trusted formCylance Smart vs Sophos Home | Several.com
Although we earn commissions from partners, we ensure unbiased evaluations. More on our 'How We Work' page

Cylance Smart vs Sophos Home

Press [Add to Compare] to Edit, Add or Remove Vendors

Pros
  • Effective zero-day protection
  • Real-time protection
  • Behavior-based malware detection
  • Cross-platform availability
Pros
  • 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
Cons
  • No VPN, password manager, or additional security tools
  • Lacked regular third-party antivirus test certifications
  • No free version or free trial available
  • Product has been fully discontinued and is unsupported
Cons
  • No built-in firewall
  • Limited independent testing
  • Fewer features available on macOS
  • Lacks features like VPN or password manager
Summary

Cylance was founded in 2012 in Irvine, California, focusing on using artificial intelligence to prevent cybersecurity threats proactively. While their early success was rooted in enterprise solutions, they expanded into the consumer space in 2018 with Cylance Smart Antivirus—a lightweight, AI-based security tool designed to stop threats before they could run. Their antivirus software didn’t rely on traditional signature updates or scheduled scans. Instead, it analyzed behavior in real time and blocked suspicious files. Users could manage multiple devices through a centralized, cloud-based dashboard. They positioned their service as a minimal-intervention alternative for individuals and families seeking quiet, background protection. However, third-party testing was limited. The one major AV-Test evaluation in 2020 gave them strong performance marks but below-average protection results. They also lacked standard features found in broader security suites, such as VPNs or password managers. BlackBerry acquired Cylance Smart Antivirus in 2019 and gradually phased out their home antivirus. Arctic Wolf's acquisition of the company's enterprise solution led to their complete discontinuation by 2024. What did they bring to the table—and what can today’s users learn from their short-lived approach to home cybersecurity?

Summary

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.

Quick Stats
  • Security Rating : Poor
  • VPN : Unavailable
  • Price : Starts at $29 per year
  • Customer Experience : N/A
  • Firewall : Unavailable
  • Free Trial : Unavailable
  • Trustpilot Score : N/R
Quick Stats
  • 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
Selling Points
  • AI-driven threat prevention
  • Cloud-based dashboard for managing multiple devices
  • Autonomous file quarantining
Selling Points
  • AI-based malware detection
  • 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee
  • Remote management
General Features & Perks
  • Adware Removal
  • Undisclosed
    Anti-Phishing
  • Anti-Spam
  • Undisclosed
    Anti-Theft
  • Anti-Tracking
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Cloud Scanning
  • Dark Web Scanning
  • Undisclosed
    Dedicated Ransomware Protection
  • Undisclosed
    E-mail Scan
  • Undisclosed
    File Encryption
  • Free Version
  • Undisclosed
    ID Protection
  • Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
  • Malware Removal
  • Mobile App
  • Undisclosed
    On Demand Scan
  • Real-Time Protection
  • Spyware Removal
  • Undisclosed
    Vulnerability Scanner
  • Undisclosed
    Webcam Protection
General Features & Perks
  • 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
System Optimization & Performance
  • Undisclosed
    Boot Time Scans
  • Undisclosed
    Browser Cleaner
  • Undisclosed
    Disk Cleaner
  • Undisclosed
    Junk Files Removal
  • Software/Driver Updater
System Optimization & Performance
  • Boot Time Scans
  • Browser Cleaner
  • Disk Cleaner
  • Junk Files Removal
  • Software/Driver Updater
Additional Perks
  • Undisclosed
    Cloud Storage Backup
  • Live Updates
  • Parental Control
  • Password Manager
  • Undisclosed
    Rescue Mode
  • USB Rescue Toolkit
  • USB Vaccination
Additional Perks
  • Undisclosed
    Cloud Storage Backup
  • Undisclosed
    Live Updates
  • Parental Control
  • Password Manager
  • Rescue Mode
  • Undisclosed
    USB Rescue Toolkit
  • Undisclosed
    USB Vaccination
Device Compatibility
  • Android
  • Undisclosed
    Browser Plugins
  • ChromeOS
  • Fire OS
  • iOS
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
Device Compatibility
  • Android
  • Browser Plugins
  • ChromeOS
  • Fire OS
  • iOS
  • Linux
  • macOS
  • Windows
Customer Support
  • Community Forum
  • Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticket
Customer Support
  • Community Forum
  • Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticket