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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Avast Anti-Phishing vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Avast Anti-Phishing #2 in Anti-Phishing Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Avast
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen #6 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Microsoft

Avast Anti-Phishing leads on 0 checks, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAvast Anti-Phishing · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen · 5 of 6

Avast Anti-Phishing scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Avast Anti-Phishing is the better fit for individuals wanting free Chrome phishing protection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the better fit for windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations.

  • Avast Anti-Phishing fits best

    Individuals wanting free Chrome phishing protection

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen fits best

    Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Avast Anti-Phishing 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #2 in Anti-Phishing Software #6 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for Individuals wanting free Chrome phishing protection Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Browser extension Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Chrome extension Windows
Support Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Avast Anti-Phishing 3/6 · Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 5/6
Phishing URL blocking ✓ ✓
Email phishing detection — —
Browser protection ✓ ✓
Credential protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time scanning ✓ ✓
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Scans URLs and blocks connections to dangerous websites
  • Warns about malicious sites and phishing scams
  • Marks search results with security status indicators
  • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
  • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
  • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune
Cons
  • Protection is focused on a browser extension
  • Does not detect phishing in email
  • Support is limited to documentation
  • Email phishing detection is not included
  • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
  • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Our verdict

Avast Anti-Phishing is the phishing-protection functionality in Avast Online Security & Privacy, a free browser extension for people who want help avoiding dangerous websites while browsing. Its stated audience is consumer rather than…

Read the review →

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a built-in Windows and Microsoft Edge security feature for people and organizations seeking protection from phishing and malicious content while browsing. It checks visited URLs against reported threat…

Read the review →
  1. Avast Anti-PhishingAnti-Phishing Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Microsoft Defender SmartScreenAnti-Phishing Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Avast Anti-Phishing — where it wins

    • Scans URLs and blocks connections to dangerous websites
    • Warns about malicious sites and phishing scams
    • Marks search results with security status indicators

    Where it doesn't

    • Protection is focused on a browser extension
    • Does not detect phishing in email
    • Support is limited to documentation

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen — where it wins

    • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
    • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
    • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune

    Where it doesn't

    • Email phishing detection is not included
    • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
    • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Avast Anti-Phishing9.2/10 · Free plan

    A focused browser extension that scans URLs, blocks threats, and flags risky search results.

    Visit AvastFull verdict →
  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows and Edge safeguard for suspicious sites, downloads, and credential entry.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update