Avast
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity solution offering real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and online threats. Provides both free and premium plans with advanced features like firewall protection, webcam shielding, and VPN services for individuals and families.
Best for
- Home users seeking comprehensive protection
- Families with multiple devices
- Budget-conscious users wanting free antivirus
- Users needing multi-platform security
Not ideal for
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
Try Avast Free
Free plan available · 4 plans available
Visit Avast →Avast Overview
Avast vs Top Alternatives
| Software | Rating | Starting Price | Free Tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAvast | 4.2 ★ | $31.20/yr | Yes | |
| KKaspersky | 4.6 ★ | $21.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| BBitdefender | 4.4 ★ | $9.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| MMcAfee | 4.3 ★ | $29.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
| NNorton 360 | 4.3 ★ | $19.99/yr | No | Compare → |
| EESET NOD32 | 4.2 ★ | $39.99/yr | Yes | Compare → |
Avast Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent malware detection rates (99.96% online protection)
- Robust free version with essential features
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- History of unauthorized data collection issues
- Quick scan missed malware in testing
- Higher system resource usage on Windows
- Limited customer support for free users
Pricing Plans
Free Antivirus
- Basic virus protection
- Limited ransomware protection
- Network inspector
- Software updater
- Password manager
Premium Security (1 device)
- Advanced antivirus
- Ransomware protection
- Firewall
- Webcam shield
- Email protection
- Phishing protection
Premium Security (10 devices)
- Everything in 1-device plan
- Protects up to 10 devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS support
- Wi-Fi security scanner
One Gold
- All Premium Security features
- SecureLine VPN
- Cleanup Premium
- AntiTrack
- Driver Updater
Avast Integrations
Avast connects with 6 services to extend your workflow.
Who Should Use Avast?
Small Businesses
31% of Avast customers have fewer than 50 employees, making it particularly suitable for small companies without dedicated IT teams. Avast offers dedicated business solutions through products like Essential Business Security and Premium Business Security.
RecommendedBudget-Conscious Individual Users
The largest user bases are in price-sensitive markets like Brazil (28 million customers) and North America shows strong adoption of Avast's free antivirus programs. Users value it as 'free antivirus is still better than no antivirus.'
RecommendedMedium-Sized Companies
40% of Avast customers are medium-sized companies, with strong presence in Information Technology and Services (22% of customers) and Computer Software (9% of customers) industries.
RecommendedPrivacy-Conscious Users
Avast has a documented history of collecting and selling user data to marketing agencies and was fined nearly $15 million by the FTC for GDPR violations. This makes it unsuitable for users who prioritize data privacy.
Not idealWhen to Consider Alternatives
When privacy is your priority
Avast has a documented history of collecting and selling user data to marketing agencies and was fined nearly $15 million by the FTC for GDPR violations related to these practices.
Consider Bitdefender instead →When you need reliable comprehensive malware detection
Smart scans do not inspect all files thoroughly and easily miss smartly placed malware. Avast's scans failed to detect dummy EICAR files placed in common folders, requiring manual custom scans.
Consider Kaspersky instead →When you have high-end hardware and need optimal performance
Users report unbearable slowness affecting both the antivirus itself and overall system performance, even on high-end hardware. The SecureLine VPN connection significantly slows internet speeds.
Consider Norton 360 instead →When you need responsive customer support
Support options are limited to paid users, and agents are slow to respond and unhelpful. One user waited 50 minutes for a vague response that merely promoted additional paid services rather than solving the problem.
Consider Norton 360 instead →Top Avast Alternatives
Kaspersky
Comprehensive antivirus and internet security software that provides real-time protection against malware, ransomware, and cyber threats. Offers multiple protection tiers from free basic antivirus to premium security suites with VPN, password management, and parental controls.
Bitdefender
Award-winning antivirus and cybersecurity solution providing multi-layered protection against malware, ransomware, and online threats. Offers comprehensive security packages for individuals and businesses with advanced features like VPN, password manager, and identity protection.
McAfee
Comprehensive antivirus and cybersecurity suite offering real-time malware protection, VPN, password management, and identity theft monitoring. Designed for individuals and families seeking all-in-one digital security with unlimited device coverage across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.
Norton 360
Comprehensive cybersecurity suite that combines antivirus, VPN, identity protection, and cloud backup in one platform. Offers AI-powered scam protection and 100% virus protection promise for individuals and families across multiple devices.
ESET NOD32
Fast, lightweight antivirus protection with AI-powered threat detection that runs quietly in the background without slowing down your system. Trusted by over one billion users worldwide with 30 years of cybersecurity innovation and consistently high detection rates in independent lab tests.
Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware solution that provides real-time protection against viruses, ransomware, and malicious websites. It offers both free and premium versions with machine learning-powered threat detection for personal and business users across multiple devices.
TotalAV
Award-winning antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, and online threats across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Offers comprehensive security bundles with VPN, password manager, ad blocker, and system optimization tools at competitive prices.
Trend Micro
30+ year-old cybersecurity company offering AI-powered antivirus and security solutions for home and business users. Provides multi-device protection against malware, ransomware, phishing, and online scams with cloud-based threat detection.
Webroot
Webroot delivers cloud-powered antivirus and security for PCs, Macs, mobiles, and Chromebooks, emphasizing speed, low resource impact, and real-time threat intelligence. Plans range from basic antivirus to full suites with identity protection, VPN, and backups.