The verdict
ESET takes it, 3–2 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, ESET takes 3 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Avast if…
- • You want Avast's edge on how much it blocks and is there a free version
Choose ESET if…
- • You want ESET's edge on how often it cries wolf and how much it slows your pc
Round by round
- Round 1How much it blocksAvast winsAvast8/10
99.3%
AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, February to May 2026
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
ESET5/1098.5%
AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, February to May 2026
- 98.5%, against 99.3%
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
Avast wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2How often it cries wolfESET wins
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3How much it slows your PCESET winsAvast5/10
5.5
AV-Comparatives Performance Test, April 2026
- 5.5, against 4.2
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4Is there a free versionAvast winsESET5/10
30-day free trial
no free version; 30-day free trial of the paid product
- No free version, against Free version
Source: eset.com ↗
Avast wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 5What customers say on TrustpilotESET winsAvast5/10
4.3 out of 5
TrustScore from 46,348 reviews on Trustpilot
- 4.3 out of 5, against 4.6 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 6What AV-TEST scored itTie
Nothing to separate them here.
Side by side
- paid only
- 4.3 out of 5, against 4.7 out of 5
- 5.5, against 3.3
- 99.3%, against 99.5%
- 4.3 out of 5, against 4.5 out of 5
- 98.5%, against 99.3%
- 4.2, against 3.3
- 98.5%, against 99.5%
- 4.5 out of 5, against 4.6 out of 5