# Alternatives to AVG Avast's sibling brand. AVG ranks #7 of 9 in Antivirus software, with an Alt Score of 78. It is proprietary, freemium from £59.99/year (AVG Internet Security) and available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avg/ Category: Antivirus software ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Home users and families who want straightforward malware and online-threat protection for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, from casual users wanting free basic security to those needing multi-device coverage. - **What you get**: AVG AntiVirus Free provides real-time malware detection, web and email threat protection, and basic ransomware shielding on one device at no cost. Paid tiers (AVG Internet Security, AVG Ultimate) add a firewall, webcam protection, hardened banking/payment protection, and advanced ransomware defense across up to 10 devices. AVG Ultimate bundles in a VPN, a tracker/AntiTrack privacy tool, and TuneUp performance optimization. - **How it works**: Users download and install the AVG app on each device, after which it runs background and on-demand scans while a real-time shield continuously monitors files, downloads, and websites for threats. Alerts and one-tap actions in the app let users quarantine or remove detected risks, with paid plans layering on additional protections like the firewall and VPN. ## Profile - **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-10) - **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-10) - **Starts at**: £59.99/year (AVG Internet Security) (verified 2026-07-10) - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Bitdefender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bitdefender.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 2 | [Avast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avast.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 3 | [ESET](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/eset.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android | | 4 | [Malwarebytes](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/malwarebytes.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 5 | [Microsoft Defender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | | 6 | [Norton](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/norton.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 7 | [Avira](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avira.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | | 8 | [ClamAV](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clamav.md) | 46 | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Antivirus software checklist | AVG | Bitdefender | Avast | ESET | Malwarebytes | Microsoft Defender | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Subscription | Freemium | Free | | Starts at | £59.99/year (AVG Internet Security) | $24.99/year | $49.99/year | ? | $59.99/year | ? | | License | Proprietary | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | | Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Real-time protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Ransomware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Performance impact | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | Partial | Partial | | Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | No data selling | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Web protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Firewall included | Partial | Partial | Partial | Yes | ? | Yes | | Ad-free experience | Partial | Partial | Partial | ? | Partial | ? | ## Sources Sources for AVG. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: Proprietary — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “a non-exclusive and non-transferable license to use each solution you purchase or otherwise properly acquire” - **Starts at**: £59.99/year (AVG Internet Security) — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “AVG Internet Security 1 Mac 1 year £59.99 £69.99” - **Pricing model**: Freemium — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Download AVG AntiVirus Free for real-time protection against viruses, infected emails, scam websites, and more” - **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Also available for Mac, Android, and iOS” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “2026-07-16” - **Real-time protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “real-time protection against viruses, infected emails, scam websites, and more” - **Ransomware protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Find and deal with ransomware, spyware, viruses, and more.” - **Performance impact**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “AVG AntiVirus Free is a lightweight antivirus tool that's been specially designed to protect your PC without slowing it down.” - **Free tier**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Download AVG AntiVirus Free for real-time protection against viruses, infected emails, scam websites, and more” - **No data selling**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: Qualified statement ('directly identifies you'). - Quote: “As a matter of general practice, we do not sell information that directly identifies you, like your name, address, or email.” - **Web protection**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Protect your PC against unsafe emails, website links, and downloads” - **Cross-platform**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Also available for Mac, Android, and iOS” - **Firewall included**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: Firewall in paid Internet Security, not the free tier. - Quote: “An Enhanced Firewall that secures your entire network to prevent anyone from gaining unwanted access” - **Ad-free experience**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “We give you the choice between the free ad-supported experience or the pro ad-free experience.” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/