Avast One Essential Review 2025: The Most Feature-Rich Free Antivirus

Avast One Essential is a refreshed free antivirus for Windows in 2025, offering more than just basic protection. This free antivirus solution includes a firewall, VPN, password manager, and a gaming mode, making it one of the most feature-rich free options available.

See why Avast One Essential made our top 7 free antiviruses for Windows in 2025.

Main Features

• Developer: Avast Software (Czech Republic, part of NortonLifeLock)
• Protection Level: Among the leaders in AV-Test and AV-Comparatives benchmarks
• Interface: User-friendly, modern, available in multiple languages
• OS Support: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
• Updates: Frequent, several times daily

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ High level of real-time protection
• ✅ Extensive features (firewall, VPN, password manager)
• ✅ "Do Not Disturb" mode for gamers
• ✅ Compatible with multiple operating systems

Cons:

• ❌ Can be resource-intensive during full scans
• ❌ Frequent prompts to upgrade to the paid version
• ❌ Officially unavailable in some regions (VPN required for download/updates)
• ❌ Past reputation issues concerning data collection

Performance and System Impact

During regular use, Avast runs smoothly, but deep scans can put a noticeable load on your CPU. This is barely an issue on modern PCs, but older computers may experience slowdowns. Thankfully, you can schedule scans to minimize impact.

Additional Features

• VPN (with traffic limits in the free version)
• Firewall (free access)
• Password manager
• Wi-Fi network vulnerability scanner
• "Do Not Disturb" mode for gaming and fullscreen applications

Who Is It For?

• Users seeking a comprehensive free antivirus
• Owners of modern PCs and laptops
• Gamers who value an interruption-free experience
• Anyone wanting maximum features out-of-the-box

Comparison with Competitors

• Offers more features than Kaspersky Free and Bitdefender Free by including VPN, firewall, and a password manager.
• Comparable to paid products in terms of tools, but occasionally reminds you about the Pro version.
• Heavier on resources compared to AVG Free (but both use the same engine and offer similar protection).

Conclusion

Avast One Essential stands out among free antiviruses for those who want more than just basic security. Real-time protection, extra tools, and a gamer-friendly mode make it a versatile choice. If your PC is powerful enough and you don't mind the occasional upgrade prompt, Avast remains a top contender.

Compare Avast with other free antivirus options for 2025.