Avast Antivirus Pro
9.2
★★★★Free tier + Pro upgradeDownload Avast
Avast Antivirus: Real-Time Protection for Windows, Mac, and MobileAvast Antivirus: Real-Time Protection
A hands-on look at Avast's free and paid antivirus — detection, performance, privacy, and who it's for.
A hands-on look at Avast's free and paid antivirus.
Avast Antivirus is one of the most widely installed consumer security suites in the world, used by over 400 million people across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It pairs a solid real-time antivirus engine with a free tier that covers most home users, and a paid tier that adds VPN, password manager, and device-to-device protection.
In this review we look at what Avast actually does well — malware detection, performance impact, and the breadth of its free plan — and where it falls short, including the data-privacy questions that have followed the company in recent years.
Key features
Real-time antivirus
Continuous scanning of files, downloads, and email attachments, with a heuristic engine that catches zero-day threats before signatures are published.
Free tier
Core antivirus, web shield, mail shield, and basic firewall are free forever — no trial, no card required.
VPN & password manager
Avast One bundles a 400 GB/mo VPN, a password manager, and a data-breach monitor into a single subscription.
Cross-platform
Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS clients with a unified dashboard so you can manage every device from one place.
Game mode
Automatically pauses scans and notifications while you're playing, so protection never interrupts a match.
Ransomware shield
Behavioral blocking that stops known ransomware families from encrypting your files, even if they slip past the signature engine.
Avast's detection rates in independent AV-TEST and SE Labs benchmarks have consistently placed it in the top tier, with real-world protection scores above 99% in recent cycles. The engine is lightweight enough that most users report no noticeable slowdown during normal use.
The main trade-off is privacy: Avast's 2020 sale of browsing data to a third party (Jumpshot) drew criticism, and the company has since changed its data practices. If privacy is your top priority, weigh that history against the strong protection scores.
Avast Antivirus
★★★★9.212,400
Detection9.5
Top-tier real-world and lab detection rates.
Performance9.0
Lightweight engine; minimal impact on system speed.
Value8.5
Free tier is generous; Pro is competitively priced.
Pros
- Excellent detection rates
- Free tier with no time limit
- Cross-platform support
- Lightweight on system resources
- Game mode for uninterrupted play
Cons
- Past data-privacy controversy
- Aggressive upsell pop-ups in free version
- VPN data cap (400 GB/mo) in Avast One
Frequently asked questions
Is Avast Antivirus really free?
Yes. The free version includes real-time antivirus, web shield, mail shield, and a basic firewall with no time limit and no credit card required. The paid tiers add VPN, password manager, and advanced ransomware protection.
Does Avast slow down my computer?
In most independent tests, Avast's performance impact is comparable to or better than Windows Defender. Game mode further reduces interruptions during heavy use.
Is Avast safe and private?
Avast's malware protection is strong and independently verified. However, the company sold browsing data to a third party in 2020, which raised privacy concerns. Avast has since changed its data practices, but privacy-focused users should weigh that history.
Can I use Avast on Mac and mobile?
Yes. Avast offers clients for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, all manageable from a single dashboard.
How does Avast compare to Windows Defender?
Both offer solid free protection. Avast generally scores higher in independent detection tests and adds features like a VPN and password manager in its paid tier, while Windows Defender is built into Windows and requires no extra installation.