Updated on: March 15, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best Avast antivirus alternative in 2024:
- 🥇 Norton: Better malware protection, more additional features, and a more intuitive interface. Norton also has a flawless reputation for protecting user information and privacy.
If you’re looking for an alternative to Avast, you probably have privacy concerns. After the popular antivirus provider was exposed for secretly selling private user data for millions of dollars, many customers are looking for a more trustworthy alternative.
It’s worth noting that Avast has taken action to regain users’ trust since its privacy breach. Most importantly, it has closed down Jumpshot — the data collection subsidiary responsible for collecting and selling user data. Although this is a good step toward being a reliable and trustworthy antivirus, there are still better antiviruses on the market.
I’ve tested countless antiviruses to find 5 excellent Avast alternatives that combine industry-best antivirus protection with a host of security features — including VPNs, parental controls, password managers, and other tools to keep you safe from hacking and identity theft.
If you’re in a rush and need to switch from Avast quickly, I recommend Norton. It’s my #1 pick from this list, and it ranks at the top of almost every guide to the best antiviruses in 2024. It also offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free for up to two months.
Quick summary of the best Avast antivirus alternatives in 2024 :
- 🥇 1. Norton — Best overall Avast antivirus alternative in 2024 (more security features + better value).
- 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Feature-rich Avast alternative with a lightweight scanner and great web protection.
- 🥉 3. McAfee — Great Avast antivirus alternative for families with good parental controls.
- 4. TotalAV — Beginner-friendly Avast alternative with easy-to-use apps for all devices.
- 5. Intego — Best Avast alternative for Mac with advanced tools optimized for macOS.
Why Should You Look for an Avast Alternative?
Privacy scandal aside, Avast isn’t the best antivirus out there. While Avast’s antivirus software works fine and is comparable to the top antivirus brands, I’ve tested better products.
Avast has good security and high malware detection rates, but its paid features don’t add enough value. While Avast has a good antivirus engine and a range of advanced security features, other antiviruses offer similar or better features for a lower price.
Luckily, there are many Avast alternatives on the market. They offer excellent protection and many useful extra features, without a history of engaging in unethical business practices or selling your data. In this guide, I’ll show you the 5 best Avast alternatives, based on rigorous testing and excellent standards.
🥇1. Norton — Best Overall Avast Antivirus Alternative in 2024
Norton is my favorite Avast antivirus alternative. It performs exceptionally well across all operating systems and devices, has better security features than Avast, and offers much better overall value.
Norton’s malware scanner uses heuristic analysis and machine learning to detect threats in real time, consistently scoring perfect malware detection rates in our tests. To test it, I downloaded a database of 1,000 malware samples to my computer, including ransomware, spyware, trojans, viruses, and more. Norton’s scans detected 100% of these threats in its full scan. Next, I turned on the real-time protection and tried to download the same samples. Norton blocked every single malware sample before I could begin downloading them.
Norton’s security features also include:
- Firewall.
- Anti-phishing and web browsing protection.
- VPN (virtual private network).
- Privacy protection.
- Parental controls.
- Secure browser.
- Cloud backup.
- Webcam protection (Windows only).
- Identity theft protection (US only).
- And a lot more…
Norton’s dark web monitoring is great, with live agents constantly checking the dark web for data breaches that include your personal details and private data (including passwords and credit card details). Even most top antiviruses that offer dark web monitoring don’t have live agents and rely instead on automated checks of an existing database, which is nowhere near as thorough as Norton. Unfortunately, Norton’s dark web protection is only available in the US, the UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand, but if you’re in one of those countries, I highly recommend using it.
The secure browser is also a nice addition, tailored for enhanced privacy and security and offering a centralized dashboard for hassle-free customization. I appreciated the Privacy Guard and Web Shield for their effectiveness against ads and malicious sites, but the Extension Guard was a letdown, blocking nearly all the extensions I tested. While Privacy Cleaner is essentially a simplified version of Chrome’s cleaning feature, the browser presents itself as a decent free option, making browsing safely a little simpler.
Another highlight is Norton’s VPN, which offers excellent security, fast connection speeds, and unlimited data on all 360 plans. It’s one of the best antivirus VPN bundles on offer, with all the industry standard features — military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a large global server network, and much more. While there are some limitations on streaming and torrenting, in my experience, the only antivirus with a better VPN is TotalAV.
