Which one among Avast or Windows Defender is Better?

In the world of security applications both of the following software, Windows Defender and Avast have gained massive popularity. Since two applications are available free of cost, thus they have become very well known. But premium versions of Avast are available also.

However, one thing you should know is that the Windows Defender application comes along with the Microsoft Windows OS, whereas for Avast there is a need for you to download and then install the same into the computer.

Here, you will get a detailed comparison between the capabilities of both the security applications Windows Defender and Avast(Windows Defender vs Avast). Then, at last, choose the champion among the two software.

Compare capabilities of both security Softwares

Here, there will be comparisons of different capabilities of both security software Windows Defender and Avast(Windows Defender vs Avast).

Features

The best thing to compare two software is to look at what type of features they offer us. Therefore, here get information regarding all the features of both the Windows Defender and Avast.

Features of Windows Defender

The Windows Defender is a security application that comes in-built with the Windows Operating System. When you install any other reliable security software on your computer, the Windows Defender turns off automatically. However, this software cannot be deleted from the machine.

This application has a good scanner that scans the computer for any threats on a regular basis. There is a ‘Find My Device’ feature, with which you can track the computer if it gets stolen or lost. With the help of this feature, you can lock the computer and even delete all the information remotely.

You will get many types of parental control features with this application, that can be utilized to track the internet activity of the children. Also, with the help of this feature, you can block specific websites or applications and even limit the screen time.

One feature due to which the Windows Defender has become famous is due to the inclusion of a firewall. To keep the computer safe from any type of malicious traffic a firewall is needed.

Avast Features

Avast security software is available both in free and premium versions. There are three choices within the premium versions of this application which are as follows – “Premium Security – Single, Multi-Device” and “Ultimate”. But here, there will be information about the features within the free version of the Avast security software.

The free version of Avast can protect the computer from any threats like ransomware, virus in real-time. Along with the protection from the malicious code, it can show the weakness in the wireless connection and network.

The last feature that Avast security application has, is to lock all the passwords and any information regarding debit or credit cards within a single location called Master Password. Thus, whenever you need to log into a website or purchase something online, then all the details will be populated on the correct fields, so that, you can log in easily.

Virus Protection

The main existence of security software is due to the presence of multiple types of malicious softwares. Therefore here, you will get information about the protection from all types of malicious codes by both the security applications Windows Defender and Avast.

Avast malicious code Scanning Process

The Avast Antivirus security software gives multiple options to scan the computer for any malicious code. Here you will get information about those options.

Full Virus Scan – This option performs a deep scan of the system. The scan includes a hard drive, RAM, including the core components within the Operating System to look for any malicious code.
Smart Scan – It is a type of scan process that checks for any virus within the system. This process can alert you if any application is not up to date, performance problems, threats within the network and extensions with a bad name.
Boot-Time Scan – It is an option that the computer scans at the time of the next startup sequence before the launch of any virus.
Targeted Scan – With the help of this option, you can scan a specific file or folder.
Explorer Scan – This is an option that scans distinct folders and files present within the File Explorer directly from the desktop.
Custom Scan – Due to this option, you can scan the computer according to the guidelines that you specify.

Scanning Process of Windows Defender

The Windows Defender security software also provides different options to scan the computer, but it is not as extensive as the Avast. However, here there will be information about those options. So follow them.

Quick Scan – In order to check the computer for any type of threat fast, then utilize the ‘Quick Scan’ option. This option looks for any malicious code in the main core files and then lets you delete or quarantine it.
Scan Schedule- This is an option that lets you schedule a specific time in order to initiate a scanning process.
Advanced Scan – there are three more scan suboptions present within the Advanced category. Those are as follows.
- Windows Defender Offline – If the computer is infected with any malicious code, then you can run this suboption to scan the system.
- Full – To check the files and applications that are executing currently, this suboption can be utilized.
- Custom- You can use this suboption to scan distinct files or folders that you want.

Performance

Here, you will get data about the performances of Avast vs Windows Defender. So go through it.

How does Windows Defender perform?

The Windows Defender is the security software, that runs much faster than many applications out there. This fastness in the performance is due to the fact that its core files have been configured in the correct way with the Windows OS. As a result of that integration, there is no lag in the overall performance of the computer.

The database that contains virus definitions for the Windows Defender application is updated on a regular basis automatically. Thus your computer remains protected all the time.

Avast Performance

No matter what type of antivirus application you install into the computer, and if it runs in the background then the performance of the computer can go down a little. The same thing happens when you install Avast security software.

However, since there are not many features with this free antivirus software, therefore its performance is relatively faster than the premium counterparts or any other reliable security applications in the market.

But, since there are many types of scanning processes, therefore it is possible for you to check a specific part of the computer.

User Interface

Another thing to compare is the user interface among Windows Defender or Avast software. Get information here.

Avast Interface

The user interface of the free Avast Antivirus software is very simple and easy to navigate. There are four functions on the left side of the window which are as follows – “Status, Protection, Privacy, and Performance”.

In the middle of the window, you will get a message about the status of your computer and an icon to represent that message. If everything is fine then the icon and message will be in green color, otherwise, there will be a red exclamation mark. Just below the status message, you will get a green button to run a quick scan. This button links to a Smart Scan.

On the top right corner of the Avast window, there are two buttons one is ‘Notifications’ and the other is ‘Menu’. Whenever you click on the ‘Notifications’ button, then the list will appear on the right side of the window, which will show alerts. If you click on the ‘Menu’ button, then a drop-down list will appear with many options like ‘Settings’, ‘Help’ and etc for the Avast application.

One big disadvantage of the Avast interface is that the window cannot be resized. In order to access other applications, you will have to minimize the window all the time.

The interface of Windows Defender

The user interface of the Windows Defender is not that simple like the one you get in the Avast Antivirus. The main dashboard of the Windows Defender contains several components like the ‘Virus & threat protection’. ‘Family Options’ and etc.

Along with various components, you can also get a message at the top section of the window. All the components that the Windows Defender showcases on the main dashboard are present on the left pane always for your easy navigation.

Which one among Avast or Windows Defender is better?

After looking at all the aspects of both the security software Windows Defender and Avast(Windows Defender vs Avast), in terms of features, user interface, protection from the virus, performance, the Avast is a clear winner.

However, if you do not want to install reliable security software like Avast. Then the inbuilt Windows Defender application will protect the computer.