Avast vs ManageEngine Malware Protection Plus

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, Avast has grown into one of the most recognized names in cybersecurity. Known for offering a free antivirus product alongside robust premium plans, Avast provides multi-layered protection through features like Smart Scan, real-time malware detection, phishing protection, and a Secure Browser designed to safeguard sensitive activity online. More advanced services include Avast One Gold, which adds VPN access, identity protection, and ransomware defense. Their tools are compatible across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, offering flexible security for individual users and families alike. Avast’s services have earned high marks in independent malware tests, including results from SE Labs and AV-Comparatives, helping establish their credibility within the industry. Customer feedback is largely positive, with users praising Avast’s ease of use, effective free service, and performance-boosting utilities. However, concerns have been raised about frequent upselling and pop-up notifications, especially within the paid tiers. Despite this, Avast remains a popular option for users seeking both basic and enhanced digital protection.

ManageEngine, part of Zoho Corp, has built a strong reputation in IT management and is used by thousands of organizations globally. Malware Protection Plus is their venture into next-gen endpoint security, seamlessly built into the Endpoint Central management console. This solution provides next-generation antivirus (NGAV) capabilities – leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and behavior analytics – to protect business endpoints against malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. It’s tailored for businesses of all sizes that want to unify their IT administration and security. The antivirus module works hand-in-hand with other ManageEngine features like patch management and device control, enabling a holistic approach to endpoint defense. Companies can deploy it either on-premises or use ManageEngine’s cloud service, managing everything through a web-based dashboard. The software can isolate infected devices in real time, automatically kill malicious processes, and even revert changes caused by an attack, which significantly reduces the impact of incidents. With its AI-driven detection engine, Malware Protection Plus can catch advanced threats that signature-based antiviruses might miss, all while keeping a low performance footprint. ManageEngine offers flexible pricing, including subscription and perpetual licenses, and even provides a free edition for up to 25 devices, making it accessible. Read more in our review.