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PC Matic vs Sophos Home

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Pros
  • Generous cloud coverage
  • Identity monitoring included in all plans
  • Includes automated PC optimization tools
  • Supports unlimited devices with top-tier plans
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 free version or trial available
  • Full support requires an extra paid subscription
  • May block safe programs due to allowlist model
  • Entry-level plan lacks privacy tools like VPN and backup
Cons
  • No built-in firewall
  • Limited independent testing
  • Fewer features available on macOS
  • Lacks features like VPN or password manager
Summary

PC Matic is a U.S. cybersecurity company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Sioux City, Iowa. They began as a diagnostic software provider and have since evolved into an antivirus company offering protection across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Their standout feature is application allowlisting, a prevention-based approach that blocks unknown programs by default, setting them apart from other providers. They offer several tiered plans that scale by features and device limits, with options like VPN access, cloud backup, and identity monitoring. While standard support is limited, users can add 24/7 access through a separate subscription.
They’ve earned solid marks from AV-TEST for protection and performance, but aren’t broadly evaluated by other major testing labs. Customer feedback varies, with some users appreciating their simple setup and lightweight design, while others report issues with false positives or difficulty accessing support without add-ons. This review explores their strengths, limitations, and overall value to help you determine whether their model fits your needs. Whether you’re interested in a more proactive defense or just weighing your antivirus options, read on to see where they stand.

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 : Fair
  • VPN : Available
  • Price : Starts at $50 per year
  • Customer Experience : Fair
  • Firewall : Available
  • Free Trial : Unavailable
  • Trustpilot Score : 2.2 out of 5
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
  • Application allowlisting security model
  • SuperShield default-deny engine
  • Anti-cryptojacking protection included
Selling Points
  • AI-based malware detection
  • 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee
  • Remote management
General Features & Perks
  • Undisclosed
    Adware Removal
  • Anti-Phishing
  • Undisclosed
    Anti-Spam
  • Undisclosed
    Anti-Theft
  • Anti-Tracking
  • Behavior Analysis
  • Cloud Scanning
  • Dark Web Scanning
  • Dedicated Ransomware Protection
  • Undisclosed
    E-mail Scan
  • Undisclosed
    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
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
  • Browser Cleaner
  • Disk Cleaner
  • Junk Files Removal
  • Software/Driver Updater
System Optimization & Performance
  • Boot Time Scans
  • Browser Cleaner
  • Disk Cleaner
  • Junk Files Removal
  • Software/Driver Updater
Additional Perks
  • Cloud Storage Backup
  • Live Updates
  • Undisclosed
    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
  • Undisclosed
    Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticket
Customer Support
  • Community Forum
  • Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Social Media
  • Ticket