Home > Endpoint Security Software > Avast Business Antivirus > Avast Business Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender for Business

Avast Business Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender for Business

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Avast Business Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender for Business based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Endpoint Security Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Overview Pricing Benefits & Features User Ratings Analyst Summary Screenshots
Avast Business Antivirus Software Tool
SelectHub Award Winner
Microsoft Defender for Business Software Tool
Get Free Demo Demo    Request Pricing Pricing
Get Free Demo Demo    Request Pricing Pricing

Product Basics

Avast Business Antivirus is a cybersecurity platform that provides its users with proactive antivirus inclusions to protect their organizations from ransomware and advanced cyberattacks. It can secure, manage and monitor complex networks using a global threat detection network.

It is designed for IT service providers and small to medium-sized businesses. It safeguards Windows, Windows Servers, Mac and Linux devices against sophisticated cyber threats using a next-generation security approach and cloud-based analytics.
read more...

Microsoft Defender for Business is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect small to medium-sized businesses from cyber threats. It offers advanced threat protection, endpoint detection and response, and automated investigation and remediation capabilities. This software is particularly suited for industries such as healthcare, finance, and retail, where data security is paramount. Its unique benefits include simplified deployment, centralized management, and integration with other Microsoft services, providing a seamless security experience.

Key features include real-time threat detection, vulnerability management, and detailed reporting. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and robust protection mechanisms, which are often highlighted in user reviews. Compared to similar products, Microsoft Defender for Business stands out for its ease of use and comprehensive coverage. Pricing details can vary, so it's recommended to contact SelectHub for a tailored quote based on specific needs. This ensures businesses get the most accurate and relevant pricing information for their requirements.

read more...
$31.37/Device, Annually
Free Trial is available →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$3/User, Monthly
Free Trial is available →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Advanced Threat Detection: Detects unknown threats through advanced technologies that include artificial intelligence, behavior-based machine learning, signature-based detection and cloud threat lab analysis. Examines each endpoint process through a system-centric approach to algorithmically block malicious tools used by attackers. 
  • Lightweight Agent: Reacts instantly to malware through a multi-functional, single lightweight agent without compromising system performance. Allows protection and management of data, devices and users from a single platform. 
  • Block Cyber Threats: Analyzes suspicious information coming and going from devices. Blocks malicious files and websites, unauthorized connections, unusual behavior and other threats through a combination of Web, File, Mail and Behavior Shields. 
  • Zero-Day Attacks: Offers CyberCapture technology to quickly scan suspicious files for in-depth analysis of malware variants detected by its four-shield defense system. 
  • Predict and Identify Threats: Identifies and destroys threats using a continual data stream provided by active users in the network. Leverages a cloud-based machine learning engine for smarter, faster and more robust solutions. 
  • Simplify Patching Process: Keep Windows systems and third-party apps updated with the latest patches through patch management. Offers flexible deployment schedules, automatic scans, customizable patches, patch rollback and comprehensive reporting capabilities. 
read more...
  • Enhanced Threat Detection: Microsoft Defender for Business leverages advanced AI and machine learning to identify and mitigate threats in real-time, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Automated Response: The software automates the response to detected threats, ensuring swift action to contain and neutralize potential security incidents without manual intervention.
  • Comprehensive Protection: It provides end-to-end security across devices, applications, and data, ensuring a holistic defense strategy for your business environment.
  • Cost Efficiency: By integrating multiple security functions into a single platform, Microsoft Defender for Business reduces the need for multiple security solutions, lowering overall costs.
  • Scalability: The solution is designed to grow with your business, easily scaling to accommodate increasing numbers of devices and users without compromising performance.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Helps businesses meet regulatory requirements by providing detailed reporting and audit trails, simplifying compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
  • Reduced Downtime: By quickly identifying and addressing threats, the software minimizes downtime and ensures business continuity, keeping operations running smoothly.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive dashboard and easy-to-navigate interface make it simple for IT teams to manage security tasks and monitor the overall security posture.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365, providing a unified security solution that enhances the protection of your existing Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Proactive Threat Hunting: Enables proactive threat hunting capabilities, allowing security teams to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
  • Customizable Policies: Offers customizable security policies tailored to the specific needs of your business, ensuring optimal protection without unnecessary restrictions.
  • Expert Support: Access to Microsoft's extensive support network and resources ensures that your business can quickly resolve any security issues that arise.
  • Employee Training: Includes tools and resources to educate employees about security best practices, reducing the likelihood of human error leading to security incidents.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Provides real-time alerts and notifications, enabling immediate action to address potential threats and minimize impact.
  • Data Encryption: Ensures that sensitive business data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, protecting it from unauthorized access and breaches.
read more...
  • Four-Shield Protection: Delivers protection through its four-shield defense, including Behavior, Web, File and Email Shields, which work together automatically to detect and block malicious threats. Scans open or downloaded files, web URLs and certificates, incoming and outgoing emails, and detects suspicious behavior in installed programs for complete safety against malware. Its threat labs team conducts thorough analysis using threat data to strengthen the threat database. 
  • Core Scanner: Offers on-demand scanning for viruses, malware, spyware and suspicious attachments or add-ons. Provides more control and management over scans through a command line scan tool that integrates with email servers. Schedule and specify types of scans, change settings and indicate inclusions using its cron utility. 
  • Secure Remote Access: Offers a remote access shield feature to prevent remote desktop protocol exploits and brute-force attacks. Allows users to select who can remotely access computers and block unwanted connections. 
  • Sandbox: Run applications, visit websites and download files in a virtual environment isolated from the computer using its sandbox feature. 
  • Server Protection: Stops potential attacks from spreading in the network through email scanning and filtering at the Exchange Server level. Offers SharePoint server protection to prevent any data compromise by checking files uploaded onto data storage. 
  • Security Browser Extension: Scans websites for authenticity and reputation, puts devices in super-safe mode and blocks malicious ads to provide additional privacy. 
  • Automatic Updates: Keeps antivirus protection updated by retrieving, checking, downloading and installing the latest virus definitions. Provides extra protection for Linux systems through automatic streaming updates, which establishes a network connection to the Avast cloud to retrieve updates in real time and automate virus definition and program updates. 
  • Malware and Vulnerability Scanning: Scan for malware, unsafe settings, outdated applications and suspicious add-ons using SmartScan. Offers WiFi Inspector to scan networks for vulnerabilities, check device, network and router settings and discover threats. 
read more...
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Provides advanced threat detection and response capabilities to identify and mitigate sophisticated attacks on endpoints.
  • Threat and Vulnerability Management: Continuously scans for vulnerabilities and provides actionable insights to prioritize and remediate risks.
  • Automated Investigation and Remediation: Uses AI and machine learning to automatically investigate alerts and remediate threats, reducing the burden on IT teams.
  • Next-Generation Antivirus: Offers real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and other malicious software using advanced heuristics and behavior analysis.
  • Attack Surface Reduction: Implements policies to minimize the attack surface by controlling the applications and scripts that can run on devices.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 services, providing a unified security experience across email, documents, and collaboration tools.
  • Centralized Management Console: Provides a single pane of glass for managing security policies, monitoring threats, and viewing security reports.
  • Customizable Security Policies: Allows businesses to tailor security settings to meet their specific needs and compliance requirements.
  • Cloud-Based Threat Intelligence: Leverages Microsoft's vast threat intelligence network to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide up-to-date protection.
  • Device Control: Manages and restricts the use of external devices such as USB drives to prevent data leakage and malware introduction.
  • Incident Reporting and Analytics: Offers detailed incident reports and analytics to help businesses understand and respond to security events effectively.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Ensures that only authorized personnel have access to security settings and data, enhancing overall security posture.
  • Scalability: Designed to scale with your business, providing robust security for small to medium-sized enterprises without compromising performance.
  • Compliance Management: Helps businesses meet regulatory requirements by providing tools and reports for compliance management.
  • 24/7 Threat Monitoring: Offers continuous monitoring and alerting to ensure that threats are detected and addressed promptly, regardless of the time of day.
read more...

