Avast antivirus review 2026

Avast is a cybersecurity company that provides antivirus, privacy, and performance software for platforms like Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It’s owned by a global cybersecurity organization, Gen Digital, which also owns other brands like Norton, AVG, and Avira.

Avast is a solid antivirus software that provides an adequate level of security. It has received good reviews from most independent antivirus and cybersecurity testing facilities throughout the years, including an AAA rating from UK-based SE Labs, and a top score from AV-Test. However, our in-house Avast performance evaluations showed mixed results in areas like privacy, customer support, and threat detection. Read on to find the full review of Avast, covering its key features and more.

Avast antivirus pros

• Solid free version – unlike competitors, Avast’s free version offers necessary core security features, such as malware protection, Wi-Fi Inspector, Phishing Protection, and a basic Firewall, at no cost, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
• High lab scores – independent labs like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives consistently award Avast high scores for malware detection, with the most current ones giving 99.8% and 100% scores for real-time and widespread malware detection.
• Beginner-friendly interface – Avast’s dashboard is well-designed and intuitive, making it easy to find necessary features, especially for non-technical users.
• Extra features in paid tiers – by upgrading to Avast’s paid plans, users get advanced tools that improve device performance and online privacy, such as a VPN, Cleanup Premium, and Network Inspector.
• Minimal system impact – Avast is a lightweight software that doesn’t noticeably slow down your device’s performance. This was proven by both our in-house and independent lab tests.

Avast antivirus cons

• Data privacy concerns – in the past, Avast faced major privacy concerns as it was collecting user data and selling it to third-party advertisers. However, the company now claims to have fixed the issue. Still, users should be cautious about their privacy while using Avast.
• High renewal prices – after the first year, Avast’s renewal prices rise to between $46.79 and $66 per year, depending on the plan. The renewal price more than doubles, which can be unappealing for a lot of users.
• Limited features on certain platforms – Avast on iOS doesn’t perform essential deep virus scanning due to Apple prohibiting third-party apps from scanning other files or apps. Meanwhile, the macOS platforms lack more advanced features like Sandbox, Mode Data Shredder, and Remote Access Shield due to built-in macOS security and operating system restrictions.
• Aggressive upselling – many users report experiencing irritating pop-ups whenever they use the Avast free version that push them to upgrade their subscription.
• Poor customer support – the free version offers no customer support at all, and even with a paid plan, accessing support can be difficult. There is often a queue to wait in for customer support, and even after waiting, customer support is not always able to resolve the issue.

Avast antivirus price

Avast costs $31.20 for the first year of its Premium Security plan, while the Ultimate plan starts at $43.99/year. After the first year, renewal prices rise to between $46.79 and $66 per year, depending on the plan. Here’s a more detailed look at Avast antivirus pricing:

The cheaper Premium Security plan focuses on protection, offering features such as real-time protection against viruses, malware, and ransomware, AI-powered email and scam guard, secure file deletion (Data Shredder), and safe handling of suspicious files (Sandbox). The Avast Ultimate plan provides the same security tools, plus extra features for privacy and better performance, like a VPN, Cleanup for speed, and AntiTrack to stop targeted ads.

Avast is currently running a 60% discount, so now is a good chance to take care of your cybersecurity solutions for cheaper. Besides, Avast gives its users a chance to try its services without risk with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Avast Free antivirus review

Along with paid plans, Avast also offers a free version of its antivirus software. I found that it provides basic yet solid security features, such as comprehensive malware protection, a Sandbox, and a Wi-Fi Inspector, which are sufficient for users seeking reliable malware, virus, and ransomware protection at no cost.

In my tests, a full scan with the Avast free version was very quick and quite effective, catching 131 out of 150 malware samples in only 20 minutes. While it used a fair amount of computer power during the scan, it didn't slow things down too much. The real-time protection also worked instantly to block half of our live samples in less than 3 minutes.

