I used Norton, AVG, NOD32 and more pretty long ago till I got MSE. In my opinion is MSE a very good competitor since I never had any virus or other problems with it. In fact I only remember getting a virus on my computer during the time I didn't use MSE. Further do I also run games and other heavy programs which made me look to the performance side of antivirus programs. I ended up with Norton Gaming Edition or something for some months till I went into MSE which was lighter. So I would say it's equal or even better due the protection it gave me and the performance impact.
I still feel AVG is the least obtrusive and runs unknown almost completely by my users. Granted my users are limited to where they can go on the web. I allow google and sites used by each workstation, like Medicare and other insurance providers. They are pretty much locked down. My personal systems are either AVG for Win7 and down, and Win8 gets nothing since what it has built in is enough.
Comodo firewall is excellent. I find that their AV is somewhat annoying at times, however thats just my opinion. I have Comodo IS on my main laptop and just the firewall on my media server.
MSE is pretty bad, it's only really there for people that don't know any better! For free antiviruses you have Antivir free, Avast Free Edition, AVG Free, and Antivir free. Antivir free has some popups occasionally upon updating that are for buying the registered version. AVG free requires free registration (they don't spam) that lasts 1 year, after which you can register again for free. Easy to do. Not sure on what AVG free does. In terms of paid antiviruses, Bitdefender is a very good one, but costs a reasonable amount. A much cheaper alternative is Auslogics Anti-virus, which uses Bitdefender's engine and works equally as well.
Quick Heal was the worst antivirus i have used several years ago, it was light on resources but the detection rate was horrible. I'm not sure how it is now. MSE should be avoided, because of: I currently use Malwarebytes only, it offers very good protection but i get annoyed that it blocks so many *not allowed* sites and i have to keep unblocking manually or turn of web protection completely.
Isn't the target of Malwarebytes different to that of a standard virus scanner? It works in conjunction with a virus scanner, but isn't one itself. From front page of website: Improve your protection without changing your AV Some virus scanners in their 'elite' versions supposedly cover much of what Malwarebytes and Superantispyware etc cover, but Malwarebytes and Superantispyware etc don't cover viruses.
Probably you are right, but i use malwarebytes in real time mode, and it works well without having another protection installed.
I'm not sure if Clam AV offers real time protection or if it only detects viruses, etc. when running a scan.
I use a mix of MSE and MBAM pro. Never been infected. Probably because I don't sit searching porn and cracked applications all day in a massive pile of empty energy drink cans...
Hmm. But, I am using MES since 1 month. I also use internet very much. And after reading your reply I just checked online scanner of *One of The Best* antivirus BitDefender. And it didn't find any virus in my pc.
Never used MSE or MBAM pro, have used ESET for years and use Spybot S&D from time to time, never any infections or whatever. Probably also because I don't use energy drinks too