avast or avg (free versions?) which is best?

[Chris100]

always used AVG but toying with trying avast any good? or maybe microsoft security essentials?

[ethics2012]

use mse..fast good and doesnt slow down pc!!!

[ikenewton]

Mse is reliable

[gaspa1969]

used avast for about 5 years now never had any problems with it and neva found that it slowed pc down

[Mazzie]

Get Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes. Both of these together will ensure that your computer will stay clean and virus free. Both are FREE.

[Hoppy01]

There is not much to choose from these days as most free AV's are pretty good but to answer your question a would go for Avast!
AVG has became pretty bloated and its only recently they have started to make changes that should have been made a while ago..
Avast made big changes in the last few years that improved Trojan detection, better interface and not too heavy on resources..
AVG free takes longer to update new signatures (a major no no) whilst Avast free is the same as Pro..

One a would give a big shout to is Comodo, a wouldn't have touched Comodo a few years ago but their 2012 security suite is the doggies bits.
It covers all types of Malware and as scored high on detecting new Malware, it also comes with one of the best firewalls available..
Its great for older pc's as its very light on resources, its on a par with MSE which is probably the lightest..

A would have said MSE as many others have noted until recently but MSE is not good at removal of Malware and isn't advanced enough yet to be used as your only defence..
People also tend to think that because MSE is made by MS then it should integrate better and have advantages, but its not actually MS that develop MSE, its a third party company which is nothing new as MS do this often with software that they buy...

A would go for Avast or Comodo mate..