Norton 360 Deluxe is my favorite plan. It only costs $49.99 / year* and includes coverage for up to 5 devices, 50 GB of cloud storage, parental controls, and dark web monitoring in eligible countries. If you’re on a tight budget and only have 1 device, Norton Antivirus Plus gives excellent protection for just $29.99 / year*. If you’re in the US and want total protection online, Norton 360 with LifeLock costs $99.99 / year* and adds anti-identity theft protections, credit monitoring, and much more. All of Norton’s plans offer a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to see how it works.
Bottom Line:
Norton is the best Avast alternative and overall top antivirus in 2024. Its flawless malware detection, advanced web protections, excellent dark web monitoring, and affordable plans make it a great choice for anyone who wants peace of mind on the internet. Norton offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee on all its plans.
🥈2. Bitdefender — Feature-Rich Avast Alternative With a Lightweight Scanner
Bitdefender is a great Avast alternative if you want an antivirus that’s packed full of features but won’t put any strain on your devices. Like Norton, Bitdefender detected 100% of my malware samples. And since Bitdefender’s scanner operates in the cloud, I didn’t notice any impact on my computer’s performance, even during full system scans.
Bitdefender also offers:
- Web protections.
- Ransomware protection.
- VPN (limited on most plans).
- Parental controls.
- Password manager.
- System optimizer.
- Webcam protection.
- And a lot more…
I really like Bitdefender’s purpose-built Safepay encrypted browser, which protects your personal data from hackers while you’re making online transactions. Safepay disables screen grabs, blocks keystroke tracking, and integrates with Bitdefender’s password manager and VPN. I put it to the test and was unable to take a screenshot when using Safepay, which means hackers wouldn’t be able to capture my screen either! However, the browser is a bit slow and buggy. For example, I wasn’t able to stream in HD when using it. This wasn’t an issue when using Norton’s Safe Web browser extension.
Bitdefender’s password manager is simple, easy to use, and will cover most of your password management needs. While it’s not as good as standalone managers like 1Password, you get all the standard features of a good password manager: password auto-save and auto-fill, a password generator, password strength auditing, and much more. If you need more advanced tools, I suggest a standalone password manager. Otherwise, Bitdefender’s is one of the best antivirus password manager bundles available.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus costs just $29.99 / year, but it only protects 1 Windows device, and it doesn’t have parental controls or a firewall. Bitdefender Internet Security is $42.49 / year and includes protection for up to 3 Windows devices. The Total Security plan adds coverage for Macs and mobile apps for iOS and Android, on up to 5 devices. It costs $49.99 / year.
However, if you’re looking for comprehensive protection for multiple operating systems, Bitdefender Premium Security is the best option. At $79.99 / year, it works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, covers up to 10 devices, and includes a VPN with unlimited data that’s up there with many standalone VPNs I’ve used. Bitdefender’s plans all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender is a great antivirus packed full of excellent features, including a lightweight cloud-based malware scanner that achieves perfect malware detection rates. It also offers an encrypted browser for online transactions, so you can feel safe while shopping on the internet. Its VPN is really good, too, but the VPN with unlimited data is only available with the most expensive plan. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Bitdefender review >
🥉3. McAfee — Great Avast Alternative for Families
McAfee is a great Avast antivirus alternative that offers excellent parental controls and protection for up to 10 devices. It detected 100% of malware in my tests, but unlike Bitdefender and Norton, it slowed down my system quite a bit during scans, especially when I was gaming. It’s easy to schedule scans for when you’re not using your device, though, so this shouldn’t be a huge deal for most users.
McAfee also includes features like:
- Firewall and Wi-Fi network protection.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- VPN.
- Password manager.
- Parental controls.
- Identity theft protection.
- Performance optimization.
- Secure file storage.
- And a lot more…
McAfee’s Safe Family parental controls are among the best antivirus-bundled parental controls out there. I tested them out with my phone to see how they worked. I was able to plug in my “children’s” ages and get preset web and app usage rules, which I could then customize according to my needs. The location tracking was more responsive and accurate than Avast’s parental controls, and I found my phone within a few meters using the app. Safe Family is only available on the family plans, but it’s worth the extra money to know your kids are safe on the internet.
