Avast vs Zone Alarm: Which One is Better? [2022 Top Picks]
Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.
Avast vs Zone Alarm: Which Is Right for You?
Avast vs Zone Alarm: Which Is Right for You?
Zone Alarm and Avast each receive top reviews, but which one is really the best? Their security is both top-quality, both offer anti-ransomware and anti-phishing, and both use sandboxing, which launches suspicious programs in secure virtual environments. But Zone Alarm relies on a regularly-updated signature-based system while Avast focuses on identifying suspicious behaviors. However, it’s the extra features that really set them apart.
Zone Alarm uses a browser extension for its anti-phishing protection, provides 5GB of online backup space, and even has a ‘Find My Laptop’ feature should your machine be physically stolen. On the other hand, Avast focuses on WiFi protection, even over public networks. They also offer a password vault and computer tune-up which identifies unnecessary CPU usage. They cover most devices and operating systems, with protection for Mac, Windows, and even voice-command tools like Alexa and Google Home.
As for support, both companies offer similar options, including online documentation, live chat, and a 24/7 phone line. However, Zone Alarm prefers to deal with technical problems via the ticketed chat system.
Although the antivirus suites are prices similarly, Avast offers a free version and professional upgrade, while Zone Alarm only has one option.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.
Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.
It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.
A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.
For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.
An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.
Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.
When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.
You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.