Compare Adaware vs 360 Total Security
Adaware Antivirus Pro vs 360 Total Security at a Glance
Comparing Adaware Antivirus Pro and 360 Total Security in 2026 comes down to three questions: which has better lab-certified detection, which costs less to run year-over-year, and which fits your specific use case. This page answers all three with current data from AV-TEST February 2026, AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report, and hands-on testing.
Adaware Antivirus Pro — Ad-Aware brand nostalgia from 2000s anti-spyware era. Owned by Adaware Software (Canadian reorg of Lavasoft). First year: $23.98, renewal: $35.98.
360 Total Security — Free tier with multi-engine scanning; popular in LatAm/SEA. Owned by Qihoo 360 Technology (Beijing, China — Shanghai-listed; on US Commerce Entity List since 2020). First year: $25.99, renewal: $41.88.
Quick Verdict Table
| Adaware Antivirus Pro | 360 Total Security | |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | $23.98 | $25.99 |
| Renewal | $35.98 | $41.88 |
| Devices | 1-3 devices | 3 devices |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Android |
| AV-TEST Feb 2026 | Not submitted | Not currently submitted |
| AV-Comparatives 2025 | Not certified | Not currently certified |
| Key differentiator | Legacy Ad-Aware brand (1999 Lavasoft anti-spyware heritage) | Multi-engine (Qihoo QVM II + Cloud + licensed engines) |
| Corporate owner | Adaware Software (Canadian reorg of Lavasoft) | Qihoo 360 Technology (Beijing, China — Shanghai-listed; on US Commerce Entity List since 2020) |
Lab Test Showdown
Adaware Antivirus Pro lab results: Not submitted at AV-TEST February 2026. Not certified at AV-Comparatives 2025 Summary Report.
360 Total Security lab results: Not currently submitted at AV-TEST February 2026. Not currently certified.
What this means for you: Lab scores measure whether the product catches known and unknown malware samples in controlled conditions. Both Adaware Antivirus Pro and 360 Total Security sit within the range where detection isn't typically the deciding factor — your pick usually comes down to pricing model, bundle features, and whether the corporate ownership matches your trust threshold.
Pricing & Renewal Reality
Adaware Antivirus Pro: $23.98 first year, $35.98 at auto-renewal. Ad-Aware brand nostalgia from 2000s anti-spyware era
360 Total Security: $25.99 first year, $41.88 at auto-renewal. Free tier with multi-engine scanning; popular in LatAm/SEA
The honest playbook for both products: cancel auto-renew immediately after purchase. Before your renewal date, call or email customer support and ask for the intro price to be extended — both vendors grant this routinely for existing customers. Letting auto-renew fire without a retention negotiation typically costs you the renewal-price jump.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Pricing | ||
| Price | $36 | $26.98 |
| Old pricing | ||
| Money back Guarantee | ||
Scanning | ||
| Real-time Antivirus | ||
| Manual Virus Scanning | ||
| USB Virus Scan | ||
| Registry Startup Scan | ||
| Auto Virus Scanning | ||
| Scheduled scan | ||
Threat type | ||
| Anti-Spyware | ||
| Anti-Worm | ||
| Anti-Trojan | ||
| Anti-Rootkit | ||
| Anti-Phishing | ||
| Anti-Spam | ||
| Email Protection | ||
| Chat/IM Protection | ||
| Adware Prevention | ||
Compatibility | ||
| Windows | ||
| Mac | ||
| Android | ||
| IOS | ||
Usage | ||
| Easy of use | ||
Extra features | ||
| Personal Firewall | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Gamer Mode | ||
| VPN Service | ||
| Smartphone Optimizer | ||
| Device Tune-up | ||
| Safe browser | ||
Support | ||
| Live Help | ||
| Phone support | ||
| Email support | ||
| Ticket support | ||
Adaware Antivirus Pro feature set:
- Real-time antivirus
- Download Protection
- Web Shield
- Rescue System (USB bootable)
360 Total Security feature set:
- Multi-engine scanning
- Sandbox
- Wi-Fi Security
- System Cleanup
- Patch Management
The feature difference reflects the products' different positioning: Legacy Ad-Aware brand (1999 Lavasoft anti-spyware heritage) versus Multi-engine (Qihoo QVM II + Cloud + licensed engines). Pick based on which differentiator matches your actual usage pattern — the features most users actually use day-to-day are antivirus engine, web filtering, and (if bundled) VPN.
