Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
Webroot
Webroot delivers cloud-powered antivirus and security for PCs, Macs, mobiles, an...
Avast vs Webroot: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Avast and Webroot covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Avast vs Webroot: Overview
Choosing between Avast and Webroot 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 Webroot begins at $24.99/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 Webroot stands out for extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage. 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
Webroot
- Best for: Individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices, Gamers requiring non-intrusive PC protection
- Starting price: $24.99/mo
- Category: antivirus
- Founded:
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Avast and Webroot.
| Feature | A Avast | Wb Webroot |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| Ransomware Shield | Limited in free, full protection in Premium | |
| 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 | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only | |
| Real-time antivirus/malware protection | Available on all plans | |
| Ransomware protection | Available on all plans | |
| Phishing/anti-phishing protection | Essentials and above | |
| Browser protection | Essentials and above | |
| Password manager | Essentials and above | |
| Identity protection | Premium and Total Protection | |
| VPN | Total Protection or standalone | |
| Unlimited backup | Total Protection only | |
| Cloud-based scanning | Low resource usage on all plans | |
| Multi-device support | PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Chromebook | |
| Gaming optimization | Dedicated gaming plan available | |
| PC Optimizer | Available as add-on |
Features Deep Dive
Both Avast and Webroot offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Password Manager, Browser Protection.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Ransomware Shield, Firewall Protection. This makes it ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
Webroot unique strengths: Real-time antivirus/malware protection, Ransomware protection, Phishing/anti-phishing protection. This makes it better suited for individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices.
Avast offers 10 core features with 6 integrations, while Webroot provides 12 features and 8 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. Webroot remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices.
Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastWebroot
Best for Individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices and Gamers requiring non-intrusive PC protection. Extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage.
Try WebrootPros & 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
Webroot Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage
- Fast cloud-based scans
- Real-time threat blocking without daily updates
- Multi-device support up to 5+ devices
- Includes extras like password manager and VPN in higher tiers
- 70-day money-back guarantee
- Affordable starting prices
Cons
- No free tier or trial available
- Limited standalone options for 1-3 devices in premium plans
- iOS protection limited to browser/backup with no app scanning
- Some features Android-only
- Pricing varies across different pages
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
Webroot
subscription- Real-time antivirus protection
- Ransomware protection
- Phishing protection
- Real-time antivirus protection
- Gaming mode optimization
- Minimal resource usage
- All Essentials features
- Identity protection
- Identity Shield
- All Premium features
- VPN protection
- Unlimited backup
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.
Webroot Pricing: Paid plans start at $24.99/annually. 4 plans available: Webroot Essentials, AntiVirus for PC Gamers, Webroot Premium, Webroot Total Protection.
Verdict: Webroot is more affordable at the entry level. However, Avast may offer better value at scale with Robust free version with essential features.
For budget-conscious teams, Webroot is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing home users seeking comprehensive protection, Avast'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 Webroot if you need:
- Individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices
- Gamers requiring non-intrusive PC protection
- Families protecting multiple devices with identity/VPN needs
- Users prioritizing cloud-based, low-resource security
- Mobile users seeking cross-platform coverage
- Extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage
- Fast cloud-based scans
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 Webroot if: You prioritize individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices or gamers requiring non-intrusive pc protection. It's particularly strong for extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage and fast cloud-based scans.
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.
Related to Avast vs Webroot
Avast vs Webroot FAQ
What are the main differences between Avast and Webroot?
Avast focuses on home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection), while Webroot excels at individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices with extremely lightweight with minimal system resource usage. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Avast or Webroot 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 Webroot's lower starting price of $24.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Avast and Webroot?
Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available, while Webroot starts at $24.99/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Avast integrate with Webroot?
While direct integration may vary, both Avast and Webroot support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Avast integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Webroot works with Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome.
Which tool is easier to use, Avast or Webroot?
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 Webroot offer better customer support?
Both Avast and Webroot 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 Webroot?
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 Webroot, it's particularly strong for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
What are the cons of Avast compared to Webroot?
Avast's potential drawbacks include: History of unauthorized data collection issues, Quick scan missed malware in testing. Webroot may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Avast to Webroot 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 Webroot is ideal for individuals needing lightweight antivirus for 1-5 personal devices.