Avast Essential Business Security review

Avast Essential Business Security is the budget pick for an office that needs centrally managed antivirus and not much else. Avast's US store priced it at $31.37 per device for the first year, renewing at $39.21, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The protection stack is the familiar Avast set of shields: File Shield, Mail Shield and Web Guard against infected files and sites, Real Site against DNS hijacking and fake pages, a Ransomware Shield for protected folders, and an AI-powered Behavior Shield for unknown threats. An endpoint firewall and Remote Access Shield help block RDP brute-force attacks, which matters for offices that leave remote desktop open. Devices are managed from the online platform, which shows health status, sends alerts and includes a remote IT tool to connect to employee machines. VPN and USB protection require the Premium tier, and there is no EDR at this level.

Who it is for

Very small offices that want a low per-device price and a simple web dashboard.

Price

$31.37 per device for the first year on the US store, renewing at $39.21 per year; 30-day money-back guarantee.

first year at $31.37 per device
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• File Shield, Mail Shield, Web Guard and Real Site against malware and fake sites
• Ransomware Shield for protected folders and AI-powered Behavior Shield
• Endpoint firewall and Remote Access Shield against RDP brute-force attacks
• Webcam and browser password protection
• Online management platform with alerts, reports and remote access to devices

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lowest single-device price we found
• Strength: Covers Windows servers as well as PCs and Macs
• Strength: Remote access tool built into the management platform
• Weakness: VPN and USB protection need Premium Business Security
• Weakness: Price excludes VAT and rises at renewal
• Weakness: Less advanced detection and response than EDR products here

Key facts

• Platforms: Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 or later, Windows Server 2012 to 2025
• Renewal: $39.21 per device per year
• Guarantee: 30-day money-back
• Next tier: Premium Business Security adds VPN and USB Protection

Where it ranks

Avast Essential Business Security is No. 5 in our Best Antivirus for Small Business verdict.