9 Alternatives to Avast to Protect Your Business with the Right Antivirus Software
Everyone knows Avast. Reliable at first, but sometimes a bit heavy on our computers. Many businesses complain about it: declining individual or team performance, annoying alerts and ads, and limited support.
So naturally, we start looking for something better: a professional antivirus solution that is simple, effective and compatible with our everyday tools. We therefore tested and compared the best alternatives to Avast, designed for SMEs. In this guide, here are seven solid solutions to protect your data and privacy without sacrificing performance.
What is Avast?
Avast is a leading antivirus software that has been well known for over twenty years. It is designed to protect computers, servers and mobile devices against viruses, ransomware and other malware or online threats. The application continuously scans files stored on or downloaded to laptops and desktop computers to detect any suspicious activity. The business version, Avast Business Security, includes:
- a centralised management console
- and several levels of protection depending on the size of the IT estate.
However, despite its strong reputation, many professional users with a subscription criticise Avast Antivirus for its heavy impact on performance and its lack of advanced features such as EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), a system designed to detect and respond to threats in real time. This is why more and more SMEs are looking for a more modern and better-integrated alternative.
Avast Premium Business Security
Why look for an alternative to Avast?
You don’t change antivirus software on a whim. But when protection starts slowing down computers or complicating IT asset management, questions inevitably arise.
Reason 1: Performance and system impact
This is the most common criticism: Avast Antivirus can weigh down the system, especially on older or heavily used machines. Scans can sometimes consume a lot of resources, and frequent alerts or prompts disrupt employees’ day-to-day work.
On Trustpilot, one user summed up this feeling well in January 2026: “too much promotional advertising for a paid subscription.” Another review adds: “Avast has become too intrusive and too expensive.”
Another issue is that, even though Avast Antivirus offers a version for Mac (macOS), Mac protection remains limited compared with the Windows version. Advanced Mac features, such as the firewall or email protection, are not always included, and scans can slow down older Macs.
✅ For an SME equipped with Apple Mac devices, it is often better to opt for multi-platform solutions such as ESET, which provide the same management console and the same level of protection on both Mac and PC.
In a business environment, every minute counts: you cannot afford antivirus deployment to monopolise memory, interrupt work or slow down business software. More recent solutions focus on lightweight engines and discreet background operation. The result: the same level of individual and collective protection, without sacrificing speed.
Reason 2: Limited security features
On paper, choosing Avast covers the basics: antivirus, firewall, anti-phishing. But when you look at the real, day-to-day needs of an SME, this is often not enough. Threats have evolved, and today you need to go further with tools that are able to:
- detect suspicious behaviour in real time,
- automatically isolate an infected device,
- carry out in-depth file analysis before any damage is done.
Modern tools no longer simply scan files for known viruses: they also analyse their behaviour and how they interact with the network. They offer features such as:
- EDR,
- sandboxing, which tests files in an isolated environment to prevent the rest of the system from being infected,
- or remote device management.
In short, you want an antivirus that protects… but also anticipates. ☝️ And this is precisely where Avast quickly shows its limits.
Reason 3: Costs, licensing and support
Avast Antivirus offers several plans for businesses, but its pricing structure is not always easy to understand. Between per-device licences, add-on modules and “premium” options, it is easy to lose track. The result: you think you are getting a good deal, only to realise later that some key features are charged separately. 🫠
When it comes to support, the feedback is similar. User reviews on platforms such as Trustpilot or G2 regularly mention excessively long response times and support that can be difficult to reach. As one Trustpilot review put it in January 2026, clearly frustrated by the lack of contact options: “impossible to reach them by email, and even less so by phone.”
By contrast, most professional alternatives focus on more transparent pricing and support that is truly designed for SMEs. And when you need help, you want it to be fast and effective.
Comparison table: 9 Avast alternatives for SMEs
Before deciding which antivirus to choose and install, it is always useful to compare and test solutions to assess their quality. Here is an overview of the main alternatives to Avast Antivirus used by SMEs.
| Software | Who is it for? | Main advantage | Free trial available |
| ESET PROTECT / Endpoint Security | Businesses looking for lightweight protection that is easy to manage | Clear interface and a very intuitive cloud console | Yes |
| Kaspersky Small Office Security | Micro-businesses and SMEs looking for a simple, reliable antivirus | Excellent detection and automatic data backup | Yes |
| Malwarebytes for Business / ThreatDown | Small organisations looking to strengthen anti-malware protection | Excellent value for money and an intuitive interface | Yes |
| Microsoft Defender for Business / Endpoint | SMEs already using Microsoft 365 | Integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem, simplified administration | Yes |
| Norton Small Business / Norton 360 for Business | SMEs looking for a simple all-in-one solution | Very strong multi-device protection, with premium password management built in | Yes |
| Sophos Intercept X / Endpoint | SMEs that need comprehensive EDR protection | Strong ransomware prevention and behavioural analysis | Yes |
| Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security | SMEs and businesses looking for comprehensive, scalable protection | Excellent threat detection with minimal performance impact | Yes |
ESET PROTECT / Endpoint Security
ESET primarily appeals to businesses looking for effective protection without weighing down their computers. Its PROTECT solution offers clear centralised management and excellent stability, on both Windows and macOS. The web interface is smooth, the data is easy to understand, alerts are precise, and automatic updates do not disrupt the work of teams or departments.
On the security side, behavioural detection and web filtering are highly effective at blocking common threats. ESET is the kind of antivirus you install and forget about — until the day it stops a real threat.
