It goes without saying that after the initial installation of the operating system on computers, users immediately ask questions about providing anti-virus protection. But which antivirus to install, because today there is a huge amount of such software on the market. Naturally, not all packages are equal in their capabilities. We should not forget that many of these developments are paid. We will not consider them, but will focus on two popular antiviruses - Avast and Kaspersky Free. It is these products that are completely free, and users very often prefer one of them. But which antivirus is better: Avast or Kaspersky? These questions are proposed to be discussed based on the opinions of experts and users who have tried both software products in action.
A little about antiviruses
So, we have two protection tools, which in their field can be called antiviruses, included in the top ten most famous andrespected by users. And, before comparing which is better: Avast or Kaspersky Free, for starters, it’s worth saying a few words about the developments themselves.
Avast Antivirus is the brainchild of a Czech company that, since its first release, has been positioning the package as the fastest and most reliable tool for protecting desktop computers (for now we are talking about stationary systems, but we will touch on mobile ones separately).
The second software product is developed by Kaspersky Lab, a Russian company that, according to most experts, can be called almost the undisputed leader in the highest-level anti-virus software market. By the way, Kaspersky Free is so far the first and only free development (before that, all products were exclusively paid).
Which is better: Avast or Kaspersky? Criteria for comparing antiviruses
But back to the question of choosing an antivirus for home or office computers. Avast or Kaspersky? Which is better? To answer these questions, it is necessary to compare both software packages and identify their strengths and weaknesses. To evaluate their functionality, it is proposed to use several basic criteria:
- load on system resources;
- interface design and ease of use of built-in tools;
- detection and neutralization of virus threats;
- protection directions;
- falseactuation;
- possible conflicts with other software products;
- additional features.
And only after a thorough study will it be possible to answer questions related to the choice in favor of one antivirus, although, if you read the reviews, they diverge quite strongly (some say a draw, others give an unconditional advantage to one of the packages). How things really are, which is better: Kaspersky Anti-Virus or Avast, we will further consider based on the test results.
Loading the main program and using system resources
So, the first thing you should pay attention to is downloading the program. It goes without saying that both antiviruses start together with the operating system, being in the startup section. It is impossible to disable them using standard methods (without using editing the system registry). This is understandable. But there is one caveat. Avast starts like a regular program, while Kaspersky loads its security modules much earlier than even some Windows services start. In particular, this applies to the KIS and KAV components, which are integrated into the operating system kernel immediately after the installation of the main package. According to the developers themselves, this allows you to secure the system just at the boot stage (some modern viruses can constantly reside even at the RAM without being unloaded from it). Thus, the startup time of the entire system, together with installed antiviruses, varies quite a lot. And here Avast is clearly at its best.
If we talk about what is better - "Avast" or "Kaspersky", it is worth mentioning separately the use of computer resources. We do not take the initial check at startup into account, but look at the state of the system when antiviruses provide protection against possible threats in the background.
If you look at the state of system resources, Avast does not use them so much. At least the CPU load is half that of Kaspersky.
In addition, Kaspersky consumes almost seven times more RAM, which negatively affects computer systems with insufficient RAM slots. In general, in terms of loads, all known Kaspersky Lab software products have always been unusually gluttonous. So here Avast still wins.
Note: in order to reduce the load on resources, it is necessary to make some additional settings in Kaspersky Anti-Virus, when installed, priority in performing certain tasks will be given to system processes and user applications. But not everyone knows about this. So, one can argue about the championship of Avast.
Interface
The design of the interface cannot be ignored either. "Kaspersky" is made in green colors, and "Avast" uses light and orange tones. Here is parity. However,as noted, in Avast almost all the necessary tools are at hand, but in Kaspersky, to access certain settings and parameters for an unprepared user, navigation can be very difficult. In addition, Avast also displays brief informative information, while Kaspersky is not burdened with such functions. If we compare the result, it is almost a draw, but Avast is a little ahead.
Detection of virus threats
Finally, the most important test that affects the user's choice, tipping the scales in favor of one or another antivirus, is the detection of threats, the ability to neutralize them and the speed of scanning the system in different modes. Understanding which is better: Avast or Kaspersky, it is immediately worth noting that Avast, unfortunately, simply does not respond to many dangerous threats. But "Kaspersky" is not familiar. It is this antivirus that is believed to be capable of detecting almost all threats known to date, including viruses created that have not yet been included in the databases. Here Kaspersky definitely wins.
In terms of system scanning speed, both antiviruses are approximately in the same position, however, if a deep scan is set, Kaspersky requires a little more time to complete it. But this criterion cannot be called a particularly important indicator, since all the same, the level of security provided by "Kapersky" is a cut above what is observed in the case of "Avast" (especially since most users set an on-demand checkprecisely at the moments of inactivity of the system, that is, when they are not working at the computer).
Degrees of protection
As for the main modules that provide comprehensive system protection, there are four of them in Kaspersky Anti-Virus:
- file protection;
- IM antivirus;
- mail security module;
- web protector.
Avast has similar tools, but one less (there is no protection for IM Internet chats). Thus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus has some advantage in this test.
False positives and software conflicts
Now for the sad part. Unfortunately, Avast (and this is noted by most users and computer security specialists) has such a sin. Quite often, when launching already installed programs or when trying to install new applications, Avast for some reason recognizes them as a threat, even though legal licensed software is used. No, of course, everything could be attributed, for example, to the installation of pirated or cracked copies of programs, but the antivirus itself does not have the ability to detect legal software at all!
Sometimes there is still a blocking of the Internet connection. But this is no good! And it is for this reason that many users try to get rid of this antivirus as quickly as possible. In the case of Kaspersky, nothing of the kind is observed, which again gives reason to put another plus in his favor.
Additional features
In terms of additional tools (meaning their presence), both antiviruses occupy approximately equal positions, despite the fact that the capabilities differ quite a lot.
So, for example, Avast has an additional SecureLine VPN anonymizer client, its own firewall, a tool for creating a rescue disk, an online protection module, and even its own SafeZone browser. True, judging by user reviews, most of the tools are unfinished and, so to speak, raw.
Kaspersky boasts cloud-based protection, Internet connection protection and an on-screen keyboard. There are no tools to create a rescue disk for the simple reason that a specially developed separate utility, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, is used for this purpose.
Avast or Kaspersky: which is better for Android systems?
Now a few words about mobile systems. As a rule, all antiviruses used on desktop computers also have analogues in the form of applets, most often used on Android and Windows devices. Understanding which is better: Avast or Kaspersky, based on testing on different configurations, users prefer Avast because of the rather large number of additional functions and tools that Kaspersky does not have.
Mobile antivirus developers from the "LaboratoryKaspersky" considered that the main task of the application is to protect the device from the penetration of threats, and not additional "chips". But, if you approach with an open mind, it can be noted that "Marque" is better to use on modern smartphones or tablets with powerful processors and large amounts of RAM, and Avast, as the simplest security tool, is more suitable for relatively weak configurations.
What is the result?
So, which is better: Avast or Kaspersky Free? The test results, despite the fact that Avast is the leader in many positions, nevertheless, in the field of providing comprehensive protection for both stationary computers and mobile devices, Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a cut above. However, the conclusion may be as follows: Avast is easy and fast, Kaspersky is powerful and reliable.
