Avast vs AVG: Which Free Antivirus Is Better?

Avast acquired AVG Technologies in 2016, creating the world's largest antivirus company. Despite sharing the same parent company and underlying detection engine, Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free remain distinct products with different interfaces, feature sets, and user experiences. This comparison examines where the products align and where they diverge.

Shared Detection Engine

Both products use the same underlying detection engine, maintained by the combined threat research teams at Avast's Prague headquarters. In independent lab tests, this means both products earn identical or near-identical scores. In the latest AV-Test evaluation, both Avast and AVG scored 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance, and 5.5/6 for usability.

If detection capability is your only metric, there is no meaningful difference between the two. Both products will catch the same threats at the same rate. The differences lie in the user interface, the features included in each tier, and the approach to monetization.

What the Shared Engine Means for Users

The shared engine also means that choosing between Avast and AVG is primarily a question of user experience rather than security effectiveness. You get the same core protection regardless of which product you install. This allows you to make your decision based on interface preference, feature availability, and comfort with each product's monetization approach.

Free Tier Comparison

Avast Free Antivirus includes more features in its free version than AVG. The free Avast tier provides core malware protection, a basic ransomware shield, email shield, network inspector (checking for vulnerable Wi-Fi settings), and a gaming mode that suppresses notifications during gameplay.

AVG AntiVirus Free provides core malware protection, email scanning, and deep scan capabilities. It does not include the ransomware shield or network inspector in the free tier. AVG's free version is more stripped down, focusing on essential virus detection without the extra utilities Avast bundles.

Paid Tier Comparison

Avast's premium tiers offer more choice. Avast One Essential (free) includes a 5GB/month VPN, basic ransomware protection, and device cleanup tools. Avast One Individual costs $50.28/year and adds a full VPN, data breach monitoring, and advanced ransomware protection. Avast One Family covers 30 devices for $69.48/year.

AVG AntiVirus Free covers basic protection. AVG Internet Security costs $46.68/year (1 device) and adds an enhanced firewall, phishing protection, and webcam protection. AVG Ultimate costs $79.99/year and includes a full VPN and system cleanup tools across 10 devices.

On pricing, the products are in the same ballpark, but Avast One Family's 30-device coverage at $69.48/year offers better value for large households than AVG Ultimate's 10-device coverage at $79.99/year.

Interface and User Experience

AVG has the cleaner, more straightforward interface. Its main screen shows your protection status prominently, with clearly labeled buttons for scans and settings. The design is functional and uncluttered, making it a good choice for users who want essential protection without complexity.

Avast's interface is feature-rich but can feel busy. The dashboard includes tiles for every feature, including promotional tiles for paid features you do not have. Some users find this distracting. However, the additional features are genuinely useful if you take the time to configure them, and the gaming mode effectively suppresses interruptions during gameplay.

Monetization and Privacy

Free antivirus products need to generate revenue somehow, and both Avast and AVG do this through upselling paid tiers and showing promotional notifications. Avast tends to show more frequent promotional popups, while AVG is relatively restrained. If popups are a dealbreaker, consider that neither product is completely free of them.

The free versions of both products do collect some usage data for product improvement, which you can opt out of during installation. Neither product's free tier includes the data brokerage practices that led to the Jumpshot controversy.

Platform Support

Avast supports Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The Android version includes anti-theft features and call filtering. The iOS version focuses on web protection and Wi-Fi scanning since iOS does not support traditional antivirus scanning.

AVG supports the same platforms. The Android version is comparable to Avast's offering. The macOS version includes web shield and email scanning. Both products offer similar mobile experiences since they share underlying technology.

Pros and Cons

Which Should You Choose?

If you want the most features possible without paying, Avast Free Antivirus is the better choice. The included ransomware shield, network inspector, gaming mode, and 5GB VPN make it one of the most feature-rich free antivirus products available. The tradeoff is a busier interface and more frequent upsell attempts.

If you prefer simplicity and a cleaner experience, AVG AntiVirus Free delivers the same core protection with fewer distractions. It is ideal for family members who just need solid virus protection without extra features they will never use. The lighter system footprint also makes it better for older computers.

For users considering paid tiers, Avast One Family offers better value with 30-device coverage. AVG Ultimate is worth considering if you prefer the AVG interface and only need to cover up to 10 devices.