Avast vs Webroot

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, Avast has grown into one of the most recognized names in cybersecurity. Known for offering a free antivirus product alongside robust premium plans, Avast provides multi-layered protection through features like Smart Scan, real-time malware detection, phishing protection, and a Secure Browser designed to safeguard sensitive activity online. More advanced services include Avast One Gold, which adds VPN access, identity protection, and ransomware defense. Their tools are compatible across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, offering flexible security for individual users and families alike. Avast’s services have earned high marks in independent malware tests, including results from SE Labs and AV-Comparatives, helping establish their credibility within the industry. Customer feedback is largely positive, with users praising Avast’s ease of use, effective free service, and performance-boosting utilities. However, concerns have been raised about frequent upselling and pop-up notifications, especially within the paid tiers. Despite this, Avast remains a popular option for users seeking both basic and enhanced digital protection.

Webroot was founded in 1997 in Boulder, Colorado, and is now based in Broomfield. They specialize in lightweight, cloud-based cybersecurity tools designed to protect individuals, families, and businesses across devices. Their core features include real-time protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware, along with identity monitoring, password management, parental controls, and dark web scanning. Webroot’s antivirus runs quietly in the background without slowing down performance, which makes them a practical choice for both new and older systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks. They offer several plans: Essentials for basic protection, Premium for identity and credit monitoring, Total Protection for all-in-one coverage with VPN and backup, and Premium Family for up to 10 users. There’s also a dedicated plan for PC gamers that prioritizes speed and performance.