not so with AVAST

Anonymous Aug 5, 2010 5:16 PM

Antivir has several update problems.
AVG has no rootkit protection.
Avast works best imho.

Donna Buenaventura Aug 2, 2010 2:10 PM

Hi Scott,
No, Antivir by Avira is not a rogue program. There are rogue programs that is exploiting the name of legitimate applications.

Scott Aug 2, 2010 11:01 AM

Antivir

Antivir is a rogue software that has infected my computer. I cannot open anything due to this garbage being on my computer. Antivir IS a virus!!

szilvia Aug 1, 2010 5:27 PM

avg is not so good anymore as it used to

i have used avg for about 10 years now and loved it , however now recently it didn't catch some malicious virus which i got on both of my computer through myspace. it almost killed my computers i had to remove the entire user account to get rid of the virus. so i am very disappointed in avg's performance! (and it is always updated and runs in the bckground yet didnt catch it) so i am switching

jack spratt Jun 15, 2010 12:04 PM

AVG least annoying

I do NOT want, or need, any gimmicky animated items in my toolbar. AVG is the only one that did not install an animated icon in my toolbar, if memory is correct. What were the idiots who created that annoyance thinking.

srinivasareddy Jun 13, 2010 8:56 AM

avast.com

avast is a best antivirus.my friends also using that

dr.hemant verma May 24, 2010 1:35 AM

AVAST ANTIVIRUS GOOD.

sanju maity Apr 19, 2010 11:59 PM

i love avast antivirus

avast antivirus is the best antivirus in comparision with avg and antivir ......

thank you

Phil Mar 26, 2010 3:25 AM

Another test

Where is a comparison with the Avira free version? I have been doing some research and been seeing it highly touted (Toms Hardware Guide forums)

Dr Jahed Feb 14, 2010 12:12 AM

Hello

i fully agree with AVG internet security than AVAST .

thanks

Dr Jahed

τριανταφυλλιδησ γιωργοσ Jan 26, 2010 4:26 AM

free antivirius windows 7

Donna Buenaventura Oct 29, 2009 5:41 PM

Hi Mike,
None of the above programs consumed a lot of resources during a scan and/or while it is monitoring the system (when I tested). That can change though if the vendors will push a program update that will cause 90% to 100% of resources due to bug but they usually release a fix, if reported or many is impacted.

Hope this helps.

Mike Frizzi Oct 29, 2009 4:23 PM

another important feature

First off, good job on this comparison. I especially like the mention of the little 'nag' that comes up with the two

Antivirus
programs...I cannot stand those things. One element that really factors into my decision is, unfortunately, one that you left out. Namely: How much of a footprint do they leave on your system? I mean RAM usage, CPU usage, overall install sizes, etc..

I read the whole article and just wanted to comment again. Most of my concerns were addressed. One more thing, have you seen any of these programs run away with resources..as in, just eat them up until they are consuming all the RAM. I am determined to avoid all of those AV programs moving forward.

Mike Frizzi Oct 29, 2009 1:28 PM

An important feature...

First off, good job on this comparison. I especially like the mention of the little 'nag' that comes up with the two <ahref="http://www.sophos.com">Antivirus</a> programs...I cannot stand those things. One element that really factors into my decision is, unfortunately, one that you left out. Namely: How much of a footprint do they leave on your system? I mean RAM usage, CPU usage, overall install sizes, etc..

edit: Just saw part 2...Excellent!

PAOLO Jul 24, 2009 11:01 AM

AVAST ANTIVIRUS

I WOULD HAVE IF IT IS POSSIBLE NEW UNICODE FOR AVAST ANTIVIRUS

Free Antivirus Shootout: AVG vs AntiVir vs Avast! – Part 1

Best Antivirus Installer: Avast

User Interface: AntiVir and AVG

Antivirus Status and Administrative Privileges: AntiVir

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