Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that run...
Avast vs ESET NOD32: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Avast and ESET NOD32 covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Avast vs ESET NOD32: Overview
Choosing between Avast and ESET NOD32 is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Avast offers a free tier and starts at $31.2/annually, while ESET NOD32 also has a free option and begins at $39.99/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Avast is best known for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), whereas ESET NOD32 stands out for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
ESET NOD32
- Best for: Users who prioritize system performance, Gamers and content creators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1992
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Avast and ESET NOD32.
| Feature | A Avast | E ESET NOD32 |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | Blocks ransomware and protects valuable data |
| Firewall Protection | Basic in free, advanced in Premium | |
| Webcam Shield | Premium plan only | |
| Wi-Fi Security Scanner | Premium plan only | |
| Email Protection | Premium plan only | |
| Password Manager | Available in all plans | Premium plan and above |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only | |
| Real-time antivirus protection | AI-powered detection against malware, ransomware, spyware and viruses | |
| Anti-phishing protection | Protects against fraudulent websites and scams | |
| Gamer Mode | Automatically pauses background tasks and silences pop-ups | |
| Safe Banking | Essential plan and above | |
| File Encryption | Premium plan and above | |
| Unlimited VPN | Premium plan and above, device limits vary by plan | |
| Identity Protection | Ultimate plan only, includes $1M insurance | |
| Network Inspector | Monitors home Wi-Fi and connected devices |
Features Deep Dive
Both Avast and ESET NOD32 offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Ransomware Shield, Password Manager.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Firewall Protection, Webcam Shield. This makes it ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
ESET NOD32 unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Anti-phishing protection, Gamer Mode. This makes it better suited for users who prioritize system performance.
Avast offers 10 core features with 6 integrations, while ESET NOD32 provides 10 features and 5 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Avast edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Avast offers more features for the price. ESET NOD32 remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize users who prioritize system performance.
Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastESET NOD32
Best for Users who prioritize system performance and Gamers and content creators. Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact.
Try ESET NOD32Pros & Cons
Avast Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
ESET NOD32 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
- Clean, intuitive interface without bloatware
- 30-day free trial with full features
- No history of security breaches or vulnerabilities
Cons
- Limited mobile protection, especially on iOS
- Basic parental controls compared to dedicated solutions
- Confusing pricing structure with multiple tiers
- Ultimate plan requires minimum 5 devices
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Avast
freemium- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
ESET NOD32
subscription- Antivirus & anti-malware
- Ransomware Shield
- Anti-phishing
- All NOD32 features
- Safe banking protection
- Firewall
- All Essential features
- Password manager
- File encryption
- All Premium features
- Identity protection with $1M insurance
- Unlimited VPN (up to 25 devices)
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Avast Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $31.2/annually. 4 plans available: Free Antivirus, Premium Security (1 device), Premium Security (10 devices), One Gold.
ESET NOD32 Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 4 plans available: NOD32 Antivirus, Essential, Premium, Ultimate.
Verdict: Avast is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, ESET NOD32 may offer better value at scale with 30-day free trial with full features.
For budget-conscious teams, Avast is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing users who prioritize system performance, ESET NOD32's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Avast if you need:
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
Choose ESET NOD32 if you need:
- Users who prioritize system performance
- Gamers and content creators
- Windows and macOS users seeking basic protection
- Businesses needing lightweight endpoint security
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact
- High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests)
Final Verdict
Choose Avast if: You need home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It excels at excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Choose ESET NOD32 if: You prioritize users who prioritize system performance or gamers and content creators. It's particularly strong for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact and high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Overall: Avast has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 150,000 reviews. However, Avast has a larger user base with 150,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the antivirus space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Avast vs ESET NOD32 FAQ
What are the main differences between Avast and ESET NOD32?
Avast focuses on home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), while ESET NOD32 excels at users who prioritize system performance with extremely lightweight with minimal system impact. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Avast or ESET NOD32 better for small businesses?
Avast offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Avast's lower starting price of $31.2/month.
What is the pricing difference between Avast and ESET NOD32?
Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available, while ESET NOD32 starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Avast integrate with ESET NOD32?
While direct integration may vary, both Avast and ESET NOD32 support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while ESET NOD32 works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, Avast or ESET NOD32?
Based on user reviews, Avast generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.2 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Avast is known for robust free version with essential features.
Does Avast or ESET NOD32 offer better customer support?
Both Avast and ESET NOD32 provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Avast offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Avast compared to ESET NOD32?
Avast's main advantages include: Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), Robust free version with essential features, User-friendly interface suitable for beginners. Compared to ESET NOD32, it's particularly strong for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of Avast compared to ESET NOD32?
Avast's potential drawbacks include: History of unauthorized data collection issues, Quick scan missed malware in testing. ESET NOD32 may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Avast to ESET NOD32 or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for antivirus in 2026?
In 2026, Avast leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Avast excels for home users seeking comprehensive protection, while ESET NOD32 is ideal for users who prioritize system performance.