Webroot vs ZoneAlarm

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.

ZoneAlarm is a long-standing name in personal cybersecurity, founded in 1997 and now operating under the umbrella of Check Point Software Technologies. Headquartered in San Francisco, they’ve built their reputation on firewall technology and have since expanded into complete antivirus and internet security solutions. Their services are geared toward individuals and small-scale users looking for a mix of automatic protection and manual control, particularly Windows users who want more say in what their systems allow and block. They offer a free antivirus plan with core malware defense and a personal firewall, and their paid plans add features like anti-ransomware, advanced phishing protection, and mobile security tools. Their standout features include a two-way firewall, real-time cloud-based scanning, and application-level controls, giving users a clearer window into their device’s behavior. Customer feedback is mixed. Some users praise the software’s reliability, ease of use, and long-term consistency, while others cite concerns around billing practices, support responsiveness, and occasional system slowdowns. ZoneAlarm has received recognition in the past, though they haven’t participated in recent third-party testing—something potential users may want to weigh. So what does all this mean for your device? Read on to explore whether their tools match your security needs.