Zone Alarm vs Adaware: Which One is Better? [2024 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.

Zone Alarm vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Writer

Zone Alarm vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Adaware and Zone Alarm both offer strong protection from malware, but their additional features set them apart. While their core security is similar—they both use a combination of signature-scanning and behavior-monitoring to block known and unknown malware, for example—they both provide extra tools to keep you safe.

Adaware is a relatively simple security suite that offers basic security at a low price. Their additional features include default port scanning and email protection to keep your safe from phishing attacks. You also get a Safe Sender list to ensure the filter doesn’t affect your regular communications. The software also includes extensive parental controls, including age-based templates that block specific websites and apps.

Comparatively, Zone Alarm includes a lot of extras. The software uses auto-sandboxing technology which launches all threats in a virtual environment to ensure their safety. There’s also an advanced two-way firewall which can prevent hackers from bypassing it. The Wireless Network security will also update your firewall settings depending on the current risk. Zone Alarm scans your computer during the boot stages so it can find threats before your device loads. You also get an anti-phishing Chrome extension, anti-keylogger, and 5GB of online backup space. Finally, the “Find My Laptop” feature can locate your device remotely if it’s lost or stolen.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$14.95
30 Days
$49.99
30 Days
Security
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Ease of Use
Support
Pricing
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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
Benny
Sep. 22, 2020
A good security product
A very good antivirus with firewall, and it's free !
Vince
Dec. 18, 2018
It works quietly and unobtrusively in the background
Easy installation and handling even for older people. There are no popup...
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No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Sanjay
Nov. 7, 2018
Use to be good, but not anymore
I've been using this program for a very long time and have always been...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
Our Verdict
Tyler Cross
Tyler Cross
Writer
Deciding between Zone Alarm and Adaware depends on your computer activity. If you browse routinely, work or socialize online, and use public networks, then Zone Alarm’s comprehensive coverage may be best. However, if you undertake data-heavy tasks, its numerous features could cause some system slowdown. Adaware might be better in that case, or if you’re only looking for basic security at an affordable price.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2024.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

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