Product Ranking

#21

among all
Endpoint Security Software

#68

among all
Endpoint Security Software

Find out who the leaders are

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 800 reviews
Fair User Sentiment 1 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

Avast Business Antivirus has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 800 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

60%
of users recommend this product

Microsoft Defender for Business has a 'fair' User Satisfaction Rating of 60% when considering 1 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

4.6 (52)
n/a
4.5 (737)
n/a
n/a
3.0 (1)
4.1 (11)
n/a

Awards

Avast Business Antivirus stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

we're gathering data

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Lightweight: It is lightweight and consumes fewer system resources.
Non-Intrusive: Scans run actively in the background with no disturbance to the user.
Firewall Protection: Its firewall protection feature keeps mail and online documents safe.
Ease of Use: It is easy to install and has an intuitive interface.
Show more
Strong Protection: Safeguards your business from various threats like ransomware and malware, ensuring your data and operations remain secure.
Streamlined Management: Offers a single dashboard to monitor and manage security across all devices, simplifying administration for your IT team.
Proactive Defense: Identifies and addresses vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, minimizing the risk of successful attacks.
Automated Response: Takes immediate action against threats, even outside of business hours, ensuring continuous protection without manual intervention.
Show more
Scanning: A complete scan can slow down system performance.
Database: Its virus database doesn’t get constantly updated.
Malware: It can sometimes fail to detect malware.
False Alerts: It can give false alerts for legitimate files.
Show more
Complex Setup: Some users have reported that the initial configuration of Microsoft Defender for Business can be more complicated compared to other security solutions, potentially requiring additional time and resources.
Show more

Avast Business Antivirus provides its users with advanced integrated endpoint and network security solutions through a cloud-based management portal. Its layered cybersecurity services help businesses and IT service providers secure, manage and monitor changing business networks.

Show more

Is Microsoft Defender for Business truly a defender of businesses, or does it leave them vulnerable? User reviews from the last year reveal a mixed bag. On one hand, Defender for Business is praised for its robust security features, particularly its effectiveness in combating ransomware and malware. Users highlight its integration with other Microsoft products as a key strength, allowing for a centralized security management experience. For instance, its seamless compatibility with Microsoft 365 streamlines security workflows and reduces the need for third-party solutions. This integration is particularly valuable for businesses heavily reliant on the Microsoft ecosystem, offering a unified and cost-effective approach to security.However, the initial setup process is a common pain point, often described as complex and time-consuming. This complexity might pose a challenge for businesses lacking dedicated IT expertise. Additionally, while Defender for Business excels on Windows platforms, its performance on other operating systems like macOS or Linux is reportedly less impressive. This limitation could be a dealbreaker for businesses with diverse device ecosystems. Overall, Microsoft Defender for Business is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, prioritizing strong security features and seamless integration over cross-platform compatibility. Its robust protection against modern threats, combined with its user-friendly interface once set up, makes it a valuable asset for businesses seeking a comprehensive yet cost-effective security solution.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Endpoint Security Software

Bitdefender GravityZone
Blackberry Cyber Suite
Carbon Black Cloud
Cisco Secure Endpoint
Cortex XDR
CrowdStrike Falcon
ESET PROTECT MDR
Kaspersky Endpoint Security For Business
Malwarebytes EDR
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Sophos Intercept X
Symantec Endpoint Security Complete
Trellix XDR
Trend Micro Vision One

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics
Build Your Requirements
SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide
Get Your Free Comparison Report
Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
    Table settings