Avast Free Antivirus Review | Tested vs Malware

Avast Free Antivirus is one of the most popular security solutions for home users, but how will it hold up against a test with over 1700 malware samples including ransomware, trojans and PUPs? Let's find out!

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[ApertureLabs]

I agree. Avast is *amazing* in terms of detection and prevention - but their marketing tactics are terrible.

[carlopepi]

Used avast for 12+ years apart from their tactics to get you to pay i never had an issue superb protection

[pearlescent]

I agree with calling their marketing scareware. Avast Free was my first antivirus on my first ever computer, so I was super careful about security, and some of its pop-ups *terrified me*. Like when they’re trying to get you to use their VPN or whatever, they put this giant pop up with red caution signs saying “YOUR LOCATION IS PUBLIC”. Really they just mean your IP address. Also, the amount of time it’d say “ACTIONS NEEDED” in a pop-up just to be telling me to either update or upgrade was infuriating. I uninstalled it after a month and got Kaspersky free. Now, I use Malwarebytes for scanning and Defender for everything else. Avast is good, but if you’re new to PCs and/or super anxious about security, it’ll cause you nothing but headaches.

[TheGodEmperorOfMankind_]

I've been using Avast on all my machines for close to a decade, the scare tactics and atrocious marketing is annoying, but the AV itself is effective and gives enough control to the user unlike quite a few other AVs

[Agent-]

So, generally reliable if you can ignore scareware? Well, that's actually pretty neat

[MrDmoe]

I love avast ive been using it for years. The one thing I absolutely despise is the marketing which I'm glad you pointed out. Adding to that it sometimes pops up as a notification again trying to sell you stuff which is super annoying.

It wasn't always like this in the past there was none of this marketing bs so idk what happened, vpn marketing influenced them perhaps?

[Conservchick]

I deal with these issues daily and Avast has always done a great job. I just ignore the marketing, but my customers do occasionally panic and call me when they get the prompts. But it tells me they are paying attention. Thank you for the most professional presentation. You did a EXCELLENT job of explaining it.

[СергейМакеев-жн]

I use Avast (the free version), and my biggest problem with it is when it sometimes *silently* blocks a program by real-time protection, and I get *absolutely no indication* of what happened to that process. More than once I have spent several hours troubleshooting some very obscure problem, only to discover that the AV was at fault. I am surprised nobody has brought this up yet.


The number one sign the antivirus is involved in a bug is when even your debuggers start misbehaving. As in, they miss a breakpoint that was absolutely impossible not to hit, and even the "step" command, *even at the assembly level*, just does a "continue", and then your process hangs, and you never hear from it again. And all that time, Avast simply didn't bother to tell me about it!

[gmt]

Been using Avast free for 3 years, they give some great loyalty discounts. Last offer was 80% off.

[pship]

I use and recommend Avast. The detection and prevention is excellent, through I agree the “nagging” up sells are off putting.

[EndstyleGG]

Just turn on gaming mode, you'll never get any sort of notification

[mikemoseley]

I do have to agree that for years they have had this approach, I started using Avast at least 10+ years ago. I have not ever experienced a virus nor a malware or anything on my system so I have to say that I LOVE Avast.

[LieutenantDan]

Great to see a test like this. I've been using it for many years without any issues. I always turn on gaming mode so I'm never bothered by annoying messages. I game a lot and I think it does a great job at consuming resources to a minimum.

[RonGau]

oh boy you gave me a scare there for a moment :))) thank you for the test, a test for the Kaspersky's free version would be nice too, cheers from Montreal🙋‍♂️🍁😊🖖👏

[joetylerdale]

2:57 so true, my biggest complaints about ALL software producers (antivirus and regular programs) is the incredible bombardment to intimidate the average user! Like you illustration, or being told how obsolete the program you just bought 1.5 years ago is now. So sad, so playing on ignorance and emotions. you just got a subscriber, thanks!

[daleanderson]

You earned another subscriber. You were sensible and straightforward. You were honest and didn't resort to childish sales tactics. BRAVO! Keep it up.

[mdimrankabir]

Using Avast Antivirus Free from 2006...🙂 Very dependable & solid performer.

[rudranilghosh]

Why don't you test the Kaspersky's free version, that'd be interesting

[anafantasyy]

2025 future:

*Avast detects virus*
*clicks to resolve*
Avast shows to buy
Pc: still with virus
User: removes avast and installs Kaspersky and malwarebytes

[dustinsimpson]

I'm actually impressed. I try to avoid programs such as Avast and McAfee but seeing Avast having that kind of detection looks very well for it's users. It wouldn't be my first choice since I'm an advocate for Malwarebytes