By Julia Newman 5 days ago, Antivirus Reviews
Being an experienced user who used both Avast and Sophos, I can surely state that beginners should definitely install Avast. Thus, this tool offers more user-friendly navigation panels along with labeled options and also has a less complicated layout. Its functionality is more comprehensive and includes a file shredder and parental control options.
Avast is faster in scanning and provides reliable real-time protection. Another feature that makes it more user-friendly than most other software in the market is a large support community that gets together on the forums, YouTube and X. In a nutshell, Avast provides a better working environment for a beginner and is also easier to use as compared to Sophos.
Avast |
Sophos |
|
Rating |
★★★★☆ 4.5/5 |
★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Reasons to Choose |
More features, excellent performance, great customer support |
Strong network security, comprehensive protection |
Price |
From $4/mo |
From $44,99/year |
Free Version |
✔️ |
Free Trial |
Number of Devices |
30 |
10 |
Platforms |
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
Avast |
Sophos |
||||
Real-Time Protection |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Wi-Fi Protection |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Webcam Protection |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
VPN |
✔️ |
❌ |
|||
Anti-phishing |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Password Manager |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Avoid Tracking |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Be Anonymous Online |
✔️ |
❌ |
As for functionality, Avast has a lighter and more effective mode in comparison to Sophos. Additionally, this free antivirus software also comes with a modern and attractive interface that is very simple to maneuver back and forth.
Avast also provides other advanced features, which Sophos lacks, like sandboxing that minimizes the risks associated with downloading or installing malware. Additionally, Avast has minimal impacts on system resources compared to Sophos while ensuring improved smooth operations.
Sophos boasts the latest state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and real-time threat intelligence updates, which are one step ahead of the competition in malware protection. But after testing this Avast alternative, I concluded that it was heavier on CPU and RAM and affected the performance of my system.
According to my investigation, Avast delivers better results and offers a more intuitive interface. However, Sophos' performance is also superior but not the fastest one.
Avast |
Sophos |
||||
Full Scan |
13 min |
10 min |
|||
Quick scan |
✔️ |
❌ |
Avast provides real-time protection scanning all files you open, save, or copy to prevent infections. It also blocks access to a phishing website.
On the other hand, Sophos also offers a full scan functionality but it takes about 10 minutes and provides no detailed information on what it is actually scanning. Moreover, Sophos does not have a quick scan option.
Comparing Avast vs Sophos, I’ve found out that the first anti spyware software provides more advanced malware protection tools like the Behavioral Analysis technology that identifies and neutralizes threats unknown at the time of their development. The program also offers cloud-based threat intelligence to ensure that its users are absolutely safe.
While featuring web filtering and a firewall, Sophos uses behavior analysis of harmful computer programs when detecting malware.
Sophos is just a good antivirus product, but it is less powerful than Avast. Several labs tested the program and it got high scores. However, it marked some innocent programs as malicious causing extra work to whitelist them.
All in all, Avast has been somewhat better. It has a higher malware detection percentage and comes with an interface that is easier to get around. Every test by independent organizations always places malware removal software among the best, and it continuously receives high scores on AV-Test.
Avast customer support is top-level as well, and users also like that it offers extra features like the VPN and parental control, which is essential for me as a parent of two kids.
Both offer excellent privacy features. However, when it comes to advanced options, Avast takes an edge with its data eraser tool and ability to sandbox suspected programs. It also delivers improved webcam protection, which is another important privacy criterion for me, especially when working remotely.
Avast has a user-friendly interface and an elaborate set of tools that would perfectly meet all kinds of users' needs.
Sophos, on the other hand, has a much sleeker and more minimalist interface that some users may prefer. When comparing these two antivirus software for Mac in terms of performance and features they offer, it's really difficult to go wrong with either one.
My user experience showed that Avast works on Android, Mac, PC, and iPhone/iPad without delays or crashes and thus it is more versatile when it comes to protection for all personal devices. On the other hand, it is better to choose Sophos for Mac and Windows computers.
Avast |
Sophos |
||||
|
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Live Chat |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Phone |
✔️ |
❌ |
|||
Social Media Platforms |
✔️ |
✔️ |
|||
Knowledge Base |
✔️ |
✔️ |
As for support, Avast will go that extra mile resting at 24/7 phone support, a huge knowledgebase, and an active community forum. In its turn, Sophos offers live chat as well as email support during business hours.
Avast |
Sophos |
||||
Free Plan |
✔️ |
Free Trial |
|||
Starting Price |
$4/mo |
$44.99/year |
I believe Avast is the winner for me and better than Sophos. It is empowered with great functionality and provides the top protection from malware as it uses the AI analysis of threats and multiple scanning for such threats. It has a friendly design of interface, which looks modern.