Which one is better: AVG or Avast?

Question

I need some free anti-virus as my PC just had a major virus issue. I dont really mind if it bogs down the system a BIT. so which one is better based purely on their ability to detect and protect my PC from viruses

Answer 1

Avast is the better choice between those two.

The rantings of some people aside, AVG isn't the worst (it consistently scores around the middle of the pack) but it's far from the best. AOL's ActiveVirusShield was a great free option, but it's been replaced by some McAfee program.

BTW, once-a-day updates have been the norm for years. Just because one product switches to hourly updates to better respond to major virus outbreaks (which are rare occurences) doesn't make everything else crap.

Answer 2

Quote:
"so which one is better based purely on their ability to detect and protect my PC from viruses".

Neither. The highest detection-rated Free-AntiVirus is Avira AntiVir. Avira even includes a AntiRootkit Feature, which many AV's don't include and you need them seperate.

Download Avira AntiVir: http://www.free-av.com

It won't slow down your computer not even a bit. It has a Real-Time Scanning Feature for Protection.

With Comodo Personal Firewall PRO, and several AntiSpyware Softwares, your computer is in good hands.

Download Comodo Personal Firewall PRO
http://www.comodo.com

But if you want Only Those two, then Avast! Home Edition is the better one vs. AVG Free Edition

Answer 3

I personally like AVG Free the best. Been using it for over a year with no problems. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Answer 4

I have used AVG Free Edition for years and never had a single problem.

jibbarjabar is talking a load of rubbish,he is obviously one of these blokes who likes winding people up and just posting links because hes got nothing better to do!

There is nothing wrong with AVG.

Answer 5

Avast is the best. It catches viruses as they come in. It includes the ability to catch adware and spyware and a email/ download scanning feature. avast is the best to keep you safe.

Answer 6

I see the AVG fanboys and cheerleaders are out in full force again here on Yahoo Answers!

AVG is crap!

Mostly noobs, the naive, the computer illiterate, and children use AVG Free. These types love AVG because they say it is easy to use and almost never bothers them with any pop-ups or warnings. Of course AVG Free never bothers them, it hardly ever finds any virus to warn them about!

In test,
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82
after test,
http://www.av-comparatives.org/
after test,
http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/gr/avgfree.htm
after test ,
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showpost.php?p=891307&postcount=1,
after test,
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,130869-page,1/article.html,
after test,
http://techsupportalert.com/issues/al_current.htm#Section_0,
after test,
http://winnow.oitc.com/AntiVirusPerformance.html
etc. etc. etc, ad nauseam, AVG fares poorly.

AVG has proven itself to be a miserable performer at best. Missing almost 20%, while trying to detect known malware, in some tests. Not to mention almost non-existent heuristic detection and infrequent "once-a day" updates.

AVG. = Average, at best!

There are much better free alternatives such as Avria Anti-Vir:
http://www.free-av.com/
and Avast:
http://avast.com/eng/free_software.html

Answer 7

personally i would go with avg,because it updates itself
automatically&avg[grisoft] also makes a lot of other free stuff
to protect your computer. check them out&see for youself
what they offer for freebies.

Answer 8

I have used both, and I think Avast is better.

Answer 9

i think more ppl uses avg for a reason...
i've never had problems with it