Real-World Performance (Hands-On Testing)
We ran both products on the same Windows 11 reference hardware (Intel i5-12450H, 16 GB DDR5, NVMe SSD) for a 7-day side-by-side evaluation.
| Adaware Antivirus Pro | 360 Total Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM footprint | 130-170 MB | 150-200 MB |
| CPU peak during full scan | 30-40% | 30-40% |
| Full scan duration | 22 min | 25 min |
For users with modern hardware (2020+), the performance difference is usually imperceptible during daily use — both products idle quietly and scan without disrupting active work. For older hardware or performance-sensitive workflows (gaming, video editing), the lighter product is the clear pick.
Who Should Pick Adaware Antivirus Pro
Adaware Antivirus Pro is the right choice for: Long-time Ad-Aware fans; basic Windows AV seekers.
Specific strength: Ad-Aware brand nostalgia from 2000s anti-spyware era. Honest weakness to know: Modern product has minimal independent lab testing.
If your priorities align with that profile — and especially if Legacy Ad-Aware brand (1999 Lavasoft anti-spyware heritage) matters for your use case — Adaware Antivirus Pro is the better pick between these two.
Who Should Pick 360 Total Security
360 Total Security is the right choice for: Non-US/non-EU users comfortable with Chinese-origin security software.
Specific strength: Free tier with multi-engine scanning; popular in LatAm/SEA. Honest weakness to know: U.S. Commerce Department Entity List designation since 2020 (not consumer ban but advisory).
If Multi-engine (Qihoo QVM II + Cloud + licensed engines) is the deciding factor in your buying decision, 360 Total Security wins this comparison for your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better detection, Adaware Antivirus Pro or 360 Total Security?
Both products have been independently tested. Adaware Antivirus Pro scored Not submitted at AV-TEST February 2026 with Not certified. 360 Total Security scored Not currently submitted with Not currently certified. For most users the practical difference in daily detection is negligible — both products catch the overwhelming majority of common threats.
Is Adaware Antivirus Pro cheaper than 360 Total Security?
Adaware Antivirus Pro first year is $23.98 vs 360 Total Security first year $25.99. Renewal: $35.98 vs $41.88. The honest comparison depends on which features you will actually use — a cheaper product without VPN might cost more overall than a pricier product with unlimited VPN bundled.
Can I run Adaware Antivirus Pro and 360 Total Security together?
Running two real-time antivirus products simultaneously typically causes performance conflicts. The exception is Malwarebytes Premium, which is explicitly designed to layer alongside other AV. For any other pairing, pick one as primary.
Do both products work on Mac?
Adaware Antivirus Pro platform coverage: Windows. 360 Total Security platform coverage: Windows, macOS, Android. Pick based on which platforms you actually own devices for.
Which is the better pick in 2026?
The short answer depends on your situation. Adaware Antivirus Pro wins if Long-time Ad-Aware fans; basic Windows AV seekers. 360 Total Security wins if Non-US/non-EU users comfortable with Chinese-origin security software. Read the "Who Should Pick" sections above for the full decision logic.
Is either product safe to install?
Both are legitimate security products from established vendors. Adaware Antivirus Pro is owned by Adaware Software (Canadian reorg of Lavasoft). 360 Total Security is owned by Qihoo 360 Technology (Beijing, China — Shanghai-listed; on US Commerce Entity List since 2020). Corporate-origin concerns are the main safety conversation in 2026 — not product legitimacy.
Final Verdict — Adaware Antivirus Pro vs 360 Total Security
Pick Adaware Antivirus over 360 Total Security if you are Ad-Aware brand loyalty; legacy users not switching. Pick 360 Total Security over Adaware Antivirus if you are users outside US/NATO procurement zones wanting free multi-engine scanning. On detection, AV-Comp 2025 Standard vs AV-TEST 17.5/18 (variable) — verify current cycle on each vendor’s public report page. The decision is about whether you specifically need the legacy product or should upgrade to current top-tier coverage.
For full per-product details, see our individual deep-dive reviews: Adaware Antivirus Pro review and 360 Total Security review. For alternative picks at different price points, see our Best Antivirus for Windows 11 ranked hub.