McAfee has several plans for individuals and families, starting from $39.99 / year for individuals. If you’ve got a large family, McAfee’s Total Protection Premium family plan is a really good deal at $59.99 / year. In addition to parental controls, it includes protection for an unlimited number of devices (which is something very few competitors provide). If you don’t need Safe Family, Total Protection Premium is also available on individual plans and covers unlimited devices for just $49.99 / year. There’s also Total Protection Advanced, which costs $79.99 / year and offers significant identity theft, credit, and personal finance protections — but it’s only available in the US. All McAfee’s plans are eligible for a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
If you worry about keeping your kids safe on the internet, McAfee may be your best choice. Its Safe Family parental controls are available with the top-tier package and offer many great ways to keep your kids safe online. McAfee slowed my computer down noticeably during scans, but it detected 100% of malware. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its plans.
4. TotalAV — Beginner-Friendly & Easy-To-Use Avast Alternative
TotalAV is a great Avast antivirus alternative that’s easy to use and provides excellent all-around protection. It offers a wide range of security features (including a really powerful VPN) that you can set up and manage from a simple, beginner-friendly dashboard. If you’re new to antiviruses or not particularly tech-savvy, TotalAV is a great choice.
While TotalAV missed a few malware samples in my tests, it did detect over 99% of them. This isn’t quite as good as the perfect results I got from Norton and Bitdefender, but it’s still pretty great. And TotalAV’s real-time protection worked just as well as its competitors on this list, intercepting the malware samples before they could download to my computer.
TotalAV also offers several extras, like:
- Real-time malware protection.
- Anti-phishing protection.
- VPN (unlimited data).
- Password manager.
- Data breach monitoring.
- System clean-up.
- Identity theft monitoring (US only).
- And a lot more…
TotalAV’s VPN is the #1 antivirus-VPN package — it has incredibly fast connections and airtight security, and it works with all the major streaming sites. The VPN is available with unlimited data as part of TotalAV’s Internet Security and Total Security plans, and it’s well worth investing in.
I’m also a big fan of TotalAV’s System Tune-Up optimization tool, which is way better than Avast’s. It cleared almost 1 GB of junk that was slowing down my computer. I found it really easy to remove unwanted programs and clear cookies, and my computer ran faster and felt more secure afterward.
The TotalAV Internet Security plan is my top choice, since it offers unlimited data on the VPN and protects up to 5 devices for just $39.00 / year. There’s also a more expensive plan, Total Security, that costs $49.00 / year, but I don’t think it’s good enough value to justify the price. You can try TotalAV’s paid plans risk-free for 30 days with a money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV is a really intuitive antivirus, so it’s a particularly great choice for beginners. It’s got a 99% malware detection rate, an excellent VPN, and powerful performance optimization tools. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full TotalAV review >
5. Intego — Excellent Avast Alternative for Mac Users
Intego is the best Avast antivirus alternative for Mac users. Since it was created specifically for Mac computers, it offers features and functions that are more advanced and efficient for Mac than any other antivirus, including my top picks, Norton and Bitdefender.
Like my other top choices, Intego’s VirusBarrier malware scanner detected 100% of threats. Scans were fast and included virus detection in my Apple email. Intego also has a Windows version, which detected 100% of malware samples on my test PC. However, otherwise, the Windows version is pretty basic and nothing special.
Intego’s Mac version includes the following features:
- Real-time malware protection.
- Firewall.
- Network security options.
- Parental controls.
- Mac optimization and cleaning tools.
- Advanced Mac backup options.
- And a lot more…
Intego’s firewall, NetBarrier, is the best Mac firewall I’ve seen. It automatically detects what type of network you’re using and adjusts firewall settings accordingly, which is great if you use public Wi-Fi at coffee shops and libraries like I do. I also love the ContentBarrier parental controls, which include anti-predator features that alert you when your kids are chatting inappropriately.
Intego offers plans for every budget. If you’re looking for basic internet security and malware protection, Mac Internet Security X9 is a very affordable option that covers up to 5 Macs for $19.99 / year. However, I prefer Mac Premium Bundle X9, which adds extra Mac cleanup and backup tools and parental controls for $34.99 / year. Intego offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can see how it works, risk-free.
