Avast Review
Avast is one of the most widely installed antivirus products in the world, largely thanks to a free tier that offers real protection, not just a stripped-down trial. It will not top this list on raw protection score, but for most everyday users it remains a dependable, easy default.
- One of the most fully-featured free antivirus tiers available, not a stripped-down trial
- Solid, dependable protection scores from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives
- Includes a firewall and Wi-Fi network security scanning even on the free plan
- Part of Gen Digital alongside Norton, sharing backend threat intelligence
- Clear, easy-to-navigate dashboard for core security functions
- Slightly heavier on system resources than the lightest-scoring products on this list
- Free version shows frequent upgrade prompts, which some users find intrusive
- VPN data allowance is limited on lower tiers; unlimited VPN requires a higher-priced plan
- Was found selling anonymized browsing data through a subsidiary in 2020, a practice it has since shut down
Protection Rate
Avast delivers solid, dependable protection in independent testing. AV-TEST's 2026 rounds show strong real-time detection rates for both Avast Free and Avast One, and AV-Comparatives has consistently placed it in the Advanced or Advanced+ tier, just slightly behind the very top scorers on this list like Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
Performance Impact
Avast's impact on system performance has improved substantially over recent versions, though independent testing still shows it running slightly heavier than the lightest products we track, particularly during full scans. Background real-time protection during normal browsing and app use is unlikely to be noticeable on modern hardware.
Features
Avast Free covers real-time antivirus protection, a basic firewall, and Wi-Fi network security checks, one of the more generous free tiers on this list. Avast One and Premium Security add ransomware protection, webcam protection, and a VPN, though the VPN's data allowance is limited on lower tiers and unlimited only on the higher-priced Avast One plans.
Pricing
Avast Premium Security currently starts around $49.08 for the first year on a single-device plan, with multi-device and Avast One bundles priced higher. Like most vendors here, first-year pricing is promotional, and renewal costs meaningfully more, so it is worth checking the current renewal rate on Avast's site before buying.
UI / UX
Avast's dashboard uses large, clearly labeled status tiles for scans, firewall, and VPN, which makes core functions easy to find. The free version does prompt users toward paid upgrades more often than some competitors' free tiers, which can feel intrusive if you specifically want to stick with the free plan long-term.
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FAQ
Is Avast a good antivirus?
Yes. Avast delivers solid, dependable protection in independent AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives testing, just behind the very top scorers on this list, and its free tier is one of the most complete available.
Does Avast have a free version?
Yes, and it is genuinely capable: real-time protection, a firewall, and Wi-Fi security scanning are all included free, not just a stripped-down trial.
Is Avast safe to use, given its data-privacy history?
Avast shut down Jumpshot, the subsidiary responsible for selling anonymized browsing data, in January 2020, and has stated it no longer sells user browsing data. It is a legitimate concern worth knowing about, but current independent testing does not flag ongoing privacy issues with its core antivirus product.
Does Avast include a VPN?
Avast One and Premium Security include a VPN, though the data allowance is limited on lower tiers. Unlimited VPN data requires a higher-priced Avast One plan.
How much does Avast cost?
Avast Premium Security currently starts around $49.08 for the first year on a single-device plan. Renewal pricing is higher, as with nearly every vendor we review.