Avast also consistently scores well in lab tests, though it frequently prompts upgrades and can occasionally slow down systems during scans. In the past, the way it handled user data has also caused concern, as Avast was selling sensitive user browsing data to third-party advertisers. However, now it claims to have changed its practices to include a comprehensive privacy program and data deletion. Below, you can see the free antivirus compared against the paid Avast plans:

Overall, the Avast free version is a great choice for essential security and can be useful for occasional scans or secondary checks, but not as a full cybersecurity solution. Instead of relying on the limited free version, I suggest signing up for a paid plan and canceling within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied with the product.

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In-house Avast antivirus test: does Avast get rid of viruses?

My in-house Avast antivirus test started with a full system scan. Before scanning, I first turned off real-time protection so the malware samples would not be blocked. Then, I placed the malware samples in a folder on the system and ran a full scan while connected to the internet.

During the full system scan, Avast detected 108 out of 150 malware samples, achieving a detection rate of 72%. The scan was completed in 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 29 seconds. Plus, the CPU usage remained efficient, ranging between 5% and 33%.

To test the Avast antivirus even further, I performed a real-time protection test by safely simulating malware downloads and checking how well the antivirus reacts. I downloaded 150 different malware samples in a controlled test environment and observed whether the antivirus immediately blocks or quarantines them.

With Real-Time Protection (RTP) active, Avast identified 102 out of the 150 planted malware samples (a 68% detection rate) in just 3 minutes and 8 seconds. During this real-time monitoring, CPU usage fluctuated between 10% and 50%.

According to our in-house tests, Avast’s capability of detecting malware is average, with a detection rate of 72%. However, the sample used to test Avast was relatively small compared to independent lab tests, so results may vary. The one thing I was pleasantly surprised by when testing Avast was that it produced zero false warnings when visiting websites and zero false detections of legitimate software.

Overall, my findings suggest that while the software doesn’t slow down operating systems, there are more reliable antivirus software on the market that catch more threats to ensure you’re properly protected.

Independent labs confirm Avast protects against malware

For a thorough Avast Antivirus review, I additionally analysed independent AV testing labs' results, including AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. The latest Avast Antivirus evaluation at AV-Test took place in November 2025 and showed great results, earning Avast a perfect 6.0/6.0 rating in protection and usability categories. Where it faltered a bit was performance, as it got 5.6/6.0 in that category.

When it comes to protection, Avast testing results are near perfect. According to the AV-TEST data, it provided 99.4% protection in September and 99.8% in October against 0-day malware attacks, including web and e-mail threats, consistently outperforming the industry average of 99.3%.

Avast is also highly reliable regarding false positives. According to my and the AV-TEST results, it produced zero false warnings when visiting websites and zero false detections of legitimate software during system scans across nearly 900,000 samples.

Performance-wise, Avast was rated a 5.5/6.0, as, while testing, AV-Test noticed that the app minimally slowed down devices when launching popular websites. AV-Test found that Avast slowed popular websites by 3% compared to the industry average, which isn’t a significant difference in the grand scheme of things.

As for usability, Avast scored a perfect 6.0/6.0 since AV-Test did not encounter any false malware detection warnings, which can disrupt device usability. You can see the results in more detail in the image below.

AV-Comparatives’ October 2025 Avast testing showed similar results. Just like with AV-Test, Avast scored 100.0% for blocking malware and received an Advanced+ label in performance tests.

My in-house Avast test results slightly differ from those of independent labs in terms of malware detection, as independent testing reports higher protection scores than I observed. However, this discrepancy may be due to the smaller sample size I used. Overall, Avast's protection score falls within an average range.

