Is Windows Defender better than Avast?

The short answer is no. AV-comparatives rated Windows Defender at 99.5% for detection. Avast came out on top of that with 100%. However, Avast has many advanced features that Windows Defender won't offer you besides the detection rates. So when you take everything into account, Avast is a better option than Windows Defender.

Will Avast slow my PC down?

Yes, it will. Every antivirus will use some of your computer's resources so that it will reduce your system's performance.

Is Windows Defender good enough for my computer's security?

Windows Defender is a popular option for a basic protection level against malware and viruses – let's not forget that it comes preinstalled in Windows. However, Avast is the better option for a user who spends more time browsing the internet or keeps more critical data in the system, even if it needs an installation because it offers better protection and many other features.

Avast is widespread, and it's available for several operating systems. But it's a good antivirus solution, and it comes packed with advanced features, even in its free version.

Avast vs Windows Defender: Which antivirus is best among the two

Sneak peek at Avast vs Windows Defender comparison

Avast is one of the oldest antimalware available in the market that became popular among users for its free availability. But later, Microsoft’s Windows Defender surfaced online as a rival service offering similar protection at no cost. Avast’s strengths include free availability with other paid options, low-cost subscriptions, multiple scan functions, and low resource consumption. But it lags behind Microsoft Defender in that it has a low detection rate and shows ads – both of which are absent with Defender, making it a preferable option for regular Windows users. This guide tells a head-to-head comparison between Avast and Windows Defender.

If you use Windows as your regular operating system, you know that antivirus software is not optional. Seriously, unless you keep the device in question offline permanently (which is unthinkable), the lack of a good antivirus suite will take away your ownership over the system in a matter of hours or less. That brings us to the next problem, of course: what is the antivirus software that you should choose?

You can choose between free versions or paid ones. Microsoft provides Windows Defender pre-installed, as you probably know already. However, very few users consider that Windows Defender alone can keep their systems safe enough without the help of additional software.

Consequently, most users will search for options in the antivirus market. The market includes free versions as well as paid ones, and Avast is prominent among them. In this in-depth Windows Defender and Avast comparison, we help you decide which antivirus is better for you today.

Avast versus Windows Defender, head to head

Microsoft introduced Windows Defender as a comprehensive antivirus solution for Windows, starting with Windows 7. In the latest Windows versions, it’s an inbuilt feature. Obviously, Microsoft didn’t add this feature just because it had spare engineers to keep busy. Nevertheless, it forces a few questions to mind.