Does the thought of being targeted by a virus make you break out into a cold sweat? Viruses don't just disable computer systems. These days, they can be a serious threat to your personal data and financial security. That's why it's so vital to have a good antivirus protection software.
Avast is one of the largest manufacturers of cyber security software in the world. Many of their products are suited for individuals. In addition to their free software options, two of their main internet protection choices are Avast Pro and Premier.
Premier comes with all the same features and functionality as Pro, plus some additional home security options. But it's also significantly more expensive. I've broken down the features in each, how they compare to competing brands, and whether Premier's higher price tag is worth the investment for you.
Overview of Avast Pro and Avast Premier
Shared Features
Unique Avast Pro Features
Unique Avast Premier Features
Internet Browsing Protection
Avast Pro
Avast Pro has a number of features that make the software good for internet protection. It's also easy to use.
The software includes basic malware protection that will block viruses and malware from being downloaded onto your system. Also part of the package are secure browsing tools and some network protection.
Two of the features that set Pro apart from most of the competition are the sandbox mode and the password manager.
Sandbox mode lets you preview and test files before you download them onto your actual computer. That way, you can make sure that no suspicious programs or files are part of an email attachment.
The password manager is fairly basic software, and it might not do as much as a specialized password management system. However, it can do the following:
For greater flexibility, though, you'll want to use a more specialized option.
The Secure Browser tool has the same look and function as Google Chrome, but it comes with extra protection. It also doesn't integrate with Google, so you won't be able to quickly access your Drive or Gmail account.
The browser comes with secure browsing extensions that you can't get through the actual Chrome store. These include:
These features can sometimes keep your data from being collected by third parties.
There's also a video downloader that will work on Vimeo and YouTube, but it won't function with streaming sites or other sites with paid content.
There's also Bank Mode, which is a separate desktop app that lets you enact online transactions without potential third party tracking. Real Site protection keeps you from spoofed website pages as you browse.
Avast Premier
Premier has all of these functions and then some.
In addition to scanning and removing malware from your system, Premier also comes with a webcam protection tool. This keeps third parties from spying on you and your activities through your webcam.
It also includes military-grade file shredding software, which is more comprehensive and intense than the other option's software. This means that it can completely wipe traces of sensitive data from your system in ways that cannot be recovered by hackers.
These extra features make this a great tool for those who have particular concerns for their privacy.
Winner: Premier
Pro and Premier are both outfitted with more internet browsing protection than you get with the majority of other antivirus software on the market. However, Premier has some extra privacy options that make it ideal for those with deeper security concerns.
Home Network Protection
Avast Pro
Pro has some basic home network security features. The most important is the Wi-Fi inspection tool. If you're on your home network or using public Wi-Fi, the feature will scan every device on the network to find vulnerabilities.
By doing this, the system can tell you whether your router or any device on the network has been infected. On public networks, you get overviews of all connected devices to let you know whether any hackers are involved.
Avast Premier
Avast Premier shares the Wi-Fi inspection feature with Pro, but it takes home network security protection further.
The system automatically updates its software to scan for new threats and vulnerabilities in your system. That means that you never need to worry your protection is out-of-date.
Winner: Premier
Both systems will let you know if there are glaring security vulnerabilities with your home network. They'll also show you who is using public networks and inform you of infected devices. But Premier's automatic software updates mean that it's constantly responding to new security threats without you needing to manually download new versions.
Pricing
Avast Pro
Avast Pro costs about $39.99 for an annual subscription if you only want to cover one device. If you're covering three, the price is about $55. There's also the option for five devices covered at $85.
Unfortunately, unlike some other brands, there aren't options to purchase for unlimited devices. That means that Avast might not be the most economic investment if you're getting antivirus protection for a school, office, or other large institution.
Avast Premier
If you're only purchasing the software for one device, Avast Premier is actually cheaper than Pro. It only costs $35, and you get all of the Pro features plus the extra home security.
For extra devices, though, it's more of an investment. A one-year subscription for three devices costs $99.99. For five, the price is $143.99. And for ten at a time, the price is $219.99.
As with Pro, there aren't any unlimited options.
Winner: Pro
Avast Pro comes with a significantly cheaper price tag, which means it may be the best option if you're on a budget and not concerned about home network security threats.
See Full Review of - Avast Business Antivirus
Pros and Cons of Avast Pro
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Cons
Pros and Cons of Avast Premier
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Final Thoughts: Which is Better?
Both sets of cyber security software have good levels of internet browsing and system protection against many different threats. The right one mainly depends on your budget and security concerns.
Avast Pro is an affordable antivirus software that has all the basic protection you'll want. It can protect you from viruses and malware while you browse, scan emails for harmful software, and remove suspicious files from your computer. Sandbox Mode also lets you preview suspicious files before downloading them.
Avast Premier is a slightly more expensive option, but it also has additional protection features. The automatic security patching and two-way firewall offer major strength to your home network. As such, it's a good option if you have a larger budget and a significant amount of personal data that you want to protect.