Protect your devices with Avast

Avast antivirus features

Avast antivirus features include real-time antivirus and malware protection, firewall, web and scam protection, ransomware shield, network inspector, plus privacy tools such as a VPN, tracker blocker, and password protection. Here's a closer look at all of these features:

1. Real-time antivirus and malware protection

Avast’s real-time antivirus and malware protection monitors your device in the background by scanning unknown files to stop threats before they cause damage. It operates 24/7 to block malicious websites, phishing links, and suspicious email attachments, keeping your device protected. Real-time antivirus and malware protection is included in all versions, including the free one, so even free users are safe from viruses, spyware, and Trojans.

During independent testing, this feature achieved a perfect score by blocking 100% of malware attacks. However, during my tests, I found that this feature performs on average at detecting malware and viruses, achieving a 72% malware detection score.

That said, I liked that Avast offers quite a few scan options like Deep scan, Targeted scan, Smart scan, and External storage scan. Plus, there is an option to schedule your scan, which can be very useful to enable continuous, automated monitoring at a convenient time. One more additional perk is that you can check your scan history after it’s been completed.

2. Firewall

Avast’s firewall is a feature that acts as a barrier between your device and the internet to block unauthorized or malicious intrusions. It scans incoming and outgoing data, providing a critical layer of safety, especially when connected to a public Wi-Fi network. While the basic firewall version is available for free, with paid plans, you get a more advanced tool that is stronger at detecting and blocking threats.

During my tests, the Avast firewall feature performed well. However, one thing I noticed is that there’s no separate tab for the firewall on macOS as compared to Windows. Instead, its firewall settings are integrated under Network, where users can manage it alongside other functions.

3. Web and scam protection

Avast's Web and Scam Protection utilizes AI-powered tools like Web Guard and Avast Assistant to scan your internet activity in real-time to block malicious websites and phishing attempts. Paid versions also offer Email Guard and Call Guard for safer communication across all channels. For instance, with Avast Assistant, you can paste messages, links, or photos into the chat, and it will tell you if they are safe or give you tips on how to stay protected online.

During my tests, these tools worked great. By using Avast, I learned that you should paste any suspicious text or email into Avast Assistant so it can check if there’s a scam involved before you click on anything.

4. Ransomware shield

Avast's Ransomware Shield protects personal files, such as photos or documents, from being encrypted, modified, or deleted during ransomware attacks. It does this by preventing untrusted applications from accessing protected folders, which users can customize. While basic ransomware protection is included in the free version of Avast, a more advanced version that allows users to secure more folders and notifies them every time any app tries to modify their protected files is only available with a paid subscription.

5. Network Inspector

Avast's Network Inspector scans the Wi-Fi network for vulnerabilities, like weak router passwords, outdated firmware, and unsecured devices. It finds issues and provides steps to fix them, this way helping to secure your home network against intruders and threats. In the free version, there’s only the option of running a manual Network Inspector scan, while paid versions can continuously monitor for new devices and malicious activity. This tool ensures your network stays private and safe from hackers.

Recommendation: Use the Network Inspector to make sure no one else is secretly using your Wi-Fi.

Bonus features

Avast's bonus features provide strong additional protection, privacy, and performance. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the extra features offered by Avast’s paid plans:

Integrated VPN, known as SecureLine VPN, provides additional online privacy by masking your IP address and encrypting your internet connection. A VPN helps to hide your online traffic from ISPs, bypass geo-blocks, and secure your data, using protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN that create secure, encrypted tunnels for your internet traffic. Unfortunately, SecureLine VPN is only a part of Avast’s Ultimate plan, and its server network is smaller than rivals, lacking advanced features like Double VPN or static IPs.

The Cleanup features, such as Disk and Browser Cleaner, available with the Ultimate plan, remove junk files to optimize device speed. It also fixes issues like broken registry entries and shortcuts, which in turn optimizes performance. For instance, during my tests, Avast’s Browser Cleaner found 1,858 browsing items that I could remove and, in turn, boost my browser’s performance.

Software Updater keeps popular apps updated, which is essential for patching up security holes of updated apps. This additionally improves performance and saves time by finding and installing updates for apps. While the free version allows manual scanning and individual updates, the Automatic Updates feature is reserved for paid plans like Premium Security and Ultimate.

