Avast Free is the top product according to AV Test.org 
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
Thanks Avast !!!
If you remove the annoying and “scary” pop-ups you are number one as free antivirus !!! 
Well, in short - the ads are basically ‘the price to pay’ for the free version.
From 21 AVs tested , 15 were “TOP PRODUCT”
Including Microsoft Defender.
So, no big deal.
Actually only 11 scored a perfect 6 in all three categories. 