Stronghold vs Avast One: 2026 Comparison
Stronghold is a free endpoint protection platform tool. Avast One is a commercial endpoint protection platform tool by Avast. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best endpoint protection platform fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
Mac-first security teams who need fast baseline hardening without the overhead of enterprise MDM will find Stronghold valuable; it automates configuration drift detection and remediation across macOS fleets through infrastructure-as-code principles rather than agent bloat. The tool is free and open-source with 1,173 GitHub stars, meaning you get transparency into how it handles sensitive system settings and community-driven updates. Skip this if you need cross-platform endpoint detection and response or Windows coverage; Stronghold is deliberately macOS-only and prioritizes prevention over threat hunting.
Startups and small teams stretched thin on security staff should pick Avast One for its integrated VPN and scam protection, which handles employee-side risks that most endpoint tools ignore. The platform covers Windows and Mac with a free tier that lets you test before paid deployment, reducing budget friction on initial rollout. Skip this if you need deep EDR capabilities or API-driven threat hunting; Avast One prioritizes prevention and user safety over post-breach investigation.