The AntiTrack feature available with the Ultimate plan disguises your digital fingerprint to avoid personalized ads. Unlike standard ad-blockers, it helps to disguise your online traffic by planting fake data and clearing your browser cookies so advertisers can’t track your online footsteps.

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Avast speed test results

In terms of day-to-day use, I did not notice a significant difference in my system's responsiveness after installing Avast. This means that Avast ran very efficiently during my tests, using only 5% to 33% of your CPU during the full scan and between 10% and 50% for real-time protection.

Even with real-time protection running in the background, I was able to browse the web, open applications, and work on documents without any noticeable lag or slowdown. When performing scans, a full system scan took around 1h 10m 29s, real-time protection – 3m 8s, and a quick scan lasted 1 min 30s. Ultimately, the software excels at staying lightweight and fast.

Avast antivirus on different devices: full app reviews

Avast offers multi-platform protection, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. However, the user experience and features slightly differ by device. Therefore, I tested Avast on multiple devices to see how consistent the protection is. Below, you’ll find detailed app reviews for mobile and desktop covering interface, performance, and tools of different operating systems.

iPhone and Android

Avast is available for download on iPhone through the App Store and on Android through the Google Play Store. I had no issues installing the Avast app on both devices, as the process was straightforward and smooth.

While both are intuitive to navigate, iOS devices have limitations due to Apple prohibiting third-party apps from scanning other files or apps. For instance, after a swift setup, Android prompted a quick virus scan that took around a minute, while this step was entirely missing with iPhone.

That said, I could use other features like Web Protection, Network Security, and Identity Protection, which means that Avast on iPhone offers more of a security and privacy package, while Avast on Android is a true antivirus that scans files. Despite the differences, both apps for iPhone and Android ran smoothly, and I did not notice any slowing down on my device while using Avast.

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Windows and Mac

Installation and setup on both Windows and Mac devices were quick and straightforward. One major advantage is that no account is required to begin – you simply download the app directly from the Avast website and follow the guided prompts. Overall, both Mac’s and Windows’ interfaces are modern, clean, and easy to navigate. With Windows, Windows Defender is automatically disabled when it detects that another antivirus is working.

Performance-wise, according to AV-Test, Avast performs slightly better on macOS than Windows, as macOS scored a perfect 6.0/6.0 in the performance category, while Windows scored a 5.5/6.0.

Windows overall offers more comprehensive features since the operating system has a higher historical vulnerability to threats. Although this results in a minimal slowdown, it provides better operating system security. For instance, users can enable Strict Mode and use features like Sandbox, Mode Data Shredder, and Remote Access Shield that macOS lacks.

In general, I found both Avast Windows and Mac apps to be very well designed and intuitive, with every part functioning effectively. That said, you get a better value with Avast Windows, as it is the stronger and more comprehensive version of the software. While both platforms possess excellent malware detection, the Windows version justifies its subscription price more by providing specialized security tools that the Mac version lacks.

Protect your Windows or Mac with Avast

Avast customer service

Avast offers 24/7 customer support, a request form, and a support center, all of which come with paid plans. When testing the chat support, I discovered that free plan users don't have access to technical support chats or phone support. Unfortunately, even with a paid plan, accessing customer support proved somewhat challenging. You cannot access support directly from your logged-in account. Instead, you must verify your identity by entering your order ID, full name, and email address each time.

Once authenticated, I was initially greeted by a chatbot, which handled my simple question effectively. However, when I requested a live agent, I received an automated message stating the wait time would be 10-20 minutes. A live agent connected after 10 minutes, and I was pleased to find them both polite and knowledgeable.

Avast antivirus reviews on Reddit

Avast has an excellent score of 4.4 on Trustpilot from its users, showing that it is trusted by people who have truly used this antivirus software. People seem to really enjoy its ease-of-use, the fact that it doesn’t slow down devices, and offers a free version as well as solid protection from threats.

