5 Best Avast Antivirus Alternatives (Safe + Cheap) in 2024

Marlene Baiton
Updated on: July 19, 2024 Editor

Avast is a pretty good antivirus with a good malware scanner and essential protections, but it does have a few annoying problems. For example, some users find its interface cluttered and difficult to navigate, while others get confused over whether they should pick Avast Premium Security or Avast One. Additionally, Avast issues frequent pop-ups asking you to upgrade or buy additional products — which can be quite frustrating.

Avast did have some privacy concerns in the past, but it closed down the data collection subsidiary responsible for collecting and selling user data. It’s a good step toward Avast being more reliable and trustworthy, but there are still better antiviruses on the market without a history of privacy concerns.

I’ve tested countless antiviruses to find 5 excellent Avast alternatives. These alternatives combine strong malware protection, user-friendly interfaces, and additional features like VPNs, parental controls, and password managers. My goal is to help you understand these alternatives, so you can pick the one that’s right for you.

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.

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Editors' Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.

🥇1. Norton — Best Overall Avast Antivirus Alternative in 2024

Norton is my favorite Avast 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 my 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). It’s similar to Avast’s Hack Alerts, but Avast’s Hack Alerts lack the thoroughness of Norton’s Privacy Monitoring.

That said, Norton’s Private Browser is a nice addition with a centralized dashboard for hassle-free customization. I like that the built-in Safe Search tool color-codes search results to show you which sites are safe — something that Avast’s secure browser doesn’t do. Privacy Guard and Web Shield are also very effective against ads and malicious sites, but the Extension Guard was a letdown, blocking nearly all the extensions I tested (even useful and non-malicious ones).

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 Avast also has a decent VPN, it comes with limitations unless you’re on the most expensive plan.

Norton’s interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it an excellent choice for those transitioning from Avast. I found the setup wizard particularly useful — it guides you through each feature with clear explanations and one-click activation, ensuring that even beginners can configure their security settings. You can also easily navigate all Norton’s features (VPN, password manager, parental controls, etc.) via its online dashboard.

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.

Read the full Norton review >

🥈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. 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! In comparison, Avast’s Secure Browser doesn’t block screenshots or offer the same level of transaction security, but there is a Bank Mode in Avast Premium Security that lets you handle important transactions in a virtual desktop.

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. Avast once had a password manager with similar features, but it was discontinued. Now, Avast’s password management capabilities are minimal, offering little beyond basic storage. For a comprehensive antivirus and password manager bundle, Bitdefender is one of the best antivirus password manager bundles available.

Bitdefender is very user-friendly — the desktop dashboard is well-organized, featuring large, simple buttons and a comprehensive toolbar. I particularly appreciate the customizable Quick Action button on the main screen, which allows me to add and edit up to six features for quick access. The Autopilot feature is a nice bonus as it automatically addresses threats and optimizes settings without your intervention.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus costs just $29.99 / year, and it protects 3 Windows devices, but it doesn’t have parental controls or a firewall. Bitdefender Internet Security is $42.49 / year and also includes protection for up to 3 Windows devices, including parental controls and the firewall. 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.

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 unlimited devices on its top-tier plans. 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’s interface aims for simplicity but can be somewhat confusing due to its layout. The installation took only a few minutes, and it immediately suggested running a scan, which was convenient. However, I found it annoying that the password manager and identity protection tools are separate apps. Once located, McAfee’s features are generally easy to use, but I would have preferred if they were all integrated into one app like Norton and Bitdefender.

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 $69.99 / 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 $89.99 / 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.

Read the full McAfee review >

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. Unlike Avast’s VPN, it also has torrenting support, making it 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.

TotalAV is easy to set up and use, with installation taking less than 5 minutes. The interface is well-designed and feature-rich without being overwhelming. TotalAV’s main features are clearly presented in the sidebar, and I appreciate how easy it is to schedule scans. The online dashboard also includes helpful video tutorials and FAQs. Overall, TotalAV offers a straightforward user experience with accessible settings and features.

