I would say yes.
The technology is very similar. Sometimes it's not easy to separate what is a virus, a spyware... malware they're called. Registry and files, scanning and cleaning, all this technology is available. It could be a differential between avast and other antivirus. There is not a chance to it became a bloatware this way.
Other applications for free? Until when? Small companies are more and more being bought by the big ones and every dream is becoming a nightmare...
I vote for yes.