Battle Performance delta between ESET Premium and McAffee latest

[TuxTalk]

So far Norton is trending in the ESET ballpark of 11200 and I didn't know that they have a sandbox app luncher akin to sandboxie. Now, I will have to investigate further. ...that's quite a nice addon. Now I am thinking of letting my ESET expire after well being an Nod32 ESET fanboy since 1998. (That red pulsing bubo looking thingy from version 1....image search fails me. I guess it was before images were a common thing on the web).

You run back to ESET after using Norton, they have scare tactics, upselling, annoying ads... etc
Been there done that.

 

[piquiteco]

MD Background processes.

 

[ForgottenSeer 114717]

You run back to ESET after using Norton, they have scare tactics, upselling, annoying ads... etc
Been there done that.

In an Ideal Universe a single line of code to Rule It All and make it safe against everybody - both threat actors and users.

"Perfect AV."

 

[TuxTalk]

In an Ideal Universe a single line of code to Rule It All and make it safe against everybody - both threat actors and users.

"Perfect AV."

I never mentioned Perfect AV, dunno if you ever used Norton ? They are good in selling air and ice to eskimo's . Full of rubbish.

 

[cartaphilus]

In an Ideal Universe a single line of code to Rule It All and make it safe against everybody - both threat actors and users.

"Perfect AV."

Buddy of mine had this inscribed inside his wedding ring: "And in darkness Bind them"

 

[ForgottenSeer 116559]

So far Norton is trending in the ESET ballpark of 11200 and I didn't know that they have a sandbox app luncher akin to sandboxie. Now, I will have to investigate further. ...that's quite a nice addon. Now I am thinking of letting my ESET expire after well being an Nod32 ESET fanboy since 1998. (That red pulsing bubo looking thingy from version 1....image search fails me. I guess it was before images were a common thing on the web).

I tried Norton very recently but ended up preferring Avast's overall UX, which is more modular (you decide what's installed) and less aggressive about upselling. The Avast UI received something of a refresh in 2025.

Their security package offers a lot of nice features, IMO. I'm happy to see more confirmation of the observation that performance has been great in my setup.

 

[k1esa]

I tried Norton very recently but ended up preferring Avast's overall UX, which is more modular (you decide what's installed) and less aggressive about upselling. The Avast UI received something of a refresh in 2025.

Their security package offers a lot of nice features, IMO. I'm happy to see more confirmation of the observation that performance has been great in my setup.

Gen D performance has really improved recently. It's a shame about Avast reselling user data.

 

[ForgottenSeer 116559]

Gen D performance has really improved recently. It's a shame about Avast reselling user data.

Avast closed the Jumpshot subsidiary six years ago, and meanwhile American ISPs collect and sell more comprehensive data than Avast ever did without consequences.

Avast settled with the FTC, and according to the official FTC Decision and Order, Avast is now engaged in a 20-year legally binding agreement to implement a comprehensive privacy program:

Core Requirements (verbatim highlights from Part V of the Order):

• Establish and maintain a written comprehensive privacy program to:
  • Protect the privacy of “Covered Information” (e.g., browsing history, device data)
  • Prevent the deceptive practices alleged in the complaint
• Key elements the program must include:
  1. Designated employee(s) responsible for overseeing the program
  2. Risk assessment of internal/external privacy risks (employee training, systems design, incident response, etc.)
  3. Reasonable safeguards + regular testing/monitoring of those safeguards
  4. Vetting and contracting service providers to protect data they receive
  5. Ongoing evaluation and adjustment of the program based on changes or new risks
• Independent audits: Every 2 years for 20 years, a qualified third-party must assess and certify that:
  • Avast has a privacy program meeting or exceeding FTC requirements
  • Controls are effective enough to reasonably protect user privacy
• Additional permanent bans: No selling or licensing of browsing data from Avast-branded products for advertising purposes.

Avast is literally the only antivirus company legally required to pay for and comply with a privacy audit every two years. Additionally, Avast's data management is now unified with the greater Gen Digital structure joined with NortonLifeLock and Avira.

 

[cartaphilus]

I tried Norton very recently but ended up preferring Avast's overall UX, which is more modular (you decide what's installed) and less aggressive about upselling. The Avast UI received something of a refresh in 2025.