Bottom Line:
If you’re primarily using Mac devices, you can’t do better than Intego. The features included for Mac users are plentiful and impressive, including an advanced firewall and robust parental controls. All Intego plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Comparison of the Best Avast Antivirus Alternatives in 2024
How to Choose the Best Avast Antivirus Alternative in 2024
- Malware detection and real-time protection. Any antivirus should provide perfect or near-perfect protection from every type of malware (spyware, ransomware, viruses, trojans, and much more). It should be able to do this 24/7, running in the background and picking up threats before they’re a risk, without slowing down your devices. I’ve only included antiviruses with detection rates above 99%. Throughout my tests, Norton detected 100% of my malware samples.
- Web and anti-phishing protections. Get an antivirus that will protect you while you use the internet. This ensures protection against spying, data collection, phishing, malware, and other threats. I found that Norton and Bitdefender offer the best tools when it comes to helping you avoid compromising your devices, but each of my picks has good web protections.
- Ease of use. An Avast antivirus alternative will be useless to you if it doesn’t work on your devices or if it’s too complicated for your level of technical expertise. I love TotalAV for beginners because its interface is so intuitive. I also gave extra points for antiviruses with great customer support and how-to guides.
- Extra Features. This is one area where your top choice is a matter of preference. Not all Avast antivirus alternatives have the same features, and not all features will work the same. Norton is the most feature-rich of my top choices, but I really like Bitdefender’s Safepay browser for online transactions, and if you want parental controls, McAfee is a great option.
- Affordable plans. Every antivirus on this list offers incredible value, packing industry-leading malware protections and a host of other top-notch features into a single subscription. For example, Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan starts from just $49.99 / year* and includes everything from a VPN with unlimited data to 50 GB of cloud storage, parental controls, dark web monitoring, and much more.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is an easy-to-use antivirus, but its 90% malware detection rate just wasn’t good enough to make this list. It also doesn’t offer as many additional features as my favorite Avast antivirus alternatives.
- Comodo. Comodo is a free antivirus with decent malware detection rates, but it currently has a lot of bugs, and some features don’t work properly, so it’s not a great alternative to Avast.
- MacKeeper. MacKeeper is an affordable Mac-specific alternative to Avast, with a decent VPN. However, it doesn’t offer the great range of features that Intego does, like parental controls or a firewall, so I didn’t include it on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avast antivirus free?
Avast has a free version, but I don’t recommend it. The free version of its antivirus software may work well enough to remove malware from your devices, but there are many better free antiviruses out there.
If you’re on the lookout for a decent free antivirus, check out our best free Windows antiviruses for 2024. However, I always recommend spending a few bucks on a premium antivirus if you can, as they don’t have the annoying limitations of free plans. All my top Avast alternatives have great malware detection rates, plenty of extra features, and very affordable plans — Norton’s 360 antivirus plans start from just $54.99 / year*. They all offer money-back guarantees, so you can try them out and see if they work for you.
Did Avast sell personal data to companies?
Yes. In 2019, Avast was caught selling customer data via its online security browser extension. The browser extension was eventually removed from Chrome, Mozilla, and Opera marketplaces as a result.
Avast initially claimed it needed to collect all this data for its applications to work, even though its top competitors were able to run similar applications without collecting personal data. In 2020, Avast shut down its subsidiary, Jumpshot, after it was revealed that Avast was using it to sell much of the data it had been collecting from its users since 2013.
Privacy scandal aside, there are plenty of excellent antiviruses that perform as well or better than Avast.
What are the top Avast antivirus alternatives?
Norton is the best Avast antivirus alternative. It uses heuristic analysis and machine learning to detect malware and other threats on your computers and mobile devices. Norton offers affordable plans and a generous 60-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not sure.
Bitdefender is another good alternative to Avast, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight antivirus that won’t slow down your system. It uses a cloud-based engine, so it doesn’t impact your devices even during full scans.
If you’re a Mac user, Intego is the best Avast antivirus alternative for Mac. It was designed specifically for Mac systems and offers many advanced security settings.
Should I buy premium antivirus software?
Yes. It’s important to protect your devices from malware and other online threats, and premium antivirus software is the best way to do so. There are some decent free antiviruses out there, but premium antiviruses offer more features and don’t have the frustrating limitations of free plans. For example, even our favorite free plan, Avira Free Security, limits its VPN to a measly 500 MB per month, making it virtually useless.
The most popular premium Avast antivirus alternatives, like Norton and Bitdefender, don’t just have flawless malware detection rates — they offer many really useful extra features too. With affordable plans and money-back guarantees, you can try the products out risk-free to see which package works best for you before committing long-term.