The TotalAV Internet Security plan is my top choice, since it offers unlimited data on the VPN and protects up to 6 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.

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 — Avast doesn’t have any parental controls.

Intego is easy to set up, with installation taking around 5 minutes. Each feature of Intego, such as VirusBarrier and NetBarrier, requires separate permissions in System Preferences, which can be a bit tedious. Despite this, Intego’s features are user-friendly, with each app automatically set up with recommended settings. The interface includes helpful explanations and information overlays, which are great for beginners, though I would have preferred all the features in a single app.

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 $24.99 / 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.

Read the full Intego review >

Editors' Note: Intego and this site are in the same ownership group.

Quick Comparison Table

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

To rate these Avast antivirus alternatives, I used our comprehensive methodology that includes real-life testing scenarios. The criteria focused on essential features such as real-time scanning, effective malware and virus removal, web protection, firewall, ransomware protection, and automatic updates, along with considerations for security, speed, ease of use, value, and customer support. Specifically:

• I tested malware detection and real-time protection. Each product needed to provide perfect or near-perfect protection from all types of malware, including spyware, ransomware, viruses, and trojans. The antivirus should run in the background, picking up threats before they become a risk, without slowing down devices. I only included antiviruses with detection rates above 99%. Norton excelled here, detecting 100% of my malware samples.
• I evaluated web and anti-phishing protections. The antivirus should protect you while using the internet, guarding against spying, data collection, phishing, and other threats. Norton and Bitdefender offer the best tools for avoiding these risks, but all selected antiviruses have robust web protections.
• I assessed ease of use. An antivirus is useless if it doesn’t work on your devices or is too complicated. TotalAV is great for beginners due to its intuitive interface and quick setup. Norton’s online dashboard and setup wizard make it easy for users to configure their security settings, while Bitdefender’s centralized dashboard provides seamless access to all features. I also gave extra points for antiviruses with excellent customer support and how-to guides.
• I looked for high-quality extra features. Each antivirus offers different features, and not all features work the same. Norton is the most feature-rich, but Bitdefender’s Safepay browser is excellent for online transactions, and McAfee is a great option for parental controls.
• I considered affordable plans. Every antivirus on this list offers great value, combining industry-leading malware protection with top-notch features in a single subscription. For example, Norton’s 360 Deluxe plan starts from an affordable $54.99 / year* and includes a VPN with unlimited data, 50 GB of cloud storage, parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more.

Why Should You Look for an Avast Alternative?

To put it plainly, 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.

While Avast has good security and high malware detection rates, its paid features don’t add enough value. It has a decent antivirus engine and a range of advanced security features, but other antiviruses offer similar or better features for a lower price.

Additionally, Avast offers quite a few different plans and 2 entirely different apps (Avast Premium Security and Avast One). This can be quite confusing for users trying to choose the right protection. Other antiviruses offer similar or better features for a lower price and are more straightforward when it comes to choosing what plan you want.

Luckily, there are many Avast alternatives on the market. They offer excellent protection and many useful extra features, are easier to use, and haven’t got a history of engaging in unethical business practices or selling your data. In this guide, I’ve shown you the 5 best Avast alternatives, based on rigorous testing and excellent standards.

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.

Are user-friendly antiviruses as effective as more complex ones?

Yes, the products recommended here offer excellent protection and are easy to use. They strike a balance between usability and comprehensive security features. For instance, Norton’s setup wizard and online dashboard simplify the process of enabling and understanding various features. Bitdefender also provides an intuitive interface and accessible settings while maintaining perfect malware detection rates.

These user-friendly antiviruses incorporate powerful security tools without overwhelming users. Features such as anti-phishing protections, firewalls, and VPNs are seamlessly integrated, providing top-notch security. Despite their simplicity, they do not compromise on effectiveness, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

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.

Quick Overview of My Top Recommendations: