Avast vs F-Secure

Avast vs. F-Secure

Antivirus software now does more than block malware. From VPNs to system cleanup, features vary widely—and so do providers. This Avast vs. F-Secure comparison breaks down how the two stack up across service range, ease of use, security performance, and pricing.

Service range and customization options

Both Avast and F-Secure focus heavily on malware detection, using a mix of signature-based and behavioral analysis tools. Each provider offers real-time scanning, automatic updates, and the ability to schedule system scans. They also support multiple platforms—Avast covers Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, while F-Secure primarily targets Windows but includes cross-platform support in their broader suites. Both allow users to tweak protection settings to some degree and manage quarantined items or scan histories.

Where they differ is in how broad their services are. Avast has a much larger feature set. Beyond antivirus, they offer a firewall, password protection, Wi-Fi inspector, VPN options, and even a sandbox to run suspicious files. They also include privacy tools like AntiTrack and identity monitoring in some plans. F-Secure, on the other hand, focuses on core malware protection with their standalone antivirus and reserves extra features like VPN and browsing protection for higher-tier plans like F-Secure Total.

Ease of use and integration

Both products are known for clean user interfaces. F-Secure recently redesigned theirs with a more modern look. Their updated icons, event logs, and a straightforward scan button make it easy to understand what’s happening. Avast also earns points for usability, with a dashboard that lays out tools in categories like protection, privacy, and performance.

That said, Avast’s interface may feel cluttered due to the number of tools packed in, and frequent upsell prompts can be distracting. F-Secure’s layout is more minimal, focusing only on the essentials, which might appeal to users who don’t want the extras. Avast integrates better across devices and allows more control over individual tools. F-Secure, however, offers a more lightweight experience that doesn’t get in the way.

Security and compliance

Both Avast and F-Secure earned a perfect 18/18 score from AV-Test, demonstrating strong performance in protection, speed, and usability. However, their AV-Comparatives results show a difference in consistency; Avast received the highest “Advanced+” rating, while F-Secure earned a basic “Tested” certificate.

In terms of features, Avast includes real-time malware and spyware detection, a Ransomware Shield, Web and Email Shields, Behavior Shield for zero-day threats, and a customizable firewall. They also offer tools like Wi-Fi Inspector to identify weak networks and Real Site to prevent DNS hijacking. F-Secure focuses more narrowly on core protection, offering signature-based malware detection, DeepGuard behavioral analysis for unknown threats, web traffic scanning to block malicious URLs, and ransomware protection through folder monitoring. It also includes automatic updates, scan scheduling, and both quick and full scan options.

Pricing

Avast’s pricing starts with a free antivirus plan that includes real-time protection, malware scanning, ransomware shielding, and Wi-Fi security. Their most advanced plan, Avast One Family, costs $69.48 per year and supports up to 30 devices. It includes all core protections plus a VPN, identity monitoring, device cleanup tools, and tracking prevention.

F-Secure’s entry-level plan is priced at $35.99 per year for one device and includes real-time malware detection, DeepGuard behavioral protection, and web traffic scanning. Their highest-tier product, F-Secure Total, costs $89.99 per year for five devices. It adds features like a VPN, password manager, and full browser protection. While F-Secure’s base plan is focused strictly on malware defense, their top-tier option provides a broader range of security and privacy tools.

Conclusion

Avast and F-Secure both offer strong antivirus tools, but cater to different users. Avast is better for those who want an all-in-one suite that includes privacy, performance, and customization features in addition to core malware protection. Their free plan also gives budget-conscious users a lot to work with.

F-Secure is a better fit if you want simplicity and strong core protection without extra frills. Their interface is clean, it performs well in lab tests, and it comes at a straightforward price. But it lacks the broader feature set found in Avast, especially around phishing and ransomware defense.