Avast vs Microsoft Defender:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Avast had more branded searches than Microsoft Defender among antivirus software in New Zealand. Avast had about 1,270 branded searches, while Microsoft Defender had 320. Avast made up 11% of all antivirus software searches we track, and Microsoft Defender accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about antivirus software, Microsoft Defender appeared in three of the four answers and Avast in one. Microsoft Defender was mentioned before Avast in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Avast, about 4 searches for every 1 for Microsoft Defender
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft Defender, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Avast in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Defender, named ahead of Avast in 3 of 4 answers
Follow Avast vs Microsoft Defender and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top antivirus software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Microsoft Defender was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Avast was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Microsoft Defender was listed before Avast in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Bitdefender1st
ESET2nd
Norton3rd- Microsoft Defender4th
- Avast5th
McAfee–
Malwarebytes–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bitdefender4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- ESET4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Norton4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Microsoft Defender3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Avast1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- McAfee0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Malwarebytes0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about antivirus software
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which antivirus product should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best antivirus products in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best antivirus product in New Zealand for device protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus software nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“antivirus for pc”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Avast or Microsoft Defender more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Avast and Microsoft Defender by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven antivirus software we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Avast, Microsoft Defender. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McAfee | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Norton | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.7% | 23.9% | 18.4% | 10.1% | 11.2% | 8.2% | 2.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.7% | 21.7% | 19% | 10.6% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.2% | 25.3% | 15.3% | 11% | 8.5% | 8.6% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.4% | 25% | 17.7% | 10.4% | 8.8% | 9.2% | 2.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 29.3% | 24.1% | 17.4% | 9.3% | 8.1% | 9.2% | 2.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.6% | 26.7% | 19.9% | 9% | 9.3% | 6.6% | 3% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.8% | 29.2% | 18.1% | 9.8% | 8.5% | 7.4% | 3.2% |
| May 2026 | 24.9% | 28.6% | 19.1% | 8.8% | 7.8% | 7.9% | 3% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.4% | 30.3% | 19.7% | 8.9% | 8% | 8.2% | 2.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 17.8% | 33.4% | 22.5% | 8.7% | 8% | 7.5% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.8% | 30.9% | 20.1% | 9.6% | 7.2% | 7.6% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.2% | 24.4% | 16.4% | 11% | 6.9% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
How has the Avast and Microsoft Defender comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Avast was ahead of Microsoft Defender in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Avast’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 10.1% to 11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Defender’s share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand moved from 2.5% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 320.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand antivirus software in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Avast gained share of searches among antivirus software in New Zealand, from 9.6% to 11%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Avast’s and Microsoft Defender’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Avast
7 branded search terms
- avast
- avast av
- avast one
- avast premier security
- avast secure browser
- avast secureline
- avast security
Microsoft Defender
1 branded search term
- microsoft defender
Other head-to-heads among antivirus software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.