However, among a lot of good Avast reviews, a few negatives stand out that seem to be recurring with Avast users. For instance, the main complaint users have about the Avast antivirus software is the persistent pop-ups that negatively affect their experience. Like in this complaint:

Users also noticed that Avast’s customer support sometimes could be better. For instance, this customer was irritated by how hard it was for them to get through to the customer support team. It took them 2 hours of trying to make contact with them, only to achieve nothing.

During my tests, I also noticed a few pop-ups in the free version, though I did not find them irritating at all. But if seeing constant ads or lacking customer support is not for you, you might want to try another top-rated antivirus software, like TotalAV, which costs a fraction of the price and offers strong malware detection.

Final verdict: is Avast a good antivirus in 2026?

In this Avast review, Avast delivered top-tier protection, consistently hitting 100% malware detection rates in large-scale industry tests, even with its free version. It also offers many extra tools with paid plans, such as a VPN, Cleanup, and AntiTrack, that not only provide more privacy online but also improve your device’s performance. Plus, it’s beginner-friendly, which is perfect for non-technical users.

Yet, it is not without weaknesses. Its customer service can be hard to access, and it has a history of privacy concerns and irritating pop-ups. Despite this, Avast antivirus protects devices well, so I’d recommend it for users seeking beginner-friendly antivirus software. Just keep in mind that renewal costs increase, and macOS users should consider other alternatives if they want top-tier Mac protection.

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FAQ

Is Avast a legit antivirus?

Yes, Avast is a legitimate antivirus that effectively protects devices from digital threats by blocking them before they can cause any harm. It’s trusted by hundreds of millions of users and has a long history in the cybersecurity industry dating back to 1988.

Is Avast antivirus safe?

Yes, Avast is a safe antivirus that effectively protects devices from viruses and malware and has a 100% score at malware detection. However, it’s worth mentioning that it had major privacy concerns in the past. While they are now fixed, users should still remain cautious.

Who owns Avast antivirus?

Avast is owned by Gen Digital Inc., a global security company that also owns other brands like Norton, AVG, and Avira. It operates as a parent company to various digital safety products.

Is Avast Premium Security worth it?

Yes, Avast users generally consider Avast Premium to be worth it. It offers good value for the features it provides, including real-time malware blocking, ransomware protection, a strong firewall, scam detection, webcam protection, Wi-Fi network scanning, and a data shredder, among other things.

Does Avast antivirus work on Linux?

Yes, Avast antivirus works on Linux when the Avast business plan is purchased. Avast’s Linux solution is primarily designed to protect servers and larger networks rather than standard consumer devices.

What are the main differences between the Avast free vs paid versions?

Avast free version offers core security features, such as malware protection, Wi-Fi Inspector, Phishing Protection, a basic Firewall, and Software Updater at no cost. Meanwhile, paid versions like Premium Security and Ultimate provide advanced tools on top of the free version, such as a VPN (SecureLine VPN), AntiTrack Premium, and Cleanup Premium that improve your device’s performance and your online privacy.

How effective is Avast free antivirus?

Avast free antivirus software is highly effective, consistently scoring well in independent tests for blocking malware. Its most recent real-time malware detection score was 99.98%, while it got a 100% rate for widespread malware detection. That’s 0.5% better than the industry average, so I’d say, as far as free antivirus software goes, Avast is a highly effective one.

Is Avast antivirus VPN good?

Avast antivirus VPN is a solid VPN that provides solid basics, such as strong encryption, split tunneling, and up to 10 simultaneous connections. What pleasantly surprised me is that Avast VPN offers specialized servers for streaming and P2P file sharing. However, its server network is relatively small, and it lacks an independently audited no-logs policy. Overall, it is a solid choice for those who are already using Avast antivirus, but if you’re looking for a more robust service, you may want to consider top-rated competitors, like NordVPN.