Antivirus
Top Companies in 2025
Avira vs Sophos Home
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- Cloud-based scanning technology for efficient and non-intrusive threat detection
- High malware detection scores by independent testing organizations
- Lightweight performance with minimal impact on system resources
- Integrated privacy tools, including VPN and password manager
- Comprehensive system optimization tools like junk cleaner and driver updater
- User-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and advanced users
- Full access to all features with any plan length
- Generous 10-device coverage
- Strong phishing and identity protection
- Ransomware rollback to restore encrypted files
- Behavior-based protection
- Limited features in the free version
- Frequent upselling and ads, even for paid users
- Occasional performance impact on older or less powerful systems
- Complex plan tiers can be confusing to navigate
- No dedicated firewall for macOS users
- No built-in firewall
- Limited independent testing
- Fewer features available on macOS
- Lacks features like VPN or password manager
Founded in 1986 in Tettnang, Germany, Avira is a leading cybersecurity company known for its advanced antivirus and security solutions. They offer a range of products for individual users and businesses, providing comprehensive protection for various devices and operating systems. Avira's cloud-based antivirus technology, user privacy commitment, and a suite of security features make it a reliable choice. They offer advanced system optimization tools for Windows and focus on real-time malware protection for Mac. Mobile versions provide basic antivirus scanning and VPN services. They enable users to make payments using major credit cards and PayPal. Their paid plans can be tried for free for 30 days and come with a 60-day money-back guarantee for annual plans, or 14 days for monthly subscriptions. Avira has a strong reputation for high detection rates and minimal system impact, recognized by independent testing organizations. While not accredited by the BBB, the company has earned numerous awards, including Best Protection and Advanced+ ratings, and mostly positive customer reviews.
Sophos is a well-established name in enterprise cybersecurity, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Abingdon, England. Their expertise in large-scale threat prevention extends to individual users through Sophos Home—a consumer antivirus solution built on the same core technologies used in their business products. Sophos Home offers real-time malware protection, AI-driven threat detection, ransomware rollback, phishing prevention, and basic parental web filtering. A key feature is their cloud-based dashboard, which allows users to manage up to ten devices remotely, making them ideal for households or individuals overseeing multiple systems. Sophos Home focuses on streamlined, security-first functionality rooted in behavior-based threat prevention and enterprise-grade threat intelligence. User feedback is generally positive, especially for the clean interface, low system impact, and remote management capabilities. However, some users have noted that features can vary between platforms, with macOS lacking several tools available on Windows. Sophos Home is a simplified, no-nonsense security option for users who want powerful core protection without feature bloat. Keep reading for a deeper look into how it performs in real-world use.
- Security Rating : Excellent
- VPN : Yes
- Price : Starting at $5.99/month or $26.99/year
- Customer Experience : Excellent
- Firewall : Available for Windows
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Trustpilot Score : 3.9 out of 5
- Security Rating : Fair
- VPN : Unavailable
- Price : Starts at $44.99 for one year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : As a standalone
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Trustpilot Score : 4.4 out of 5
- 60-day money-back guarantee on annual subscriptions
- Commitment to user privacy with a strict no-logging policy for the VPN
- Smart Scan feature that combines malware detection with system and privacy optimization
- Versatile protection across multiple devices and platforms
- AI-based malware detection
- 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee
- Remote management
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)—Undisclosed
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection—Undisclosed
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control—Undisclosed
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit—Undisclosed
- USB Vaccination
- Cloud Storage Backup—Undisclosed
- Live Updates—Undisclosed
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit—Undisclosed
- USB Vaccination—Undisclosed
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS—Undisclosed
- Fire OS—Undisclosed
- iOS
- Linux—Undisclosed
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket—Undisclosed
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket