ClamAV vs PC Matic
ClamAV
clamav.net
PC Matic
pcmatic.comSide by side
| Figure | ClamAV | PC Matic |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 16 |
| Spec score · Antivirus for Mac | 8.9 (#4) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Spec score · Anti Malware Software | 9.0 (#2) | 8.9 (#3) |
| Spec score · Antivirus software | 8.8 (#20) | 9.0 (#11) |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Protection scope | antivirus | complete security |
| Supported platforms | GNU/Linux,FreeBSD,macOS,Windows | Windows,macOS,Android,iOS |
| System requirements | The recommended minimum is 3 GiB of RAM, a 2.0 GHz CPU, and 5 GiB of free disk space. | Windows support requires Windows 10 or newer, a 1 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 10 GB free disk space and 5 Mbps down/1 Mbps up internet. |
| What it does | ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine for detecting viruses, trojans, malware and related threats. | PC Matic combines endpoint security, application allowlisting, malware prevention, patching, performance optimization and remote management. |
Plans
PC Matic
- Antivirus$60 a year
- Antivirus + VPN$110 a year
- Antivirus + VPN + Family Identity Protection$210 a year
- PC Matic Privacy$30 a year
- PC Matic Privacy$30 a year
- Antivirus$50 a year
- Antivirus$50 a year
- PC Matic PRO Basic$50 a year
- PC Matic Delist$60 a year
- PC Matic Delist$60 a year
In their own words
ClamAV
ClamAV is a free, open-source antivirus engine for email and web scanning and endpoint security tasks. It provides a multi-threaded daemon, a command-line scanner and a tool for automated virus database updates. The database receives updates multiple times per day, and the updater supports scripted updates and digital signatures. ClamAV scans standard mail formats and many archive, executable and document formats, including MS Office, HTML, RTF and PDF. A Milter interface supports Sendmail. On modern Linux versions, ClamOnAcc can scan files when accessed, with an option to block access until scanning finishes. Signed signature databases limit execution to trusted definitions. The project lists GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, macOS and Windows as regularly tested platforms, and official Docker images are available for Alpine Linux and Debian Linux. ClamAV is an engine and associated tools, not a traditional antivirus or endpoint security suite. Recommended minimum resources are 3 GiB RAM, a 2.0 GHz CPU and 5 GiB of free disk space. The project does not guarantee extraction of every version or variant of supported formats.
PC Matic
PC Matic provides antivirus and endpoint security for home and business users on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Its SuperShield protection uses real-time application allowlisting and a default-deny approach that blocks unknown applications. PC Matic says this can stop ransomware before execution; it also describes using heuristics to block malicious scripts that call tools such as PowerShell. On Windows PCs, scans can run maintenance including software and driver updates, junk-file removal, and fixes for software vulnerabilities. Consumer plans list malicious ad and scam blocking and dark web monitoring; the family identity plan adds identity theft insurance and stolen funds reimbursement, each up to $1M. PC Matic Pro applies default-deny allowlisting to applications, scripts, and processes, and can sit alongside other endpoint security solutions. The consumer page lists a free plan and free trial. Paid annual options include Antivirus at $60 a year, Antivirus + VPN at $110 a year, and Antivirus + VPN + Family Identity Protection at $210 a year.