ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that run...
Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection...
ESET NOD32 vs Avast: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of ESET NOD32 and Avast covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
ESET NOD32 vs Avast: Overview
Choosing between ESET NOD32 and Avast is a common dilemma for antivirus users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
ESET NOD32 offers a free tier and starts at $39.99/annually, while Avast also has a free option and begins at $31.2/annually. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
ESET NOD32 is best known for extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, whereas Avast stands out for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
ESET NOD32
- Best for: Users who prioritize system performance, Gamers and content creators
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1992
Avast
- Best for: Home users seeking comprehensive protection, Families with multiple devices
- Starting price: Free
- Category: antivirus
- Founded: 1988
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between ESET NOD32 and Avast.
| Feature | E ESET NOD32 | A Avast |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time antivirus protection | AI-powered detection against malware, ransomware, spyware and viruses | |
| Ransomware Shield | Blocks ransomware and protects valuable data | Limited in free, full protection in Premium |
| 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 | |
| Password Manager | Premium plan and above | Available in all plans |
| 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 | |
| Real-time Malware Protection | Available in free and paid plans | |
| 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 | |
| SecureLine VPN | One Gold bundle only | |
| Browser Protection | Enhanced features in Premium | |
| Data Shredder | Premium plan only |
Features Deep Dive
Both ESET NOD32 and Avast offer core antivirus functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Ransomware Shield, Password Manager.
ESET NOD32 unique strengths: Real-time antivirus protection, Anti-phishing protection, Gamer Mode. This makes it ideal for users who prioritize system performance.
Avast unique strengths: Real-time Malware Protection, Firewall Protection, Webcam Shield. This makes it better suited for home users seeking comprehensive protection.
ESET NOD32 offers 10 core features with 5 integrations, while Avast provides 10 features and 6 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, ESET NOD32 edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, ESET NOD32 offers more features for the price. Avast remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection.
ESET NOD32
Best for Users who prioritize system performance and Gamers and content creators. Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact.
Try ESET NOD32Avast
Best for Home users seeking comprehensive protection and Families with multiple devices. Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection).
Try AvastPros & Cons
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
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
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
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)
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
Pricing Comparison Analysis
ESET NOD32 Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $39.99/annually. 4 plans available: NOD32 Antivirus, Essential, Premium, Ultimate.
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.
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 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)
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
Final Verdict
Choose ESET NOD32 if: You need users who prioritize system performance or gamers and content creators. It excels at extremely lightweight with minimal system impact and high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Choose Avast if: You prioritize home users seeking comprehensive protection or families with multiple devices. It's particularly strong for excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection) and robust free version with essential features.
Overall: ESET NOD32 has a slight edge with a 4.2/5 rating from 15,000 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.
ESET NOD32 vs Avast FAQ
What are the main differences between ESET NOD32 and Avast?
ESET NOD32 focuses on users who prioritize system performance with extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, while Avast excels at home users seeking comprehensive protection with excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection). Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is ESET NOD32 or Avast better for small businesses?
ESET NOD32 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 ESET NOD32 and Avast?
ESET NOD32 starts at $39.99/month with a free tier available, while Avast starts at $31.2/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can ESET NOD32 integrate with Avast?
While direct integration may vary, both ESET NOD32 and Avast support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. ESET NOD32 integrates with Windows, macOS, Android, while Avast works with Windows, macOS, Android.
Which tool is easier to use, ESET NOD32 or Avast?
Based on user reviews, ESET NOD32 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. ESET NOD32 is known for high malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests).
Does ESET NOD32 or Avast offer better customer support?
Both ESET NOD32 and Avast provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. ESET NOD32 offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of ESET NOD32 compared to Avast?
ESET NOD32's main advantages include: Extremely lightweight with minimal system impact, High malware detection rates (99.8% in recent tests), Clean, intuitive interface without bloatware. Compared to Avast, it's particularly strong for users who prioritize system performance.
What are the cons of ESET NOD32 compared to Avast?
ESET NOD32's potential drawbacks include: Limited mobile protection, especially on iOS, Basic parental controls compared to dedicated solutions. Avast may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from ESET NOD32 to Avast 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, ESET NOD32 leads in this comparison with a 4.2 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. ESET NOD32 excels for users who prioritize system performance, while Avast is ideal for home users seeking comprehensive protection.