Their security package offers a lot of nice features, IMO. I'm happy to see more confirmation of the observation that performance has been great in my setup.

since I haven't done anything else with my system this weekend, I might give AVAST a whirl and see if there is any impact difference btween it and Norton; no loss in re-imaging my drive once again; it's something that occurs in the background while adulting.

 

[cartaphilus]

Since I can no longer edit the first post (it seems) here is Avast:

AVAST: 11,094

 

[Wrecker4923]

AVG of 3 Runs:

Norton: 11,161 (WINNER SO FAR)
AVAST: 11,094
ESET: 11,058
Bitdefender: 10,473 (avg of 4 runs)
McAfee: 10,211

Musingly, kind of surprised by McAfee against BitDefender, and ironic to be cheering for Gen.

 

[cartaphilus]

AVG of 3 Runs:

Norton: 11,161 (WINNER SO FAR)
AVAST: 11,094
ESET: 11,058
Bitdefender: 10,473 (avg of 4 runs)
McAfee: 10,211

Musingly, kind of surprised by McAfee against BitDefender, and ironic to be cheering for Gen

Dude you are surprised? I am freaking shocked and indeed about Gen. I was 98% certain that ESET would take the crown. But I got to give credit where credit is due. And also very surprised by McAfee to a point where I might retest McAfee again just to be sure that I didn't screw up somewhere.

 

[Parkinsond]

McAfee

If web wrapper, this might explain; if not, then I have to search for another explanation.

 

[Nightwalker]

I tried Norton very recently but ended up preferring Avast's overall UX, which is more modular (you decide what's installed) and less aggressive about upselling. The Avast UI received something of a refresh in 2025.

Their security package offers a lot of nice features, IMO. I'm happy to see more confirmation of the observation that performance has been great in my setup.

I also prefer Avast's UI. As you said, it’s modular and I’m a big fan of the configuration options. I'm currently using Norton 360 Deluxe since I have an active subscription, but once it expires, I’ll be switching over to Avast.

 

[Nightwalker]

If web wrapper, this might explain; if not, then I have to search for another explanation.

I dont think so, Web Wrapper UI should not affect system performance at all, it is a engine thing.

 

[Trident]

Benchmarks are very one-dimensional way to measure performance and they don’t necessarily reflect how product and device feel on various day to day tasks.

On a test conducted by PassMark themselves, McAfee was just slightly behind Webroot, whilst Bitdefender was last and Norton was mid-range. McAfee and Webroot scores were nearly 3x Bitdefender.

https://www.passmark.com/reports/Webroot_Essentials_Performance_Benchmarks_2025_Ed1.pdf

Other tests like the AVC performance test show similar results (minus Webroot who do not participate for obvious reasons).

 

[nickstar1]

Benchmarks are very one-dimensional way to measure performance and they don’t necessarily reflect how product and device feel on various day to day tasks.

On a test conducted by PassMark themselves, McAfee was just slightly behind Webroot, whilst Bitdefender was last and Norton was mid-range. McAfee and Webroot scores were nearly 3x Bitdefender.

https://www.passmark.com/reports/Webroot_Essentials_Performance_Benchmarks_2025_Ed1.pdf

Other tests like the AVC performance test show similar results (minus Webroot who do not participate for obvious reasons).

Is AVG the same lightness as norton?

 

[ForgottenSeer 123960]

I also prefer Avast's UI. As you said, it’s modular and I’m a big fan of the configuration options. I'm currently using Norton 360 Deluxe since I have an active subscription, but once it expires, I’ll be switching over to Avast.

The irony is that by the time you're actually ready to switch, some other security suite will have optimized its performance and become the new flavor of the month.

 

[Trident]

Is AVG the same lightness as norton?

There is no evidence to suggest that AVG or Avast are heavier or more optimised than Norton. They are all the same engine, when you use your machine they all run the same logics and checks. There could be small, minor tweaks but it is unlikely.

 

[Nightwalker]

The irony is that by the time you're actually ready to switch, some other security suite will have optimized its performance and become the new flavor of the month.

McAfee was that security solution for me, and although I liked the performance and simplicity, I ended up hating how intrusive it behaved on my machine—too many pop-ups trying to sell that piece of junk System Optimizer. As for Norton and Avast, I’ve been a user for years and usually switch between them based on the deals I find. Since both are priced very similarly in my region, I’m choosing Avast for my renewal simply because I prefer the interface.