ESET Endpoint
Kaspersky Small Office Security
Kaspersky remains a safe bet for small businesses that want a simple and reliable antivirus. Small Office Security offers very strong threat detection, a solid firewall and a handy automatic backup module. The tool also includes a password manager, which is useful for securing access to business accounts without the risk of forgotten passwords or data leaks. And it is particularly helpful against phishing attempts designed to steal credentials. 🔐
Installation is quick, the management console is easy to get to grips with, and protection is continuous and reliable without slowing down computers. Despite an image that is sometimes debated, Kaspersky’s performance is regularly praised in independent testing. For micro-businesses and SMEs looking for a ready-to-use solution without complexity, it is a genuine alternative to Avast.
Kaspersky SmallOffice Security
Malwarebytes for Business / ThreatDown
Malwarebytes is well known for its ability to detect malware where others miss it. The Business version, now integrated into the ThreatDown range, is aimed at small organisations that want to strengthen security without making management more complex.
The interface is easy to use, scans are fast, and behavioural detection is highly effective against ransomware and other malicious software.
You can start with the Premium version (14-day trial) before moving up to the pro edition for more control and reporting. Ideal for anyone looking for clear, effective protection without technical jargon.
ThreatDown
Microsoft Defender for Business / Endpoint
Already built into Microsoft 365, Defender for Business appeals to SMEs that want a comprehensive, centralised security suite without adding third-party software. The Microsoft 365 console lets you manage everything in one place: antivirus, firewall, web filtering and behavioural detection.
The main advantage? Seamless integration with Windows and the tools already used across the business. Protection is comprehensive, alerts are well prioritised and configuration is quick. Even though advanced features require a bit of fine-tuning, the overall consistency is a real strength. For organisations running on a Microsoft environment, it is an obvious choice.
Microsoft Defender
Norton Small Business / Norton 360 for Business
Norton remains a long-standing reference in consumer protection, but its Small Business offering is increasingly popular with SMEs. It combines antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and cloud backup in a single application that is easy to administer. The interface is clear, alerts are well prioritised, and protection is effective on both Windows and Mac.
Multi-device management is a real advantage for hybrid teams or remote workers. Easy to roll out and fully featured from the very first installation, Norton stands out as a reassuring, no-fuss alternative to Avast.
Norton Small Business
Sophos Intercept X / Endpoint
With Intercept X, Sophos is clearly targeting businesses that want to move up a level in protection. Its behavioural detection technology stops threats before they have time to act, especially ransomware.
The administration and operations interface is feature-rich but well designed, and the cloud console lets you manage every endpoint from a single dashboard. EDR features provide complete visibility into incidents, which reassures IT teams. It is a powerful, specialised solution, sometimes a little technical, but extremely effective for organisations that want serious protection and tight control.
Sophos Endpoint Protection
Want to use this opportunity to move to even more comprehensive EDR? Here are 3 options worth exploring
When you want to go beyond a traditional antivirus, EDR quickly becomes an essential ally. These solutions provide full visibility into threats and respond automatically—often before an incident escalates.
CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon is one of the most advanced EDR solutions on the market. Its key strength: ultra-precise behavioural detection powered by artificial intelligence. The cloud interface lets you monitor endpoint activity in real time, even remotely, and immediately isolate a suspicious machine. Deployment is quick, resource consumption is minimal, and alerts are clear. It is a premium choice, often adopted by organisations that want to combine strong protection with seamless oversight.
CrowdStrike Falcon
SentinelOne
SentinelOne focuses on autonomy and automation. Its platform analyses the behaviour of each device to identify threats within seconds, then isolates and remediates issues without human intervention. Its main strength is this ability to respond instantly, even against unknown attacks.
The console is visual, easy to read and suited both to IT teams and to business leaders who want to track incidents without getting lost in technical detail. What’s more, analysis reports break down every blocked action, making compliance and traceability easier. If you’re looking for an intelligent, fast and discreet EDR, SentinelOne ticks all the boxes.
Trend Micro Vision One
Trend Micro Vision One is an XDR (Extended Detection and Response) solution designed to provide a holistic view of security across the entire organisation. It centralises data from endpoints, servers, email and cloud environments to detect advanced threats before they spread.
The interface is one of the clearest on the market, and event correlation is automated thanks to AI. Security teams save time because everything is visible from a single dashboard. Vision One is aimed at SMEs and mid-sized organisations that want to anticipate complex attacks without multiplying tools. A true modern cybersecurity cockpit.
Our final tips for choosing the right solution
Switching antivirus software is never trivial, but it is often the right move when performance or support no longer keep up. Each solution presented here addresses a specific need: simplicity, advanced protection or broad oversight. The goal is to find the right balance between security, usability and budget.
Before making your decision and rolling out the right solution, take the time to see it in action and test it: most of these tools offer a free trial or a free demo. Compare features, day-to-day smoothness and how responsive support is.
And if you are still unsure, we have a simple rule at Appvizer: the best antivirus is the one you forget about… because it does its job perfectly.
Maëlys De Santis is Head of Marketing at Appvizer, where she leads the editorial strategy and oversees a corpus of more than 4,000 pieces of content to help micro-businesses and SMEs choose the right software. Since 2017, she has written and overseen several hundred practical guides, solution comparisons and trend analyses covering a wide range of categories: marketing, project management, finance, HR, customer service, IT and collaboration tools.
Specialised in analysing SaaS trends and assessing B2B offerings, she draws on feedback from the field, market studies and ongoing conversations with the ecosystem (publishers, integrators, events such as B2B Rocks). Her background in translation and communication is key to turning sometimes highly technical software presentations into clear, concrete and immediately actionable advice for decision-makers looking to structure their software stack.