Best Antivirus Software · head-to-head
ESET vs Avast
A sourced, side-by-side comparison for antivirus software. Avast has the lower entry price. Every figure links to the vendor's own page and the date we captured it.
At a glance
- Price: ESET $3.33/mo vs Avast $0/mo — Avast is cheaper to start.
- Free tier: ESET No; Avast Yes.
- HIPAA: ESET —; Avast —.
Side by side
| ESET | Avast | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $3.33/mo (ESET NOD32 Antivirus (1 device)) | $0/mo (Avast Free Antivirus) |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| HIPAA (BAA) | — | — |
| SOC 2 | — | — |
| GDPR | — | Yes |
| Best for | Security-focused users who value a vendor with a clean track record | Budget users wanting a full-featured forever-free antivirus |
Sources — ESET: security.org (verified 2026-06-14). Avast: avast.com (verified 2026-06-14).
Key features
ESET: AI-powered threat detection engine (NOD32 technology, 30+ years); File encryption with military-grade protection (Premium+); VPN for Router protects entire home network at router level (Ultimate); Identity theft protection with $1M insurance and credit monitoring (Ultimate); Clean security history — no documented breaches or major lawsuits
Avast: AI-powered Avast Assistant for scam detection in messages; Webcam Shield blocks unauthorized camera access (paid); Ransomware Shield protects files from unauthorized encryption; Network Inspector detects Wi-Fi intruders and router vulnerabilities; Avast is part of Gen Digital (same parent as Norton/AVG) — shared threat intelligence